Anomaly; Stranded The Series (bxb)

Chapter 15: Ultimate Sacrifice

The boat sped across the water, the darkness swallowing the horizon, and the tension between them crackled in the air like static. The adrenaline from their escape still pulsed in Eli's veins, but his mind was racing, the fear of what lay ahead gnawing at him. Jonah sat next to him, his eyes focused on the distance, his jaw set in that stubborn way that told Eli he was thinking the same thing—they weren't safe yet.

The wind whipped around them, the salty spray from the ocean biting at their skin. It should have been a moment of relief—they'd escaped the island, they were free—but instead, all Eli felt was an impending sense of dread. Something was coming. He could feel it in his bones.

Jonah broke the silence first, his voice low and tense. "We need to figure out where we're going. We can't just keep drifting."

Eli nodded, gripping the wheel tighter. "We'll have to find a port somewhere, but we need to make sure it's safe. Those guys back there—they weren't just some random thugs. We have no idea who they're working for."

Jonah let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. "And here I thought getting off the island would be the hard part."

Eli glanced at him, their eyes locking for a moment. This was far from over. They both knew it. The men who had tried to take them weren't done—there would be more danger, more obstacles. But for now, they were together. That had to count for something.

The quiet didn't last long.

A sudden, violent crash echoed through the night as the boat jolted forward, sending Eli and Jonah tumbling to the deck. Eli's head slammed into the side of the boat, stars exploding in his vision. What the hell just happened?

Before he could fully comprehend what was going on, Jonah was already on his feet, his expression panicked. "Something hit us!"

Eli scrambled to his feet, ignoring the throbbing pain in his skull, and rushed to the edge of the boat. In the darkness, he could barely make out what was happening, but then he saw it—another boat, larger, more menacing, cutting through the water like a predator.

"Shit," Eli cursed, his heart dropping. They'd found them. The men they'd escaped from had found them, and now they were closing in fast.

Jonah was at his side in an instant, his eyes wide with fear but also determination. "We need to move. Now."

Eli nodded, his pulse pounding in his ears. He rushed back to the wheel, yanking it hard to the right in an attempt to outmaneuver the other boat, but it was no use. They were faster, more agile, and Eli could feel the boat starting to slow as the engine sputtered under the strain.

"Come on, come on," Eli muttered under his breath, his hands shaking as he pushed the throttle forward, trying to coax more speed out of the failing engine.

Jonah was beside him, his hand resting on Eli's shoulder, trying to steady him. "We'll figure something out," Jonah said, though his voice lacked the usual confidence. They both knew they were running out of time.

The larger boat rammed into them again, harder this time, sending Eli crashing into the console. He grunted in pain but pushed himself back up, his breath coming in short, panicked bursts. They couldn't outrun them. Not like this.

"They're going to board us," Jonah said, his voice grim. "We can't stop them."

Eli's mind raced, desperation clawing at him. He couldn't lose Jonah. Not like this. Not after everything they'd been through.

"We have to fight back," Eli said, his voice trembling but determined. "We can't let them take us."

Jonah's eyes flickered with something—fear, resolve, love—and he nodded, his jaw tightening. "Okay. We fight."