The Worst-Case Scenario Ultimate Adventure Novel: Deadly Seas Read online

  The WORST-CASE SCENARIO

  AN ULTIMATE ADVENTURE NOVEL

  DEADLY SEAS

  YOU DECIDE HOW TO SURVIVE!

  By David Borgenicht and Alexander Lurie with Mike Perham, sailing consultant

  Illustrated by Yancey Labat

  Contents

  Welcome to Your Deadly Seas Adventure

  The Crew

  The Adventure Begins…

  About the Author

  Copyright

  WELCOME TO YOUR DEADLY SEAS ADVENTURE

  WHAT WILL YOU DO?

  ONE WRONG MOVE COULD SPELL DISASTER.

  YOU and five crew members are going to sail around the world! It will be the ultimate challenge of your bravery and endurance. You’ll face dangers you never imagined. Not many people have accomplished this daring feat. Will you become one of the few to battle the wild seas and win?

  At many points in this fantastic adventure, you’ll be given choices—and the decisions you make will change the course of your story.

  It’s all up to you.

  There are thirty-three possible endings to your Deadly Seas adventure. But there is only ONE PATH through the book that will take you around the world on your first try.

  Before you start, make sure to read the Expedition File. It has the tips and information you’ll need to make good choices.

  You and the crew will work together, but ultimately, some critical decisions will come down to you. Just use your common sense and excellent judgment—and the photographers and reporters will be waiting for you on the dock to announce your victory!

  THE CREW

  CAPTAIN

  JASON HARRINGTON

  AGE: 16 HOME: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

  Jason is the most experienced sailor on your yacht. In fact, he has never lived on land. He has lived on a boat his entire life. His parents joke that he learned how to tie a bowline before he could knot his own shoelaces. Jason likes being top dog and in charge. He’s handsome, smart, and very sure of himself, which isn’t always a good thing. Sometimes he doesn’t listen to the opinions of others when it could be important. Jason thinks he’s always right, and if Jason thinks so, it must be true.

  CREW

  BRANDON GREENE

  AGE: 16 HOME: SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

  Brandon loves to fish and to cook his catch. But his real talent is navigating. He’s great at avoiding hazards and reaching destinations on time. Brandon is a perfectionist when it comes to his navigational charts, but he’s a disaster when it comes to practically everything else. He drops his stuff wherever; he’ll eat whatever, whenever (and that includes moldy bread and rotten fruit). But he’ll give you the shirt off his back—that is, as soon as he can find it.

  CREW

  CHELSEA VEGA

  AGE: 15 HOME: CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS

  Chelsea comes from a large family. She has three brothers and two sisters, and they all grew up sailing on Cape Cod. Chelsea is a natural athlete and a junior champion gymnast. She can shimmy up a yacht’s mast in record time to fix sails. For fun, she climbs up blindfolded. She loves a challenge—maybe a little bit too much. Where danger looms, Chelsea follows.

  CREW

  DAVID LEE

  AGE: 15 HOME: CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA

  David’s parents are both professors of environmental studies at Duke University. His family has a house on the Outer Banks, where they go sailing whenever weather permits. David has a natural aptitude for fixing things. When he was six years old, he took apart the washing machine and used the pieces to make a miniature Ferris wheel. David will be the mechanic on this trip. He is tidy and organized, but is somewhat of a safety freak. David is also a fanatic about helping endangered species.

  CREW

  GEORGINA FORTUNATO

  AGE: 15 HOME: MIAMI, FLORIDA

  Georgina is outgoing and fun-loving. She has two passions—sailing and meteorology. She can predict foul weather with great precision and will be the yacht’s weather expert. Georgina is a certified junior lifeguard. But at times her behavior is a little strange. Why won’t she let Chelsea clip her nails? Why does she throw Jason’s duffel overboard? Why won’t she let Brandon eat a banana? A sneak peek into her diary will reveal all.

  THE ADVENTURE BEGINS…

  “Today your life will change forever,” Mr. Jules Houseman Jr. says. He is standing near the bow on the Chronos II, the fantastic 40-foot sailing yacht that is about to take you on a trip you’ll never forget.

  Mr. Houseman owns the Chronos II and is sponsoring your voyage for publicity—to increase sales of his world-famous watch company, Chronos.

  “Today you will start your journey around the world. And you will be one of the youngest crews to do it—if you succeed.” As he says this last part, he stares right at you. Then he moves to shake hands with each member of your crew.

  “Welcome aboard—on your Deadly Seas adventure,” he says.

  You are an expert when it comes to boat handling, but your heart starts to pound anyway. You know you’ll be talking about this trip for years to come—if you make it back alive…

  You shield your eyes from the bright California sun, searching the crowd for your friends and family gathered on the Marina del Rey pier. They stand five deep along the green railing, taking photos and shouting cheers.

  Next to you, Jason Harrington, the skipper of your yacht, waves to some friends. You are both experienced sailors, but Jason grew up on a boat. He’ll be a great skipper, you think.

