Chapter 9: "The Stranger's Ship"
Ama's heart raced as the ship approached. She could see the figures on deck, their faces obscured by the fading light.
"Who are they?" Nala whispered, her voice trembling.
Ama shook her head. "I don't know. But we have to be careful."
As the ship drew alongside, a rope ladder was thrown down. Ama hesitated, unsure if they should trust these strangers.
But Kwame, ever the pragmatist, began to climb up. "We have no choice," he said. "We need food, water, and shelter."
Ama and Nala followed, their bodies aching as they hauled themselves up onto the deck.
The strangers were a rough-looking crew, but they seemed friendly enough. They offered Ama, Nala, and Kwame food and water, and a place to rest.
As they ate and drank, Ama noticed a figure watching them from the shadows. He was tall, with piercing blue eyes and a scar above his left eyebrow.
"Who's that?" Ama asked one of the crew members.
"That's our captain, Marcus," he replied. "He's a fair man, but don't cross him."
Ama felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something about Marcus that didn't feel right...