Thread: The Only Rules That Matter:  Afterlife (TheCorsair, Madam Mim)

Hag's Head, Ireland September 12, 1757 Hand in hand with his wife, Johnathan Sparrow ran for his life through the sleepy village of Hag's Head. Once, adventures like this were a daily routine for him. But that had been decades ago, and his 78 year old body struggled as he labored for breath. It wasn't a surprise that the redcoats had come for him, not really. The only surprise was that it had taken them so long. He'd grown to believe, as the years had passed, that he had escaped. Escaped his past, and his curse. That he would die as the wealthy and respectable apothecary and businessman he'd become. But it seemed that the Company had never stopped looking for him. It had just been good luck that he and Jenny had gone for an evening stroll when the Redcoats had visited their home. They'd seen the smoke, black against the darkening sky, and found the soldiers standing before their burning home. Then one had spotted the elderly couple, she plump and grey-haired and still as beautiful to his aged eyes as the first day he'd seen her, and he with his scalp bald beneath a battered tricorn and leaning on a scrimshawed oak stick. They ran, because they had never been willing to surrender to the caprices of fate. Ran, because the soldiers would have to earn the right to hang them. But they were running out of room to run. The cliffs of Moher lay ahead, and behind was only the tender mercies of the Company. Go... go left, John gasped, releasing Jenny's hand. It's... it's me... they want. I'll... lead them... away... It was a gamble, he knew, because the Company would want to hang them both. But, maybe, they wanted him more. I love you John, she panted, glancing over to her husband as they ran. I'm in this with you. We belong together body and soul. Forever. Love surged through him. Had he expected anything else, really? And then they found themselves on the edge of the cliff. Trapped. Surrender! an officer shouted, drawing his sword. Surrender, and you will be granted fair trials? John looked at his wife, squeezing her hand gently. He'd promised her this part of his life was over, and he'd follow her lead. All he saw in her leaf-green eyes was love and steely determination. Nodding once, he turned to face their pursuers. Gentlemen! You will always remember this day! He grinned as Jenny wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. It is the day, he continued, that you almost caught the infamous Red Jenny, and Captain Jack Sparrow! Wrapping his arms around his wife, she kissed him one last time as they stepped backwards. Then they were weightless, as if flying together, until the water caught them. Like a jealous lover it tore his Jenny from his arms, embracing him as it did. He sank like a stone, too tired to struggle against the chill that enveloped him. ...jack... The whisper was insistent. Familiar. A voice he hadn't heard since his Anne had died. ...jaaaaaack... His vision began to go dim. It was like looking into a tunnel, and seeing a light at the far hand. As if from a great distance, he could see figures waiting. His mother. His daughter. Not his Jenny, but she'd be there soon enough. He knew that, welcomed it, allowed himself to drift towards the light... A hand seized his collar, jerking him roughly from the water. Before he knew what happened he was lying on a wooden surface, coughing and spluttering and retching. Boots appeared before his face. Well. Well, well, well. If it isn't the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. Weakly, he looked up to see a familiar face. Will? he coughed. Will Turner? That's Captain Turner, Jack, the man laughed. And... he coughed again. That's Captain Jack. Will laughed again. Maybe. But you're aboard the Flying Dutchman , Jack Sparrow. John levered himself to his feet, looking around. Where. where's Jenny? Will shook his head. She's on her way home now, Jack - she's earned her rest. But you? You've got work to do, before you make port. He slapped Jack on the back, and gestured around. Say hello to our newest recruit, lads! Say hello to Captain Jack Sparrow! As John stared, the souls of the dead cheered his name, THE ONLY RULES THAT MATTER videoyoutube AFTERLIFE