Pirates board a rusty boat carrying migrant children fleeing war and poverty in search of a new life across the sea. The children emerge from hiding in the hold to find their friends in the crew gone. They must assume the roles of grown-ups as a mighty storm brews. They do not know where they have come from or where they are going, although each has a moving story to tell and a dream of a better future. Binta takes the role of the captain she befriended, the old seadog Malek. Adji becomes the cook after learning about food from one-eyed Abu. Maope wants to be the navigator after Raheel, who charts the boat's course, shows her maps. Tenneh takes the role of engineer after Wang lets her sleep in the engine room. Rafi is a blind boy protected by a mute sailor, and Mona is a troubled stowaway from a war-torn city. As the storm worsens, Binta takes charge. But the engine is broken and on the horizon appears the greatest of Captain Malek's fears-the dark wave. The children make their way to the wheelhouse as the sea becomes a raging beast. Will they reach the promised land?