**Chapter 10: Dangers of the Sea โ Part II**
๐ **January 2000**
*"Burb... Burb..."* My lungs fought against the salty intrusion of seawater.
Darkness surrounded us. The sea swallowed our boat, leaving us **adrift in uncertainty, fear gripping tighter with every passing second**.
We were in the **lower compartments** when the ship **shifted violently**โfrom an upright stance into a position of **doom**.
It was **capsized.**
In that moment, survival was no longer just a thoughtโit was a fight against **fate itself**.
---
### **Caleb's Rescue**
Just then, the **compartment door burst open**, a wave of water rushing in.
Caleb stood thereโ**oxygen masks in hand**.
*"Take these!"* he shouted over the chaos.
The moment was **instinctive**โI grabbed mine, securing Lola's before we swam **toward the surface** under his guidance.
Breaking through the ocean's surface, the world felt **different**โbut **we were alive**.
And we weren't alone.
The **entire crew had made it out.**
Relief surged through meโno casualties. **Not this time.**
Lola's eyes mirrored my emotionsโ**gratitude, disbelief, hope.**
Yet, one crucial question **plagued my mind**: *How were we supposed to survive now? Swim to Brazil?*
A crew member **chuckled** at my question.
*"Do it,"* Caleb instructed.
But thenโsomething **shifted**.
A crew member **released a compressed structure**, a **trampoline-like material** that immediately expanded, forming **lifeboats**.
A **lifeline.**
We climbed in, heading toward **Brazil**, leaving Ghana's coastal territories behindโ**and Michael's pursuit forever.**
---
### **Day 2 at Sea**
For **two days**, we sailed, the waters **endless and eerily quiet**โuntil someone spotted something.
*"Ship ahead!"* a crewmember called out.
A **red vessel**, looming in the distance.
Uncertainty settled in. *Was this a lifelineโor another threat?*
Thenโthrough the static of a **speaker**, a voice called out.
*"This is Captain Penny. If you seek help, raise two fingers as identification."*
A beat.
ThenโCaleb **raised his fingers.**
Moments later, the **red vesselโThe Red Queenโwelcomed us aboard.**
---
### **Meeting Penny**
Inside the ship, **I was stunned**โa crew of **25**, **15 smuggling travelers**, and **our group of 20**โmaking **50 on board.**
The captainโ**a woman**โstood before us, her presence **commanding yet familiar**.
*"Penny?"* Caleb breathed.
Recognition flickered between them.
*"Calebโฆ"*
A long pause, unspoken history resting between them.
Thenโhe broke the news.
*"John's captured."*
The words felt **like stone**, heavy and cold.
Penny's expression **collapsed into sorrow.**
**Loss. Pain. Unspoken emotions.**
It was clearโJohn meant **more than just a partner** to her.
---
### **Beneath the Red Queen**
๐ **Day 5**
The bilge pump had begun **failing unnoticed**.
Water seeped inโ**slowly, dangerously**.
A silent menace creeping toward **disaster.**
---
๐ **Day 12 โ Near Brazil's Coastline**
The ship **moved sluggishly**, unnaturally slow.
Penny had sensed **something was wrong**, yet the source remained **unknown**โuntil it was too late.
---
### **Lola's POV**
For **days**, my instincts whispered **unease**.
Yet, nothing happened.
So I reassured myselfโ*this wasn't Titanic.*
Untilโ
---
### **The Breaking Point**
*"CREEKโฆ CREEKโฆ"*
Thenโ
**BOOM! ๐ฅ๐ฅ**
The sound **wasn't normal**โit was **death knocking at the hull.**
*"A low, eerie creaking echoed through the hull, each strained groan a haunting reminder that the bilge pump had failed. Water seeped inโsilent at first, then rushing with a force that sent shivers down Caleb's spine."*
---
### **Caleb's POV โ The Escape**
*"Everyone, get out!"* I shouted. *"The boat is sinking!"*
The **Red Queen**โour salvationโwas now **our coffin.**
Survival was the **only priority.**
---
### **The Final Swim to Shore**
We **swam for our lives**, carrying only **what we could.**
Exhaustion clawed at us, yet determination kept us moving.
Thenโ**we arrived.**
Turning back, we caught a **final glimpse** of The Red Queenโ**a beauty, swallowed by the sea.**
Ahead of usโ
**Not freedom.**
Not safety.
But **terror itself.**
Thick dark bushes.
Towering trees.
Lush green foliage.
Unsettling silence.
We had arrived at **the Amapรก Amazon.**
A jungle that didn't welcome us.
A nightmare waiting to unfold.
โ
Authors note:
### **Chapter 11 & Beyond**
๐ **Chapter 11 & 12** โ The Amazon's **dangers**, survival struggles, betrayal, trauma, and action-packed chaos!
๐ฅ **Chapter 13** โ Introducing **Scott Dawns**, husband to Bunmi Dawnsโhis **arrival will shift everything!**
๐ **Chapters 14 - 20** โ The journey through **South America into the U.S.**, wrapping up the **first arc**!
๐ **Second Arc** โ The rise of **Timileyin "Timi" Sunday**, the **main protagonist's journey begins!**