Safe

Flint's Trove

One of the pirates coughed. "Ye can't be serious? Ye really believe her about knowing Flint?"

"No," Silver said loudly and turned. "But she's gifted. And if there really are traps, then we can use her and Jimbo to disable them."

The red alien stood to untie your wrists and let you free. Jim was waiting underneath and you hopped down to meet him. He took you by the arms to steady you. "We're gonna get through this alright?"

You nodded and followed close behind him while holding his hand tightly.

Morph poked his head out from inside Jim's pocket and chirped uneasily. Jim looked down at him and pulled both of your hands to pat his head. "It's okay, Morph. It's okay."

You continued to walk up a small hill behind Silver.

"Jimmy."

You glanced back to see B.E.N. looking around nervously. "I-I don't know about you, but I'm starting to see my life pass in front of my eyes. At least, I-I think it's my life. Was I ever dancing with an android named Lupe?!" His eyes popped out of his head.

Jim touched his head and put a finger to his lips. "B.E.N., shh. This isn't over yet," he whispered.

When Silver reached the top of the hill, he laughed and pulled out a cutlass. "We're gettin' close, lads! I smell treasure awaitin'."

The pirates cheered behind you. You glanced uneasily behind you at the longboat in the distance, thinking of Stygian. Suddenly, Jim was ripped from your hands and you jumped to grab him, but your fingers slipped from his grasp. He gave you one last helpless look. Silver was hauling him by his shirt while slicing the bamboo tree to create a passageway to the treasure.

But when the trees finally allowed for a view of the outside, you were met with nothing. You covered your eyes, blinded momentarily by the bright sun. When your eyes adjusted, you looked again.

There was no sun. The grey clouds made it difficult to determine whether it was noon or late afternoon. Nothing but canyons were seen for miles. You followed Silver as he walked to the edge of the cliff. The green light trail ended right at the edge of the cliff, leading to nowhere.

"Where is it?" Silver demanded and looked around the land

"I see nothing!" a shrill voice called out. "One great, big stinking hunk of nothing!"

The noise the light made got louder and louder. It sounded like metal wings whirring faster and faster until seemed to grow silent because you can't hear the noise as it moves fast. The light returned back to the map, leaving you all with nothing that led to the treasure.

"What's going on, Jimbo?" Silver demanded.

Jim pressed the buttons and turned the map, but it didn't budge. "I-I don't know! I can't get it open!"

You extended your hand. "Give it here. Let me examine it."

Jim placed the map in your hands and you held it up to your face. Behind you, the pirates grew impatient and groaned in agitation. You pressed the buttons of the map but they didn't press down and neither did it turn.

You looked at Jim. "This-this has never happened before. I don't know what's wrong..."

"We should've neva followed these kids!" The female pirate said and hopped on your arm and shoved you.

You gasped and stumbled down to the ground.

"Hey!" Jim said and bent down to help you up.

"Thanks..." you muttered and stood.