Just as the pirate leader grabbed the final sack of stolen equipment, a deafening Coast Guard siren exploded across the water outside. The massive sound vibrated through the hull as a roaring loudspeaker demanded an immediate surrender. Panic instantly struck the thieves. The leader dropped the sack and scrambled up the steps, desperate to board his getaway skiff before the authorities closed in.
Leo knew they couldn’t let him escape. Unable to break his tight bindings, Leo used pure adrenaline to stand up and charge up the steps. As the leader reached the side railing, Leo lunged forward, using his entire body weight to tackle the man off the boat. Both men plunged over the side, crashing violently into the churning sea. Deep underwater, Leo’s heart hammered in pure terror as he struggled against the heavy current. With his hands still tightly bound behind his back, he couldn’t use his arms to paddle. Kicking his legs with absolute desperation, he fought through the dark water, gasping as his head finally broke the surface.