Grayson

Chapter Forty Seven

Emma~

The boat shook and jolted several times as Emma ran down the slender corridors toward the nearest exit. Crowds of panicked medical staff and crew members ran into her, scrambling in the other direction. Sobbing and cries of terror echoed down the hall ways as the American staff members realized that they were sitting ducks.

"They're shooting at us!" Someone wailed before the boat lurched and jolted again.

They aren't just shooting at us, they're trying to sink the ship.

A line of people cluttered the hall that led to the main exit of the ship. In their desperation, people pushed and clawed trying to free themselves from the vessel that had started to lean.

Shit.

Clutching the satellite phone tightly in her hand, Emma took deep breaths, raising up on her toes to try to get a better look from the back of the line.

Her eyes went wide and her blood ran cold when loud pops and piercing screams cut through the mumbling crowd.

Understanding that the dozens of people trying to get out were about to turn on their heels and retreat back into the boat whether she moved or not. In a split second, Emma made the decision to run, trying to remember all of the emergency exits.

There's an exit on the other side of the boat, one floor below us.

Feeling clunky and uncoordinated with her vest and backpack, Emma ran away from the screaming, away from the death and destruction that awaited the staff and crew at the front exit and headed toward the back.

With her heart pounding and her brow sweating, Emma tried to channel her panic into focus as she glanced at a map and surged forward, hoping she wouldn't be met with another panicked crowd or even worse - a firing squad.

Another loud boom rattled the entire boat, causing it to tilt even more to the left. Emma's feet fumbled on the now slanted ground as she made her way toward a set of stairs. Bracing herself against a wall, she went down and gasped when she reached the floor below.

Emma was submerged in water up to her waist and didn't know how fast the water was rising as she looked down the hallway that led to the exit.

Tears pooled in her eyes at the impossible decision.

If I go up, I'll be trampled then shot. If I go down to this exit I might drown.

A scream and popping sounds from within the boat made her decision for her as she snapped her gaze forward and focused on the task ahead of her.

With one quick calming breath, Emma refocused her senses.

I am not dying on this boat.

Grayson's face was centered in her mind as she waded through the water, pushing off of the walls as she made her way toward the exit. Emma tried her best to keep the satellite phone and backpack out of the water, but by the time she reached the exit door, she was shoulder deep in water and grateful for an escape from the metal tube. Loud gun fire could be heard, but it was somewhat distant.

The ship was too low in the water to use the ramps and Emma surveyed the shortest pathway to shore.

I'm going to have to swim. I'm in a weighted vest with a full bag and a satellite phone that can't get wet...and I'm going to have to fucking swim.

There wasn't enough time for Emma to come up with an alternative plan. She had no choice.

Taking in a few deep breaths, Emma stepped off of the boat and felt the immediate weight of the gear that she was wearing. Using every ounce of strength that her legs possessed, Emma tried and struggled to swim beneath the weight of the wet kevlar and the heavy backpack. Her head barely surfaced enough for her to draw in a panicked breath before she was pulled under again, fighting against gravity, fighting against the current, fighting for her life.