🇪🇸 The Salty Spain Special — Chapter 9

🚤 All Aboard for the Next Marina

The following morning, the Salty Gang assembled at the marina.

Everyone was excited.

Everyone was prepared.

Well…

Almost everyone.

Salty appeared wearing sunglasses, shorts and a look of somebody who had made one or two questionable decisions the previous evening.

Vicky looked at him.

“Are you alright?”

Salty nodded.

“Absolutely.”

Sarah looked at him suspiciously.

“You don't look absolutely.”

Salty lowered his sunglasses.

“I may have a tiny headache.”

Susan smiled.

“Tiny?”

“Medium.”

Dinkz laughed.

“That's what happens when you spend the evening drinking mojitos and discussing treasure maps.”

Salty shook his head.

“I regret nothing.”

🚤 Eddie's Boat

Eddie Irvine was waiting beside his boat.

“Ready?”

Captain Morgan nodded.

“Ready.”

Everyone climbed aboard.

Large Lad took one look at the boat.

“WHERE'S THE KITCHEN?”

Eddie laughed.

“You're going to have to survive without one.”

Large Lad looked horrified.

“For how long?”

“A few hours.”

“A FEW HOURS?”

Salty patted him on the shoulder.

“You'll manage.”

Large Lad sighed.

“I DON'T LIKE THIS ADVENTURE.”

The boat slowly left the marina.

Spain looked spectacular from the water.

The sun was shining.

The sea was calm.

The coastline stretched into the distance.

Even Large Lad stopped complaining for a moment.

“This is actually brilliant.”

Sarah smiled.

“See?”

Large Lad nodded.

“CAN WE LIVE ON THE BOAT?”

“No.”

“WHY?”

“Because we have a treasure to find.”

🧭 Following the Map

Captain Morgan stood at the front with the map.

Patel was beside him.

Vicky studied the coastline.

McFinleyyy was keeping an eye on Miguel the teddy bear.

Dinkz was taking photographs.

John Daniels was enjoying the scenery.

Susan was chatting with Sarah.

And Salty?

Salty was sitting quietly at the back.

Vicky noticed.

“You're very quiet.”

Salty smiled.

“Just enjoying the sea.”

Then he stood up.

“I've got an idea.”

Sarah immediately looked worried.

“Oh no.”

Salty removed his sunglasses.

“I'm going swimming.”

Everyone stared at him.

“Now?” asked Susan.

“Absolutely.”

Patel laughed.

“You're supposed to be helping us find the treasure.”

Salty pointed at his head.

“This needs fixing first.”

Dinkz laughed.

“Ah. The famous Salty cure.”

“What cure?”

“Cold sea water.”

Salty nodded.

“Exactly.”

🌊 Salty Takes the Plunge

Before anyone could stop him, Salty jumped into the sea.

SPLASH!

Everyone burst out laughing.

Large Lad leaned over the side.

“IS HE ALRIGHT?”

Salty surfaced.

“Perfect!”

He swam around the boat.

The cool water seemed to wake him up immediately.

Vicky smiled.

“You actually look better.”

Salty grinned.

“Told you.”

Sarah shook her head.

“You're completely mad.”

“Maybe.”

Salty climbed back aboard.

He grabbed a towel and sat down.

“There. Sorted.”

Captain Morgan looked at him.

“Ready to find the treasure?”

Salty put his sunglasses back on.

“Now I'm ready.”

🗺️ The Next Marina

The boat continued along the coastline.

Patel suddenly pointed ahead.

“There!”

Everyone looked.

Another marina was visible in the distance.

Captain Morgan checked the map.

“That must be it.”

The boat moved towards the harbour.

As they approached, something strange appeared on the wall.

A huge painted symbol.

A golden X.

Salty stood up.

“That's our clue.”

Everyone gathered at the side of the boat.

But there was something else beside the X.

A small stone archway.

And underneath it, barely visible from the water, was another inscription.

Vicky read it aloud:

“Only those who arrive by sea may continue.”

The entire group went silent.

Salty smiled.

“Well…”

He looked around at everyone.

“Looks like we've done exactly that.”

Large Lad raised his hand.

“DOES THAT MEAN WE GET THE TREASURE NOW?”

Captain Morgan shook his head.

“No.”

Large Lad sighed.

“Worth asking.”

The boat entered the marina.

Their latest clue had led them exactly where they needed to be.

But as the gang stepped onto the dock, nobody noticed the figure watching them from the far end.

Someone who appeared to be holding…

another copy of the treasure map.

Salty looked towards the mysterious figure.

“Patel?”

Patel shook his head.

“No.”

Salty frowned.

“Then who is that?”

Nobody knew.

The treasure hunt had just become even more mysterious.

🇪🇸🌊🚤🗺️ TO BE CONTINUED…