### **Chapter 9: Dangers of the Sea**
**January 2000**
### **Caleb's POV**
Losing **John** to the hands of **Michael** wasn't just losing a crewmate—it was losing a **brother, a warrior, a piece of myself**.
In crime, **death follows**. Yet, this time, it felt different. **Personal. Raw. Gut-wrenching.**
But leadership meant burying pain. The crew needed direction, and **all eyes were on me**.
*"Set course for Brazil!"* I ordered, pushing aside every emotion clawing at me.
*"Yes, sir!"* the crew responded without hesitation.
I stepped onto the deck, inhaling the crisp night air. **We had escaped.**
Or so we thought.
---
### **Back at Tema Bay**
Michael's frustration **burned** through the air like wildfire.
*"They slipped away!"* an officer muttered.
Michael clenched his fists.
*"We have to bring them to justice!"* another barked.
*"What do you intend to do?"* the chief officer asked, locking eyes with Michael.
*"Hot pursuit,"* Michael said, voice unwavering.
A beat of silence. Then, a nod.
*"You have my consent."*
Michael didn't wait. The chase was on.
---
### **Caleb's POV – Day 2 at Sea**
We were **still in Ghana's waters**, unknowingly.
The sea stretched infinitely, the vast emptiness almost **comforting**—until the **sound came**.
Loud.
Fierce.
Unrelenting.
A **deep, rhythmic pulse** vibrated through the water. I frowned.
*"What is that?"* I muttered, stepping out onto the deck.
Binoculars in hand, I scanned the horizon—and **froze**.
**Michael's patrol boats.**
**Speeding toward us.**
**Weapons armed.**
The voice came **sharp and merciless** through a loudspeaker.
*"Stop the boat! Hand over the stowaways, and you shall not be punished. Failure to comply will result in a hot pursuit—WITH OPEN FIRE!"*
My grip tightened on the binoculars. I **locked eyes** with Michael from a distance.
**Savage determination.**
*"MOVE!"* I roared. *"Don't stop for anything!"*
Engines roared.
The chase began.
---
### **Michael's POV – Pursuit on Open Waters**
For **two days**, I chased them relentlessly.
They had **escaped the terminal**, but **at sea, there was nowhere to hide**—no alleys, no backstreets.
*"Fire!"* I commanded.
Bullets **rained toward them**, the sea erupting in chaos.
*"Stay on them!"* I barked.
**I wouldn't let them slip away again.**
---
### **Caleb's POV – The Third Day**
*"Caleb, we're low on gas!"* the sailor warned.
I cursed.
*"Keep moving!"*
We hadn't accounted for a **hot pursuit lasting this long**—this was **unplanned, chaotic, disastrous**.
The sky **darkened ominously**, the wind picking up.
*"Caleb, the clouds—"*
I ignored it.
*"Just drive!"*
---
### **In the Compartment – Lola's POV**
Below deck, the air was thick—**claustrophobic**.
Lola trembled beside me.
*"It's going to be okay,"* I whispered.
**Even though I wasn't sure I believed it.**
### **The Chase – Night of the Third Day**
The **storm arrived**.
Thunder **cracked** through the sky.
Waves **twisted violently**.
Rain **pounded** the deck.
Michael's voice **pierced through the chaos**.
*"Surrender now, or the storm will take you!"*
I clenched my jaw.
We needed **an escape plan**.
*"Shit!"* the sailor cursed. *"Compass is failing! We're sailing blind!"*
My stomach dropped.
*"Can you keep us moving?"*
*"Barely!"*
I turned to my men.
*"We're diving."*
Their eyes widened.
*"Lifeboats?"*
I nodded.
We slipped into the water **before releasing the lifeboat**, ensuring Michael believed we were still aboard when it capsized.
*"What about the Sundays?"* a crewmember asked.
I cursed under my breath.
*"Just go."*
The moment was **chaos**.
Then—**the monstrous wave.**
The ship **shifted violently**, the sailor **losing control**.
*"Boom."*
The ship **capsized.**
---
### **Michael's POV – The End of the Chase**
The storm raged **against them**, twisting Caleb's boat **off course**.
Then—**the capsize.**
We approached the crash site, scanning for **survivors**.
But there was **nothing left**.
No bodies.
No lifeboats.
No sign of life.
A victory, but a bitter victory.
My jaw tightened.
*"We're heading home,"* I ordered.
Even as I spoke—**something felt wrong**.
But I ignored it.
They were **gone**.
At least, that's what we believed.