Bloodtide

Part 30

Griffen and Jones's men moved purposefully around the river, keeping a vigilant watch while the rest of us prepared to head out again. The sound of their boots crunching on the underbrush mixed with the distant murmur of the stream, adding to the tension of the moment.

John sat quietly among his men, his chains clinking softly as he shifted. Despite his restraints, he maintained an air of calm, his eyes never leaving the scene unfolding around him. I saw an opportunity as Griffen became absorbed in directing his men, and I cautiously walked over to John, pretending to search through the nearby bushes.

"You were correct," I whispered, leaning in close so only he could hear.

John's lips curled into a sly smirk. "I'm never incorrect."

I snapped my head around, making sure no one else was within earshot. "What will happen after they find the jewels?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

John's gaze shifted to his red, raw wrists, the chains digging into his skin. He shrugged nonchalantly, though his eyes were sharp. "Probably kill most of us and turn me in," he said with a hint of grim amusement.

I frowned, unable to hide my concern. "Did you know he was going to double-cross you?" I asked, my voice trembling with frustration.

John nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "Then why did you agree to his idea to head to Singapore?" I pressed, bewildered.

John's smirk widened slightly. "Pirate's code, love."

I stared at him, more confused than ever. "I don't understand that."

He glanced over at the fast-moving river and continued, "You see that river? Mermaids live around this island."

My mind raced, trying to piece together his cryptic explanation. "So, you were trying to escape?"

John's nod was almost imperceptible. "Yes"

The realization hit me hard. "So, me following you... it ruined your plans?"

John's eyes softened, though his expression remained guarded. "It complicated things."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, feeling a pang of regret.

John's grin widened at my apology. "I like when you apologize," he whispered back, his tone teasing.

I rolled my eyes, no longer feeling sympathy for him. "What is it they're searching for?" I asked, trying to make the most of our limited time.

John's expression turned serious. "Well the king wants a gold cup. It's supposed to be an ancient artifact, highly valuable."

I stared at him, processing the information. I was about to ask another question when Griffen's commanding voice cut through the tension.

"Everyone, move out!" Griffen shouted, signaling that it was time to continue.

I stood up quickly, my mind racing as we began to walk again. As we pressed forward, I kept my thoughts on the gold cup and what it could mean for our next steps.

The new path we took wound deeper into the woods than our original route, the foliage growing denser with each step. Jones led the way, flanked by Henry and his crew, while I lagged behind, keeping close to Griffen.

The jungle was sweltering, and the late hour only added to the oppressive heat. I was growing increasingly weary, my steps dragging as exhaustion took hold. The men around me, however, seemed relentless, their determination unwavering.

"Can we rest soon?" I asked Griffen, hoping for a reprieve from the relentless march.

He glanced down at me, his face set in a firm expression. "We need to keep moving. The sooner we get to the location, the sooner we can secure the area and figure out our next move."

I sighed, looking around at the dense, encroaching greenery. "It's just... it's been a long day. I'm exhausted."

Griffen's gaze softened slightly as he looked at me. "Jones, let's rest here!" he shouted.

Jones, still leading the group, turned around with a smile. "Sir, we are only a few steps away from the site," he protested.

I looked at Griffen with pleading eyes, my exhaustion clear. "Please, just a short break," I implored.

Griffen's expression hardened with resolve. "No, my men are tired. Set up camp," he commanded firmly.

Jones sighed, clearly frustrated, but nodded in agreement. "Alright, we'll rest here," he called out to his men.

The crew began to disperse, gathering supplies and setting up temporary shelters among the dense foliage. I sank onto a nearby log, relieved to finally stop moving. The jungle around us buzzed with the sounds of the night, the air thick with humidity and the scent of damp earth.

As the camp started to take shape, Griffen approached me, his expression a mix of sympathy and determination. "We'll only rest for a short while," he said quietly. "We need to make the most of this time to regroup and prepare for what's ahead."

I nodded, grateful for the respite. "Thank you," I murmured, leaning back and closing my eyes for a moment.

Around us, the campfires were lit, casting a warm glow against the dark jungle. The men settled in, their voices low as they discussed the next steps.

Once the men fell asleep, I waited, faking my sleep. Griffin was snoring, and I slowly stood up, walking to John and his crew, locked up like prisoners.

"John," I whispered, tapping him to wake.

He began to mumble, pushing me away. "John, wake up," I stressed as his eyes began to open.

"Ella, as much as I love your voice, perhaps we can do this later," he mumbled, and I sighed.

I pulled out the key I had pickpocketed from Griffin and began to loosen his handcuffs. That action woke him up fully as he began to look down at me.

His eyes widened in surprise, and he whispered urgently, "How did you get that?"

"No time to explain," I replied, focusing on the lock. "Run as far as you can."

He smiled, stopping my action with a firm grip on my wrist. "You're sweet but I'd rather stay."

He took the key and locked himself back up, confusing me. "You have a chance to escape and decide to stay?" I questioned, my voice tinged with disbelief.

"Yep. Now can I go back to sleep?" he yawned, shoving me away gently as I stared at him, bewildered.

"But... why?" I pressed, trying to make sense of his decision. "What's keeping you here?"

He settled back into his corner, pulling the thin blanket over himself. "Sometimes freedom isn't all it's cracked up to be," he muttered, closing his eyes. "Besides, I've got my reasons."

I stood there, unable to comprehend his choice, the key still warm in my hand.