We've been driving all night, trying to follow Rose's car. She took us on a wild goose chase, that's for sure. I'm convinced she's headed for the wharf, but if she is then she's taking the most indirect route I've ever witnessed. I'm assuming she thought she'd be able to lose us if she did that, but she forgets that we were brought up on these streets.

I'm assuming that Rafe is heading towards the wharf with the truck too, meaning we'll be rejoining Pope soon. I'm not sure if Kiara knows what's going on, none of us have been able to check in with her.

We pull up just outside of the boatyard, the twinkie slowly coming to a stop as weak fumes escape the exhaust. Thankfully we're just out of sight of the front gate as we watch Rose's car head straight for the entrance. A place like this will be crawling with security, and knowing Rafe and his hunger for that gold cross, he's not going to let it slip through his fingers.

"We did it," John B sighs before looking at JJ and I.

"Now we've just got to get Sarah and the cross," I tell them both as we climb out of the van, watching as a large container truck approaches us.

"Security is tight, we'll have to head in behind this truck," JJ tells us as the truck passes us, "Now!"

The three of us run as light footed as we can, following after the truck as it reaches the boatyard entrance, stopping to speak to security. We take our chance and dart around the opposite side of the truck. As soon as it starts moving again we take our chance and run alongside it, successfully slipping into the boatyard undetected.

Having grown up with a father who worked in places like this, JJ knows the layout well, leading us around the back of a warehouse type building. We duck behind some building machinery, our eyes landing on a large container ship being loaded up with dozens of containers.

"It's the Coastal Venture," JJ whispers, "I know that ship, my Dad did legs on it last summer, it's a total tramp steamer."

"There's the cross, look," John B tells us, pointing to Rafe's truck, where I notice Rafe overseeing the cross being lifted onto the ship.

"There's Rafe, but where's Pope?" I ask the boys, feeling panic beginning to bubble in my gut.

"He can't be far," JJ assures me, "He would've peeled before getting to the yard."

"JJ's right, I'm sure Pope is fine." John B adds as we return our attention to Rafe.

"God, I hate that guy." JJ grits as we watch Rafe conversing with various yard and boat workers.

Rose's car pulls up behind Rafe's truck and I spot Rose rushing from the driver's seat, heading for Wheezie in the back as a random man helps Sarah out of the car on the other side.

"There she is," John B whispers.

"Shit." I mutter.

"Guys, we've got to come up with a plan." John B whispers as we watch the Cameron women making their way onto the boat.

"I know, I'm working on it," JJ tells us, "Maybe if we get over to that barge, we go over that way, but we'll have to get into the water."

"That's fine," John B insists.

"We'll be sitting ducks." JJ reminds him.

"Howdy." I almost jump out of my skin at the new voice, looking over my shoulder and instantly relieved to see Kiara accompanied by Pope.

"I was about to stab your eyes out," JJ hisses.

"It's so good to see you," I smile, wrapping Kiara and Pope in a quick hug before returning my attention to the group.

"How did you manage to find us?" JJ asks them both.

"Geo-located your phone," Kiara shrugs.

"Smart." JJ nods.

"You okay? What happened?" John B asks Pope, and I quickly notice the state of his clothes that make him look as though he's been rolling around in mud.

"Rafe, round three," Pope replies, appearing physically defeated, "This round was a tie."

Perhaps it's a good thing that in hearing those words I'm more worried about Pope's well-being than anything else. There was a time, not too long ago, when I would've jumped to defend Rafe. Over these few weeks I've learnt that he won't change, not even for me.

"Is that the cross?" Pope asks as we watch the large wooden box being lowered onto the ship.

"Yep."

"They're holding Sarah hostage," John B tells Pope and Kiara.

"We have to find a way onto that boat," I mutter.

"Agreed." Kiara nods.

"First we just gotta get past the goon squad." JJ whispers.

"Okay, let's move, come on," John B whispers.

I turn to Pope who's eyes are on a container lorry, "Pope, what are you doing?"

"I have an idea, I just need you guys to trust me," He tells us.

"No, stop running," John B interjects, because he knows time is precious in this moment, "We gotta go, dude!"

"Trust me man, go and I'll meet back up with you." He insists before running off towards the back of the container yard.

"What do we do now?" I glance between Kie, JJ and John B.

"We just have to choose our moment," JJ assures us, "I don't know what Pope has planned but it's gotta give something."

"We don't even know how long we have until the boat leaves!" John B exclaims frantically.

"I know!" I attempt to calm him down, resting my hands on his shoulders, "But the people who work these ships are mavericks, if we run in there all guns blazing, none of us are getting out alive."

