Chapter 11: First to the sea

Morning arrived with a misty haze, and the crew awoke to the sounds of the forest. Dr. Isaac was the first to rise, rousing the others and urging them to pack up quickly. Thomas, though still weary from the previous night's encounter with the Echoe Man, felt a renewed sense of determination thanks to Fredrick's words.

As they set off towards the sea, the terrain grew more challenging. Dense underbrush and rocky paths made progress slow and arduous. The sun struggled to break through the canopy, casting an eerie light on their journey.

"Stay close," Fredrick advised, taking the lead. "The path can be deceptive, and it's easy to get lost."

They trudged on, navigating through the thick foliage. Fredrick's demeanor changed subtly as they approached the coast. His usual confident stride faltered, and his eyes darted nervously around.

Ellie, who had been walking near the back, couldn't help but notice. "What's wrong with him?" she muttered under her breath.

Thomas glanced at her, then back at Fredrick. "Maybe he's just being cautious. This place gives everyone the creeps."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Cautious? He looks like he's about to jump out of his skin."

Captain James, overhearing their conversation, turned around. "Ellie, keep your comments to yourself. We need to focus."

"Oh, so now you're giving orders?" Ellie shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Isn't that Fredrick's job?"

James' face tightened with anger. "Enough, Ellie. We don't need your attitude right now."

Ellie scoffed, crossing her arms. "You know, you're not exactly a beacon of leadership yourself, Captain."

"That's rich coming from someone who does nothing but complain," James retorted.

"Complaining? I'm just pointing out the obvious. If you can't handle that, maybe you shouldn't be in charge," Ellie snapped.

Dr. Isaac intervened, stepping between them. "Both of you, calm down. This isn't helping anyone. We're all under stress, but we need to work together."

Fredrick, sensing the rising tension, turned back to them. "We don't have time for this. The sea is close, and we need to stay alert. The arguments can wait."

Chastened, James and Ellie fell silent, though Ellie continued to glare at James.

As they neared the coast, the air grew salty, and the sound of waves crashing against rocks filled their ears. The forest opened up to reveal a narrow path that led to a rocky shoreline. The sea stretched out before them, vast and intimidating, its dark waters churning restlessly.

Fredrick paused at the edge of the forest, his face pale. He stared out at the sea, his hands clenched into fists.

"What's wrong, Fredrick?" Dr. Isaac asked, noticing his unease.

Fredrick shook his head. "It's nothing. We need to find a way across."

Ellie, ever the skeptic, frowned. "You sure about that? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Ignoring her, Fredrick pointed to a dilapidated rowboat tied to a nearby dock. "We'll use that. It should hold all of us."

James inspected the boat, giving it a cautious nod. "It looks seaworthy enough. Let's get moving."

As they prepared to board, Thomas couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Fredrick's nervousness was contagious, and he couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety in his own stomach.

They piled into the boat, Fredrick taking the oars. The sea was rough, the waves higher than they had expected. As they pushed off from the shore, the boat rocked violently, and they had to grip the sides to keep from being tossed overboard.

Fredrick rowed with determined strokes, his face set in a grim expression. The farther they went from shore, the more uneasy he became. The sea seemed to whisper to them, dark secrets carried on the wind.

Ellie, sitting near the front, couldn't stay silent any longer. "Fredrick, what's really going on? Why are you so nervous?"

Fredrick glanced at her but didn't answer immediately. He kept rowing, his eyes focused on the horizon. Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "There are things in these waters... things that shouldn't be here."

Thomas felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean?"

Fredrick sighed, pausing his rowing for a moment. "Pirates, cursed by Victor Cane, still roam these seas. They're not alive, but they're not dead either. They're trapped, and they'll do anything to stop anyone from reaching the treasure."

The crew exchanged uneasy glances. The weight of Fredrick's words hung heavily in the air. The thought of encountering cursed pirates was terrifying, but they had come too far to turn back now.

"Then we'll have to be careful," Dr. Isaac said, his voice steady. "We knew this wouldn't be easy. We'll face whatever comes our way."

Fredrick nodded, resuming his rowing. The boat creaked and groaned as it cut through the turbulent waters. Every splash of a wave against the hull seemed to echo Fredrick's warning.

As they pressed on, the sea grew darker, and the sky above them seemed to close in. Shadows danced on the water's surface, and the air grew colder.

"Keep your eyes open," Fredrick warned. "We can't afford any surprises."

Despite the fear gnawing at them, the crew steeled themselves. They knew that the path to the treasure would be fraught with danger, but their determination to succeed burned brighter than ever.

As the sun began to set, casting a blood-red hue across the water, the boat continued its journey into the unknown.

....

As they pressed forward into the darkening sea, the sound of a loud, eerie alarm pierced the air, reminiscent of a ship's horn. It was so loud that it rattled the bones of the crew. Almost immediately, they heard the distant sounds of men shouting.