1She lasted a full 14 months. A year and a hair. He felt the moment she chose to change. He knew the chest had been opened. Under his boots, the ship yawed and spun around. The course was well known, the bow pointed in the direction his heart always tugged. It took her a while to get her affairs in order. But she did.
They met on the beach, both standing in the surf, the narrow band where they could both live.
"Hello Will." Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth." He replied, swallowing down the "mine" his tongue wished to say. "You brought the chest."
She glances down at their feet, at the worn box precious, but locked.
"I brought more than just the chest." She says.
"Imagine seeing you lot here!" Jack swaggers, fingers wrapped around a bottle of rum.
"Elizabeth?" Will asks nervously.
"I've decided to join you." She declares, as if that is the end of things.
"Elizabeth, you can't! I won't let you die and be bound."
"Too late mate." Jack says, sympathy or indigestion lacing his voice. With him, its hard to tell.
"What do you mean?"
"Check the chest, mate." Jack says, taking a drink.
Elizabeth draws out the key and presents it to him. Will slowly opens the chest, to see the beating heart in the corner. And the other one.
"Elizabeth, what have you done?" Will asks horrified.
"What I should have done a year ago."
"She asked me here to watch over the chest. I'll take it with me and stash it somewhere you both will be able to find it at. You'll know when you have need of it. It'll be safe, and the tow of you can be together. Everyone's happy, savvy?" Jack says, sobering up.
"You were right, love, I do sometimes make the right choices, do the right things. Doesn't make me a good man!"
Elizabeth laughs and wraps her arms around Will. "Jack, we were both right. You're a good man, and I'm… Curious. It was like you said, those years ago, I did want the freedom, the ability to do whatever I wanted and damn everything else. Well, here I am, And here you are. So, we're either both right, or both liars. Which is it?"
"…the rum's gone."
