Chapter 10 – Desperate Chance opens in the midst of betrayal and ambition along Borneo’s remote rivers. Ninaka, once loyal to Rajah Muda Saffir, seizes the moment to claim both the mysterious chest and Virginia Maxon. The thought of holding her causes conflict within him; she is both a prize and a problem. He fears the fury of white men but also sees the leverage she might bring. Despite his hesitation, greed wins over caution. Alongside Barunda, he devises a plan to quietly disappear, hoping to vanish into the jungle and out of Muda Saffir’s reach. The chest, believed to hold great value, fuels their resolve. Virginia, quiet but watchful, senses their growing treachery.

As the boat slices through murky waters, Virginia’s heart grows heavier. The jungle thickens, and with each bend in the river, the hope of rescue feels more distant. Barunda and Ninaka speak in hushed tones, too concerned with their spoils to notice Virginia’s calculating silence. Her mind races with memories of the kind stranger—Bulan—whose presence once made her feel safe. Now, surrounded by men she cannot trust, she prepares herself for a daring move. When the opportunity arrives, she takes it. With a swift decision, she leaps into the river. The splash catches her captors off guard, and in the moments that follow, chaos erupts.

The river becomes Virginia’s only hope. The current, swift and wild, drags her away from the boat. Behind her, shouts rise as Ninaka scrambles to give chase. Crocodiles lurk beneath the surface, yet she swims with determination, driven by a simple need—freedom. Her limbs tire quickly, but fear keeps her going. In the distance, the low roar of a gorge echoes louder. It is both a warning and a challenge. She risks it all, knowing the jungle offers no sanctuary and the boat no mercy. The gorge draws closer. The waters swirl violently. Escape and destruction hang in delicate balance.

Meanwhile, Bulan searches the riverbanks, unaware of the exact trail Virginia has taken. His instincts guide him toward the water. The memory of her face fuels his strength. Though his companions are gone, and the jungle tests his endurance, he presses on. Bulan’s humanity, questioned by others, defines him more than ever. He sees life not as something granted by birth, but by choice. He chooses to protect, to seek, to fight for someone he barely knows but deeply respects. Farther down the river, strange sounds rise, signaling possible conflict—or worse. Bulan quickens his pace.

Back on the prahu, Ninaka curses Virginia’s escape. He orders the rowers to follow, desperate to recover his bargaining chip. Barunda hesitates. The river grows dangerous, and superstition clouds the crew’s courage. But greed is louder than fear. They row harder, hoping to reach her before the gorge. Virginia, now near the edge, finds a fallen branch extending from a stone. With the last of her strength, she grabs it. The current pulls at her legs. Her fingers slip. Then, a hand—unexpected and strong—pulls her up.

The hand belongs to one of Bulan’s kind, a creature torn between instinct and newfound loyalty. Virginia, half-conscious, barely notices her surroundings. She is safe, for now. Bulan appears moments later, his relief unspoken but powerful. In a clearing above the river, they regroup. No words are exchanged immediately, only breaths and gratitude. Virginia’s strength slowly returns. The jungle, relentless as ever, stands still for a moment. Then it resumes its pulse, its threat, its indifference.

This chapter threads desperation with action, revealing the raw instincts that drive both captor and captive. It shows that in the face of peril, courage often surfaces from unexpected places. For Virginia, it is her refusal to remain a pawn. For Bulan, it is the quiet decision to pursue what is right, even when the world calls him beast. Their paths, now crossing again, offer more than survival—they hint at redemption, trust, and the power of will.