Chapter 6: Confrontation
James' eyes bore into Ama's soul, as if searching for secrets. "I thought we had an understanding," he said, his voice low and even.
Ama stood tall, trying to appear confident. "We were just...sharing stories, Captain."
James raised an eyebrow. "Stories? At midnight? In the hold?"
Kwame stepped forward, his voice calm. "We meant no harm, Captain. We're just trying to survive."
James' gaze lingered on Kwame before shifting back to Ama. "I want to believe you. But I need to know: are you planning something?"
Ama hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something in James' expression made her trust him. "We want to escape," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
James nodded, as if expecting this. "I knew it. You're clever, Ama. But escape is impossible. The ship is heavily guarded, and the seas are treacherous."
Ama felt a surge of frustration. "We'll find a way," she said, her voice firm.
James sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't want to see you hurt. But I have a duty to fulfill. If you continue down this path, I'll have no choice but to stop you."
Ama met his gaze, a spark of defiance igniting within her. "We'll take that risk," she said.
The air was thick with tension as James turned and left the hold, leaving Ama wondering what she had just set in motion.