Minor and Ethan huddled together on the rocky shore, their eyes fixed on the dark silhouette of Captain Blackbeak's ship. The night air was thick with the stench of salt and seaweed, and the sound of gulls cried out in the distance.
"We have to get her out of there," Minor whispered, his voice low and urgent. "We can't let her rot in that hellhole."
Ethan nodded, his eyes burning with determination. "I know a way. We can swim out to the ship under cover of darkness."
Minor's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? That's suicidal!"
Ethan's face was set in a grim determination. "It's our only chance. We have to try."
Minor hesitated, then nodded. "Okay, let's do it."
The two boys slipped into the icy water, their hearts pounding in their chests. The darkness seemed to swallow them whole as they swam away from the shore, their strokes slow and silent.
