Midnight Boat to Freedom

A/N - I don't own it.


The men walked up and down the dock and through the surrounding city, going about their daily tasks. I watched them from my post on starboard and felt anticipation bubbling inside me. They looked so small from where I was, and I wondered why it was I was so afraid of them. I was still nervous that someone would recognize me. But I pushed these thoughts away as the swells of the sea brought us closer and closer to our destination. By the time we would arrive, dusk would be settling, and people would be scarce in the evening. Jack motioned for someone to hoist the black and white flag and up it went. I gasped. Why on earth would we announce ourselves so blatantly? Surely we would be shot at as soon as we were within reach of their fleet’s cannons.

Immediately two vessels left the harbor to meet us. I nearly died on the spot where I stood when a Commodore and two other men boarded. I slunk to the back and found a nice hiding spot behind a man named Gibbs who was rather wide. I hoped that they wouldn’t search the ship and discover me. There went my little adventure I was sure, they were going to hang me. And the rest of the crew. I wasn’t going to be able to go back to being a slave; I was going to be treated like a pirate. I resigned to myself that I would rather go that way then go back to where I had come from.

The Commodore looked at Jack who had met him in the center of the deck. Neither drew their weapons, but regarded each other with a visible disdain. There was no fondness among these men. The other ships flanked our own and I could see the cannons at the ready under the setting sun. Gibbs took notice of me and pulled me in front of him.

“Now, ‘s no need to be afraid. The just won’t let Captain dock there for fear he’ll rob the whole town. We’ll be havin to wait here.” Gibbs said under his breath to me. I nodded and looked at the man.

“Well, Sparrow. What business brings you here?” The Commodore asked, haughtily looking at Jack and the vagabond crew he had assembled.

“Just in town for a few goods. See some old friends.” He answered insolently.

“Did you feel the need to raise that flag as you came in?” The commodore said as he pointed to the black and white flag still waving in the slight breeze. “You take advantage of my leniency with this disrespect. Your arrival has caused quite a stir. I’m afraid I can’t let you come to shore.”

As he said the last of these words, he started to walk back to the gangway that was between the ships, giving his men a swift nod to follow him. Jack was quicker and was standing in front of him before he could get a step further. He grinned at the Commodore, displaying several gleaming teeth.

“But Commodore! All we plan to do is wander in a bit, have a drink or two and be on our way when we’re done! Nothing more!” He gave another innocent smile and the Commodore rolled his eyes.

“Mr. Sparrow. Consider your plans null. Leave immediately and we’ll not follow you.” The Commodore went to step around him, but Jack was again in front of him.

“Still bitter, Commodore? I understand, but you know it was you I wanted her to choose. I didn’t want her to get shacky with him, he should be out here where he belongs.” Jack, although still talking with his disrespectful voice, managed to convey that he was quite serious and the Commodore stopped where he was.

“What are you implying Mr. Sparrow?” He asked.

“Come with me and have a spot of rum while I tell you my wandering plans, Commodore.” He said, gesturing to the quarters behind them.

“I’ll not be kept in secret talks with known pirates.” The Commodore replied stiffly, but it was apparent to all that he was itching to go, knowing that he and Jack shared a common wish.

Jack raised his hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine, I understand Commodore! I fully understand why you’re angry. We’ll be off then, for now. But next time we arrive, I don’t think we’ll be as chummy. Savvy?” Jack said as he dismissed the Commodore.

Everyone held their breath. I was still standing in front of Gibbs, and when I looked over my shoulder at him, I had never seen the normally jovial man look so mean, he had his chest puffed out and a scowl on his face. I looked from face to face and saw that all of the crew were regarding the Commodore with the same mean glares. I tried to mimic them, but I think I looked more like I drank a vat of curdled milk.

The Commodore looked frustrated and deep in thought, although the way I see it - and the way I think Jack intended it to be seen - was quite simple really. Jack threatened the Port and now the Commodore was given the opportunity to speak to him in private to talk him out of attacking. Then none could rightly say that he went willingly into private talks with a pirate. I almost laughed aloud at the theatrical performance about the issue, but thought better of it and took a step closer to Gibbs.

“As you wish then, Mr. Sparrow, make it brief.” The Commodore finally replied, walking ahead of him into the open door of the room. He signaled for the rest of his crew to stay behind and wait for him to emerge. None of the Commodore’s crew or Jack’s crew were allowed in.

We waited there, and awkward silence hovered over our crew as we faced the men from their crew. No one said a thing, and only the creaking of the ship could be heard. A few shuffled their feet and looked around. No one said a thing.

The door opened after a time and the two men came out. After giving brief instructions to the crew, the Commodore turned back to us. Not in the sight or earshot of his own crew he spoke to Jack in almost a whisper.

“You have a deal Captain Sparrow.” And he nodded for him to come aboard his ship. Jack and Anamarie started to follow, when Jack turned back and took me by my upper arm and led me to the gangway.

I was thoroughly confused as to what was going on, but I followed. What had been said in that small room in such short a time that could have changed the Commodore’s attitude that much? I had no time to ask, and I assumed that it was none of my business at the time, so I followed his lead and walked aboard the other ship. I was going to be able to go to land again for a brief time, and with no punishment.

We reached the docks and exited the ship, the hard ground feeling different on my ankles that were now used to the constant sway and motion of the ship. I almost stumbled, but Jack again had my arm. I shook him away and looked at the Commodore. Something about him made me uneasy as he looked at me, and I lowered my head and looked at the ground as I walked. He made me nervous, as though he were looking for a reason to arrest me, but a quick look from Jack made him look quickly away. I wondered if I had been a topic of conversation in that room, and now I wondered what they had said. Had Jack told him about me? All the nervousness that I had abandoned came flooding back to me, and I almost slowed my pace. I lowered me head and stared at the ground as I walked.

“Lift your head, lad.” Jack hissed at me, “You’re a pirate.” He still looked ahead to where we were going, and for the first time
I noticed the people on the dock. Seeing a pirate walking about had to be unnerving for them, and they started discreetly. The Commodore led us to a small shop a little ways into the town and looked again at Jack.

“I trust you will remember our agreement, Captain Sparrow?” He asked coldly.

“Aye.” Jack nodded.

The Commodore gave a curt, “Good day” and walked away, leaving only one guard at the end of the crowded street.

“A little talk can make a big change.” Jack winked at me and knocked at the door. He shifted from foot to foot waiting for the owner of the shop to open the door. Finally after two more impatient knocks from Jack, the door opened slightly and someone peeked out.

“Jack!” A man said, throwing the door open fully. Jack grinned and walked in, Anamarie behind him. I followed and looked around at what seemed to be a blacksmith’s shop. Why on earth were we here?

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Hope you liked it!