Smuggler Option A: Open the Cargo
Smuggler Option A: Open the Cargo
You think of Ian and realize you’ll never be able to face him if you let someone die in order to get him passage.
Another long sigh comes from the box and that decides you further. You can’t smuggle something alive.
You slide the tip of your knife in between the lid and the box. It groans as you pry but doesn’t give. You put more of your weight 
into it and your knife starts to bend. Whoever closed the box really didn’t want it opened without a heavy bar. Like whatever’s inside realizes what you’re doing, there come several resounding thuds in rapid succession.
You stumble back and catch yourself on the side of the wagon. The thudding continues, growing to the point that the motion inside the box rattles the boards under your feet.
It stops as suddenly as it began and, in the following silence, there issues a long sigh so light it reminds you of the wind that blew across your face all day.
You lean close and whisper “hello?”
Silence like a long, indrawn breath of surprise and then, “hello.”
A woman? But that doesn’t make any sense. Little specks of water sparkle in the fading light where they escaped the air holes in the lid. From all indications, the box is full of water.
“What are you?” you ask even as a lump forms in your throat at feeling foolish.
A weak chuckle answers. “Smart human. I’m the current in the ocean and the salt in the water’s spray.”
You frown. “Why are you here if you belong in the ocean?”
“Captured for human’s curiosity, but not held for long.”
At this you sit back and take a look around. “Someone’s coming for you?”
“Yes, and they’ll kill whoever holds me.”
This was more than you bargained for when Simon sent you on this trip. You sit next to the box to think.
“I can’t get the box open,” you confess to whoever’s inside and then, on impulse perhaps, you explain about Ian and why you took the job.
By the time you’re done, night fully surrounds you and a chill wind blows across the wagon.
Your companion doesn’t immediately respond but you can hear soft tapping on the wood. You imagine the woman inside drumming her fingers while she thinks.
“Perhaps we can help each other,” she says. “You get me back to the ocean and I’ll get your Ian to you.”
It sounds good and you open your mouth immediately to accept but then you hesitate. How would she get Ian to you? And if you don’t deliver her to Simon, you’ll be out of a job. What then? How will you provide for Ian and yourself without work?
Do you trust in someone you can’t even see? So many questions plague you that, for a moment, you don’t realize someone’s approaching.
When you do catch the sound of their horses, you look up to see two of Simon’s men riding toward you. You know them because of their bright-red coats. Even in the near dark, they shimmer just a touch.
If they reach you, your decision will be made for you. Simon’s men will make sure you keep moving back toward the shop with the cargo.
“Someone’s coming,” the woman inside the box says. “If you don’t help me, I’ll make sure to hunt you down later.” The words grate harshly but you can’t tell if it’s from desperation or anger.
You climb up onto the seat of the wagon.
Do you…
Aa. Race Away?
Or
Ab. Meet Simon’s Men?
Blessings and see you Tuesday,
Jennifer
