Chapter 2

Mike, finally grasping the urgency, practically threw Mom down the narrow stairs into the cramped, oily-smelling tool room.

I followed, slamming the heavy steel hatch and bolting it.

"What about the crew? The security?" Mom whispered, her eyes wide with fear.

"They're with Dad and Chloe," I repeated, my voice tight. "He took them all on the fast boat. Chloe wanted to see dolphins up close."

Just like last time. Chloe's whims always came first.

Mike was already pushing a heavy toolbox against the door. "Sarah, are you sure about this? Pirates?"

"I saw their boat, Mike. Small, fast. No flags. They'll be here any minute."

The memory of their brutal faces, the glint of knives, was seared into my mind.

Mom fumbled for her satellite phone. "I'm calling David. He needs to know."

"Don't, Mom!" I nearly shouted. "He won't care. He'll say we're overreacting."

Last time, her calls had gone unanswered until it was too late.

"Sarah, that's your father you're talking about!" Her voice trembled, but she started dialing.

I wanted to scream. He wasn't just my father; he was the man who'd sacrifice me without a second thought.

The phone rang, once, twice.

Then, a click. David's voice, impatient. "Emily? What is it? We're trying to spot a pod for Chloe's birthday. This better be important."

Mom's voice hitched. "David, pirates! They're on the yacht! We're locked in the tool room!"

A harsh laugh from the other end. "Pirates? Emily, are you serious? Don't tell me Sarah's put you up to this. She's always been jealous of Chloe."

My stomach twisted.

"No, David, I swear! We saw their boat! They're coming aboard!"

Mike grabbed the phone. "Dad, it's Mike! Mom's not kidding! You need to get back here, now!"

David's voice turned to ice. "Mike, you too? I expected better from you. You're supposed to be the responsible one."

A pause. Then, his next words hit me like a physical blow.

"Tell Sarah if she doesn't want to end up as shark bait again this time, she'd better stop her games."

The phone clattered from Mike's numb fingers.

Shark bait. Again.

He knew.

He remembered.

He was letting this happen.

A heavy thud from above. Footsteps. Shouts in a language I didn't understand, but the menace was universal.

They were on board.

Mom let out a choked sob.

Mike stared at me, his face a mask of disbelief and dawning horror. "What did he mean, Sarah? Shark bait *again*?"

Before I could answer, the handle on our side of the hatch rattled violently.

Then, a deafening bang. They were trying to break it down.