🇪🇸 The Salty Spain Special — Chapter 11

🤝 The Double-Cross That Never Was

The sun was beginning to disappear behind the Spanish horizon.

The Salty Gang stood together at the marina, staring towards the mysterious island.

The treasure was somewhere over there.

The clues had led them through streets, fountains, fish markets and marinas.

They had followed Spanish inscriptions.

They had decoded mysterious writing.

They had even consulted the legendary King of Curries.

And now they were finally getting close.

There was only one problem.

Patel had been thinking.

And that was never entirely safe.

🤔 Patel's Thoughts

Patel stood slightly away from the group.

He looked at the map.

Then at Salty.

Then at the island.

Then back at the map.

He had to admit it.

The Salty Gang were useful.

Chaotic?

Absolutely.

Organised?

Not remotely.

But somehow, they had managed to get further than anyone else.

Patel smiled.

I could take the map.

He looked down at it.

I could disappear.

He imagined himself reaching the island alone, finding the treasure and keeping the whole lot.

For a few seconds, the idea seemed rather attractive.

Then he heard a familiar voice.

“PATEL!”

It was Large Lad.

Patel looked over.

“Yeah?”

“ARE YOU COMING?”

Patel sighed.

“Yes.”

“GOOD!”

Large Lad waved him over.

“We need everyone.”

Patel smiled.

He looked back at the map.

The double-cross could wait.

🗺️ Working Together

Captain Morgan gathered everyone around.

“Right. We work as a team.”

Salty nodded.

“Agreed.”

Patel folded the map.

“We've got three clues.”

McFinleyyy opened his notebook.

“Four.”

Everyone looked at him.

“You forgot Miguel.”

He held up the teddy bear.

Everyone stared.

Miguel's little stitched pocket was open.

Inside was another tiny piece of paper.

Salty grabbed it.

“You're joking.”

He unfolded it.

Written on the paper were the words:

“Trust the one who walks beside you.”

Everyone looked at Patel.

Patel looked uncomfortable.

Dinkz smiled.

“That seems rather specific.”

Patel laughed nervously.

“Very mysterious.”

Sarah looked at Salty.

“Maybe the map wants you to trust Patel.”

Salty nodded.

“I do.”

Patel looked genuinely surprised.

“You trust me?”

Salty smiled.

“Of course.”

Patel looked around at the group.

For the first time, he felt slightly guilty about considering the double-cross.

These people were completely ridiculous.

But they were also loyal.

They had accepted him into the group.

Even Large Lad had accepted him.

Well…

Mostly.

🏴‍☠️ The Team Plan

Captain Morgan began assigning jobs.

“Salty and Patel — map.”

“Sarah and Susan — clues.”

“Dinkz and John Daniels — equipment.”

“Vicky — keep an eye on the route.”

“McFinleyyy…”

He paused.

“…you guard the supplies.”

McFinleyyy nodded proudly.

“Understood.”

Large Lad raised his hand.

“And me?”

Captain Morgan thought about it.

“You're on food duty.”

Large Lad smiled.

“FINALLY.”

Salty laughed.

“Just don't eat the supplies.”

Large Lad looked offended.

“I WOULD NEVER.”

Everyone knew that was a lie.

🌊 Towards the Island

The group boarded the boat once again.

The island grew closer.

The sea was calm.

The evening sun created a golden path across the water.

Patel stood beside Salty.

“You know,” Patel said, “I was thinking earlier.”

Salty looked at him.

“About what?”

Patel hesitated.

“Nothing.”

Salty smiled.

“Whatever it was, forget it.”

Patel nodded.

“I think that's best.”

They shook hands.

Vicky watched them.

“Are you two becoming friends?”

Salty smiled.

“Possibly.”

Patel laughed.

“Don't push it.”

From the other side of the boat came a shout.

“TREASURE!”

Everyone turned.

Large Lad was pointing towards the island.

“THERE!”

Captain Morgan grabbed the map.

“We're nearly there.”

McFinleyyy looked towards the shore.

“I can see something.”

Sarah stood up.

“What?”

“A stone arch.”

Everyone leaned forward.

There it was.

An old stone archway near the water.

And carved into it was the same symbol they had seen before.

The golden X.

🤝 No Double-Cross

As the boat approached the island, Patel looked at Salty.

“I've made my decision.”

Salty raised an eyebrow.

“About?”

“The treasure.”

Salty waited.

Patel smiled.

“We do this together.”

Salty nodded.

“Good decision.”

Patel laughed.

“Besides, if I tried to double-cross you lot…”

He looked towards Large Lad.

“…he'd probably eat me.”

Large Lad heard him.

“WHAT?”

“Nothing.”

“DID YOU SAY EAT?”

“No.”

“GOOD.”

Patel shook his head.

“I definitely made the right choice.”

The boat reached the shore.

Everyone climbed out.

The map was unfolded.

The clues were ready.

Miguel was safely tucked into Large Lad's backpack.

And the entire team stood together beneath the stone arch.

Salty looked around.

“Right, everyone.”

He smiled.

“This is it.”

Captain Morgan nodded.

“The final clue.”

Patel pointed towards the ground.

There was a stone set into the sand.

On it was a single word:

“BEGIN.”

Everyone stared at it.

Dinkz whispered:

“Begin?”

Sarah nodded.

“We thought we were finishing.”

Salty smiled.

“Apparently…”

He looked towards the darkening island.

“…we've only just started.”

🇪🇸🏴‍☠️🗺️🤝 TO BE CONTINUED…