A PIRATE'S TREASURE

Chapter 3

Days seemed to keep flying when James spent time with Jenny. Every day they were getting closer and both dreading the day he would have to leave. He couldn't push his men much more or else he would lose everything because his father would keep good on his word for hunting his son down.

Two days before he needed to go, James had to be honest with Jenny. She deserved a choice if she wanted to even keep in touch.

If caught, being a pirate isn't much of a stable lifestyle. Some days you might hit big and others you struggle. When the law found out they'd chase you down until one side either dies or submits. Pirates life.
  
     "Must you truly leave James?"

    "Ay, my crew needs to head out. I will come back though Jenny. There's a pretty blonde here I've come to admire."

    "And when will you be back? What do you even do that you must leave?"

James avoided his "job" as much as possible or just being vague enough to drop the subject.

    "Jenny love, you must understand how much I've come to adore you, and telling you my lifestyle will change everything. I'm a pirate."

She sat there stunned for a second. He couldn't tell if she was debating on running or not. What he didn't expect was a soft peck on his cheek. Soft as if the wind just barely breezed by.

    "Mister James Hook, a pirate. That sounds exciting."

She smiled which made his heart only grow so much more.

    "There is something though, I've promised my father to bring back the greatest take of treasure back to him before the year is up. Deep down, I think I've already found it."

He touched her cheek and she leaned into the warmth of his palm.

She should've guessed he was some sort of outlaw from his appearance. He was slightly rugged and unkept but it was all a part of his charm. His calloused hands said hard-working but nothing stood out about what he did. This all now made sense and she was okay with it. She couldn't explain why but she just was.

     "I'm nothing as great as a chest full of silver and gold."

    "Not all treasure is a thing. Sometimes treasure means one of a kind and you're it, love."

They both leaned in and before their lips touched,

    "Come with me, Jenny. Sail away by my side."

She pulled back smiling. To have an adventure like all her books described. But she couldn't. Her family needed her after her mother died. She was the sole provider since her father became depressed.

    "To sail away from here would be wonderful James, but I can't. My family needs me here or else they'll be kicked out on the street. I'm so sorry."

    "Hey, family is important. Just know then that I'll be back. Come to this spot and look out to the horizon. I'm coming back for you."

    "I'll be at the dock when you come back." She whispered.

They finally kissed and that's when she felt the sparks and fireworks. He was someone special to her. Funny that she could just feel it. She told herself she'll wait forever to be with him.

Before he left, she met him at the dock. She held out a small box with a compass inside.

    "My mother gave this to me before she died. She said she got it from a merchant who found magical items around the world. It's supposed to point to the thing you want most. I hope it brings you to whatever you need to come back to me."

He then pulled off a small ring with a ruby on top and slipped it into her hand.

    "This was given to me by my grandfather. He said it was the first treasure he ever found himself and since you're the first treasure I've ever found..."

She gave him a goodbye kiss wishing he'd stay just one more day.

    "I promise I'll be back.

She watched his ship disappear as she then just sat on the pier as if he would reappear any moment. If it weren't for the ring, she would just think she imagined him up.

    "Hurry back." She whispered as the wind carried her words.

He stared back at the pier letting the wind rush past him carrying her words.

Being back on the water felt so odd because he's never taken much time to spend on land.

    "Where to Captain?"

For some reason, looking down at the compass. It had to be broken because it was spinning and then pointed behind him.

    "Points to the thing you want most."

Had to be a coincidence.

  "North Mr. Smee, I smell Blackbeards loot just waiting to be taken."

Off they went to find the greatest of all finds. To survive though would be a story to tell because usually, you meet Blackbeard, you don't live to tell the tale.