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Chapter 13: Deck Zero
At the other side, the party waited. Zoey and Killian exited out. Soon Clover, Lani, and Megan appeared. Finally; Pricilla, Sylvester, Snowdon, and lastly, Jennings exited. Pricilla didn’t panic all the way after entering back at another vent but sobbed through mental stress.
Carolyn made quietly to Sylvester and hugged him. She was anxious of waiting. Jennings stood quietly for brief moment and sat down with his knees close under his chin against the wall next to the black tunnel. When all saw his expression of someone being traumatized by shock, they soon felt like someone is absent.
Miss Blake the rabbit said. “Where’s Foxley?”
Sylvester breaks the embrace from Carolyn, and the others that have been delayed through the shaft quieted. Jennings was getting close to break apart as he whimpers in pain. Sylvester quietly replied her and the rest, “He fell…in the shaft.”
Lani scoot closer with Jennings. His hands hiding the mess from everyone. He then made an obstructed muffling speech, he sobbed, “We couldn’t do nothing.” Lani said nothing but kept on comforting him, rubbing his shoulder.
In their minds of “this can’t be happening” was solid throughout. It has shown its merciless nature. As inexperience than just learning how to make a fire in the forest, danger is lurking at every corner. Death telling when it is time to go unannounced.
“Why you couldn’t save him?” Portia glared at the tiger.
Sylvester was taken aback, but his wife defended, “He did all he could. Don’t bring it up in front of Jennings!”
Snowdon started before any bickering could hold in place. “Alright, everyone. We wouldn’t be in here if it wasn’t for Foxley that knew about the air-shaft. I’m sure he’ll want us to keep moving, or else, his death will be meaningless.”
Where they are, an alleyway corridor with two doors on each side. If they make up the topography, the now starboard side alleyway is a blank dead end. Moving the other direction, they meet a long, dimmed corridor. Wider for the moving traffic of crew members was the named Broadway on Deck 0. The long corridor that drives almost the full length of the ship. Every crew member’s post crosses by non-stop; engineers, officers, waiters, entertainers, cooks and cleaning staff wander this street-like corridor.
The lighting fixtures were still alight but dimmed; not enough to beam the new ceiling. It’s getting noticeable that the emergency power was dwindling. For any of the beastmen who possess nocturnal vision won’t be worried except the remaining humans. Just as the group come a cross the long corridor, there was a smell of smoke they have noticed when they exited the ventilator, but then it came another ghastly smell of burnt hitting their nostrils. Sylvester, the only one with a real flashlight, swipes the beam of light at a grotesque underworld. Kershaw the lion with his phone, lights at the black figures resting quietly on the ground around them.
They were everywhere…
“They’re all dead…” Stephanie whispered in fear and stepped further behind Jett.
Upon inspection, bodies had been exposed from first to third degree burns on their faces or any part of their bodies that had been exposed from their clothing, every little it protected them. The among dead beastmen with fur or feather had been roasted to bare skin to meet second- and third-degree burns. Their bodies are in early decomposition stage. Kershaw concluded, “Flash fire. It superheats the air and... burns the lungs like rice paper.”
The long corridor’s walls are roasted into soot. The surviving crew, especially Miss Blake the rabbit, cannot make up the formerly white-painted Broadway. Everything looks different.
Aubrey the horse-woman covers one hand on her front muzzle from the ill-odor of the dead. The group of twenty-three waited for a brief second on what to do now on this deck. Lost track of time, they know they have climbed many decks and recollecting from the start from the ballroom to deck zero might felt quite a long process. Water have invaded the decks they have come through below them to which incredible that the ship is floating still on the surface. It had been a long journey to make it this far alive here.
Snowdon quickly found a deck plan plate on the wall, he had to kneel to face it. The deck plan of Deck Zero was more detailed than the passengers’ deck plans. With the long corridor simply visible at first close glance, it proves its utility the longitude of the ship. The “you are here” red dot was in the near middle forward section which the bow was pointing at Snowdon’s right.
“Everyone, listen to me.” He said. Everyone paid attention. “Down this corridor is the bow, eh? There’s an access hatch right there that puts us into the bow-thrusters room. We get into the propeller tubes and the only thing between us and the outside is nothing.”
