Twisting her wrists against the rope and feeling no give, Fia resigned herself to the situation and relaxed her body. Bruises were beginning to appear on her throat, dappling her neck with dark amethyst marks, like storm clouds gathering along a horizon.
Hearing voices through the wall, she pressed her ear against it and heard the captains sturdy commanding voice.
"Who else was involved?" he asked sharply.
A muffled younger voice returned weakly. A crash and dragging noise followed with a mans voice wailing.
The door to the cabin swung open and Jack entered dragging a young man by his hair, followed by a menacing looking member of the crew. No one turned to glance at Fia.
The younger crew member looked to be about 19 and was begging the other two to forgive him.
"Please...I didn't know. He said it was ok. I won't do it again I'm sorry -please" he went on between sobs.
"WHO said it was ok" growled the menacing looking man, brandishing a cutlass.
"I ... I cant say" the young man stammered "He'll kill me."
"You leave me no choice then." Said Jack, resolutely, nodding to the other crew member.
The young man screamed as the menacing man pulled his wrist taught on the table and hacked at his pinkie, severing it from his hand.
"What's he done?!" asked Fia, the words leaving her lips before she realized she was speaking.
"Shut your mouth, whore" barked the other man. Jack tapped him on the shoulder.
"It's alright." said Jack to the man, as he turned to face Fia.
As he began moving closer to her, Fia feared she would regret speaking up but knew she couldn't live with herself if she sat by silently while this young man was tortured.
"This man stole from me- from all of us." Jack returned. The young man began again, spewing apologies and declarations of loyalty.
"He won't tell us willingly who masterminded this plot, so we have to force it from him, unfortunately." Continued Jack.
"Please tell them." Fia begged the young man. "Don't waste your life protecting someone who put you in this position. It will be alright. Just tell them." She pled.
The young man looked at her pleadingly, tears streaming down his cheeks. "It was Ratlin, Sir." He sobbed.
Looking at Fia, Jack broke into a curious smile like she was a child who had said something amusing. He strode over to the men and patted the younger one on the back.
"Thank you, Peter. I appreciate you telling me." Jack said earnestly.
He turned to the other man and calmly ordered, "Hang them both from the sails as a warning to the others."
The young man let out a haunting cry as he was dragged from the room. Fia looked on in horror, tears forming in her eyes. The door shut.
Jack stood facing the window silently.