"Sid's right," JJ adds, "We've just got to be patient and wai-"

Before he can finish his sentence a large explosion sends a fireball into the air, startling all of us as we stare at the flames in shock. Could this be part of Pope's plan to get us on the boat?

If it was part of his plan, then it's working, we watch as every member of the boatyard crew and security frantically dash for the site of the explosion, leaving the boat an almost open target.

"It's working," Kiara nudges me as I look up to see Pope sprinting back towards us.

"Pope, what was that?" John B exhales as Pope catches his breath.

"That container's going on the ship," Pope tells us, pointing to the grey container I saw him looking at earlier, "We can get in that way."

"You're a genius!" I whisper.

"You guys with me?" Pope looks at each of us.

"Of course, let's go!" JJ nods, rushing past us and leading us as we run towards the container in question, its doors left open as though they are inviting us in.

Pope jumps up first, eager to get his cross, "Have you thought about this? That's a trap right there. We can't get out once we get in." JJ warns us, and he makes valid points. In a container we aren't just sitting ducks, we're ducks in a cage waiting to be slaughtered.

"I know!" Pope sighs.

"You guys don't have to come, right?" John B assures us, but honestly the thought of leaving John B and Pope to fight for Sarah and the cross hasn't even crossed my mind. These people are my family, everything I've ever loved will be on that boat, so there's nowhere else for me to be.

"This is our fight," Pope nods at John B, helping him into the container.

JJ glances between Kie and I, a smirk of nothing but trouble on his face as he sighs, "Nothing to lose?"

"Nothing to lose." Kiara and I nod in unison.

JJ climbs up onto the truck, reaching his hand out for me to take as Pope helps Kiara up. We quickly slip down towards the back of the container, surrounded by various boxes, crates and shelves full with what I assume is fishing gear. My heart is racing against my chest as we slump down at the back of the container, ensuring that we're out of sight from the open doors.

"Okay, she's good to go, lock her up." We hear one of the crew talking to his colleagues, the sound of the door closing signalling our passage onto the ship.

We wait a few moments until we hear the truck engine starting and the truck begins to move slowly, which I hope means we're approaching the ship. We weave around the boatyard, until we promptly come to a stop.

"We've gotta be at the dock now." JJ whispers before being cut off by John B's shushing.

The sound of metal clanging together suggests that they're connecting the container to the crane, and as the five of us wait in anticipation I realise that there is no going back now.

Just as we're beginning to panic that we haven't made it to the ship, the container rocks which means we're being lifted. I grab onto the nearest thing I can find, which is some sort of safety strap. As the container gets higher and higher we continue to wobble, each of us clinging on to whatever we can find.

With a large thud, the container lands on the ship, startling each of us, yet filling us with relief that we are another step closer to getting Sarah back and retrieving the cross.

"We made it," JJ declares with a grin, but he's only met with shushing from the rest of us, aware that the boat is no doubt crawling with crew members.

We all glance at each other at the sound of voices outside the container, so John B takes it upon himself to look out of the small slatted window. But before he can reach it, he ducks down, his index finger to his lips.

"What is it?" JJ whispers while we all stay quiet, waiting for the indistinct voices to disappear as I nudge JJ gently, signalling that now is not the time for talking.

ੈ✩‧₊˚

It feels like we've been on the water for an eternity already, I'm not entirely sure how long it's been, but it's getting warm being trapped in this metal box. I'm regretting the choice to wear jeans, although I didn't have much say in the matter as they were handed to me by Rafe. I've long since discarded the hoodie, using a hair tie from my wrist to tie my hair up and another to make my t-shirt cropped.

"Nice work, John B," JJ begins to complain, also struggling with the temperature inside this container, "You know these things lock from the inside don't you?"

"Okay, I was just trying to get us on the boat, JJ," John B sighs, already seeming defeated by the situation, "I wasn't thinking that far ahead."

"Well now we're stuck in here like rats," JJ huffs, all of us aware of how dire this situation is, "In this death cage."

"It's so hot," Kiara exhales, fanning herself with her hand.

"JJ, you're not helping." Pope mutters.

"You don't have a whole lot of room to talk right now, Pope." JJ replies.

"To be fair, J," I sigh, leaning back against the wall of the container, "No one forced us to be here."

"Well I was told there was a plan, but I'm not witnessing a lot of forward thinking." JJ tells me, pacing back and forth within about four square foot of space.

"I find your lack of self knowledge disturbing," Pope replies.

