The Wraith of Jack

Part Seven: "The Remedy"

****
The eyes were vacant. They had lost the playful, carefree glow that always accompanied his charming persona, which had been beaten out as well.

James laid the wet cloth on another laceration caused by the severe lashings and heard a sharp intake of breath. It was the only indication that Jack was awake – that he was alive.

“You’re doing great. Just a few more,” James assured lightly.

Jack blinked and said nothing. His caretaker studied his solemn countenance before delicately placing a hand to the bashed left cheek.

“Please talk to me, Jack.”
There was no response.
“You can trust me to confide in.”
Jack hurriedly wiped a falling tear away and returned to staring emptily ahead of him.
“Jack.”
“Stop it, James.”
“Stop what? Trying to make you better?”
“Prying. What happened there would be too much for your sheltered mind to wrap itself around.”
“That’s merely your assumption. You forget that I’ve been at sea and have witnessed terrible events just as you.”
“It was different, Jamie.” His whispered words made James stop his tending for a moment. “Dehumanizing. I’ve never seen anything like it. They knew exactly how to degrade a man.”
“What did they do to you?”
“Besides the obvious? Nothing I would like to divulge.” He paused before continuing. “There’s a void, Jamie. I feel it. Growing. And I know now what it is. They were successful in takin’ away the most important thing.”
“What?”
Jack exhaled a quivering breath. “I’ve lost the ability to be Captain. I don’t belong here on the Pearl anymore.”

James opened his mouth, but closed it seconds after. He was not quite sure why he was speechless; perhaps it was the unbelievable amount of mourning in the pirate’s chocolate orbs, or the expression of complete resignation.

Jack began to cough harshly, the action making his entire body tremble and ache. James hurriedly got him to sit up and inched behind him to support the fragile frame.

“Take a breath. Try to take a deep breath,” James instructed.

The coughs proved very taxing for Jack’s feeble state. There was not time for James to move before Jack fell back onto him. He gasped for air, his eyes were shut, and perspiration started to shine his skin. There was nothing to do other than cradle him.

And James did exactly that.

He wiped Jack’s brow and timidly, he kissed the area as well. Jack did not seem to notice the gesture, for which James was slightly grateful for it.

“Get some rest, Jack.”
“I don’t want to,” Jack mumbled, though he was clearly worn out.
“Come on now. You need it. I’ll stay if you wish.”
“Yes. Please. Stay, Jamie.” His voice trailed off as he teetered on the edge of slumber.
“My pleasure……Jackie.”

****
The remedy was refused the next day just as before. Will did not even attempt to conceal the dislike toward James for making him be the one to firmly open Jack’s mouth. It pained him every time in the days that followed from witnessing the absolute heartbreak and vulnerability in the man’s expression.

One night, as James poured the drink, Will looked upon Jack and frowned in concern. Jack was practically drenched in sweat and constantly murmuring in discomfort. Will placed his palm against the pirate’s forehead, the result bringing about immediate worry. The skin was hot, nothing like it should be.

“Jack, I need you to look at me.”

Leisurely, the eyelids fluttered halfway open. His eyes were red and often drifted upward as if he were going into unconsciousness. Small tremors shot through his anatomy and his fingertips caressed his famished abdomen.

“He’s not well at all, James.”
“And since I’m tired of pressuring him to take this-”
“You’re tired?”
“-I think we should take him to her.”

Will stroked Jack’s cheek and nodded.

****
Jack could not form a single word, or thought, as he lay on the ramshackle bed in the memorable shack. His body was numb and throbbing at the same time. The area around him seemed blurry, but he could easily discern the woman coming toward him. She settled on the bedside and waited as Will lifted Jack’s head.

“Drink ‘dis down, Jack Sparrow,” she said calmly.

She put the rim of the cup to his lips and tipped it. The thick liquid rushed into his throat, tasting like various plants blended together. He was not daring enough to spit it back into the goblet with her just inches away. It was certainly not a good idea to have her shove anything down one’s throat, nor was it a good idea to upset her in any way.

He fought to swallow and finally, it was completely gone. Her fingernails ghosted over his jaw-line and lips before she ran them through his hair.

“Be at ease and don’t fear,” she said consolingly. “It will bring ‘de illness out.”

The potion took almost immediate effect. Jack started to groan and mumble constantly. He tossed from side to side – eyes closed, hands near his face – and quaked involuntarily. His breath was raspy and came in uneven increments. The company in the room could do nothing but stare at him as he succumbed to the powerful medicine.

At last, he settled on his left side and curled up. Soft whines continued to filter from his parted mouth, though he did not appear to be in any distress.

Tia Dalma sashayed to the other side of the room to retrieve another bottle. When she returned to Jack, she tilted the container as if to release the contents, but nothing came.

“There’s-” James began.
“Hush, James Norrington,” she interrupted. “It be in my grasp now.”

