Bloodtide

Part 27

Chopping up the vegetables, I kept my eyes and ears open around the ship. We've been sailing for a few days, and it hasn't been bad. Bon informed me we would port soon for fuel, and I was ready to make my escape.

Thankfully, John has kept his distance these past few days, but it didn't help that Jones has been breathing down our necks. I never get alone time with Henry to talk about our plan without the man coming up to chat.

He was odd... and hiding something.

Every time I tried to corner Henry, Jones seemed to materialize out of thin air, his eyes darting around like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

Henry and I exchanged glances often, trying to communicate our urgency without words. The plan was risky, but staying on this ship under Jones' watchful eye felt even more dangerous. under loose floorboards in the storage room.

As we sliced through the waves, the thought of freedom kept me going. The clock was ticking, and every minute brought us closer to the port—and to our chance at slipping away unnoticed.

"Ella, are you excited to get on some land?" Bonham joked as I smiled.

The crew knew I hated the water and made it known to avoid the rails.

"A bit too excited," I replied, trying to keep my tone light despite the weight of our plan looming over me.

Bonham chuckled, clapping me on the back. "Don't worry, Ella. You'll be back on solid ground soon enough."

I nodded, glancing around to make sure Jones wasn't within earshot. The past few days had been tense, and the closer we got to port, the more nervous I became. Every time the ship creaked or the waves crashed against the hull, my heart would skip a beat, thinking it was Jones coming to thwart our plans.

Henry appeared from below deck, giving me a brief, meaningful nod. It was almost time.

"Bonham," I said, keeping my voice steady, "any idea how long we'll be docked?"

"Just a few hours, enough to refuel and restock. Why, planning a little sightseeing?"

I forced a laugh. "Something like that."

As Bonham turned to shout orders at the crew, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Henry, his grip firm and reassuring.

"Everything's set," he whispered.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll catch up with you later," Henry said, and I nodded again, trying to mask my anxiety.

Just then, John's voice echoed through the narrow passageway. "Men, change of plans!" he shouted, descending the stairs two at a time. I stared, confused and uneasy.

Jones followed closely behind, his presence instantly tensing the atmosphere. "We're making landing now," he instructed curtly, causing everyone to scramble into action.

Panic bubbled up inside me. This sudden change could either be a blessing or a curse. I caught Henry's eye from across the room. His expression mirrored my own—concern mixed with determination.

"Why the sudden change?" Bonham asked, his voice barely audible over the noise of the crew.

Jones' eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Weather's turning."

Henry slipped away quietly, heading towards the storage room. I needed to follow him, but with Jones and John on high alert, it would be tricky.

I busied myself with the vegetables, trying to look preoccupied while keeping an eye on the chaos around me. The crew's movements were frantic, a stark contrast to the steady rhythm we had grown accustomed to over the past days.

"Ella, you good?" Bonham's voice pulled me back to the present.

"Yeah," I replied, forcing a smile.

Bonham gave me a thumbs-up before turning to help with the preparations. I inched closer to the edge of the group, ready to slip away when the opportunity presented itself. The ship lurched as we changed course, and my stomach did a flip. It was now or never.

I made my way towards the storage room, heart pounding. Jones' voice barked orders above deck, the sound growing fainter as I moved further away. Henry was waiting, his face set with resolve.

"Everything's still in place," he whispered. "Let's get ready."

We hurried to gather our supplies, every second feeling like an eternity. The plan was simple: blend in with the dock workers, then disappear into the crowded port city. But with Jones' sudden change in plans, we had to be more cautious than ever.

"Ready?" Henry asked, his eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation.

"Ready," I confirmed, gripping the small bag of essentials tightly.

As the ship drew closer to the port, my eyes widened in confusion. Instead of the bustling streets of a city, I saw dense jungle stretching out before us.

"Where is the city?" I whispered to Henry, who seemed equally shocked.

Henry shook his head, his brow furrowing. "I don't know. This isn't right."

Our plan depended on the anonymity and chaos of a crowded port city, not an isolated jungle. The realization hit me like a cold wave—we had no idea where we were or what dangers awaited us in the thick underbrush.

John and Jones were at the bow, their expressions unreadable. It was clear they had known about this destination all along. The crew was abuzz with murmurs, uncertainty spreading like wildfire. Bonham looked particularly uneasy, his earlier cheerfulness replaced by a wary frown.

"What's going on?" Bonham called out, trying to get some answers.

Jones turned, his face hard. "New orders came in. We're docking here for supplies."

Supplies? In the middle of a jungle? It didn't add up. My mind raced, trying to piece together what this detour could mean. Henry squeezed my arm, pulling me aside.

"This isn't good, Ella," he whispered urgently.

I nodded, scanning the shoreline for any signs of activity. There was a small dock, but it looked abandoned, overgrown with vines and moss. As the crew prepared to disembark, Jones assigned pairs to various tasks, keeping everyone busy and under his watchful eye.

Henry and I exchanged a glance, our previous plan slipping further out of reach. We'd have to improvise, adapt to this new, unexpected situation.

"Stay close," I said, gripping Henry's hand.

"Always," he replied, a determined glint in his eyes.

We gathered our supplies, blending in with the rest of the crew as we stepped onto the rickety dock. The air was thick with humidity and the sounds of unseen creatures. The jungle loomed ahead, mysterious and foreboding.

Jones and John led the way, cutting a path through the dense foliage. The crew followed reluctantly, some muttering under their breath. I kept my eyes peeled, looking for any opportunity to slip away unnoticed.

"This place gives me the creeps," Bonham muttered, falling into step beside me. "You think we're safe here?"

I shrugged, unable to offer any reassurance. The truth was, we were venturing into the unknown, and the only thing we could count on was each other.

As we trekked deeper into the jungle, the ship fading from view, I felt a growing sense of urgency.