The sun hung high, though the afternoon was starting to slip away. The docks hadn't quieted down, and Ethan could still feel the weight of people's eyes on him after his fight with Darius. He ignored them. He had bigger things to worry about.
Ethan sat on a crate outside a rundown tavern, his mind running through the plan over and over. It wasn't perfect—hell, it wasn't even good—but it was all they had.
Jade leaned against the wall beside him, flipping a dagger between her fingers. "You sure about this?"
Ethan sighed. "No. But I don't see another way off this island."
She twirled the blade once more before catching it. "You ever stolen from a ship before?"
"No."
She smirked. "Figures."
Ethan shot her a look. "You have?"
"Once," she said. "Didn't go well."
"How bad?"
She shrugged. "Let's just say the guy I was with didn't make it out."
Ethan frowned. "And you still want to do this?"
Jade met his eyes. "I want off this island more than I care about the risk."
Ethan nodded. He understood that feeling too well.
The tavern door creaked open, and the old man strolled out, stretching his arms. "Alright, kids. Time to talk details."
Ethan crossed his arms. "About time. What's the plan?"
The old man sat on a barrel, looking way too relaxed for someone planning a job like this. "We wait until tomorrow night. The ship docks at sundown, and most of the crew will head into town for drinks and supplies. That leaves only a few guards behind."
Jade frowned. "And you know this how?"
The old man smirked. "Because I've been around longer than either of you."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Great. Keep going."
"The ship's manifest says it's carrying navigation charts and coded logs. That's what I'm after. You two can grab whatever else you think is valuable."
Ethan raised a brow. "And what do we do if we get caught?"
The old man's grin widened. "You run."
Ethan sighed. "Of course."
Jade shook her head. "This is sounding worse by the second."
The old man chuckled. "Welcome to the real world, sweetheart."
Jade's expression darkened. "Call me that again, and I'll cut your throat."
The old man laughed. "Fair enough."
Ethan ignored their bickering and focused on the plan. It wasn't much, but if the crew really did leave the ship unguarded, they had a chance.
He just hoped the old man wasn't lying.
Jade exhaled. "Alright. If we're doing this, we need to be ready. Weapons, supplies, anything we might need."
Ethan nodded. "Agreed. We meet back here tomorrow at sundown."
The old man stood. "Then we've got some time to prepare."
Jade walked off first, muttering something under her breath. The old man followed, leaving Ethan alone with his thoughts.
This was it. His first real job.
If they pulled it off, he'd finally have a way forward.
If they failed…
He didn't let himself think about that.
For now, all he could do was prepare.