“Sounds a good plan to me.” Said Aubrey.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Ryder said, “but I have feeling we cannot go on without Jennings behind.”
“You all go ahead then.” Lani said. “I’ll stay with him.”
“Who wants to stay for a break?” Portia said and raised her hand.
“Are we really taking a break? We really climbed a lot of decks.” Rico said.
“All that water that has been following us, I don’t think we should.” Sylvester said.
Snowdon declared, “If you all want to stay here for a while that’s fine, but I’m going to the bow to find that hatch. We’re almost there, people.”
“I want to take a brake.” Portia hissed. “Since we’re almost there since you’re already confident about it, so might as well stay here until you come back and clear the path.”
Snowdon ignores her but took it in consideration for the whole group. “Might as well.” He turns to the tiger-man, “Rycroft, take charge of the group. Kershaw and I will go on ahead and look at the bow. We’ll clear up anything in our way, come back, and escort all of you out to safety. It’s that clear?”
The group nodded or vocally agreed. Snowdon and Kershaw started their short journey to the bow corridor. The lights fixtures flickered a bit and came back on. Both beastmen disappears through the dark, the lights faintly shined their figures. The group, standing somewhere in the Broadway corridor, and surrounded with lifeless bodies, they one-by-one sat down either side of the walls. With Sylvester taking charge for the time being, there’s nothing more to do but wait.
“I know we’re pretty quiet here, but there isn’t anything to do but talk here.” Sylvester said.
“Humph, given the circumstances about the situation we’re in, it’s not easy to break up the silence.” Rico said. “Right now, we broke it. I know most of us don’t know who each other, but we can start with one question that all of us we can answer; Why we’re on this cruise?”
“Easy,” Sasha started, “we’re on vacation.”
“I’m sure there’s more to it, son.” Joshua the shepherd said. “But yes, I came on this cruise for the holidays and away from work and spend time with Sasha. My wife, Claire, was going to join but business got in the way and she’s in Hilo waiting for us.”
“Mom and Dad are really busy and I’m the only boy in the family.” Sasha remarked.
“You’re lucky that I’m keeping you closer at all times, so I can see you growing up.”
Then Zoey spoke. “Well, I’m here with my husband for the honeymoon cruise. I even met other newly-wed couples on this trip.” She paused of how others short lived marriages ended so soon. She trailed off, “They all gone…”
Killian was quiet, too. The only surviving honeymooners on the ship of all the thirty couples onboard. Killian Maxwell knows the meaning of death. He had been emotional with his firsthand accounts. From grandfather to his...
…his first wife…
Zoey knows the existence of his first marriage. Killian was keeping it simple, but so far, she had seen strong emotions coming from the tuxedo cat. Like that time when she was seasick. All fully worried sick of anything to the most least concerned illness. She has wondered if he needs some help to reconcile the past. Killian, on the other hand, is a different motive. He was willing to move on, it took him two years, but afraid to face the similar consequences he had dealt in the past. Meeting the Vancouver-born Zoey Cosasko was a beautiful start of a friendship since college in Seattle. After graduation, he works as a car salesman, then promoted to supervisor of the car company, a great car expert by his colleagues, while Zoey started her gymnastic career and later mayor’s secretary of Seattle. They have never bumped into each other since then nor knowing their personal life shared. Killian over a year as salesman, met the first Mrs. Maxwell, a tricolored calico cat named Valerie Dolores. A talented hairstylist, she recently broke off with her old boyfriend two weeks prior encountering Killian when she was looking for a new car. It was awkward when Killian met her while showing an ideal car for her. None the less, he won a heart from her.
Happily married for five years, living together in a fine apartment. Time flew blissfully for both. Traveling around the world together with Royal Trident Lines from Alaska to Australia, and Mexican Rivera to South America. Meeting the friendly crew onboard that they got to know their names and favorite food, it was the sweet life.
On a Labor Day weekend, Killian came back from work and normally expect Valerie to come comeback later. She routinely closes the hair saloon before taking the subway. Very little was known as she always takes the same substation. It was rush hour. Back home, Killian made dinner as he waits for her. Her absent became more visible and call her, texted her, and message her whereabouts.
