Chapter 3
It hurt.
But it was nothing compared to the wounds William left on me.
And still, that was nothing compared to the ache inside me right now.
I had no idea how long I'd been running.
My lungs were burning up, like they might burst any second.
My legs felt weighed down with lead, so heavy I could barely lift them.
Finally, I spotted that familiar hole behind a patch of waist-high weeds.
The opening was tiny, almost hidden by vines.
If I hadn't been looking for it, I never would've noticed it.
I dropped my suitcase and carefully helped the two kids through the hole.
Then I scrambled out after them, looking like a total mess.
On the other side of the hole was The Compound's dump.
The air was thick with a sickening, sour stench.
I didn't dare stop.
I carried the kids on my back, dragged my suitcase, and kept running.
Behind me, flames shot up into the sky from The Compound.
Gunshots, explosions, and screams all mixed together into a symphony of hell.
I knew William was right there in that sea of fire.
He was laying down his life to carve a bloody path for me and the kids.
Tears blurred my vision.
I didn't dare look back.
William had told me not to.
The dock.
I had to make it to the dock before dawn.
I had to find the ship called The Sea Serpent.
I was like a mother animal backed into a corner, unleashing a strength I never knew I had.
Finally, as the first light crept over the horizon, I caught sight of the sea.
The old rundown dock came into view, reeking of fish.
A few small fishing boats were scattered along the dock.
One of them had a dim, yellow lantern hanging from its bow.
Under the lantern, a guy with a straw hat on was taking a drag on his cigarette.
My heart skipped a beat as I clutched the kids to my chest and walked over.
"The Sea Serpent?" I called out, my voice trembling.
The man looked up, revealing a face weathered and cracked by the sea wind.
He glanced at me, then at the kids in my arms and the suitcase behind me.
He nodded. "Get on board."
His voice was as gruff and hoarse as William's.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Holding the kids close, I stepped onto the rickety boards and climbed onto the boat.
There were already a few people inside the cabin.
They all looked like they'd escaped from The Compound.
Every face was etched with the terror and numbness of someone who'd survived hell.
Everyone kept their guard up, no one said a word.
I found a corner and sat down, pulling the kids into my arms.
I placed the suitcase right at my feet.
The boat started up.
The engine roared to life, shaking the whole boat so hard it felt like the whole thing might come apart.
I stared out the window.
The place I'd called home for seven years was getting smaller and smaller in the distance.
That burning hellscape faded into nothing but a tiny red dot.
And then, it disappeared completely over the horizon.
Goodbye, William.
If there's another life after this, I pray we never cross paths again.
The boat sailed for two days and two nights.
The atmosphere in the cabin stayed so oppressive, it felt like you could barely breathe.
I leaned against the suitcase, holding the kids close in front of me, and I barely slept.
I didn't dare sleep.
I was afraid this was all a dream.
And if I woke up, I'd be right back in that pitch-black storage room.
On the third morning, the boat finally started to slow down.
Someone shouted from outside, "We're here. We've made it to Harbor City."
Everyone started scrambling in the cabin.
People crowded to the bow, staring at the glittering, bustling harbor in the distance.
Excitement and hope were written all over their faces.
I stood up, holding the kids close.
But right then, a man suddenly cut me off, blocking my path.
It was the guy with the straw hat, the one who'd been driving the boat.
Two other crew members were right behind him.
The three of them boxed me in, trapping me in the cramped corner of the cabin.
The man spat out his cigarette, his cloudy eyes fixated on the suitcase at my feet.
He bared his yellow teeth in a wide, leering grin. Greed oozed from his smile. "Hey, sweetheart, that suitcase looks like it's got some weight to it.
"How about you open it up and let us see what's inside, huh?"
My heart hit rock bottom in that instant.
Clutching the kids tight, I leaned back inch by inch against the cold metal wall of the cabin.
The icy touch jolted me back to reality.
I looked at the three guys standing in front of me.
They stared at me like I was a lamb ready for slaughter.
Their eyes were full of naked, unfiltered greed.
I understood.
They were up to no good from the very beginning.
Maybe William got tricked by them, too.
Or maybe he didn't have time to be picky, so he clung to the only lifeline he could find.
And now, that lifeline was turning into a noose around my neck.
My mind raced.
Crying? Begging?
No use.
In a lawless place like this, tears were the cheapest thing around.
Fight back?
I was a woman, holding two tiny, hungry babies in my arms.
How was I supposed to take on three big, strong men?
I had to outsmart them.
My eyes fell to the suitcase at my feet.
That suitcase was both my death sentence and my only bargaining chip.
I took a deep breath, forcing down the fear that threatened to overwhelm me.
I forced a smile that looked even worse than crying. "Hey, man, I know it's not easy making a living out here."
My voice was shaking, but I tried to sound calm.