She blew on her cupped hands then separated them as if letting something fall onto the sedated being. In minutes signs of frost wove onto his bare shoulders and ebbed into his thick mane. He shivered tremendously, but did not wake. The dry lips became a deep shade of blue, causing James to brashly question the enchantress’s methods.

“What are you doing to him?” he asked in an angry tone.
“The fever must die away.”

A jealous knot tightened in Will’s stomach as he watched James lay behind Jack and envelope the freezing body. His eyes were so thoroughly engrossed that he did not notice the pair of searching, brown ones observing him.

“Come, William Turner,” Tia Dalma instructed as she exited.

He followed slowly, his insides churning with possessiveness.

“Him be in your thoughts.”
Will shook his head as if stepping out of a dream. “Yes. I think about him. I’m worried.”
A broad grin graced her face. “No….Him be ‘dere for ot’er reasons. And him will be ‘dere for a good time.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Him will have a choice to make. And when he do, you must not hide away from it.”
“What choice?”
She shook her head. “It will come. You will know when it presents itself.”

Part Eight: "Give Me Shelter"

****
The frost took its time melting away, taking the heat with it the way Tia Dalma said it would. However, Jack still shook as if he were covered with snow. James removed his own shirt and nestled alongside the pirate after securing the blankets atop Jack’s form.

James was filled with trepidation as he put his lips to the man’s ear and kissed gently. He nibbled lightly, acquiring a tiny taste of what he had hungered for. Jack was not the only one with a void; one had settled on James the instant he let Jack escape a year ago. He had tried so hard to smother the improper feelings, yet it simply made them more prominent.

“I have to admit to you,” he began softly to the sleeping ears, “I didn’t want to come for you. Will pressed me to do it. I didn’t want to see you, I couldn’t see you, because I knew something like this would happen. You drag me in deeper every time. You’d probably say that it would never work between us, but I wish to argue that. With you no longer able to be aboard the Pearl, I……I want you to come with me, Jack.”

He did not expect any sort of sign that Jack had heard, though he could not help but feel disappointment when silence settled in once more.

The unspoken language of Will did not pass him by. It was obvious that the young man shared an attraction to Jack as well. He would be damned if Will prevented him from being with Jack in any form.

He became more relaxed when Jack shifted to face him and stretched his leg across his.

“You’re safe with me, Jack.”

****
Exhausted eyes gazed upward to meet the mysterious ones of Tia Dalma. Jack returned her loving smile and reached to grasp her hand. She took his and massaged it soothingly.

“How are you feeling?” she questioned.
“I’ve been better,” he responded in a slow-paced whisper. He chuckled at the thought before returning the inquiry. “How are you, love?”
“Relieved to know you are in good care, Jack Sparrow.”

He nodded and glanced beside him to find James dreaming happily. The image brought a minute sense of sadness to him. He pushed it aside and asked, “How are the others?”
“’Dey be well cared for. You did a kind t’ing for ‘dem.” She paused before continuing. “But it is not a kind t’ing to do – declining the drink I gave to ‘de two of ‘dem to give to you. Nor is it a kind t’ing to do to yourself. You need to heal.”
“Please don’t start on me,” he huffed in annoyance.
“Why do you not eat?”
“What’s the point? It will come back out anyway. I don’t have the strength, darlin’.”
“If you do not start, you cannot overcome.”

Jack sighed and briefly closed his eyes before he sat up. He rubbed his sore face then suddenly stopped. Tia Dalma’s visage morphed into one of abundant sympathy and tenderness as she awaited the break. After fighting to keep it inside, he no longer could. He shattered; his bony frame trembled as he cried. He removed his hands from his countenance when he felt her arms slip around him. She rocked him back and forth as she would an infant in an attempt to console him.

“It is a tremendous burden. I know of ‘de pain you have, and one of ‘dem will find ‘dese troubles; ‘dey will know it all. Do not be ashamed. Him will help and defend you.”

She did not let go for a period as he wept freely. There was a certain feeling of protection within her embrace that Jack was immensely grateful for. He did not want her to release him for as long as time would allow.

“When you calm, we will leave for a small venture away to ‘de trees. You need help of ‘de tranquil waters.”

Twenty minutes passed before they at last pulled away from one another.

****
Jack watched Will tread off until he could no longer be seen. The young man had been asked by the mystic to carry Jack to the area he was now surrounded by. The sun’s light trickled in through the trees’ canopy, birds sang cheerfully all about, and the serene pond undulated in the gentle breeze.

Tia Dalma took a seat next to him on the bank and dipped a cup into the water. The liquid glittered within the container as she presented it to Jack.

“Drink ‘dis. It will make ‘de hunger substantial and ‘de sickness ‘dat will follow will not be as harmful.”

It had been forever ago in his mind since he had last willingly drank anything. It eased down his throat and his body experienced a refreshing baptism as the cool water rushed through him. The fear of vomiting vanished after several minutes of nothing.