Nothing.
He made towards the apartment lobby and exited out the building. His surroundings on the big city was blaring sirens of police cars, firefighting trucks and ambulances. Ignoring these accustoms of the city life, he called the closest people that surrounds Valerie’s life. They all respond the same thing: they haven’t seen her. She didn’t call him on anything or calling her friends and relatives. She went all silent all the sudden, and Killian knew she was never the type that goes quietly unannounced. Considering her missing was too soon for police standards. He went to visit the hair salon but was closed. He kept calling her and did the same routine to what she does when leaving or coming to work. Walking to the closet station, but only to meet two police officers guarding the station entrance. Asking what’s wrong, they informed him about an underground derailment. Hearing the news was back-stabbing. It never came to mind to his conclusion that a disaster had came upon.
Time went by, Killian never went to bed until finding her. Limited from getting near the entrance but seeing every sacked body one-by-one being picked up. A few severed injured were rescued. A few with minor injuries but walked away safely. But more bodies appeared from the station’s entrances. Desperate, looking through hospitals and asking the medical staff with a picture of her. Time was slow for Killian, the longest and the worst weekend he ever spent. He did everything he could to find her. His friends, and his brother Tony forced him to go back home and take some rest. Tony took over and since Killian only searched through hospitals. He feared and took into consideration to claim a likely body. Of the 200 dead on the subway derailment with a few 28 survivors. Valerie Maxwell’s body was identified…
…Killian holds Zoey’s hand, slightly tight as his emotions came back as the capsized ship was all too familiar as the train wreck itself. More people died all around him…
He cannot let this pass and cause more harm on others and especially his Zoey and him…
“That’s horrible!” Stephanie said. “Were there a lot of newly-weds onboard?”
“I’m afraid so.” Said Miss Blake the rabbit. “It was the peak season.”
“Other than honeymooners,” said Ryder, “how many people carried this tub?”
“Two-thousands? I don’t know.” Said Rico. “So, back to the first question…”
“Ah, right! I looked forward this such trip with my partner, if you catch my drift.” Ryder said and pointing his human boyfriend whom had been quiet but listening.
Kale, as a part-time artist and psychologist, seems a bit out of place when he’s a bit of a timid man, but collected, and has the confidence of giving people’s advice for life improvements of the individual, at the same time he had been observing everyone’s behavior in this first-hand account scenario. All thanks to a certain wolf-man who brought him up with all great support when he needed one. Naturally, Rico had seen both of their personality somewhat clear; the quiet one and the energetic one. They both met after college, different universities, in the same apartment building five floors apart, but their schedules arriving back at the lobby was almost the same or meeting up on the same elevator without trapping them inside. It took awhile for Ryder to break Kale’s shell, only to find out that despite his lack of interactions with him, he works as a psychologist, dealing with other people’s problems which requires interaction. Although, a quiet man that listen personal issues and uses his art skills to express these psychological conditions and about himself, paints with colors against the blank canvas. Impressed, Ryder had been admiring him since then…
Until that awkward kiss…
It was a romance waiting to happen. Both sharing and hanging out together that Ryder had grown to Kale so much that he confessed in the rightest moment to reveal. He was afraid that Kale might reject him and because he had never seen him hanging out with someone, not even a girl, or in a gay bar. He didn’t have any clue of his orientation, but the wolf’s feelings were pounding through his chest that screams “I’m in love”. Kale, surprised, he gave him a go, but the thought of an inter-specie romance was what got him in doubt. Despite that it is very common on couples of the same-sex than the opposite-sex.
