The blast surprised her. The fact her cousin had her in close was what saved Abigail from most of the shrapnel. Still, pieces of wood and stone cut parts of her skin. The blow threw her away from her cousin and disoriented her for a moment. When she sat up, she saw her cousin lying not moving. "Elisabeth?!" She ran over worry and concern evident. She hunched down beside her cousin, trying to check signs of life. The woman's eyes were open, though lifeless. Elisabeth had died nearly instantly.

Not being able to accept it, Abigail cradled her cousin's head trying to get her to respond. Anything. She didn't wail but her shoulders shook as silent sobs hit her. Tears streaked down her dust covered face. "Please, Elizabeth." Brokenness in her tone. Her cousin couldn't be dead. She just couldn't.

The sounds of cannon fire reverberated through the port. But it was almost as if on another planet for Abigail. "Someone help, please." She cried before attempting to do something, anything for her cousin.

"Elizabeth." The words were quiet and full of pain.

Her cousin had been the world to her. Though oceans apart for a good portion of her life, they had been so close. Sisters almost. Elizabeth had been her confidant, her best friend - the one who was always there for her. The voice of reason and sympathy in the madness of the political arena of her life. 

She sat there. Time was nothing to her. Sound almost nonexistent. And as the port fought against the intruder, Abigail's sat there holding her closest friend, sobbed quietly.

[center] ~ ~ ~ [/center]

The blast stirred Will. He sat up slightly dazed. What was going on?

"Pirates!"

"We're under attack!" 

The shouts brought him fully awake. Jumping up he threw his boots on and quickly armed himself. Pirates. It couldn't be a coincidence. They had undoubtedly had some tie to that woman pirate he had fought earlier. No matter. This just another chance for him. The pirates would rue the day they met Will Turner!