**Chapter 10: Dangers of the Sea – Part II**
📅 **January 2000**
*"Burb... Burb..."* My lungs fought against the salty intrusion of seawater.
Darkness surrounded us. The sea swallowed our boat, leaving us **adrift in uncertainty, fear gripping tighter with every passing second**.
We were in the **lower compartments** when the ship **shifted violently**—from an upright stance into a position of **doom**.
It was **capsized.**
In that moment, survival was no longer just a thought—it was a fight against **fate itself**.
---
### **Caleb's Rescue**
Just then, the **compartment door burst open**, a wave of water rushing in.
Caleb stood there—**oxygen masks in hand**.
*"Take these!"* he shouted over the chaos.
The moment was **instinctive**—I grabbed mine, securing Lola's before we swam **toward the surface** under his guidance.
Breaking through the ocean's surface, the world felt **different**—but **we were alive**.
And we weren't alone.
The **entire crew had made it out.**
Relief surged through me—no casualties. **Not this time.**
Lola's eyes mirrored my emotions—**gratitude, disbelief, hope.**
Yet, one crucial question **plagued my mind**: *How were we supposed to survive now? Swim to Brazil?*
A crew member **chuckled** at my question.
*"Do it,"* Caleb instructed.
But then—something **shifted**.
A crew member **released a compressed structure**, a **trampoline-like material** that immediately expanded, forming **lifeboats**.
A **lifeline.**
We climbed in, heading toward **Brazil**, leaving Ghana's coastal territories behind—**and Michael's pursuit forever.**
---
### **Day 2 at Sea**
For **two days**, we sailed, the waters **endless and eerily quiet**—until someone spotted something.
*"Ship ahead!"* a crewmember called out.
A **red vessel**, looming in the distance.
Uncertainty settled in. *Was this a lifeline—or another threat?*
Then—through the static of a **speaker**, a voice called out.
*"This is Captain Penny. If you seek help, raise two fingers as identification."*
A beat.
Then—Caleb **raised his fingers.**
Moments later, the **red vessel—The Red Queen—welcomed us aboard.**
---
### **Meeting Penny**
Inside the ship, **I was stunned**—a crew of **25**, **15 smuggling travelers**, and **our group of 20**—making **50 on board.**
The captain—**a woman**—stood before us, her presence **commanding yet familiar**.
*"Penny?"* Caleb breathed.
Recognition flickered between them.
*"Caleb…"*
A long pause, unspoken history resting between them.
Then—he broke the news.
*"John's captured."*
The words felt **like stone**, heavy and cold.
Penny's expression **collapsed into sorrow.**
**Loss. Pain. Unspoken emotions.**
It was clear—John meant **more than just a partner** to her.
---
### **Beneath the Red Queen**
📅 **Day 5**
The bilge pump had begun **failing unnoticed**.
Water seeped in—**slowly, dangerously**.
A silent menace creeping toward **disaster.**
---
📅 **Day 12 – Near Brazil's Coastline**
The ship **moved sluggishly**, unnaturally slow.
Penny had sensed **something was wrong**, yet the source remained **unknown**—until it was too late.
---
### **Lola's POV**
For **days**, my instincts whispered **unease**.
Yet, nothing happened.
So I reassured myself—*this wasn't Titanic.*
Until—
---
### **The Breaking Point**
*"CREEK… CREEK…"*
Then—
**BOOM! 💥💥**
The sound **wasn't normal**—it was **death knocking at the hull.**
*"A low, eerie creaking echoed through the hull, each strained groan a haunting reminder that the bilge pump had failed. Water seeped in—silent at first, then rushing with a force that sent shivers down Caleb's spine."*
---
### **Caleb's POV – The Escape**
*"Everyone, get out!"* I shouted. *"The boat is sinking!"*
The **Red Queen**—our salvation—was now **our coffin.**
Survival was the **only priority.**
---
### **The Final Swim to Shore**
We **swam for our lives**, carrying only **what we could.**
Exhaustion clawed at us, yet determination kept us moving.
Then—**we arrived.**
Turning back, we caught a **final glimpse** of The Red Queen—**a beauty, swallowed by the sea.**
Ahead of us—
**Not freedom.**
Not safety.
But **terror itself.**
Thick dark bushes.
Towering trees.
Lush green foliage.
Unsettling silence.
We had arrived at **the Amapá Amazon.**
A jungle that didn't welcome us.
A nightmare waiting to unfold.
—
Authors note:
### **Chapter 11 & Beyond**
🚀 **Chapter 11 & 12** – The Amazon's **dangers**, survival struggles, betrayal, trauma, and action-packed chaos!
🔥 **Chapter 13** – Introducing **Scott Dawns**, husband to Bunmi Dawns—his **arrival will shift everything!**
🌎 **Chapters 14 - 20** – The journey through **South America into the U.S.**, wrapping up the **first arc**!
🌟 **Second Arc** – The rise of **Timileyin "Timi" Sunday**, the **main protagonist's journey begins!**