A change in the winds

Chapter nine: When your world turns upside down.


'' Land ho!'' Was shouted from the crow's nest. Kenna walked over to the railing and saw something in the distance. She turned to Jack.

'' So this is it…I'm going home''
---

'' I guess it is…'' Jack replied with a hint of sadness in his voice. He knew this time would eventually come, but still he couldn't accept it. There was something about that girl that drove him crazy. She had a special air around her, almost magical. Maybe it was just a part of her knowledge in magic causing this feeling in his chest, this feeling of sorrow and loss. Was she toying with his emotions?

'' I know I've thanked you a thousand times but I must do it again. I never thought I would see my town again or any decent human being for that matter. You've given me so much to be thankful for and I will always cherish that.'' Kenna took his hand in hers and kissed the top of it.

'' I have to admit that parting from you is a hard thing for me. I've grown to like you very much and even if the feeling isn't mutual I consider you a dear friend. I know I've been a terrible burden to you and the crew and I must thank you for your patience.''

Jack felt a terrible sense of guilt rush through him.'' Ye haven't been a burden luv. I admit that at first ye scared the hell out of me with all ye magic mumbo jumbo, and not a day went by that I didn't fear for me life or health.''

Kenna laughed, which made him smile. '' Ye be a good addition ta the crew and we'll all miss ye. Ye're a strong lass and I know ye'll do good, even though yer sense of right and wrong might be a bit obscured after yer stay on this ship.''

'' Thank you Jack. I will try my best to stay on the honourable side…even though yours isn't as bad as one might think.''

'' That's what I've been tryin' ta tell everyone, but do they listen?'' Jack said with a smile.

'' Well they do have a point, not all pirates are as kind as you.''

'' I'm really gonna miss ye luv. Just know that ye always have a place here if everythin' falls apart or if ye need any help.''

'' Thanks, I might take you up on that someday, how hard as it may be since you never stay too long at the same spot.''

'' I'll keep a sharp eye on the horizon,'' Jack said with a wink.
---

The Pearl docked close to the harbour of Port-au Prince, being careful not to let anyone notice her arrival. Kenna went around, saying her goodbyes to the crew.

'' Doctor, it's been a pleasure meeting you,'' Kenna told Steven as she embraced him.

'' I be sorry I can't help ya with yer strange problem. If I had a few more days then…''

'' It's all right. I have people who can help me here. Thank you for your help.''

'' Anytime lass. Ya will be sorely missed here.''

'' I will miss all of you too.''

'' I knew ya were attracted ta me luv. No need ta hide it anymore, yer secret is out,'' a voice said behind her.

'' Christian…always with the jokes I see.'' Kenna said smiling as she turned to face him.

'' Jokes, I be very serious. I can sense yer love for me.''

'' Oh really…and how much do I love you?''

'' Too much, I might need ta lock ya away for me own safety.''

Kenna laughed. '' I will really miss you and your sense of humor.''

'' Ya don't believe me?'' Christian cocked a brow

'' All right, I confess. I ardently admire and love you. Are you satisfied?''

'' Yer makin' fun of me…'' Christian frowned.

Kenna kept on laughing. '' You're asking for it mister. Truth be told you are one of the men on this ship I will miss the most, not because I love you but because you have a way of getting me in a good mood.''

'' That's good enough for now, but just wait. I'll get ya ta love me so much ya can barely breath.''

'' Looking forward to it,'' Kenna said with a wink and hugged him. Christian smiled and hugged her back, this woman was even more amazing than he had thought.

'' Take good care of yourself,'' Kenna said with a smile.

'' Isn't that somethin' I should be sayin'?'' Christian said with a grin.

'' I think you're in more need for it than I am, '' Kenna said smirking and walked away.

'' God, I have ta get this girl for meself,'' Christian said to himself.

Kenna saw Jack standing by the wheel and decided to have a word with him.

'' Aren't you going to say goodbye?'' Kenna's voice broke Jack's mind out of its trance.

'' I'm sorry…''

'' What are you thinking about?''

'' Nothin' mostly,'' Jack replied.

'' I have a favor to ask you.''

'' A favor? What is it?''

'' I want you to meet my mother and grandmother.''

'' What! Why?''

'' I want them to meet my rescuer. I owe my life to you.''

'' I didn't do that much…''

'' You saved me from becoming someone's whore. That means so much to me.''

'' I don't think yer mother and grandmother would want ta meet me. If ye haven't notice luv, I'm a pirate.''

'' They won't mind. A rescuer is a rescuer. What he does in his free time is none of their business.''

'' I'm still not sure this be a good idea.''

'' Please…just for me. Then you won't ever need to see me again.'' Jack couldn't resist her begging, it was too sincere.

'' All right. I'll meet yer family, but we need ta make it quick. I'm following a strict schedule.''

Kenna knew he was lying but didn't care, she got him to agree to come along with her.

'' The village is not far from the harbour, it will only take a moment.''

Together they walked to the village, but when they reached the outskirt of it they met a horrible sight. Everything was ruined. Every house was burnt, every tree was cut down. The streets were filled with bodies of the villagers and burned pieces of the houses and trees. No movement was in sight. Everything was dead.

'' Oh my! What happened here? I've got to find my family!'' Kenna started running towards the village and Jack tried his best to follow. Kenna ran to what seemed to have been a small house in the middle of town, but was now only ruins.

'' MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, WHERE ARE YOU?'' Kenna shouted from the top of her lungs. She searched through the debris and found her mother lying there, closer to death than life.

'' Mother…what happened?'' Kenna inquired, tears flowing from her eyes.

'' It was Tobo…he took your grandmother,'' her mother managed to utter.

'' Tobo? So he finally found her. Where did he take her?''

'' I don't know…I'm so happy you are here.'' Her breathing was unstable and it was evident that she was in a lot of pain.

'' He destroyed everything…''

'' Mother…I will help you. You won't die, I promise you that,'' Kenna said, holding her mother's hand to her heart. At that moment Jack came running.

'' Jack, we need help. She's badly hurt.''

Jack looked down at Kenna's mother and saw that she didn't have long to live.

'' I think it's too late luv…''

'' NO, we need to get help. I can't lose her! She's all I've got.

Jack wrapped his arms around her from behind. '' There be no use, she won't live through the transport.''

'' That man is right, I don't have much time left.''

'' Don't say that. I will help you, I won't let you die!''

'' There's something I've been meaning to tell you for a while now,'' Kenna's mother uttered.'' I've always loved you and I always will no matter where I'll be.'' Her face twisted in pain and she inhaled deeply.

'' Don't say such things mother, you will survive this.'' Kenna cried.

'' I'm not your biological mother Kenna. Your mother died while giving birth to you.''

Kenna's face fell. This couldn't be true. This woman had to be her mother.

'' What are you talking about?''

'' Your mother died in childbirth. Your grandmother and I decided it would be best if I would raise you up as my daughter. We were planning on telling you all of this when you would grow up.''

'' So who are you?'' Kenna asked in shock.

'' I am your aunt. Your mother was my sister.''

Kenna would have fallen backwards if it wasn't for Jack holding her from behind. Her whole life was a lie.

'' So where is my father? Did he die at sea as you told me when I was younger?''

'' No one knows. After your mother died he disappeared.''

'' So all my life is a lie I don't have a mother or a father. How could you do this to me? How could you?''

'' Easy now luv…I'm sure they only did it ta protect ye,'' Jack tried to calm her.

'' Protect me! From what? The truth? I don't need protection, I need the truth!''

'' I'm really sorry Kenna…we only wanted the best for you.''

'' You shouldn't have lied to me. If I wouldn't have got here I would have spent the rest of my life living in a lie.''

Her aunt started coughing fiercely which made her forget her anger.'' Don't die on me! Please don't die.''

'' I'm proud of having had the privilege of calling you my daughter. I know you will do well without my help.'' She turned her head to Jack. '' Take good care of her for me.''

Jack nodded his head as she closed her eyes and was now no longer amongst the living.

'' NO!'' Kenna shouted as she threw herself over the body. Jack inhaled deeply and soothingly caressed her back. He pulled her off the body and took her in his arms, feeling her crying against his neck.

'' I'm so sorry luv,'' he said softly in her ear.

'' She was all I had. She can't be gone,'' Kenna cried. They stayed in each other's arms for a while until Kenna had gotten herself together.

'' Thanks for coming with me. I don't know if I would have been able to deal with this by myself.''

'' Don't mention it, I'm glad I went with ye.''

'' I don't know what to do. I don't have a home anymore.''

'' Ye can stay on me ship for as long as ye like.''

'' I couldn't possibly accept that. I've been holding you back for long enough.''

'' No, ye haven't. It would make me feel a lot better if ye came back ta the Pearl. I can't leave ye like this.''

'' But I don't know where to go. These were my only relatives.''

'' Let's just begin by goin' back ta the Pearl. Ye can think things over later.''

Kenna nodded and wrapped her arms around Jack. '' You are way too nice to me.''

Jack smiled. '' I can't help it.'' They were heading back to the Pearl when they met a man by the village gate.

'' Are you Kenna Jaida?'' the man inquired.

'' Yes, and who are you?''

'' I can help you search for your grandmother. I know where Tobo is heading.''

'' How did you know I was searching for them?'' Kenna inquired, not fully trusting this man.

'' There's no time for explanations. Do you want my help or not?''

'' I be thinkin' we be needin' the explanations anyhow,'' Jack added, not trusting this man either.

'' I'm sorry I can't give you that information at the moment. I am willing to help you search for your grandmother, but you have to trust me.''

'' He doesn't know anythin', let's just go,'' Jack said, pulling on her arm.

'' Do you promise you know where they are and that you won't try anything funny once we get on the ship?''

'' You have my word,'' the man said.

'' What! Ye can't be seriously wantin' ta take him with us!'' Jack said surprised.

'' He knew my name and what I was looking for. He's our only chance.''

'' Well if he be knowin' yer name and ye don't know him, then he's even more likely ta be dangerous.''

'' I don't know what it is, but somehow I trust him.''

'' Are ye ill? Ye can't trust people ye don't know!''

Kenna turned to him.'' I trusted you.''

'' But I didn't know yer name and all yer family history. I'm tellin' ye, this guy is not ta be trusted.''

'' What have we got to lose? He says he knows where they are and I am willing to trust his words.''

'' All right, but I won't be helpin' ye when he turns out to be a serial killer.''

Kenna laughed. '' Oh yes you would.'' Jack gave her a frown, which just made her laugh even more.

'' Let's get to the Pearl. We don't have a minute to lose.''


Author’s note: A big shocker there. Her mom is not really her mom and now this spooky guy has come along offering his help to her. Please review and tell me what you think :-D