WE HAVE ARRIVED

EARLIER

JADE

I heard a knock on the door and opened my eyes. I immediately looked at the bed and saw my children sleeping. I heaved a sigh of relief, got up, and kissed them.

"How could I have slept like a log?" I wondered. I noticed that the door which I had bolted from inside was still locked and sighed again, feeling happy that I had locked it.

The knock on the door came again and a voice said, "Miss Ivy, we have arrived."

"I'll be right out," I replied. There was no time to shower or bathe my children. I wanted to leave the boat as soon as possible and check into a hotel before figuring out my next plan.

Five minutes later, I unbolted the door, carried my children and my bag, and went out of the room.

"We've arrived in San José," he told me with a smile.

The day wasn't fully bright yet. It was probably around five in the morning but I preferred to leave than stay in the boat. I did not trust the skipper at all.

"There's a hotel not too far from here, in case you want to lodge,"