The rain was still thumping down. The water level was almost visibly rising, and the current was pulling him ahead of Annalie. He didn’t want to risk losing her. He struggled to swim against the tide, reaching out to grab onto her. ‘We need to stay together,’ he said. ‘If you see anything that floats, grab it.’
Annalie’s teeth were chattering. ‘Got to get out of this water,’ she said.
Looking ahead, he saw a tree branch hanging down. ‘Look!’ he said, pointing.
As they swept under the branch, Will reached for it and managed to grab hold. Annalie reached up too, but missed. Will struggled to hold onto the branch with one hand, Annalie with the other, but the current was dragging her away from him and it was more powerful than he was. His fingers lost their grip on the branch. They were carried away once more.
‘Sorry,’ she gasped.
‘We’ll get the next one,’ he said.
But another one didn’t come. The water swept them on and on, while Graham flew above them, shrieking in distress. Something heavy struck Will in the leg, shocking him with the pain. He began to be afraid of catching on underwater obstacles, getting pinned and trapped, drowning.
‘Oh no!’ Annalie squeaked. ‘Tunnel!’
Ahead of them the open canal became an enclosed culvert. There was no time to imagine what they might be headed towards. In moments, they were racing into the darkness. Will took an enormous breath as the blackness closed around him. He remembered what Annalie had said about the stormwater system in Gloradol: they pumped the water out to sea. He felt cold and terrified as he imagined pumps and turbines and long dark tunnels. Could they have any hope of surviving being pumped through a stormwater system?
Just as suddenly they were out in the daylight again. The tunnel had been simply a bridge or a structural reinforcement and now they were out in the open canal once more. But the thought of the pumping station had made Will nervous. Looking up, he saw that the wall was getting closer—a lot closer.
‘We’ve got to get out of this water before we hit the wall,’ he said.
They scanned the bank anxiously for anything that might give them a handhold. The water was moving very fast and the wall drew closer and closer and closer, looming even more threateningly now than it had before.
‘There!’ Annalie shouted.
A metal bridge spanned the canal, an intricate lacework of steel. It was a narrow bridge, built for pedestrians, not vehicles. It was built well above the top of the concrete walls of the canal, and Will wasn’t sure he could even reach it, let alone grab onto it and pull himself up. But he knew they would have to try. The water swept them towards the bridge. Will counted them in: ‘One, two, three!’
They both kicked up and grabbed. Will’s fingers slammed painfully into the metal, but he managed to get a hand on it, and held on with all his might. He saw Annalie miss the first jump, try again, and just manage to get a grip on the other side before she was swept away. Will got both hands onto the metal underside of the bridge, the current dragging at his legs, and tried to pull himself up, but couldn’t. He hung there, feeling the strain, knowing his grip wouldn’t last much longer, but then saw Annalie on the other side of the bridge kick up with her legs, hook her feet into the structure, and scramble monkey-like, using hands and feet, over the side and onto the clanging metal walkway. Following her lead, he swung his legs up, found a toehold of his own, and scrambled painfully and laboriously up.
‘Look,’ Annalie said, when he’d slumped down, exhausted, onto the walkway.
Just downstream the canal fed into a huge collection pond. At the far end of the pond, machinery on an industrial scale loomed; the roar of the water reached a crescendo there. On the far side of the pond, behind the machinery, rose the wall. Will noticed a piece of colourful junk borne swiftly along by the current. It floated out into the middle of the pond, drifted in an arc, but was then drawn inexorably towards the machinery at the far end, where the water became turbid. The piece of junk swirled once frantically, then was sucked under and disappeared, never to rise again.
‘You think that’s it?’ he asked.
Annalie nodded.
Will felt a shiver pass over him. ‘That was close,’ he said.
‘Yep,’ Annalie said.
Neither of them said anything for a while.
The rain continued, making progress unpleasant, but it had the advantage of partially hiding them from view. Almost no one was out on the streets in this tempest. They knew the marines were probably still on the lookout for them, so they wasted no time getting away from the canals.
