The Map

Darkness Falls

A/N: Usual disclaimer. If I owned Jack I'd certainly not be wasting my time typing! ;-)

Thanks to AniSparrow and Hils for beta-ing and inspiring.

Hope you all enjoy this:

Chapter 19

Darkness Falls

De Mornay's words had worried Jack. Not for himself, he doubted there was much that could scare him in that way, but Nell? He had seen it wasn't empty words De Mornay had spoken. It had been written in his eyes that he had been telling the truth; and this was what worried Jack.

He knew that she had been through so much in such a short space of time, how much more she could she take and not break? She wasn't a weak woman and past the first impression of her; he had never thought of her as such. But he also knew that a person could only take so much before it affected them and Nell was no different. She had her strengths and her weaknesses, she wasn't stupid or slow, and she wasn't a coward, despite what she may think herself. But he also knew that a breaking point lay in her. She had lurched from one revelation to another; he'd seen her cry on the Pearl, had held her when she broke over the horror of the dying sailors. He had watched as Norrington had held her while she dry heaved, and cradled her himself when she'd cried again. And each time she'd stepped up stronger for her experiences. He'd watched her change and mature on the Pearl and he held a touch of pride in her, but he also knew that dark corners haunted her dreams. He would make damn sure that tonight would not affect her.

He looked behind him briefly as he climbed the rocks that lined the waterfall. De Mornay and Beaumont had been untied and forced to climb the rocks unaided. They were both helping the other, pain evident in every movement, but Jack had no heart for them and he would shed no tears when they would be finally brought to task. 

Nell was much further down, struggling even with Hock and Dwent helping her up the rocks. She was the shortest there and as such most of the rocks were completely beyond her for reach and her strength was wearing very thin now. He watched; concern etched on his face as she once more lost her footing and slid downwards only to be caught by Hock round the waist and hoisted up again. Jack heard her laugh slightly but it was strained. Dwent caught her hand and hauled her up the rock ungracefully, making Jack wince as she was dragged unceremoniously up the sharp surface. Nell gained her feet beside Dwent and caught her breath. She looked up then and he caught her eyes. Her smile faded as she stared up at him and it suddenly occurred to him that something had changed between them.

"Capt'n." A voice directly above him had him breaking eye contact with Nell

"De Mornay says that the entrance is coming up soon. 'Tis a ledge that will lead to an opening in the rocks that goes behind the waterfall." Coales was pointing upwards, Jack followed his direction, squinting slightly.

"Keep going." He indicated with his head to keep moving.

They were climbing in rapidly falling darkness now. The sun had set and only the cold false light lit the sky, but even that was rapidly growing dark. He frowned looking back over the landscape below them, the river winding its way through the darkness of the trees and Jack was struck as to how thick and dark the trees were. Where the sun had dipped below the horizon, darkness was creeping over the trees. A breeze picked up that held none of the usual Caribbean warmth. Jack shivered even in his top-coat and his thoughts went back to Nell. He paused again to look down at her and was pleased to see Norrington had climbed his way back down to her and slipped his still slightly damp top-coat over her.

Jack looked around him with narrowed eyes and then back up to where he could see the start of the ledge. He needed to get everyone behind that waterfall and fast. It was coming; he could feel it in his bones. He had no idea what was coming, but something evil was headed their way and he didn't like it.