Escape plan

Baelakis POV

A week has passed and the only thing I’ve been given is water. My husky voiced tormentor says it’s to keep me alive but keep me weak. It worked, I definitely couldn’t feel my legs as I laid facing these wooden floors.

As the days passed by, I felt my strength dwindling, my muscles aching for something other than water to sustain me. The stench of the wooden floors mingled with the salty sea air, making my stomach churn. The occasional creak of the ship's timbers and the rush of the waves beneath the hull were the only sounds that broke through the silence of my prison.

I could barely keep my eyes open, the light that peeked through the small porthole in the cell only adding to my misery.

The rocking of the ship intensified as the waves grew more tumultuous, signaling that land was not far off. My mind raced with possibilities, the escape plan solidifying with each passing minute.

As the sun began to set, casting a fiery glow across the ocean, I heard a commotion above deck. Voices shouted in a language I couldn't understand, but I could sense the urgency in their tones. The ship's engines roared, indicating that we were nearing port.

It was now or never. With the last ounce of strength I had, I rose from my position on the floor, ignoring the agony in my limbs.

I pressed my ear against the wooden door of my cell, listening intently for any signs of life on the other side. The voices I had heard earlier were fading away, indicating that the crew had left their posts to secure the ship.

I had to act fast. Mustering all my strength, I threw my body against the door. The hinges groaned in protest but held strong. I tried again, putting all my weight into it. This time, the door creaked open, just wide enough for me to squeeze through. Mr Husky voice wasn’t even smart enough to properly lock the door.

The hallway was empty, but the sound of footsteps echoed from nearby.

Heart pounding in my chest, I darted down the corridor, every step a precarious dance between freedom and captivity. The air was thick with the scent of salt and desperation, each breath a reminder of the perilous game I was about to play.

As I rounded a corner, a figure loomed ahead, casting a long shadow in the dim light. Instinct took over, propelling me into a sprint as adrenaline surged through my veins.

The chase was on. My bare feet slapped against the deck as I bolted towards the stern of the ship. The sound of my pursuer's heavy footsteps grew louder with each stride, the scent of his unwashed body mingling with the musty air.

I could hear him cursing under his breath, a string of words in a language I couldn't understand but knew was aimed at me. My lungs burned with exertion as I made a sharp turn, heading towards the cargo hold where my instincts told me the other girls were being kept.

I knew this because the smell of vinegar was just too strong, it lingered. I had perceived this odor the first day I was forced in here, I just couldn’t mistake it.

I skidded to a halt at the entrance to the cargo hold, my heart pounding against my ribs like a war drum. With shaking hands, I reached for the handle, turning it with a click. The door swung open, and I was greeted by darkness, silence, and the overpowering smell of vinegar.

In that moment, I knew I had found my destination, but also that my presence had been noted. The ship's crew must have been alerted by the commotion, and they were undoubtedly closing in.

The sound of their fear pierced my heart like a dagger. I had to protect them, to get them out of here before it was too late. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts.

"It's okay," I whispered in a voice that betrayed my own fear. "I'm here to help. You're safe now."

Some of the girls who were able to stand crowded around me, their frail bodies trembling as they clung to me for comfort. I knew I had to act quickly before the crew discovered us.

I began to help the weaker girls to their feet, and the other girls joined me, we had to be fast

"We don't have much time," I urged them. "We have to move now."

The girls moved as quickly as their weakened bodies allowed, each of them determined to escape.

"We're going to have to work together," I said. "Stay close to me, and do as I say. We'll find a way off this ship and get to safety."