Annalie’s shell did not work after its immersion so they could not send a message or even check their location, but it was not hard to work out where they needed to go: all they had to do was follow the wall until they were out of the city. This took some time; the wall was vast. But they made it back to the dinghy without any further entanglements, and soon they were puttering through the driving rain to where the Sunfish lay at anchor, waiting for them.
Pod looked down at them over the side, swathed in Spinner’s wet weather gear. ‘Well?’ he asked.
Will shook his head.
Pod helped them both aboard without another word.
After Gloradol
‘Do you think he was telling the truth?’ Essie asked. ‘Is Spinner really dead?’
Will and Annalie looked at each other.
‘How can you tell with a guy like that?’ Will said.
‘He could’ve been telling the truth,’ Annalie said. ‘But I have a feeling he was lying.’
‘He must have been lying,’ Will decided.
‘Something tells me he hasn’t laid a finger on Spinner yet, even after Sujana betrayed him, and that’s why he keeps coming after us,’ Annalie said. ‘It’s because he hasn’t got a clue where Spinner is.’
Will’s face brightened a little. ‘Maybe we’re all he’s got.’
‘Exactly,’ Annalie said. ‘Which is why we’ve got to stay ahead of him now.’
Will turned to look at her. ‘So where are we going?’
‘It has to be Brundisi, right?’
The sailing route was a long one: back down the coast of the north lands, around the great horn of Estilo, through the Bostoroso Strait, and then east, until they reached Brundisi. The Sea of Brundisi was known for its horrible storms, and also for pirates. Brundisi and its neighbours were some of the poorest nations in the world; piracy was the only industry that thrived.
The journey took them several weeks, and their supplies began to run down. After they passed the Bostoroso Strait, they decided to put in for supplies at one of the last ports in Estilo. After Estilo, things rapidly got a lot less safe.
As they drew in to port, Essie’s shell, as ever, began chiming merrily—and this time it was full of surprises.
‘Guess what?’ she said, looking up from her messages. ‘I’ve been kidnapped!’
The kidnapping of Essie
Tower Corp heiress kidnapped
Essie Wan, 13, the only daughter of disgraced Tower Corp founder Everest Wan, has been kidnapped. It is believed the kidnapping was masterminded by a shady underworld figure, Ned ‘Spinner’ Wallace, whose daughter, Annalie Wallace (also known as Annalie Go) was a fellow pupil at Triumph College, Pallas. Essie Wan went missing from Triumph College over four months ago, when she was taken from her school dormitory by Annalie Wallace in the middle of the night. The two girls were traced to Southaven, where Essie was forced to access Everest Wan’s creditstream and take out a large amount of cash. Annalie and her brother William Wallace hid Miss Wan aboard the family vessel, the Sunfish, which then escaped into international waters. Investigators believe Miss Wan is still being held captive aboard the Sunfish, and they are making vigorous efforts to trace the vessel.
The fugitives have continued to access Everest Wan’s creditstream, stealing substantial amounts of money before it was closed down. Events took a new turn on Monday when, for the first time in this long-runni
ng case, a ransom demand was received. The full details of the demand have not been revealed, but it has been reported that the kidnappers are asking for a substantial sum of money to guarantee Miss Wan’s safe return.
Through his lawyers, Everest Wan begged for the safe return of his daughter. ‘She is the most precious thing in all the world to me, and she is dearly and profoundly loved and missed. Please return her safely to the people who care about her the most.’ A spokesman for Mr Wan reported that they were pursuing all avenues to ensure his daughter’s safe return.
The timing of the kidnapping demand is puzzling. Everest Wan, formerly one of Dux’s wealthiest property developers, has had his bank accounts frozen by prosecutors until the case against him can be heard, which would make it difficult for him to access the large sums of money required to pay a ransom demand.
Essie Wan’s mother, who is separated from Everest Wan, and is reportedly engaged to billionaire shipping magnate Linkon Vanafatsulu, made this comment on her personal news stream: ‘Hoping and praying my baby girl comes back to me soon safe & sound.’ Her new husband has declined to comment on the matter, saying through a spokesperson: ‘My wife and I ask for privacy at this difficult and distressing time.’ The spokesperson would not comment on whether Mr Vanafatsulu might be willing to pay the ransom.
