Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 52178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
A ship is sturdier at sea.
It isn’t made for land.
The small boat rocks more than I’d like as we head toward the ship. Marek doesn’t speak, instead he just stares out at the ocean, his face hard. By the time we make it to the ship, he’s passing me off to another man and ordering him to take me to the kitchen so I can prepare some food. There, I am left alone. Staring around the large kitchen, I begin gathering bags of food that will get us through a few days.
The ship is sturdy, and an idea forms in my mind as I pack.
What if somehow...I stay on it?
I don’t know how I’ll manage it, but if I could get onto this ship while they’re in the bunker, I could cut the ropes and get out of here. It’s not the best plan, of course, but it could work. I’ll probably be captured and taken hostage by some band of terrifying pirates, but surely I can find land somewhere before that happens?
Is it a terrible idea?
Pondering it, I keep gathering food.
I go to the corner of the room in search of bags, when I lift some wooden boxes and open the bottom one – my eyes widen. There, in the box, are a heap of guns. Holy crap. They are moving weapons. I suspected they were doing something, but weapons? Heart racing, I reach in and pull out a silver pistol, quickly opening it to find it loaded. This is my chance – my chance to take out Marek and be free.
Frantically, I put everything back in place, keeping the gun and finding somewhere to stash it in this kitchen. While I’m doing that, I gather a small bag of food and water for myself, and find an old storage cupboard, putting it in there with the gun, just in case I need to do a quick escape. Knowing I have a weapon has my heart racing with a desperation I haven’t felt yet. It’s a need for freedom.
I continue packing food for the bunker, wondering how I’m going to get onto this ship without any of them noticing.
Could I tell them I’m going back to shore, put all the food on the boat, but never get on? It is hectic out there, people going back and forth. If Marek thinks I’m in the bunker, he might not look for me on the ship and all I have to do is hide until it’s too late for them to come back, then ride out the storm here, praying the ship doesn’t flip over. If I manage to make it out alive, I’ll wait until the storm calms down enough for me to cut the ropes and get out of here.
My mind spins with my plan as I carry my bags out to the deck, to load onto the boat. Passing a room, I pause when shouting voices capture my attention. Narrowing my eyes, I place my bags onto the ground and step closer to the door when I recognize one of the voices as Mareks. He’s bellowing at someone, and when I hear what they’re talking about, my eyes widen.
“Who the fuck do you think you are, Barry? You need to stand down.”
Marek’s voice is wildly angry, his tone terrifying.
“She’s a problem for us. I don’t know why you’re keeping her alive. Put her in with the other girls, or get rid of her. She doesn’t deserve special treatment because you’re thinking with your dick, boss. She is just a fucking girl. End her.”
My heart stutters, when I realize they’re talking about me.
“Her talent is what is going to save this fucking show,” Marek grinds out, “do not come in here and bark orders at me, you know I won’t tolerate it.”
“Been by your side for years. Respect the fuck out of you. But you’re making a mistake with her. She’s talented, but there is a fucking million other talented women out there. The show was just fine before her.”
A scuffling sound fills my ears, before a loud grunt sounds out. “That was until I had to pack up and fucking leave. This is my life’s work. How do you suppose I get it back up and running without her?”
“Fuck,” Barry gasps, clearly Marek is doing something that is restricting his airflow. “You don’t need that show. We can operate without it.”
“That show is how we fucking operate, and you know it.”
“You’re powerful enough without it,” Barry gasps. “Just let it go, boss.”
A thumping sound, then I hear Barry growl loudly before barking, “Fuck. You’re so wrapped up in her you can’t see what this is doing to you. It’ll fuck you, boss. If that’s what you want, go right ahead, but I’m not waiting around...”
A gunshot.
Loud and piercing.
I stumble backwards, hand pressing against my chest as I stare in pure shock. Did Marek just shoot him?