Chapter 7: The Hunt Begins
The ship rocked hard as Elias rowed with shaky hands. The oars cut through the black waves like knives, foam hissing and snapping around the small vessel. Behind them, the twisted jungle of the spiral island roared with fury. But it wasn't the forest chasing them now.
It was something far worse.
"Captain," Elias said breathlessly, glancing back toward the shore, "I don't think this shit is going to work."
Jack, sitting in the back with his legs crossed and hands behind his head, offered his signature crooked grin. "Don't worry, mate. I'm Captain J—"
BANG!
A musket shot split the air, sending a spray of seawater inches from the boat. The roar of voices echoed from the island—shouting, whistling, the unmistakable sounds of a pirate crew on the hunt.
Jack tilted his head. "—ack Sparrow," he finished with a wince. "That wasn't very polite of them."
Reyna stood in the boat, eyes narrowed. "We've got trouble."
From the tree line emerged a second longboat—twice the size of theirs and filled with cutthroats. Their clothes were sun-bleached and torn, skin sunburned and scarred. At the front of the boat stood a tall woman with silver dreadlocks, one eye covered in a rusted copper plate.
She lifted a spyglass and spotted them instantly.
"Run, little rats," she shouted. "But I've been starving for days—and I always catch my prey."
Elias muttered, "Oh, that's comforting."
Jack adjusted his hat. "Ah. Captain Seraphine. Didn't know she was still alive."
"You know her?" Reyna asked, ducking as another shot flew past.
"Long story," Jack said. "Involves a goat, four crows, and a marriage proposal."
Reyna stared. "...What?"
Elias shoved an oar toward Jack. "No time! Row, you mad bastard!"
The two boats raced through the reef, the Wraith shimmering in the distance like a promise they might never reach.
Shots rang out, splinters flew. One bullet grazed Elias's shoulder, and he hissed, gripping it.
"Shit!"
Reyna reached over, ripping fabric from her shirt to tie around his arm. "You'll live. Move."
Jack chuckled. "Nothing like a little violence to keep us young."
Their pursuers howled with joy—like wolves scenting blood.
Captain Seraphine raised a flintlock and fired again.
This time, the bullet struck the boat.
Crack!
A chunk of wood exploded beside Elias's foot.
"Captain!" he shouted. "We're sinking!"
Jack blinked down at the hole filling with water. "Right. Change of plan."
He stood, balancing perfectly despite the rocking boat.
"We swim."
Reyna blinked. "What?"
Elias stared. "Are you insane?"
"Yes," Jack said, tipping his hat. "But mostly lucky."
With that, he dove into the water with a loud splash.
Reyna cursed and followed.
Elias looked back one last time—Captain Seraphine's boat closing fast, blades gleaming, fire in their eyes.
Then he jumped.
The cold hit him like a slap, but he pushed forward, swimming fast, blood trailing behind him like red ink.
Jack surfaced beside him, humming a tune.
"You're actually enjoying this," Elias spat.
Jack grinned. "Of course I am! It's all part of the adventure."
Behind them, Seraphine's crew fired again—but now the reef worked against them, slowing their large boat down, scraping the hull.
By the time the trio reached the side of the Wraith, they were coughing, soaked, and bleeding—but alive.
Reyna hauled herself up, yanking the rope ladder. "Raise the anchor!"
Elias scrambled aboard after her, clutching his injured arm.
Jack followed last, soaking wet, hat still somehow dry.
They pulled the sails as Seraphine's boat struck the reef hard—crunching into a sandbar. The crew screamed in frustration.
From the deck, Jack raised a hand and gave her a friendly wave.
"Sorry, darling! Maybe next time!"
Seraphine roared, raising her blade. "This isn't over, Sparrow! I'll skin you alive!"
Jack winked. "Promises, promises."
As the Wraith caught wind and pulled away into the night, Elias collapsed onto the deck, panting.
"That... was the worst day of my life."
Jack lay beside him, arms behind his head. "Oh, you sweet summer child. That was a great day."
Reyna laughed bitterly as she collapsed near them. "What now?"
Jack sat up, pulling the black compass from his pocket.
It spun.
Then stopped.
Pointing toward something new—something deeper into the sea.
"We follow the compass," Jack said simply. "Because it always points to what you want most."
Elias stared at it. "What if I don't know what I want?"
Jack gave him a strange, thoughtful look.
"You'll find it, mate," he said softly. "You're already halfway there."
Above them, the stars shined brighter than ever. The sea was wild and endless—and their journey had only just begun.
---
You can contact me through my official page on the following Accounts:
telegram:
miraclenarrator
tiktok:
miracle_narrator
instagram:
miracle_narrator