Voyage into Slavery Chapter 24

 

Jennings realised he'd never make it, if he jumped. The ship's sinking would just pull him down. Just as the water closed over him, he took a deep breath, then he was under. Still clinging on to the 'Eastern Paradise' railings, he went down, and down. The light from the surface was beginning to fade, and his breath rapidly running out. I'm not going to make it, he thought. I'm going to die here. He didn't want to drown, but that was happening to him.

 

Just then, he felt his grip on the railings go, as he found himself shooting upwards. He shot through the surface, like a rocket. Gasping in huge lungfuls of air, Jennings was baffled why this was so. He had survived, but his body was exhausted, and he was mentally drained. The sea was littered with wreckage from the 'Eastern Paradise. '

 

Somehow, he managed a short swim to a float, and glanced weakly around, It was then, that he saw the helicopter carrying his sister, gently deposit her onto an impressive, but somewhat familiar boat. He was relieved Louise was safe, he scanned the sea for any more close by boats. There were only a couple, small fishing type boats, and he weakly waved at them. It looked as if he hadn't been spotted, though one boat was coming towards him. He looked over at the boat, where Louise was.

 

Stunned, he saw somebody grab her roughly, and she was forcibly taken inside the boat.

 

You idiot!he cursed himself, as he suddenly remembered. It was the same boat from Hong Kong. It must have been a back up, in case things went wrong for them. Quite evidently, it had. He had to get to her!

 

Jennings tried to swim, but his body had nothing more to give. All he could do, was just lie here, and watch the boat move away. Desperately, he shouted out for his sister.

 

'Louise! Louise!'There was no reply from her, and he knew there wouldn't be. I couldn't save her. he thought wearily, his morale sinking. Sarah too. He realised his two sisters were now helpless captives, in the power of ruthless slavers. They were probably going to be sold, with all those other girls, he'd tried to help. He was almost overcome with despair, that he never felt himself being lifted out of the water. Jennings made one last look at his surroundings, and just noticed a Thai man checking him over, then he closed his eyes.

 

Madam Chen glanced back at her prisoner, still chuckling. Louise was still bound and gagged, lying on the bed. She never gave up fighting her bonds, but Madam Chen enjoyed the show. They never learn. She shook her head sadly. Many unfortunate young women had been tied up by her, and she was pleased, that none of them had managed to get loose. Yet, she made no attempt to stop their efforts. It was when it dawned on them, that they couldn't free themselves, that Madam Chen relished the moments.

 

Louise was still struggling, but she froze, as her captor lifted her from the waist, to put her head next to the girl's. She kissed the back of Louise's neck gently, savouring the scent of her soft hair.

 

Let go of me! Louise tried to shout angrily, but the tape reduced it to a meaningless mumbling. Madam Chen was amused, but she gripped the girl's chin hard, and she almost hissed in Louise's ear. 'I have you in my power, Miss Jennings. So, do as you are told, and I'll do what I want with you. Remember that, my dear. '

 

To add emphasis to her threat, Madam Chen gave Louise a sharp slap on her cheek. The girl yelped into her gag. Just then, there was another call on the mobile. Madam Chen still held her, but started stroking fingers through Louise’s long hair. Louise moaned, her face stinging from the woman's strike.

 

Madam Chen produced her mobile, and after a moments thought, turned on the speaker.

 

'Yes?'

 

A man's voice came on. 'I've more information on Jennings, do you wish to know?'

 

She noticed Louise looking over at the mobile, listening. Let her, she mused. He won't be able to help her.

 

'Go ahead. ' She continued playing with the silky dark tresses as she listened.

 

'He was picked up by a local fisherman, he's in a bad way. They're taking him to a hospital in Bangkok. Your orders, Madam?'

 

The woman gave Louise a chilling smile, cupping her jaw.

 

'Kill him, of course. '

 

This made Louise jump with shock, frantically shaking her head, and desperately trying to protest.

 

However, Madam Chen was still savouring her power over the girl, holding her chin.

 

'Carry out your orders, and remember, don't mess it up. '

 

'Understood, Madam Chen. '

 

The man rang off. Louise was still trying to protest, but the thick mass of silk still silenced her mouth effectively. Her eyes were now full of horror, the hope vanished instantly, on hearing the woman's cold order.

 

'Don't worry, my dear. 'Madam Chen chuckled. 'We'll make sure he doesn't suffer. 'She paused. 'Well, not much. '

 

Louise's eyes were huge with dismay. How could she stop her from murdering John? The answer was, that she couldn't. Her captors would make sure, that she wouldn't interfere.

 

Madam Chen saw Louise's pleading eyes, but she coldly ignored the plea. 'Sorry, my dear. He has to die. '

 

Just then, there was a knock on the cabin door. She opened it, and Captain Liu entered. His face was hard, as he looked at Louise trussed up on the bed.