JJ laughs under his breath, and I can already sense his Maybank argumentative streak simmering, "Last time I checked, you literally shot an oil container with the gat."

"Oh my God, just shut up!" Kiara exclaims, silencing Pope and JJ's disagreement.

"You boys have got to pull it together," I back Kie up, "Who knows how long we'll be on this boat, let's not lose our heads."

Pope sighs, leaning against one of the shelves, "Let's try and find a way out of here."

"I don't think we've got the facilities for that," I sigh, feeling a bead of sweat rolling down my forehead.

"Hey, Pope, how do you kill a snake?" JJ asks.

Pope shakes his head in disbelief at JJ's question, "You go for the head."

"Exactly, but in this instance the head is the bridge," JJ begins explaining, in one of his 'stupid ideas have good outcomes all the time' tangents, "To take the bridge we need maximum firepower, and I happen to know that there's an armoury on this ship in case of pirate attacks."

"Not to be a party pooper, but how do you expect to take the bridge when we're stuck inside a locked metal box?" I ask, glancing at Kiara who looks just as puzzled as I feel.

"I'm working on the details," JJ tells me before snapping back into planning mode, "If we take that, I'm not just talking pistols, I'm talking knives, the whole kerboodle."

"Killing everybody here is not a plan." Kiara sighs, climbing down from where she's been sitting beside me on some stacked crates.

"Not even Rafe?" JJ asks, and I know he means it as a playful passing comment, but it still makes me feel sick. I'm not a violent person, but if I came down to it to protect my friends, I think I could kill a stranger, but Rafe?

"Sid?" John B mutters from beside me, snapping me out of my internal monologue, "You okay?"

"Mmhmm," I nod, noticing that Kiara has made her way down to the other end of the container.

"In all seriousness, if you had to kill Rafe, in a him or you situation, would you?" JJ asks, and as much as I love the boy, he really does pick his moments.

"You better make me a good funeral playlist, Pope." I sigh, hoping that it'll pass as a joke, but from the look on the boys' faces, it didn't quite land the way that I had hoped.

"Even after everything he put you through?" JJ asks.

"Love will make you do crazy things," I sigh, "But anyway, what were you saying about the armoury?"

"They've got everything, Sid," JJ tells us, "AKs, pistols, knives, double barrels-"

"JJ," John B stands up, grabbing at JJ's collar, "We have got to get out of here, we can't do anything while we're still stuck in here."

"Well if I just get enough pressure, I could spartan kick that thing open," JJ insists.

"Yes, and then the whole ship will know we're here," I huff in frustration, "Never mind whack a mole, it'll be whack a pogue time!"

"Guys," Kiara mutters as the boys continue to argue.

"Boys," I hit JJ and John B lightly in the chest, "Kie's got something."

We wander down the container towards her, to see that she's looking at another slatted window, except this one looks big enough for us to fit through, "Can we fit through that?"

"Hell yeah, nice one, Kie." John B grins.

"What was that about a Swiss Army knife not coming in handy?" JJ asks, holding up his pocket knife.

"Just open the window, dude," John B sighs, as JJ climbs up onto the crates.

"So, do we have an actual plan, beyond raiding the armoury?" I ask, flustered from the heat as JJ persists with unscrewing the window.

"We raid the armoury, get weapons, roll back here, and then we plot our next move," JJ tells me, "The armoury is on the third deck, near the laundry room, let's roll."

"JJ, just hold up," Pope stops him from lifting the window from its frame, "I don't think we should all go out there, it's too risky."

"I think maybe you should stay here," John B adds, and I have to agree.

"What?" JJ replies.

"I have Sarah that I'm going to go after, and Pope has-"

"The cross." Pope cuts him off.

"Yeah let's go get it," JJ whispers.

"Also, if you go out there then there's a one hundred percent probability of you doing something stupid," John B explains.

"Okay, first of all, I think the correct terminology is ballsy," JJ attempts to correct him.

"Okay, okay, get down," John B whispers as he and Pope guide him down from the crates.

"Dude, I'm a field player." JJ replies.

"If we go out there, and we get in a bind, we need somebody to look out for us," John B tells him

"Okay, I get it, I'll be on the B team." JJ exhales.

"I never said B team," John B sighs.

"Are you calling us B team?" Kiara gestures between the two of us, "Did B team not just find our way out, or am I totally tripping?"

"I'm not going on the B team," I insist, in yet another moment of what can only be described as a  momentary lapse of judgement.

"Sid-"

"You're going to need someone who knows how a Cameron thinks," I defend myself, feeling in the deepest part of my gut that this is the right thing to do.

"I can't ask you to do that," John B huffs, brushing his hair from his face.