He did have the difficulty to say that he did love him back. Kale brought it up sometimes in the first weeks of their developing relationship, stating that he felt it was all too soon. Ryder thought he was putting a lot into thought of this doubting feeling he was going, almost like an identity crisis of his orientation. At one point, a cousin of Ryder assumed that Kale might be zoophobic without prejudging at others and the thought of romancing one was wrong…
That “wrong” part statement from his cousin made Ryder wondered if Kale had a conservative but somewhat of a hypocritical demeanor but at the same time unfitting. One night, Ryder tried to talk Kale of their doubting relationship. After a tough, diplomatic argument, Kale then realized that in his middle school years, he once heard his grandfather negatively expressing his opposition on inter-specie couples and creating “monsters” is an act against nature. While it is true about hybrids that have health problems and there are a few exceptions as long that they are of a close related species that are less likely to face genetic deformations. But in this case, Kale was a young boy with unfamiliar controversial subjects that soon will hear it in the future and his grandfather just stated his opposition on inter-specie opposite-sex couple rather than the same-sex, this small detail affected him prior to meeting Ryder for the first time. Clearly to Ryder, he got one gigantic misunderstanding or got the idea wrong the whole time. Even Ryder had to state: “You and me cannot get pregnant! We’re both guys of different species”. Ryder easily convinced Kale of his long-time misconception from his grandfather, he had felt like a fool and that it meant for all types (homo and hetero, even if they cannot conceive) and that same-specie couples should be on the same boat. Besides, the Maxwells are of a different specie of cats; a tuxedo and a Russian blue.
A new feeling inside Kale came, and that was freedom. Now that his grandfather passed away but never got to see his grandson’s outing in college but likely he would have disowned him big time, but never the less, Kale still loves his granddad who he was. With so much exciting euphoria, Kale kissed the wolf-man back and said, “I love you, too.” And since then, he made love-theme paintings in billions of colors. Decided to also enroll in marriage counseling of his career. All thanks to Ryder.
After Ryder’s statement. Portia said. “Huh, they would usually go on an all-gay cruise.” She turns to Rico. “So, how about you, Rico?”
Rico wasn’t interested, especially from her. But spoke, “I’m a blogger, and travel agent. I looked forward to review the islands and the ship.”
“Curious, as a travel agent, how many people did you booked on this ship?”
Rico is an expert in this, but she’s pushing on the drama. The Hispanic human kept his mouth shut from her. He knows how many people from New York he had booked them on. Ryder and Kale are the only ones left. He glared at her.
“Nothing?” She scoffed, “I guess you’re lucky that none of them would put up a lawsuit on you.”
“And you’re lucky that I’m not gonna give you a big-ass cookie on your face.” Rico is triggered with acid inside his near-empty stomach. And by cookie, he meant a slap on her face in Spanish references.
“Hey, stop it, Matthews.” Aubrey the horse warned. “How dare you manipulate at others in a time like this.”
“Easy, I’m just asking.”
“These two are my costumers,” Rico announced, pointing at the wolf-man and human, “are you now happy? They are also my closest friends. The only people that I could convince to come this far. Can we, please, keep the conversation at ease?” Rico recompose of his anger from this manipulating being.
Rico Marrero admits that she’s worse than Clara. Clara wouldn’t play someone’s feelings like that. She was a kind young lady, but the spark in life had deteriorated between Rico and her the moment he moved to New York. Rico longed to leave his home country due lack of opportunities and monstrous hurricanes erasing paths for the mass. Despite that, he had started working in the tourism industry as an agent and part-time service clerk at the San Juan Harbor cruise ship terminals. Frustrations on politics and economy, Rico gathered his savings for his future until he got a job offering in New York. He took it without objections without any motive of the so-called American Dream. While there as a full-time travel agent and later part-time internet blogger, financially secured, he met Clara who also moved from her home country and works in a bank as a office clerk. Rico was an idiot for his part upon falling in love with her. He wasn’t worried anymore, he didn’t care the whole world if it was going to end, and nor give a single fuck about how tough New York’s city life is. It took him a week to call her before saying the later.
He wanted to show her what he can do and fix the problems they could face ahead, but most of it could end to fail for Rico. While she was the traveling type, they would let go of their weight on their shoulders when nothing is about to collide them. He did the same thing one last time this previous December…
That yesterday’s December was the comet that collide them apart. Maybe earlier after Thanksgiving. Rico’s first holidays for family gatherings, after moving to New York, for Thanksgiving and later Christmas’ Eve/Christmas Day and Día de Los Reyes made him a bit of an airhead. Knowing he cannot spend all three holidays flying back and forth constantly and the holidays in America are different than Puerto Rico’s ways of holidays from late November to first half of January. Clara knows well his overly caring mother that likely pressures him and making him kind of guilty of not being present and close with his family. All he could do freely is rather spend one holiday once per year as he did his first one, only visiting for Christmas until New Year’s Eve, not minding Día de Los Reyes in early January.