A description of the boat and the kidnappers has been issued to police forces and marine authorities worldwide. They have been warned to be on the alert for these dangerous criminals.
‘I wish they’d said how much the ransom is,’ Essie said, laughing. ‘I want to know how much I’m worth.’
Annalie didn’t think there was anything funny about the story. ‘But what is this even about? What ransom? What’s going on?’
‘It’s obviously a joke,’ Essie said.
‘It’s no joke,’ Annalie said. ‘It’s made us a target. Do you think your parents have done this, to get you back?’
‘They want me to come home,’ Essie said, ‘but why make up all that stuff about a ransom? It’s just weird.’
‘I know who did this,’ Will said suddenly. ‘Beckett. When he caught me back in the Moon Islands, he threatened to have us charged with kidnapping. Looks like he’s gone and done it.’
‘Why wait all this time?’ asked Annalie.
‘Because he’s running out of options,’ Will said. ‘He keeps trying to catch us and we keep getting away. It can’t look too good to his superiors. He’s trying to put the pressure on us. Now we’re not just fugitives. We’re kidnappers. Everyone’s going to be looking for us. Not just harbourmasters, everybody. And now they know what we look like.’
The article was lavishly illustrated, with an adorable picture of Essie, shots of Will and Annalie looking subtly unpleasant (they appeared to have been pulled from surveillance footage and enhanced), a very out-of-date photo of Spinner, and a shot of the now-white Sunfish, which must have been taken when it was impounded by the Norlindens.
‘What do we do?’ Essie asked. ‘Can we risk going to shore and getting supplies? What if somebody recognises us?’
‘They don’t know me,’ Pod said. ‘I’ll take the dinghy.’
‘What about water?’ Annalie said. The main tanks were built into the hull; the easiest way to fill them was to dock and take on water directly.
‘We’re not out of water yet,’ Essie said. ‘And we can always treat seawater if we have to.’
Annalie looked dubious. She knew they’d struggle to produce enough water for the four of them plus Graham.
‘We’ll look for creeks and streams along the way,’ Will said. ‘Do it the old-fashioned way.’
Annalie nodded. ‘Okay. Let’s not stick around here any longer than we have to. Pod, get us some supplies.’
They stood on deck as Pod went zooming off in the dinghy to buy food.
‘Hey—that thing about your dad’s creditstream,’ Will said. ‘The article said they’d closed it down. That’s not true, is it?’
Essie looked worried. She flicked open her shell and made some clicks. Her breath caught. ‘Yep,’ she said.
‘He’s cut you off?’ Annalie said.
‘I’ll tell him to switch it back on,’ Essie said, flicking between programs. ‘I’ll tell him it’s all a lie.’
She started typing furiously, but Will stopped her. ‘Wait,’ he said, ‘what if that’s what they want us to do?’
‘What?’
‘They’re probably monitoring all his communications. If you write to him now and ask him to switch the money back on, they’ll know. They might even be able to work out where you sent the message from.’
Essie sighed. ‘Yes, they probably can.’
‘How much money do we have?’ Annalie asked.
‘I wouldn’t say we’ve got tons,’ Essie said. ‘But we’re okay, for now at least.’
‘Then we need to lie low,’ Will said. ‘Don’t give them any clues. Don’t send him any messages.’
‘But what if he thinks it’s true?’ Essie said, getting upset. ‘What if he thinks I’ve been kidnapped and you’re going to kill me? He’ll be going out of his mind with worry.’
‘I’d rather let him worry than let Beckett know where we are,’ Will said.
Essie put her head in her hands. ‘Why won’t that guy leave us alone?’ she wailed, frustrated.
Annalie patted her back and said nothing, but the look she gave Will was troubled.
Pod soon returned, the dinghy riding low in the water with the weight of all the supplies. He’d bought what they needed and more, so they wouldn’t be forced ashore again in a hurry. They set a course out to sea.
