Chapter 20

The night was eerily quiet as Mara and I stumbled into the abandoned cannery. My hands were still shaking from the confrontation with Pike—the Ferryman. The ruby felt like a burning coal in my pocket; its weight was a constant reminder of the danger we were in.

"We can't stay here long," Mara whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the waves crashing outside. "They'll find us."

"I know," I said, leaning against the damp wall. "But we need a plan. We can't keep running."

Mara hugged herself, her eyes darting to the shadows. "What about Jesse? We can't just leave him."

"We won't," I said firmly, though my stomach churned at the thought of him fighting Pike alone. "But we need to figure out what to do next. The Circle's not going to stop until they get this." I pulled the ruby necklace from my pocket, its crimson glow faint in the dim light.

Mara stared at it, her face pale. "What's so special about that thing, anyway? Why do they want it so badly?"

"It's not just a necklace," I said, turning it over in my hands. "It's a key. A symbol. And maybe… a weapon."

Before I could explain further, a noise echoed through the cannery—a soft clink, like metal hitting metal.

We froze.

"Did you hear that?" Mara whispered.

I nodded, my heart pounding. "Stay behind me."

We crept through the cannery, our footsteps muffled by the layers of dust and decay. The sound came again, louder this time, followed by a low groan.

"Jesse?" I called, my voice trembling.

"Ellie…"

The voice was weak, but unmistakable. I broke into a run, following the sound to a corner of the cannery where Jesse lay slumped against the wall. His face was bruised, his shirt torn and bloodied.

"Jesse!" I dropped to my knees beside him, my hands hovering over his injuries. "What happened?"

"Pike," he rasped, wincing as he tried to sit up. "He's not working alone. There's… there's someone else."

"Who?" Mara asked, her voice tight with fear.

Jesse shook his head. "I don't know. But they're coming. We need to move."

I helped him to his feet, his weight leaning heavily on my shoulder. "We can't keep running," I said. "We need to end this. Now."

Jesse looked at me, his eyes filled with pain and determination. "What do you have in mind?"

I held up the ruby. "We use this. We draw them out."

The plan was risky, but it was all we had.

We returned to the lighthouse—or what was left of it. The explosion had reduced it to a pile of rubble, but the cellar beneath was still intact. That's where we'd make our stand.

"This is insane," Mara said as we descended the stairs, her voice shaking. "What if they don't take the bait?"

"They will," I said, clutching the ruby. "They've been after this for years. They're not going to let it slip away now."

Jesse leaned against the wall, his breathing labored. "Ellie, if this goes wrong…"

"It won't," I said, though I wasn't sure I believed it myself.

We set up in the cellar, using the rubble to create barriers and hiding spots. Jesse's injuries made it hard for him to move, but he insisted on helping.

"I'm not sitting this one out," he said, his voice firm.

Mara stayed close to me, her hands trembling as she clutched a piece of broken pipe. "What do we do when they show up?"

"We fight," I said. "And we make sure they can't hurt anyone ever again."

It didn't take long for them to arrive.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the cellar, slow and deliberate. I peered around the edge of the barrier, my heart pounding.

Pike stepped into the room, his face bruised and bloodied from his fight with Jesse. Behind him were two others—men I didn't recognize, but their cold eyes and grim expressions told me everything I needed to know.

"Ellie Harper," Pike said, his voice dripping with malice. "You've caused us a lot of trouble."

I stepped out from behind the barrier, the ruby clutched in my hand. "It's over, Pike. The Circle's finished."

Pike laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "You really believe that, don't you? You think a few documents and a shiny rock are enough to bring us down?"

"It's a start," I said, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.

Pike's smile faded, replaced by a look of pure hatred. "Give me the ruby, and I'll make your death quick."

"Not a chance," I said, tightening my grip on the necklace.

Pike nodded to the men behind him. "Take it."

They moved forward, their steps slow and deliberate. I backed away, my heart pounding.

"Now!" I shouted.

Jesse and Mara emerged from their hiding spots, swinging pieces of rubble and pipe. The men were caught off guard, stumbling back as Jesse and Mara attacked.

Pike lunged at me, his hands reaching for the ruby. I swung the necklace, the chain wrapping around his wrist. He snarled, yanking me closer.

"You're just like your mother," he spat. "Stubborn. Foolish. And dead."

I kicked him in the stomach, breaking free. "You don't get to talk about her!"

Pike recovered quickly, his eyes blazing with fury. He grabbed me by the throat, slamming me against the wall.

"Give. Me. The. Ruby."

I gasped for air, my vision blurring. But I refused to let go.

Then, a voice cut through the chaos.

"Let her go."

Pike froze, his grip loosening. I turned my head, my heart leaping into my throat.

Evelyn stood in the doorway, her face a mask of cold fury.

"You," Pike whispered, his voice filled with fear.

Evelyn stepped into the room, her eyes locked on Pike. "You thought you could bury me. But the tide always gives back."

Pike released me, backing away. "This isn't over."

"Yes, it is," Evelyn said, her voice like ice.

She moved faster than I thought possible, disarming one of Pike's men with a single, fluid motion. Jesse and Mara took down the other, their combined efforts finally overpowering him.

Pike turned to run, but Evelyn was faster. She tackled him to the ground, her hands closing around his throat.

"This is for Clara," she whispered, her voice filled with venom.

Pike struggled, his face turning purple. But Evelyn didn't let go.

"Evelyn, stop!" I shouted, my voice hoarse.

She looked at me, her eyes filled with pain and rage. "He deserves to die."

"Maybe," I said, stepping closer. "But not like this. Not by your hands."

Evelyn hesitated, her grip loosening. Pike gasped for air, his eyes wide with fear.

"Let the law handle him," I said, my voice soft but firm. "Let them all face justice."

Evelyn stared at me for a long moment, then released Pike, shoving him away. "You're just like her," she said, her voice filled with a strange mix of admiration and sorrow.

"Who?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

"Your mother," Evelyn said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "She would've been proud of you."

The police arrived soon after, led by Detective Ramirez. They took Pike and his men into custody, their faces grim as they surveyed the scene.

"You did good, Harper," Ramirez said, clapping me on the shoulder. "But this is just the beginning. The Circle's network is vast. It's going to take time to dismantle it."

I nodded, exhaustion weighing heavily on me. "We'll help however we can."

Ramirez smiled, a rare expression for him. "I'm counting on it."

As the sun rose over Haven's Cove, I stood on the cliffs, the ruby necklace in my hand. The tide rolled in, the waves crashing against the rocks below.

Jesse joined me, his arm in a sling but his spirits high. "What are you thinking about?"

"The tide," I said, my voice soft. "It takes, but it also gives back."

Jesse nodded, his eyes on the horizon. "What now?"

I looked down at the ruby, its crimson glow fading in the morning light. "Now we rebuild. And we make sure nothing like this ever happens again."

Jesse smiled, his hand finding mine. "Together?"

I squeezed his hand, a sense of peace settling over me. "Together."

Epilogue

The town of Haven's Cove began to heal, its wounds slowly closing as the truth came to light. The Mariner's Circle was exposed, and its members were brought to justice. The ruby necklace was locked away, and its secrets were safe for now.

Evelyn disappeared, leaving behind only a note: "The tide takes, but it also gives back. Be ready."

I didn't know if I'd ever see her again, but I knew one thing for certain—her story, and Clara's, would never be forgotten.

As for me, I found a new purpose. With Jesse and Mara by my side, I continued to uncover the truth, one story at a time.

The tide takes, but it also gives back.

And sometimes, it gives you a second chance.