Youngblood, Freakshow and Box Ghost were still locked up in their prison cell. Yelling and pleading like madman, hoping that Captain Danny would set them free, but so far it didn't work.
"Let us out of here! / We were only joking! / We didn't even hit them!" They continued to shout, until they heard the door open.
Youngblood looked from his cell to see it was Skulker entering the room. Youngblood smiled and pleaded, "Hey Skulker! Get us out of here!"
Skulker however said nothing and looked at them with a glare. Box Ghost then suddenly randomly asked, "Beware! What was that song that just happened?"
"What are you talking about?!" Youngblood shouted, looking at Box Ghost like he was mad.
"You know. 'Cabin fever! Ah!' That song." Box Ghost clarified as Skulker stood in front of their cell.
"You see Skulker? You gotta get us out of here now! Box Ghost is going crackers!" Youngblood pleaded once again.
Dani then entered the room and placed through the hole of their cell a plate of bread and a jug of water as she said, "Here. It's your bread and water for today."
"But….I ordered shrimp scampi!" Freakshow complained.
Skulker roared at them in anger, "It's more than you deserve, you villainous dogs!"
The sound of Skulker's raging voice made all three of them cringe right back in fear. Skulker then looked down in guilt at Dani as they walked to the side away from the cell.
"Danielle, I should be locked up too. I'm so sorry I ever hired them. I never should've allowed thieves like them aboard this ship." Skulker apologised. "It really chills me that they almost killed your sister and your friend Tucker, looking for some daft treasure map. Again, I'm really sorry for this."
"It wasn't your fault Skulker. It's mine. None of this would've happened if I'd given my brother the…" She then stopped when she realised she was about to reveal that she had the map.
The others carefully listened in on their conversation. Skulker looked at her in confusion and asked, "What do you mean?"
Dani looked down and said, "I'm not really sure I should be talking about this with you or with anyone."
Skulker then realised what she was saying and asked, "You mean, you've really got a treasure map?"
Dani sighed and nodded before answering, "Yes, but not anymore. Valerie took it and locked it up in Danny's cabin. Please, you must promise to keep it a secret."
"Oh don't worry about that. You've only told me and I swear, I won't tell another soul about this." Skulker said smiling. Dani smiled back, glad she had made a friend like Skulker.
"You go and just finish up in the kitchen, I'll catch up with you once I'm finished here." Skulker said.
Dani nodded and left the room. As soon as she was gone, Skulker's smile dropped as he began to think of a plan for a certain someone.
As evening fell and fog filled the air, Lydia was at the helm of the ship while Valerie kept watch. She walked up to Lydia and said, "Keep the ship nice and steady. Looks like this fog is gonna last all night."
She then saw Skulker come on deck and greeted, "Good evening Skulker."
"Good evening. It's a wicked fog tonight that's for sure ma'am." Skulker said, which Valerie nodded in agreement. "It reminds of the night we ran aground off the Pampas. Half the crew had drowned in leaky lifeboats."
"Leaky lifeboats?" Valerie asked.
"It's a common occurrence. Sometimes over time or long voyages, the equipment fall into disrepair or they weren't checked before placed onto ships." Skulker explained. "Leaving the ship with nothing but unsafe boats to use. Not saying we have problems or anything."
What Skulker said had got Valerie thinking. She then said to Skulker, "We should test one of the life boats out, just to be safe."
Skulker nodded in agreement, which was exactly what he wanted her to do. After lowering the lifeboat on the water, Valerie climbed down into the boat and inspected it, but so far no leaks seemed to be noticeable.
"Everything seems to be in order, but I better test it out on more on the open ocean." Valerie said. She turned to Skulker and ordered, "Have Lydia stop the ship here once you cast me off and wait until I get back."
Skulker nodded and then asked, "Is there anything I can hold on to for you for safekeeping? Your keys or wallet or anything?"
Valerie nodded and gave her keys and wrist bands to Skulker as she said, "Those are my keys and my wrist bands for my battle suit. I won't need them while I test this life boat, besides if they were to fall overboard, it would be disastrous."
Skulker nodded and held them in his hands. She then ordered, "Cast me off Skulker."
Skulker nodded and let the rope go and watched as Valerie began to sail off into the open sea in the life boat. Skulker left the side, making it look like he was about to tell Lydia to stop the boat, but merely stopped and grinned as he looked down at the set of keys now in his hands.
Early next morning, a shout could be heard from the ship, "MAN OVERBOARD!"
Danny woke to the sound of his cabin door being knocked and opened it to reveal Amorpho looking down in sadness and grief.
"Amorpho, what's going on?" Danny asked.
Amorpho handed Danny Valerie's wristbands and said in sadness, "I'm sorry sir. Valerie has gone overboard and I'm afraid, all we found was her wristbands."
Danny gasped as he held the wristbands in his hands. Tears began to fall from his eyes for the loss of his friend. Valerie had been not only one of his best friends for a long time, but also his first mate on every voyage since he became a captain. This was a deep and personal loss for him.
The entire crew gathered on the deck, hats were off in respect for the loss of Valerie Gray. Tears continued to fall from Damian's eyes, it was also a deep and personal loss for him since she was his daughter. He had already lost his wife and now, he had lost his only daughter.
On a table was Valerie's wrist bands, a bible and a vase of flowers. They were all there for a memorial service. Dani stood beside Skulker, Jazz, Damian, Technus, Ghostwriter and Technus.
Danny stood behind the table and spoke, "And so, my friends, the sea has claimed another loyal officer and friend. Valerie and I have been friends for a long time and have served together for many years. She was more than just a sailor. She was a daughter, a courageous fighter, brave, she was a friend and she was a member of my crew…."
While the memorial service was going on, none of them knew that Youngblood, Box Ghost and Freakshow used the keys Skulker had given them and freed themselves from their cell. Sneakily and quietly, they made it to Danny's cabin and opened the safe with Valerie's keys, all of them grinning as they saw their prize and took the map from the safe, before locking and leaving the cabin.
"May the wind be ever at your back Valerie. Rest in peace, my friend. Amen." Danny finished.
"Amen." The crew repeated and threw their flowers into the ocean, forever remembering Valerie Gray.