Water was their next immediate concern as they resumed their journey. They took care to conserve the water they had, and Will rigged up a system that Spinner had devised to catch and channel rainwater. It was cumbersome and took up room on deck so they didn’t usually use it, but now it seemed like a good idea.
Annalie studied the charts closely, looking for potential water sources onshore. The first two creeks they checked out were obviously unfit to drink, but the third was perfect. A thin stream of clear, cold water, swelled by spring rain, cascaded down a cliff and into the sea below. It flowed through a forest, not a town or through farmland, so they hoped it would be relatively unpolluted (although they would still filter and boil it before they drank it). They filled all the spare tanks they carried, and hoped that they might now get all the way to their destination without having to stop again.
The stop for water had, of course, taken them in close to shore. Although the creek was in a wild place, far from any towns, as they began to sail away from it, something surprising happened. They got just a wisp of signal; Essie’s shell chimed; and so, once again, did Annalie’s.
Annalie snatched her shell up. There was a single voice message, from an unknown source. Annalie looked at it, feeling a shiver of dread.
‘Do you recognise the ID?’ Essie asked, looking over her shoulder.
Annalie shook her head. ‘What if it’s Beckett?’
‘Messaging you to gloat?’
‘Or threaten us.’
Essie and Annalie looked at each other.
‘Better listen to it,’ Essie said.
Annalie pressed play, expecting the worst. But the voice she heard was not Beckett’s.
‘Annalie! What’s all this about you kidnapping some girl from college? Call me back on this number as soon as you get this!’
It was Spinner.
The real Spinner
Annalie tried immediately to call him back, but the wisp of signal had vanished. She ran up on deck, shouting excitedly to Will and Pod. ‘He’s here, he’s here, he called me! We’ve got to get somewhere we can link, now!’
Will made her play the message over and over again. ‘Why doesn’t he say where he is?’ he said, frustrated and thrilled in equal measure.
‘We’ve just got to call him back!’ Annalie said. ‘But first we need to get somewhere with signal!’
‘Get the charts.’
Annalie rushed to look at the charts. They were sailing past barren country, sparsely populated, but they soon located a town that seemed a likely spot. They made for it with all speed, Essie and Annalie holding their shells up the whole way.
The town drew close; shells vibrated and pinged; they were in range.
‘Do you want some privacy?’ Essie asked shyly.
‘We’re all a part of this,’ Annalie said. ‘You guys should be here too.’
The four of them and Graham sat around the table in the saloon. Will and Annalie looked at each other. ‘Okay,’ Will said. ‘Shall we do this?’
Annalie nodded tremulously.
They pressed the call button. The shell rang—and rang—and rang—and then it was answered.
‘Annalie?’ It was Spinner’s voice, real and true and big as life, just as they remembered it.
‘Yes, it’s me,’ she said.
‘And me!’ Will said.
Graham rarked hugely to show he was there too.
‘All three of you!’ Spinner laughed. ‘How are you doing, old man?’
‘Spinner go away,’ Graham said accusingly. ‘Bad Spinner. No biscuit.’
‘I’m sorry about that,’ Spinner said. ‘None of this has really gone to plan.’
‘Where are you?’ Annalie asked.
‘And where have you been?’ Will added. ‘Didn’t you get any of our messages?’
‘If I’d got them I would’ve answered them,’ Spinner said, surprised. ‘So no, I didn’t get your messages. Where are you? And what’s all this nonsense about a kidnapping?’
‘They didn’t kidnap me,’ Essie spoke up. ‘I came voluntarily.’
‘This is Essie,’ Annalie explained. ‘She’s my best friend.’
‘I remember your friend,’ Spinner said slowly. Annalie had spoken about her often in her weekly calls home from school. ‘But I was hoping the rest of it was just an invention.’
‘It is,’ Annalie said.
‘So you didn’t steal money and sail off in the Sunfish?’
The Castle in the Sea: Quest of the Sunfish 2 Page 17
