Pirates' Destiny: In Hazardous Pursuit

Chapter 6: Farewell (Lucy)

'Today, I will be executed.' That was a strange thought. It was bitter, dark, and undeserved, and though I should have been crying and begging for a second chance, I wasn't. Why wouldn't the tears fall? Was I brave, or just daft? Either way, there I sat, reclining against the wall of my cell like a cat that had been caught with his paw in the cream.

'Blasted prison. You can hear every movement on these floors.' I'd been unable to rest the previous night with the pirates' arrival and the scuttling of boots across the floors above.

'At least it's quiet, what with him gone. Blessed silence and no pirates to break it.' I stifled a yawn and dozed for a few minutes, when barely concealed laughter and the thumping of hurried footsteps jolted me awake. 'So much for silence...'

I ignored the noise and attempted to resume my nap, but something made me pause. The steps were not a man's. These were those of a woman.

"Please just be the grub runner. Please just be my last meal," I muttered to myself. But lo and behold, when I opened my eyes, I saw the last person I wanted to see.

"Ms. Hawthorne." I wrestled a smile onto my face. "What brings you to my final home? A shame you weren't here earlier. You just missed -"

"He's gone, isn't he?" The laughter had died.

I didn't dare look to her face. "A young man begged him to take him to some island after Lady Elizabeth. He said that she had been kidnapped by pirates. Will Turner, was his name."

"Why are you still here?" Startled, I chanced a look at her. She appeared stricken, heartbroken even, but held herself high and kept her face as even as one could when her chance of adventure had been snatched away. "Will would have freed you as well."

"I..." I began to speak, but quickly stopped at the low growl that escaped from the woman's throat.

"How long ago did they leave?" She asked calmly, but I could tell her mind was already intent on chasing them like a madwoman the moment I replied.

"Only a few moments. I -" Before I could warn her of their plan, she left. 'Damn it. Patience is a virtue, you know.'

Shaking my head, I rolled to my side to finish my nap, when yet another set of footsteps roused me. Only these were heavy and shuffling, with the distinct click! of a wooden cane. I bolted up immediately.

"Father!" I practically threw myself at the bars, reaching out to him as he came into view. "You're alright! How are the horses? Have you chosen a replacement yet? Are you -"

"Lucille." He wore a weathered cloak over his old working clothes. Surely he wasn't working the stables again? The old man wrapped his tanned, leathery hands around mine. "I know that you did not do this. Why do you accept the fate of another man?"

For the first time since I had been arrested, my eyes began to water. "What is it that you are implying? You always told me to follow the law, and I have. I am innocent. Regardless, I was taken here, convicted by the same law I follow! What would you have me do, father? Abandon that which I believe in? Leave those I care about to tend to the mess I've made?"

He paused and turned his eyes - the color of polished jade, like my own - to the ceiling, staring as if watching memories play out above him. "Perhaps... if that is what it takes for my one and only daughter to live out her days in happiness." He turned to me again, a kind sparkle brightening his gaze.

'He wants me to break out?' I watched his expression, confused. I opened my mouth to argue, but he shook his head.

"No father wishes to live to see his child's death. I can survive. The governor has allowed me to stay on his lands." He smiled softly. "You do not have to worry about me."

The tears that had been brimming in my eyes finally spilled over. I pulled my hands from my father's and hugged him tightly through the bars. Awkward though it was, I cherished that hug, for I knew it could be our last - though for a different reason than before. I didn't want to cause him any more pain than my being imprisoned already had. Perhaps it had been wrong of me to decline Will's invitation?

"Father..." I pulled away reluctantly and dried my eyes on my shirt. "This course of action will make me a wanted criminal. People will look upon you harshly, and I will not be able to visit you."

Thwack! He gently flicked my forehead with his forefinger and thumb. "Do you think that I am so fragile that I could not stand a harsh gaze?" He lowered his voice. "It sounds as if your mind is made up. I am glad." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a pair of lockpicks from underneath the folds of his cloak.

"You still have them?" I was surprised. Years ago, my father had taught me to pick locks. He was adamant that I learned, but he'd also refused to yield any information on why he knew how.

"I do. You remember how to use them?" I nodded and he continued. "If we move quickly I can get you out and a horse to ride."

"No, you mustn't. You'll be suspected. Go home, I can do this myself. I watched... someone else get this door open." If someone had seen him, they would suspect him of freeing me. I couldn't let that happen.

"Lucille -" I raised a hand, stopping him. Someone was coming. Quickly, too.

"I hear footsteps. Leave, and if you can, go a way that you won't be seen." He appeared torn. "Go home, please! I couldn't bear you being imprisoned with me. I love you." I hated to rush our last meeting... no, I would make sure this wasn't our last.

Understanding the urgency, he thrust the picks into my hands along with what looked like a letter. "I love you too, my daughter. Read this when you're somewhere safe."

He turned quickly and departed more quickly than he'd arrived. 'He left in a different direction than people usually go. Perhaps he can avoid meeting whoever is coming?'

I listened to the taps of his cane recede in sad silence before hiding the picks in my shoes. The footsteps that had been approaching grew louder, and I stuffed the letter unceremoniously down my shirt just in time to greet...