Back On Track

Graphics by Bubble Tea Designs

Everyone was assigned to keep their eye in a specific direction to make sure that anyone come by would be noticed. It wasn't long until Bang Kieu noticed that little black dot arising from the horizon and called out to everyone else.

LTQ: It's a ship!!! We're saved!!

Nhu Loan: Not so fast. They could be the pilot's men. What if they also want to kill us?

Bang Kieu: We have to take our chances. We've gone this far, can't turn back now. I'll come out there and negotiate with them.

Minh Tuyet: You should think about Beckham too. What if something happens to you? I suggest we send the airhead! (pointing at LTQ)

Nhu Loan: You don't want to get us all killed, do you? All he does is babbling nonsense!

LTQ: Hey! I can negotiate... If you don't trust me, why don't you go? (looking at Minh Tuyet and Nhu Loan)

Bang Kieu: They're girls. It's too dangerous.

All: Who will go then??

Beckham: Play rock paper sciccors.

Nhu Loan: Hey that's really smart! Let's do that. Whoever lose must go.
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LTQ reluctantly put on the air tank and mumbled something under his breath before going into the water. The rest did nothing but watch and wished him good luck (except for Minh Tuyet, who bid him farewell.)

The ship was farther away than he thought. He was exhausted by the time he reached it. They threw down a rope to pull him up.

"The money?" A tall, long-haired man said. He's probably the captain of the ship.

"Here" LTQ said, giving him half of the cash. The captain didn't seem to realize the difference of LTQ's voice and the pilot's.

"It's only half the amount you promised."

"Um... let's go downstairs to continue our negotiation. I- have a... um... phobia of the sun"

The men looked confused. Some scratched their head and looked around. "Phobia?" The guy who seemed to be the captian stepped up and said,

"We're pirates. Don't play any tricks. If there isn't enough money. I'll feed you to the sharks."

LTQ was rather shocked to find that out. Pirates? What? How could that be? I'm dead. Hundred of thoughts flashed around in his head. Luckily he managed to push them away and remained calm. He's gone too far now. Can't turn back.

LTQ: There's no trick. Let's go down there.

They hurriedly went down the stairs. LTQ was the last to come down. He suddenly stopped and quickly closed the steel gates. It was such a simple trick that the pirates wasn't aware of it. They started yelling at him, spitting out curse words he didn't even understand. He ignored them and waved the signal to his friends. Bang Kieu was waving back, shouting something that was inaudible to him. Then it hit him. How will they be able to get to the ship? He must get the ship closer to the island. But how?

Before he could think of anything, there was the sound of gunshots and the gate busted open. He had forgotten that these are pirates and must carry guns with them. They rushed out in fury and quickly captured him.

"Think you can get away with this? What an idiot!" The captain said, laughing crazily. "Feed him to the shark"

LTQ tried hard to escape but several men was holding him, making it impossible to escape.

"Wait!" He yelled desparately. "Don't you want to know where the buried treasure is?"

They stopped but still didn't let him go.

Captain: Do you think we are stupid?

LTQ: I mean there's this "Cave of Wonders" packed full of golds and jewels...It used to belong to a King who hid it on a deserted island so no one would find it and also-

Captain: SHUT UP! you know you talk too much...but you got me hooked

The boat took a large U-turn and headed towards the island. Once they got to the shore, the pirates immediately got off. LTQ had given them directions on how to get to the cave.

Captain: Aren't you coming along?

LTQ: No, I have to watch over the boat-

Captain: One of my men would.

LTQ: You don't trust me?

They stared each other down but the result didn't changed. One of the pirates stayed behind with LTQ as the rest of the crew went out in search for treasure. The pirate slumped down on one of the plush couches reading a magazine upside down. LTQ took the walkie talkie from the table and headed upstairs to the deck. He contacted Bang Kieu and explained to him the whole situation, Bang Kieu knew what to do next.

The pirate had dosed off a little, he heard some thing wet splashing against his face. Growling and fluttering his eyes, he finally opened them to reveal Bang Kieu's face looking straight at him.

Freaking out, he jumped up to attacked but Bang Kieu already had the pirate's head in his hands, he gave a quick twist with his wrist and the pirate was immediately dead.

LTQ: Woah cool! where did you learn to do that?

Bang Kieu: Let's just say I had some practice.

LTQ ushered the girls in to the boat with Nhu Loan carrying little Beckham. Bang Kieu quickly tossed the pirate out the window before his son sees it.

Bang Kieu: So, off to korea?

Everyone nodded as Bang Kieu took charge of the steering wheel and started the boat. They were leaving the rest of the pirates behind and also leaving the island.

Minh Tuyet: I wonder how Marie would react?