The second year in living New York City and the next upcoming holidays. He was fully motivated coming back again to see his young cousin Tiago. As far as he can remember, Tiago was born when Rico was 11-years old. He saw him growing up the many times he got the chance to see him, knowing him more than anyone else than his paternal uncles did that Tiago sees him as his big-brother. For the first time he really cared for him even more after he left for New York. And the times for the holidays pressure, Tiago knows how to make him feel like family without worrying the constant disarrays the island country is having. Rico can finally call someone who is not the only one in the family like him. He was smart, open-minded, optimistic and aware of the going ons without feeling down. He’s now sixteen years old and capable of knowing how the world works. That was the good and optimistic side of Rico, and Clara loves that soft part of him.
But the next future holidays to the present, soon got further in the way for Rico and Clara. Discussing their plans to be spent for the holidays, there’s always a pros and cons. Rico had admitted his poor connections with Clara’s mother, but Clara always states that even her previous boyfriends weren’t well liked by her mother. It’s always her looking for flaws on every man she brought over the house. Not even married, she even patronizes him every moment as a mother-in-law; through the phone. Rico cannot even fit in well with her brothers and only a handful of her cousins had given him great sympathy.
Clearly, Clara admits her family isn’t perfect and so as Rico’s. With weight on their shoulders and lack of diplomatic arguments, almost eating each other and throw each other’s face. Their fellow neighbors sent them complains to the landlord and almost getting in trouble for domestic abuse. They both eventually slept on separate beds; Rico on the couch. He thought he got it all: a decent job, a nice girlfriend and a better life than his home country. But there are still untied knots that haven’t been checked. How to fix this? If Tiago knows how to solves problems, he could do it, too. Started making breakfast for Clara every morning, reorganizing and changing his agenda, trying to make omens to Clara’s family, especially her mother, even if she rarely accepts his omens. Seeing Clara’s text messages on his phones being optimistically in good mood when asking about her day and at work.
Deciding not to spend the holidays without anybody but themselves, Rico subconsciously booked the Royal Trident Cruise to the Hawaiian Islands which many customers that came through the course of the year as there were still selling staterooms in the lower category of ocean view cabins or interior cabins. He booked for two.
He hoped that this could reconcile his affairs that he poorly handled in the beginning of Clara’s relationship. A week left before the December 28th departure from Long Beach, Rico came back home and saw Clara’s bags packed than normal. It was more than it was needed. She really packed to the brim. Rico knew that this isn’t her way of packing. She was there in the couch and wanted to talk...
All his efforts were in vain...
A short silence, the young lion-man cleared his throat. “I guess there isn’t any secrets to keep, huh? If we get out of here…” He holds his fiancée’s hand. He eyed directly at her, “…we’re going to get married.”
“Really?” Stephanie cried with hands clasping together. This could be the only time she gets her mind off from the bodies around her. She really wants to hear bright sides from dark times. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations!”
Reasons like this is how Kent Wide fell for Stephanie when they started dating last semester. Though, quite the feisty one, but an interesting ideal girl. Kent befriended Jett when he joined the soccer club. Like impulsive teenagers of his age, was almost like love at first sight until he saw her characteristics that thrived him further to fall in love with her. Jett, as the older brother, kept a sharp eye on him most of the time. But gave up after an argument with his sister. It was one of those cases of “dating my brother’s friends”. During their relationship, Sylvester Rycroft came back home from retirement and wanted to spend the time with wife and children and planned this Hawaiian cruise, Carolyn offered an invitation for Kent Wide, but the Wide family has their own plans for the holidays at the Bahamas.