 

'Yee's dead. 'He sat down heavily. 'Must have been Takachi or Jennings. '

 

Madam Chen didn't feel any remorse for a stranger. She said nothing, but Liu was looking more harder at Louise.

 

'She's going to pay dearly for her brother's actions. '

 

'Oh, that's already been arranged. He survived the sinking, and-'

 

'What?' Liu couldn't believe what he'd just heard.

 

'I said, he survived the sinking, and is now on his way to Bangkok. '

 

'Impossible! Nobody could have made it through that. 'Liu still wasn't convinced.

 

Sighing, Madam Chen thought he was acting a fool, but she continued. 'I've already ordered his death warrant. It won't be long, I assure you. '

Liu stood up, to glare at Louise.

 

'Make sure you save her for me. I want some payback. ' Madam Chen smiled.

 

'Oh, don't worry, the girl won't escape. I'll have her here for you. 'Liu then made to leave. 'I've been called in, for the inquiry on the ship's loss. I don't know how long I'll be, just make sure you keep her at your house. '

 

He then siezed Louise's throat.

 

'And I can't wait for that moment to hear you scream, when I have you. 'Liu's voice was totally inhuman. He noticed the girl was petrified of him, she was making soft, whimpering sounds, behind the tape gag. He released her neck, throwing her head down onto the bed. Liu almost stormed out of the room. 'Keep me informed. 'He ordered her. 'We're approaching Bangkok. Better put the girl with the others, in the crates. 'He sneered at Louise's muffled, but frightened protest. He left, slamming the door behind him, making Louise jump with fright again.

 

'Oh my, 'Madam Chen mocked, 'You've seriously annoyed the Captain. You should pay for that, and you will. '

 

She then opened a secret door, in the cabin. A small flight of steps led downwards. The light was switched on, as she made her way down. When she reached the bottom, she smiled. All their female captives were here, sitting on the floor, bound and gagged by the crew. She'd inspected the ropes, and was satisfied, none of the women could free themselves, or help each other.

 

'Won't be long, now ladies. 'They all stared at her in mixed ways. Some were terrified, others glared, but they were all helpless. 'Bangkok isn't too far away, 'Madam Chen was looking forward to arriving there, she was clearly the only one in the room to have that opinion. 'It will be soon time to say our goodbyes. 'Every one of the girls moaned into their tight gags at her. Madam Chen smiled, as she went on. 'Time for your new packing orders. '

 

The moans seemed to increase in volume, as she said it. Like Louise, the moans were full of despair. Madam Chen then picked up an internal phone, and ordered assistance, to get their new merchandise safely packed up. She smiled at that. Yes, things were going very well indeed.

 

Jennings slowly opened his eyes, he felt that he was lying on a bed, but the bed was moving. He suddenly realised that he was still at sea. Jennings made to rise from the bunk, but a hand gently pressed him back. He didn't have the strength to argue. He saw that a Thai man, was peering at him. He held a bottle of some unknown liquid, and was offering it to him. Jennings nodded slowly, as he took the bottle, and gently sipped it. Instantly, he spilled his guts, and retched. The Thai man nodded eagerly, and applauded. He gestured for him, to drink it again. Jennings thought the drink was rum, at least he thought it tasted like rum. He compiled with the man's wishes, and gently sipped again, with the same results. Jennings collapsed back onto the bed, he felt violently sick. The Thai man momentarily left him, to exchange a few words with his crew. Jennings wished he could understand the Thai language, but he then blacked out again.

 

Madam Chen stood on the bridge of her ship. Captain Liu was there, but he was merely observing her crew at work. They were highly efficient, and they were pleased to see Bangkok, on the horizon.

 

'Our people are standing by, to bring the girls out. 'Madam Chen informed him. Liu nodded his approval.

 

'Very good. I hope there won't be any prying eyes, when we do so. ' He'd seen it many times before. The Thai police, and armed forces watched everything, that came and went, into Bangkok. They'd sprung many highly successful ambushes, on their operation. Even so, despite the setbacks, Liu made sure the recovery was quick. He and many of his people, were utterly ruthless, in fighting their way through.

 

Getting the girls delivered would make them, very, very rich. Inside the boat, there was a large cargo hold. Madam Chen had especially asked for it. Several of the crew were waiting to unload several large packing wooden crates. There were grins on all of the men. They had already opened the cargo doors, ready to take the crates out. Inside one of them, Louise was sitting, still bound and gagged, just like all the other girls, the men had forced in. Even though her gag was still tight, the noise of the harbour, would make it impossible, to try and get somebody's attention. Louise whimpered, as she felt her crate being moved, out into a possibly grim future.