Jackson watched in horror as he saw the chaos unfold. He felt a surge of fear and regret. He wished he had never met these people. He wished he had never come to this island.
He wished he had never opened that hole.
But he had no choice.
He was doomed with the Happy Pirates.
And they were buried with their treasure.
Or so he thought.
As the chamber collapsed, he saw a glint of light in the corner of his eye. He turned and saw a small hole in the wall. It was hidden behind a painting. It looked like a secret passage.
He had a chance.
He ran towards the hole and jumped through it. He landed on a slide that took him down to another tunnel. He slid and rolled, bounced and tumbled. He felt a rush of adrenaline and hope.
He felt alive.
He reached the end of the slide and saw a door. He opened it and saw daylight. He stepped out and saw the beach. He saw the ship. He saw the rowboat.
He saw freedom.
He ran towards the boat and got in. He grabbed the oars and rowed away. He left the island and headed for the ship. He reached it and climbed aboard. He looked for the captain's cabin and found it. He entered it and searched for his clothes and his hat. He found them and changed into them. He looked at himself in the mirror and felt relieved.
He looked like himself again.
He left the cabin and walked to the bridge. He saw a radio and picked it up. He turned it on and searched for a frequency. He found one and pressed a button.
He called for help.
"Hello? Hello? Is anyone there? This is Jackson. I need help. I'm on a pirate ship near an island with a skull on it. I don't know where I am or how I got here. I just want to go home. Please, someone, help me." he said desperately.
He waited for a response.
And he got one.
"Hello? Hello? This is Coast Guard Station 17. We hear you loud and clear. We're sending a helicopter to your location. Hang in there, buddy. You're going to be okay." a voice said reassuringly.
Jackson felt a wave of joy and gratitude. He thanked the voice and put down the radio. He looked at the sky and saw a helicopter approaching. He waved his arms and shouted for attention.
He was rescued.
He was saved.
He was going home.
But he was not alone.
As he got into the helicopter, he saw someone else sitting next to him.
It was Tuliano, the cheerful chef of the Happy Pirates.
He had followed him through the secret passage and escaped with him.
He smiled at Jackson and gave him a hug.
"Hey, buddy! I'm so glad you made it! You're awesome! You're my hero! You're my friend!" he said happily.
Jackson was surprised and confused. He didn't know what to say or do.
He didn't know how to feel.
But he felt something.
He felt happy.