With Rycroft soon learning that Stephanie is dating someone without knowing the moment he came back to Miami. Like every fathers’ nightmares of letting go their daughters unlike their sons, he just doesn’t know who’s this Kent character is and is he a fine boy who can take care of her while taking her out on a date like in the movies or taking on place that she doesn’t know about and could cause some trouble and doesn’t want to get on bad influences on her. Carolyn clarifies him during the early days of the cruise as she’s the one who openly allowed the boy to date Stephanie to begin with.
With curiosity on Sylvester, he scoots closer on his daughter. “Stephanie…”
“What is it, Dad?”
“About this relationship with you and Kent.”
“Not this again, Dad.”
“Please, let me speak. Look, I know that I haven’t been around to see you grow up until high school, and all I see is time moving so fast. Same for Jett, too.”
“I know you care for us.” Stephanie shyly looked away from his father’s glowing eyes. “Now I met someone who cares for me.”
“I…” Sylvester wants one vital detail to feel at ease of this vague relationship of his daughter involved. “Well, I see you got what you wanted, but you know not all first relationships are like…you know…fairytales. It’s not always perfect and if he leaves you, I know could be, um, painful, but you’ll be fine soon. And…I know teenagers these days are more diverse in their choice of dating and if that’s the case, I’ll just be okay with it, and as long…”
“Dad.” Stephanie interrupted.
“Yes?”
“I’m dating a rare white tiger. Is this what you were concerned?” The idea of Stephanie dating a different specie was a bit concerning for Sylvester, however, now hearing that her case is with a same specie, there is still father’s biggest fear; their young daughter getting an unplanned expectation at a young age.
“Really? Well, nothing then. But…”
Stephanie knows about the infamous “The Talk”, but he indirectly talks about life advice of relationships. Stephanie cuts in. “You know, Dad, I always wanted to feel how is like to be in love, and this is the best feeling with Kent around.” The young tigress paused and looked at him. “I just realized that I’m glad he wasn’t on this trip, he could have died!” His father hugged her in comfort. Soothing her as she emotionally sobs.
“I’m sorry…I understand.”
“I love him, and I want to see him.” She muffled her falling voice.
While the father and daughter converse, Jett awkwardly took the spot light. “So…uh, might as well say something…” the others glanced at him, “Me and my folks are on this cruise ‘cause my Dad came back from the Navy and celebrate like family. And…I suppose some of you have seen me on television or social media on stage. But I’m now retired after some complications with the band.”
“Complication with the band, how cliché.” Portia quietly muttered her voice.
Jett grunted under his breath. “You know, I’m wondering what you wrote in that article?”
“I should be asking that, too.” Miss Quinlivan turned at Portia.
“Don’t bother, guys. Malcolm fixed it before I could have noticed.” She remarked.
“What did you have in mind?” She said.
“Yeah, I remembered what your friend said; ‘Are you trying to trash their careers?’” Jett said. “What the fuck were you trying to do?”
“Jett!” His mother scolds.
“Speculations, I think you both were lying.”
“Why would I be lying to an accident!?”
“I thought you got what you wanted with the interview, you weren’t satisfied with our thoughts?” Aubrey said.
“If you both don’t want an interview, to begin with, I wouldn’t have done it.” Portia said.
“You asked for one! You came to my room in front my parents and begged.”
“Sorry, you’re right.” Portia said and quieted before resuming. “If you didn’t say the truth about Bradley Roar’s real reason why he left the band, and instead of hiring a new replacement, your career would have succeeded. My theory, you and your bandmates are better off without him and writing him off was the solution, but no, you and your mates refused and unplug the game.”
“Are you accusing me and everyone against him? Haven’t I told you everything? Bradley couldn’t take all the pressure and when his father was ill, he has gotten worse than ever. I’m the only one that made the mistake, I couldn’t control it, he ran away, and I couldn’t stop him on time. All an accident!”
“And that’s my conclusion as expected that you pushed him and…” Portia explains but…
“PUSHED HIM!?” Jett screamed. Clover gasped at the woman’s words. The tiger-boy stands up and glare at her with fury with balled fist ready. “You’re sick, lady!” Portia got taken aback the young beast boy.
Clover stepped in, “I heard rumors, but this one has gotten too far!”
