The Map

Waiting for Jack

Nell wasn't certain if she could wait any longer. She had eaten everything that had been placed on the tray, not only her portion but also Jack's. She wasn't sure he'd be too happy about that, but she had been so hungry and completely unable to resist it; so Nell reasoned that, seeing it had started to grow cold anyway, she couldn't let it go to waste.  She'd tucked in and finished both plates, quite content to think over what had taken place between them. Nell hadn't realised that such feelings could be created in a person just by touching alone. He'd asked her to trust him and she supposed she had, but truth be told, the moment he touched her, all coherent thought tended to leave her and trusting wasn't uppermost in her mind.

The sun was sinking lower in the sky and dark shadows in the corner of the cabin grew, and Nell found herself become more and more agitated, but it wasn't because of Jack not coming back. Her eyes were darting backwards and forwards between the lit lanterns that did little to really light the cabin properly. Her thoughts veered sharply from Jack, her mind kept going over the events on the island and no matter how much she tried to concentrate on anything else, it was futile; the monks, the images and the overwhelming feelings that had been with her constantly on the island were refusing to leave her. Her eyes kept going to the bottom of the bed where, in her dream, the monks had been standing, looking so real and so threatening.

She slid her feet into her still damp boots; screwing her face up at the unpleasant feeling, she quickly shed them and stood up bare footed. Taking the lantern in her hand, she doused the others and headed out of the cabin door and into the even darker corridor, intent on finding Jack. Shivers ran down her spine, but she shook herself for being so weak minded. The horrors of the island were behind her; the only harm that they could do now would be of her own making in thinking about them. Shaking her head, she passed the main cabin where she knew Will and Elizabeth were probably still sleeping and headed out onto the main deck, stopping for a few seconds in the doorway, relieved to see the familiar sight of the crew working on the sails, shouting at each other. She came a bit further forward until she could see round the corner of the curve of the stairs that lead to the deck above her. The brilliant contrasts in the colour of the sky - the beauty of the sunset and the blackness of the impending storm, sent curls of fear coiling in her stomach. Nell felt as if she were back on the island and trying desperately to climb a sheer rock face that seemed humanly impossible. She could almost hear Jones behind her, shouting, cursing, and threatening. Sweat broke out on her forehead as she shook her head, trying to clear the images; knowing that she was safe aboard the Pearl and nowhere near the island. She clutched at her stomach, forcing herself to take deep breaths and concentrate on where she could see Coals and a few others scaling the rigging to free the sails. She could hear another voice, calling out orders and with a jolt she realised it was Jack she could hear.

Nell saw someone emerge from below decks and as she watched she realised it was Norrington helping Lady Clarence, with Bryant behind her. She thought about slipping up to Jack but just as she moved forwards, Norrington lifted his head and caught her gaze. He hailed her and Nell realised she wouldn't get away with pretending not to see them so she lifted her hand in reply and waited for them to come closer.

"We're going to outrun it," Norrington said firmly as he came towards her, noticing her pale face and shaking hands, the lantern swinging from her fingers. "There's no need to worry ladies, Captain Sparrow has us almost at safe harbour. We'll shelter there till the storm subsides and then be on our way again." Norrington reached out and took the lantern from Nell, smiling at her.

"I was just going up to see Jack..." Nell tried to pass them and was surprised when Norrington reached out and took her elbow, his smile a little too wide.

"No need," he said briskly. "Captain Sparrow has already informed me of his plans. I can answer any questions you have."

"Where are we headed if we are almost at safe harbour?" asked Nell, aware that La Romana was too far to make such good time in. She let Norrington lead her back into the corridor wondering why he was reluctant to let her go to Jack.