For a time, they simply sat in silence and stared at nature’s beauty around them. Jack inhaled deeply and leaned back. He finally felt a tinge of peace – of content.

“You can only choose one,” she at length stated, waking him from his reverie.
He lowered his head and nodded solemnly. “I know. But how do I choose?”
“Do not worry. The decision will come in time. It will be clear, and you must rest assured ‘dat it is ‘de right one.”
“Either of them…..They’re…..”
“Do not be afraid of ‘dat either, Jack Sparrow.”
“Of what?”

She placed her hand on his chest and grinned. “Your heart.”
He smirked. “No. None of that.”
A small laugh escaped between her parted lips. “You will see. I’tis another to be made.”

****
Though he was on the mend, nothing Tia Dalma supplied them with could deteriorate the immensely unpleasant nightmares that haunted him when he fell asleep. They had become more frequent as the days passed by. He endured them in loneliness within his private quarters aboard the Pearl.

He implemented the idea of warding off the humiliating memories by being determined to stay awake. It did not last long, for Will noticed the vast weariness in the pirate’s eyes at the end of the second day. An argument between the two ensued as Jack stubbornly spurned sleeping. His mind was abruptly overtaken by the need to survive, causing him to lash out at Will. He got only a few successful, weak kicks and strikes before Will pinned him down on the bed. He writhed about beneath him, but was kept firmly in place.

“Let go of me!” he shouted furiously. “Get off of me, William!”
“Calm down. Listen to me. Just calm down, Jack.”
“Get away from me!”
“Jack, stop this!”

All at once, both men became motionless. It was as if a power beyond their reckoning was keeping them fixed. A shot of pain went through Will and seemed to transfer to the man under him. Jack suddenly let out a whine and his eyes shut tightly; Will’s were open wide.

Will could not blink. He wished that he could to prevent the wave a nausea that swept over him as his mind swirled dizzily. Jack arched upward and grimaced. He emitted another wail until he collapsed back to the bed.

And then they came.

It began as jumbled images, indistinct and very fast. Within seconds, the process slowed and the recollection of the tortures proceeded to show.

It was instinct to defend himself, but it was five against one. He learned quickly that it brought about more suffering to fight back than to submit himself to the horrendous beatings.

There were yells and offensive words used to taunt him as they showered him with vicious blows. They had clubs, metal rods, and various other instruments to utilize on his body. Blood gushed from his nose as the bone broke, another cracking sound resonated to find his right wrist flopping about, and blackness engulfed him after having his head bashed against the stone wall numerous times.

With his leg now gone, they had found another way to punish him since he could not run with the others. He quietly pleaded for them to stop as the dreaded tears birthed in his eyes, but he was shoved to the man opposite without mercy. He stumbled, hopped to keep his balance, however he was pushed once again to another. And another. And another. Their greedy hands tore off his clothes and molested his flesh. It was like a game; a dangerous one when they blindfolded him. He was severely tired, making it difficult for him to stand even though they supported him. Their laughs filled his ears; their debasing names killed him inside. He was passed to them all in order for them to fondle him in sport before tackling him to the floor. They held him down as the first man explored his body and then claimed it. They cooed at him teasingly as if he were a vile whore. The tears that came from his eyes were occasionally licked away. He quaked beneath each of them and cried shamefully. They made him anything but a man; he was a helpless victim, who was in their eyes nothing more than an object to be conquered.

As one man thrust relentlessly inside him, a couple of others dumped a large amount of water into his mouth. He choked on it and sputtered it back out. Sometimes it was remnants of moldy food they forced down his throat. Sometimes it was a ball of cloth used to muffle his screams. Sometimes it was nothing at all. It was different each time.

He was nothing more than a wasted rag-doll, maltreated and cast aside worthlessly, and served as such every day for them.

The visions continued on for an extensive amount of time as Will experienced the many instances of appalling abuse Jack had gone through.

When all had been seen and re-lived, it left both of them breathless and unsteady. They were drenched in sweat and eerily silent.

Jack opened his eyes, and Will immediately wished he had not. They were filled with disgrace and unspeakable mortification. Will had never seen anything like it.

Jack began to mourn, and Will remained immobile as doubt entered him. He did not know what to do.

“Jack, I-”
“Go,” Jack whispered in defeat. “Please just go, Will.”
The blacksmith’s stomach churned. “Jack-”
“Please go,” he begged. “Leave me alone. Please, please Will.”

Will closed his mouth and refrained from speaking again. He nodded and carefully got off of Jack. He could not tear his gaze away from Jack even though the man was no longer looking at him. He had turned to his side and visibly shook from the uncontrollable sobs. Will walked backward to the door and tears flooded his eyes as he watched sorrowfully.

He at last exited and sank to the floor where he erupted in anger and grief.