“Would you calm down, Jett! Like I said, Malcolm had snuck in before I would have sent it to the editors before all of this happened.” Her last part of her sentence was gestured all the surroundings of the capsized ship.
Jett, still angry at her for unwanted bad reputation of lies, his parents behind him are prepared if he made one move on her that could result in physical injuries. But he grunted in anger and calms down at the mentioned close call. But he wasn’t finished.
“Do me favor.” He started. Portia puzzled. “Your friend, Malcolm, is dead, and if you do survive, I hope you have a good idea how to take responsibility when his family are asking you questions that you’re unlikely to answer. They will be mourning him and you, the closest person to ever be with, is like a final piece of the puzzle. I hope Malcolm’s death wasn’t in vain.”
“You…” Portia was lost in her thoughts; the future was there very clearly once she’s out of the tub. “How dare you!”
“You’ve been a pain in the ass when you came with us! And now, I’ll make your life in pain, I hope you got an idea to make up Malcolm’s family and live with your life after this.”
His mother behind with hand on shoulder, “Jett, I think you have your point. Please, sit down.”
Jett obeyed his mother but gave one more glance at her with a cold shoulder at her. “Don’t forget.” Jett stated her to remind.
The mood was killed but survivors make up their own business. Lani, whom had been comforting Jennings for a while, asked. “Have the officer came back?” She meant Snowdon, but she yet gotten to know everyone’s names.
Sylvester said, “No, not yet.”
“You should check on them, Sylvester.” Carolyn said.
“You know I wouldn’t break orders from others.” He remarked.
“My dad is with him.” Gwen said. “They’re still checking the way out.”
“Or leaving us to drown.” Portia muttered.
“Anti-optimistic much?” Rico said.
“They could be hurt, and they need our help.” Aubrey said.
“Maybe, but they should be shouting in this cave.” Ryder said. He decided a go for it. With one hand held cupping his muzzle. “Snowdon! Kershaw!” It echoed but wasn’t a long lagged one. The sound absorbed instantly. Three faints ones were picked.
Not long, a clear whistle responded. Gwen was quick to identify it. “That was Dad.”
“Huh, I was expecting a roar or a snarl.” Ryder said.
“My dad cannot roar like he used to.” She stated.
A while later, the polar bear and the lion made back to the group as their figures reflect the light fixtures under them. The two doesn’t show any signs to what they have been up to. Snowdon still in his black jacket uniform for the gala unbuttoned and Kershaw had already taken off a while ago since the ballroom. Sylvester meets up to them to hear any news. “How is it?”
The two beast-men were…
…quiet.
They were disappointed. “Well?” Sylvester demanded.
Snowdon responded, “It’s blocked…”
“What? But how!?” The tiger couldn’t believe it.
Kershaw added, “There’s severe damage and we have checked precisely if we have missed it. Turns out, we aren’t even that close to the said hatch.”
Almost the whole group stands up to hear the news, they weren’t very good. Disbelieved toward the reveal of their hopeful escape route has shattered in their minds.
“No way!” Ryder said.
“No…” Miss Blake whispered.
“Oh, for real!” Killian spat.
Others just quieted of the news, but Sylvester wants to be sure, “Are you sure? Have you tried to clear the way?”
“We did everything to clear away, but it’s twisted steel tangled up every where.” Snowdon said. “This ship suffered extreme damage after capsizing.”
Sylvester sighted. “So, what are we gonna do? Is there an alternative?”
“We got to find a way around to the bow than here.”
“Another hatch or an upward stair to the engine room or some place else for a different route that could lead back to the bow should do.” Said Kershaw.
“The deck plan shows other ways than from here.” Said Snowdon as he walks to the same plate on the wall. Tracing his fingers through the long corridor all the way to the back and stopped. “Here. We should go to the stern. There’s another hatch that leads to the main engine room. We go there and journey through the corridors ahead and get to the bow engine room.”
“In other words, we must go climb to another deck and cross over.” Kershaw said.
“Guess plan B is now in our side.” Sylvester ended.
