The First Wave…
The group of captives were cleaned up, well as best as they could be, and herded out of the warehouse that had been their home for quite some time. The things that had occurred in that warehouse would give even the most hardened of criminals pause, but those that had survived were now to be brought to their final destination. They had no idea where that would be, and the security allowed to go with them weren't saying a word. Corralled into the lower bowels of the ship, the area was even more cramped than before, if that was possible. The steps leading to the lower level were covered by a security gate and locked tight by chains and multiple locks. A guard sat at the top of the stairs, keeping an ear out for any trouble...and when the ship's horn blew, the boat rocked slightly, letting the captives know they were in for the next phase of their journey. No buyer would be seeing them here--no instead, only crew and the few security guards aboard would be there to keep them company. Though, that was saying a lot, calling their captors 'company'...
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Time would pass, and those in the cargo hold of the ship would lose track of the days that had gone by, being provided the bare essentials to make it to their final destination. What no one counted on was the rough seas, or the knowledge level of the crew. For this crew was a ragtag group of human traffickers and criminals, led by a washed up captain who has had his fair share of “accidents.” It was supposed to be a routine run of human cargo when the seas refused to cooperate. The mix of booze, drugs and rough weather sent the ship slamming into something in the middle of the night. All hands on deck went about bailing out the ship; but the crew’s lack of efficiency and training caused them to lose much of their supplies. The weak and sickly were sacrificed first as the cargo ship drifted aimlessly with the tide. And then most of the crew and security bailed, locking steerage and the poor souls trapped beneath with little food, water and no sanitation. Only a few of the guards and crew stayed behind, figuring dying with the ship would be better than their bosses figuring out they had left the merchandise. Days would pass and the people locked below were forced to engage in unspeakable acts just to survive, as they had been forced to do in the warehouse. When was this horror show going to end? Just then, another storm hits, whipping the ship wildly about. Many feared death was imminent while others prayed that it would all end quickly. More and more water pours in. Some in the damaged areas of the ship are swept out into the unforgiving sea. After what seems like ages, a moment of calm breaks through the howling winds and rain. The captives wait with baited breath as the thumping of boots is heard above them. Where exactly were they? Were these the sounds of their saviors? Will they find peace or will they be haunted by that which they witnessed? And what of their captors--will the merchandise be hunted by those to whom they belong or will they be free to start a new life? Only time will tell...