  You’ve never actually met the crew before, but you’re sure they’ll all be terrific. They’ve been handpicked by Houseman for their sailing skills. Houseman selected you because you’re exceptional at controlling the force of the wind on the sails.

  “When do we leave? I’m ready. I wish Houseman would hurry up,” Chelsea Vega says. Chelsea is totally energized. Even standing still, she seems to be in motion. She’s from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and her entire family—three brothers, two sisters, and her mom and dad—have all flown here to see her off. But Chelsea isn’t really looking at them. Her bright-green eyes steal a sideways glance at Jason.

  Across from you, Brandon Greene and David Lee are talking to each other. Brandon is smiling and looks relaxed. Not David. He stands stiffly, his brow lined with worry.

  Brandon’s long, messy brown hair falls into his eyes as he tries to read the piece of paper David is holding. He’s at least a foot taller than David and he has to lean over to read. You notice that Brandon’s shirt is on backward, and you wonder if he meant to wear it that way.

  David’s serious gaze scans the yacht. “I hope they gave us two satellite phones,” he says. “It’s crucial to have a backup.”

  You feel a tap on your shoulder. It’s Georgina Fortunato, the final member of the crew.

  “What a perfect day for sailing,” she says. “Feel that breeze! Are we lucky or what?” Georgina’s tanned face breaks into a huge smile.

  “Listen up, Chronos crew.” Mr. Houseman gets your attention. “Time to review the rules of the challenge.”

  You all turn to face him.

  “But first, I have some bad news for you…”

  “One of your satellite phones is missing…” he starts.

  All the blood drains from David’s face.

  “But that’s no excuse. The race must go on.” Houseman takes a piece of paper from his suit pocket and begins to read.

  “You have 285 days to sail around the world. Come home even one day later, and you lose the challenge. All the crew members must make it back to the finish line. If someone drops out,
you lose. You can use only sail power to make your trip—no engine power, no matter what. Or you lose.”

  “Cheerful guy,” Brandon says to David. “Sounds like he doesn’t want to give up the prize money.”

  It does sound that way, you think. But you know the real reason behind Houseman’s gloomy presentation. He wants to make the rules clear—because he wants this crew to win badly.

  “To officially circumnavigate the world, you must travel at least 21,600 nautical miles. You must cross the equator. And you must finish at the same port you started from,” Houseman says.

  “Six of you will sail off today.” His gaze travels over each one of you. “And all six must return on this ship alive to win the prize money—one million dollars.”

  “Listen up.” At the mention of the prize money, Jason springs into action. “It’s time to make our final check,” he says.

  He orders Brandon to inspect the navigation equipment. “Make sure you have all your charts,” he reminds him.

  You can’t be sure, but it looks as if Brandon is rolling his eyes as he heads below.

  Jason tells you to check the safety devices—life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers.

  “David, inspect the electronic autopilot and the hull fittings one more time.”

  David is on it before Jason even finishes his sentence.

  “Georgina, check the food and medical supplies,” Jason says as he and Chelsea walk off together to examine the rigging.

  You complete your check. All emergency gear and safety devices are in good order. You see Jason and Chelsea at the helm, but before you head over, you scan the yacht from bow to stern. The Chronos II is beautiful. Her polished deck gleams in the sunshine. Houseman has given you an incredible boat. You can’t wait to ride the waves with her.

  You join Jason and Chelsea.

  “One million dollars,” Jason says as you approach. “I’m going to put my share of the winnings toward a new boat.”

  “How can you be so sure we’re going to win?” Chelsea laughs.

  “I’ve made this trip a thousand times in my mind,” Jason says. “This contest is as good as won.”

  He turns to you. “What are you going to do with your money?”

  You smile and shrug your shoulders. The truth is, the prize money isn’t important to you. That’s not why you took this challenge.

  David, Brandon, and Georgina meet you on deck.

  “We’re ready to set sail,” Jason reports to Mr. Houseman.

  Mr. Houseman nervously runs his fingers through his thinning hair.

  “The dude looks tense,” Brandon whispers to you. “Not a confidence builder.”

  Houseman is definitely anxious, and you know why.

  “Crew of the Chronos II, I salute you.” Houseman gives an awkward two-finger salute.

  It’s finally time to leave. You take a deep breath. The water is where you feel most at home. You can’t wait to start.

  “Cast off the lines,” Jason tells David and Brandon.

  Chelsea is holding the forward spring line—the final line to be untied.

  The crowd starts to wave and cheer.

  Georgina’s brother rushes up to the boat. He hugs his sister and says, “Good luck!”

  Georgina looks horrified and punches him in the nose. Her brother just laughs.

  Weird, you think. Months later, you’ll learn what that was all about.

  The yacht swings away from the pier and you help Chelsea untie the final line. Jason steers away from the dock.

  But there’s a boat just ahead of you, leaving the harbor. Suddenly, it stops dead and throws its engine in reverse. It’s moving backward now. It’s going to slam right into you!

  “Watch out!” David yells at the other boat. But the warning is too late.

  Your dream of sailing around the world is about to come to an instant end.