"I didn't hear anyone ask me to do it, I volunteered." I reply confidently.

"Very Katniss Everdeen." JJ mutters, receiving an elbow in the ribs from Kie.

"And if it comes down to it, I'll make Rafe an offer he can't refuse." I tell the group, internally reeling at the words I'm about to say.

"What?" Pope whispers.

"I'll take Sarah's place." I tell them, already prepared for the life that could be awaiting me, and it is an exchange I'm willing to make for the sake of Sarah's freedom.

"No way," JJ shakes his head, "We're not feeding you to the wolves."

"JJ's right," John B nods.

"Thank you," JJ sighs.

"You can help me find Sarah, but no deals with the Kooks," John B instructs me, "We're all getting off this ship alive, all six of us, together."

"JJ, Kie, just hang back and hold down the fort." Pope tells them.

"Great, looking forward to it." JJ nods.

"I'll babysit." Kiara sighs.

"You guys have fun, it'll be your funeral, I'll be here, on the bench." JJ rambles.

"Hey," Kie grabs our attention, placing her hands on mine and John B's shoulders, "Don't get shot. That's all I got."

"Well, that's disheartening and scary," Pope sighs.

"Hella reassuring, Kie." I nod.

"Positive affirmations, Kie." John B mutters as he climbs onto the crates, followed by Pope, lifting the window from its frame and passing it to Kiara.

"I'm working on it."

"Okay let's go," John B whispers, sticking his head out of the container, "Pope, grab my feet."

Pope holds onto John B's ankles as he slides out of the container as he climbs out, but lets go as John B almost topples over some barrels, but manages to recover.

"Jesus, Pope!" I hiss as Pope climbs out next.

I turn to Kiara and JJ, saluting them both, "You better write me a fucking incredible eulogy if I don't make it."

"You know it." JJ smiles before I slip out through the window, resting my hands on John B's shoulders and jumping onto the floor.

The three of us duck behind some barrels, noticing a group of workers at the other end of the boat, "This way," John B leads us towards the back of the container, away from the workers.

We make our way down a set of metal stairs, heading for the lower deck of the boat. John B carefully opens a door, climbing down a ladder, as I climb down next, followed by Pope.

We hang back as a couple of men pass by, making sure not to be seen, before John B checks that the coast is clear, "Okay go."

We speed walk down the corridor, in search of the armoury. John B leads the way and Pope stays close behind me. John B and I pass an open door, the voices setting me on edge. But Pope hangs back, whispering, "I can't, they'll see me."

"Yo man, I gotta hit the head, might be a while." We hear a member of the crew tell his colleague as John B and I duck around another corner, setting our eyes on a narrow staircase.

"Down there," I mouth as he leads us down the stairs. We stop when we reach the bottom, peaking around the corner to see a sign for the armoury, but a member of the crew is in our way.

"There's too many of them, Sid," John B whispers to me as we remain tucked away at the bottom of the stairs. I'm not sure what we expected, a boat like this with such precious cargo was never going to have a skeleton crew, was it?

"Let's split," I reply softly, "I'll start looking for Sarah, while you get whatever weapons you can find."

"You don't have to do that," John B assures me.

"Yeah, I do," I nod, "Besides, if Rose or Wheezie see me I can just tell them I came for Rafe, they'll have no clue about you or the others."

"Okay," He exhales, "Stay safe."

"You too," I smile, wrapping him in a quick hug, "We're getting out of here alive."

"Hell yeah, we are." John B grins as I dash past him, heading further down the boat in search of some sort of living quarters where Sarah could be.

I hope and pray that she will be more aware of her surroundings than she was when we saw her getting on the boat. It's going to be impossible getting her off of this boat otherwise. I tiptoe further down the corridor, which is completely bare except for several locked doors, which I assume are storage. Eventually I reach another staircase, which only goes up, so I just have to hope that it'll take me up to wherever they're keeping Sarah.

I feel an arm around my neck, dragging me off of the third step. The presence of what I quickly realise is a gun pressed against the side of my head startles me as I grip onto the person's arm in shock, "If you scream, I will blow your brains out."

"Who are you?" I mutter, doing my best not to panic as the memories of Peterkin's lifeless body begin to flash back into my consciousness. I'd been doing so well at moving on from those thoughts, I sobered up, I cut off Rafe, I lost my family, and for what? To be murdered in the middle of the ocean and my life discarded and forgotten, just another number in the system.

"That's none of your business," He grits, forcing me to walk down a corridor with him, "But my boss is going to be very happy to know that you've been dealt with."