Pirates of the Caribbean: Shadows of Destiny

7. 'Signs of jealousy.'

The next day appeared with the sunlight streaming through the sails of the Black Pearl. Jack woke up with a groan, rubbing the sides of his head as he tries to shake off the remaining fatigue. The events of the previous night lingered in the back of his mind like a mysterious shadow, but Jack ignored it.

As he made his way on deck, the salty breeze filled the air, carrying the scent of the open sea, just like always. The crew members were busy with their tasks, and Jack's eyes scanned the ship. His gaze catches Elizabeth standing near the railing, deep in her thoughts.

Jack approached her with a playful grin. "Morning, Lizzie. Slept well, did we?" he joked.

Elizabeth, still processing the events of the night before, replies with a dry tone, "I slept like a log, Jack."

Jack squinted his eyes at her and chuckled. However, as he made a subtle movement, a sting of pain shot through his arm, making him release a sound of discomfort. Elizabeth, noticing his discomfort, approached quickly.

"What happened?" she asked, concern marking her features. Without waiting for an answer, she gently unwrapped the drenched cloth from Jack's wound, revealing the still fresh cut. Elizabeth fetched another piece of cloth and redressed the wound.

As she managed Jack's injury, Killian passed by, raising an eyebrow at the scene. "What did you do this time?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Jack, lying back with a nonchalant grin, replied, "Oh, had a late-night brawl, you know the pirate drill."

Selene, overhearing the conversation, joined the trio. "Right, that's why I found a blood-stained wooden piece near one of the stairs," she commented with a smirk.

Jack's eyes widened for a moment, and he quickly recovered, "Just a little misunderstanding among the crew. Nothing to worry about, savvy?" He shot her a charming smile, but the glint in Selene's eyes suggested she might not be entirely convinced.

As Elizabeth carefully finishes Jack's wound, Jack couldn't help but notice Killian standing nearby, his gaze pointed towards Elizabeth.

With a sly grin, Jack uttered, "Killian, my boy, ye look like ye've never seen a man getting his wounds nursed before. Don't get any ideas now, savvy?"

Killian, caught off guard, stuttered, "I-I was just making sure everything was in order, Captain."

Jack chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation. "No need to be shy, mate. Elizabeth here has the hands of an angel, doesn't she?"

Elizabeth, slightly blushing, continued her task, while Killian tried to hide his embarrassment, mumbling something about checking the rigging as he quickly made his exit. Jack couldn't help but laugh, finding amusement his nervousness.

As Elizabeth and Jack lock eyes for a moment, a subtle shift in Killian's expression reveals a hint of jealousy. Selene, ever observant notices the change and smirks, "Got somethin' on your mind?"

Killian quickly shakes his head, attempting to play it off, "Just lost in thought, nothing more."

Before the tension can escalate, Ragetti bursts out of a nearby room, shouting, "Shadow figure, shadow figure!" His eyes wide, he clutches a bottle of rum as if it were a protective totem.

The crew turns their attention to Ragetti, and he exclaims, "Shadow, mates! It looked like our dear Will, it did! Strange sounds and unsettling whispers, I swear on me good eye! Spooky business, I tell ya!" His one remaining eye darting around the crew, seeking confirmation for what he believes he witnessed.

"Shadow figures and weird sounds? Are you sure, Ragetti? Maybe you've been hitting the rum too hard." Pintel blurs out.

"Are you sure it wasn't just Killian's shadow?" Barbossa yells. "They look quite alike, ya know," he adds, whispering to Gibbs, who gives an agreeing nod.

Jack's eyes narrow, a flicker of recognition crossing his face, remembering the shadow he saw last night. He exchanges a quick glance with Elizabeth but remains silent.

Elizabeth, feeling a sense of unease, quickly jogs to her cabin. She sees her upside-down turned portrait of Will, a chill running down her spine. Without hesitation, she turns the portrait back around and gazes at it, feeling a cold breeze embrace her, as if the cabin itself held whispers of the otherworldly.

Killian walks into the cabin, finding Elizabeth staring at the portrait of Will. As he enters, the cold breeze fades, and Elizabeth turns around, a mix of confusion and concern on her face.

"Elizabeth, what's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost," Killian says, sensing her anxiety.

Elizabeth, still shaken by the mysterious occurrence, manages a weak smile. "It's nothing, just a strange moment, I suppose," she replies, avoiding eye contact. However, Killian isn't convinced. He steps closer, gently lifting her chin to meet his gaze. Their eyes lock for a moment, a shared understanding passing between them.

Without a word, Killian leans in and places a soft peck on Elizabeth's forehead. It's a gesture of reassurance, an unspoken promise that he'll be there for her. The cabin, once filled with an unsettling presence, begins to feel warmer. 

Killian walked out of Elizabeth's cabin with a satisfied smile. Elizabeth stood in her cabin, the image of Will's portrait in her hand. She considered placing it back upside down, a gesture that seemed to connect with the mysterious shadow figure. However, a brief thought of Killian made her hesitate.

After a moment of contemplation, Elizabeth decided against it. Instead, she gently placed the portrait back in its usual position on her nightstand. As she left her cabin, her mind lingered on the strange events, and a mix of emotions was shown across her face. 

As Elizabeth steps out of her cabin, Selene spots her and exclaims, "Elizabeth, there ye are!" Sensing Elizabeth's distress, Selene walks up to her. Just as Selene reaches her, Elizabeth breaks down into tears. Without saying a word, Selene embraces her, offering a comforting presence.

In the midst of their hug, Elizabeth whispers with a broken tone, "I miss him, Selene. I miss Will." Killian, watching from a distance, catches a glimpse of Elizabeth's lips and detects the mention of Will. This realization sparks a thoughtful expression on Killian's face as he acknowledges the serious impact Will has had on Elizabeth's heart. It dawns on him that he may never fully replace the place Will holds in her life.