In Chains

Off Track

"It's done," Bepo exclaimed in triumph.

Samira dropped her defensive stance, excusing herself from the spar with Shachi, and hurried over to him and Penguin on the deck. She peered over the bear's shoulder at the map he created for her and hummed in appreciation.

"It looks good," she uttered out of breath. She wouldn't admit it, but the exertion brought a painful flare-up to her ribs.

Penguin puckered a brow.

"Really? Because it looks like a child drew it."

Bepo hung his head and apologized, but Samira assured him that it was fine. She asked to have it, thanking him for his effort, and rushed into the mechanical bowels of the Polar Tang to deliver the map to Law. The last time she saw him was at breakfast before the sub emerged from the depths; he excused himself and went to his room for the afternoon, so she was certain he'd be there.

Knocking on the hatch, she waited for him to answer before she walked in and slammed the paper onto his desk. Law narrowed his eyes and peeked at her from the book in his hand.

"Why are you out of breath?" And covered his sweat for that matter.

Samira took an uneasy breath. There was no use in lying to him.

"I was sparing with Shachi."

Sparing was an understatement; she was mostly on the defensive, but at least she was trying.

"I gave you orders to rest, Amunet-ya," Law pointed out.

He was intrigued by the fact she was sparing despite her injuries, but his annoyance at the fact she blatantly ignored his orders overshadowed his curiosity.

"I asked Bepo to draw a map to the entrance of the Isle," Samira stated, not concerned with the look he was giving her.

Law peered down at it, raising a brow. Bepo did in fact make it; the style was easy to distinguish.

"There is only one entrance?" Law asked.

Samira shook her head in agreement.

"It's the true entrance. Over the years the water dug out holes in the rock that reach the Bennu Kingdom, but only one entrance is safe. You run the risk of flooded tunnels or cave-ins without this."

What Arsenio said to Law made sense now. He claimed that he wasn't sure how to get to the Isle, which checked out according to what Samira told him. But how were they able to leave? Chance? Law leaned back in his chair and raised a brow.

"Do you still plan to leave?" He asked.

"I want to," Samira uttered. "But someone has to lead you through the caves."

Law snorted.

"How generous."

There was more to it, he knew, but at least she was helping. Law sighed.

"This isn't going to be easy, so I hope you are prepared to face your nightmares head-on."

"I'm doing my best," Samira uttered.

This time tomorrow I will be home.

"I don't understand the reason you want to go there, but I trust that you have a plan."

"I do," Law said with a grin.

Of course, he did. Samira felt a little at ease knowing he'd be at her side. She opened her mouth to inquire about it, but a sudden force knocked her onto the floor with an oof. The sub screeched like a wounded animal and the entire cabin became bathed in red as an alarm echoed throughout the interior.