  But Jason steers around the boat on its leeward side and glides past it with inches to spare. He’s saved the dream—for now.

  As you sail toward Hawaii, the weather is great. The yacht soars over each rolling wave, skimming forward.

  “Want to take the helm for a while?” Jason asks you. “I’m starving.”

  You jump at the chance and grab the wheel. The bow dips into the waves and sends up a shower of water. Suddenly you’re soaked, but you love it.

  Georgina joins you at the helm. She’s a great meteorologist. Sometimes it seems as if she can tell a change in weather just by sniffing the air.

  “I can’t believe we’re really going around the world,” she says. “I just can’t believe it!”

  You laugh. “What’s the latest forecast?”

  “I just checked the computer,” she says. “It looks like a small storm is headed our way. Small but powerful.”

  You’ve weathered storms before. But you feel wobbly. You don’t have your sea legs yet.

  The wind picks up.

  The sea turns choppy.

  You’re at the wheel now, so it’s up to you to pull the boat through her first storm. Can you do it?

  Dark clouds roll in. A chill creeps into the air and you shiver.

  The boat begins to rock in the churning water.

  Chelsea and Brandon take down the mainsail.

  “It’s getting rough. Better put on your safety harnesses,” Jason yells up to all of you.

  Whenever you’re on deck you’re supposed to wear the harness. It’s a belt that fastens around your chest and shoulders. A sturdy tether connects it to a cable that runs the length of the boat, so you won’t fall overboard.

  “She’s not wearing her harness.” Georgina points to Chelsea. “She thinks because she’s a gymnast she can somersault her way out of danger,” Georgina jokes, but there’s an edge to her voice.

  You look through your binoculars and see a dark sheet of rain approaching.

  The wind whips your face. The ship starts rocketing off the tops of the waves. This squall is a strong one. The seawater crashes in and pounds the deck.

  Your feet and pants are instantly soaked.

  As the waves pummel the boat, your stomach ties itself into a giant knot. The ship is handling the storm well. You wish you could say the same for yourself.

  There’s a tap on your shoulder. “I’ll take over from here,” Jason says.

  You hate to admit it, but you’re relieved.

  Georgina and Chelsea are below, securing all loose items as the ship rocks violently back and forth.

  David makes sure everything on deck is tied down tight.

  Jason yells to you and Brandon over the roar of the waves, “Unfurl the staysail and foresail.” These smaller sails will give Jason more control over the yacht in the strong winds.

  As you and Brandon work together, you notice he doesn’t look well. “Are you okay?” you ask him.

  “Sure,” he says, but you don’t believe him. You can tell that something is wrong.

  “Don’t worry,” you try to reassure him—and yourself, too. “The Chronos II is a great boat. She can handle this.”

  “I know,” he says. “But what do you think happened to the Chronos I?”

  “It sunk,” you tell him. The words tumble out before you can stop.

  Brandon looks really awful now. More frightened than ever.

  “It wasn’t a good yacht. Not like this one,” you say—and the mast on your boat lets out a terrible groan.

  Brandon’s knuckles turn white as he clutches the railing. “What happened to the crew?” he asks.

  “Drowned. All of them.” You should have lied, you realize too late.

  Brandon grips the railing tighter.

  Your hands start to tremble. The rain whips your face and you can’t see what you’re doing.

  “How do you know so much about the Chronos I?” Brandon asks as you finally manage to tie the sail.

  You’ll tell him, but not now—because he looks like he’s about to pass out.

  “I don’t feel well,” he finally admits. “
I think I’m seasick. What should I do?”

  TELL BRANDON TO STAY ON DECK.

  TELL BRANDON TO GO BELOW.

  Urine? Seriously? you think. You try to protest, but Brandon convinces everyone it’s the way to go.

  Brandon hovers over you with a plastic cup of yellow urine. The only way you’ll forgive the crew for choosing this disgusting option is if it works.

  The warm liquid is poured onto the tentacles stuck fast to your leg.

  Your pain surges even higher than before.

  When the urine hits the tentacles, it triggers stinging cells that hadn’t yet fired, causing them to inject even more venom into your skin. The venom works its way deep into your body tissue and your blood. The toxin attacks your skin, your nervous system, and then your heart.

  Urine was the wrong choice. It makes the deadly tentacles inject you with even more venom. In minutes, you have a heart attack, and your life, as you knew it, is flushed away.

  THE END

  There’s not a second to spare. You need to tighten the backstay now or the mast will break and the yacht will flip. You shudder at the thought of being flung into the churning sea. The cold water will surely kill you.

  But the safety harness must wait. The sails come first.

  You hurry to help Chelsea pull the wire that leads from the top of the mast to the stern of the boat. The wind slaps your face, stinging your windburned skin. The ocean spray makes it nearly impossible to see. Planting your feet as solidly as you can on the slippery deck, you heave with all your might.

  The mast bends slightly, but not enough to break. As hard as you and Chelsea pull, the gale-force winds push harder in the opposite direction. It’s the two of you against Mother Nature.