Snowdon turns at the group. “Alright, group, we got different change of plan. We move through the corridors at near the stern, the back of the ship, and look for another way to the next deck above…”
Portia snapped. “I’ve heard what you’d said! You think that’s easy for a crew member, but I’m a passenger and this has gotten too–” Her speech was interrupted when Aubrey grabbed her arm and shoved her away from Snowdon and the rest of the group, she scolds her like no mother could ever give to her children as ultimatum.
“Listen, Portia, we’re tired of your negative attitude! Nagging and whining is your solution to all your problems, but not for us! If you can find your way out of this tub, then do it! Do it yourself!”
“Miss Quinlivan, that’s enough.” Said Miss Blake. She moved between the two and break any possible physical harm.
“Let go of me!” Portia said and shake her grasp off.
What brought Aubrey to the edge was her thoughts about the manipulated post-interview she revealed when facing against Jett. What she had formerly added in that article before Malcolm Robertson fixed it before sending to chief editor? Jett’s alternated version was grossly, ambiguously extreme as to be considered homicide and attempt murder. While Aubrey only talked about her tough times without a husband and taking care of her young children in London and pursuing her singing career to reach to the top and make herself a secured position of her new-found voice is considered a healthy dose for herself and her children. What else is there for an anticipation of her ordeal to where she is? Her husband left her and took the money. Without saying anything after the poorly handled divorce; nine months later she gave twins. She went back to live with her mother and continued working at the Royal Albert Hall in London as a ballet dancer. Soon her voice was noticed among the staff. Taking advantage to show her talent in the next season of “Britain’s Got Talent” she received praise from the crowd and the judges.
She won second place when she appeared in “Britain Idol”, defeated by an Irish singer. It didn’t take too long when she found an open position to work on a ship that routinely sail on traditional crossings on the North Atlantic aboard the Triton. Somewhere small but making herself a recognizable face from many who have seen her on stage. With changes and then a big transfer when the cruise line wanted her to work on the Poseidon this December until New Year’s Eve. Three days before the ship had arrived at Long Beach, her mother called, and her ex-husband was on the line.
Her answer was clear for the man who had left her for her inheritance. She gladly response, “I’m glad you left me.” She worked all the way to where she is and cannot let one nasty ass come back and take advantage of her. It was greed that brought a lot of damage and cannot let it take away her earnings.
So, then, if Portia had talked her late husband then a sick rumor could harm her innocent reputation. If she knew or talked to him, is unknown. But this blonde woman is taking merciless motives against these two celebrities with no sense of anticipation and fact in her hands.
Portia continued, “If you think you can interrogate me, then I got nothing else to say to you! It’s all over. I cannot think of anything to get out of this boat!”
Snowdon resumed. “Let’s move, group. There’s no time to waste.”
The whole party stood up, and with their slow pace, carefully walk through the long corridor with bodies lying around.
Lani helps Jennings up. “Can you go on, Sid?” The man nodded. Still affected but cannot pull the group behind.
From all the climbing and keeping the only direction toward the bow, now they’re walking away from their original path where the forward engine room is. It’s disappointing that their plans are not coming to fruition. If plan B works, looking another way to get the next level and head directly to the bow, they would be running to kiss the ocean and go home.
The lights on the new floor flickers again. It didn’t light up back.
Young girls’ voices screech at the sudden shut down.
“The lights!” Rico shouted. His eyes stretch to adapt the darkness, he can feel the pupils growing wide.
The beast-men saw this, but their eye sights quickly settle into the dark.
“Don’t move!” Sylvester shouted.
But false alarm, the lights came back on. The sigh of relief broke out the humans’ breath.
“The emergency back up power is keeping it up.” Snowdon said. “We’ll be fine for the time being.”
“How can the ship still preserve some power left after tipping over?” Zoey said.
“It could last long enough for maybe five or six hours.” Snowdon replied.
“We need flashlights for the ones we cannot see the dark.” Kale said.
“He’s right, we need some supplies if we want to get out of here.” Ryder said.
“The firefighting facility should be at the stern, we can find all the supplies what we need there.” Snowdon said.
Their marching resumes and their walking pace are rather slow. Making careful steps on whatever is on the current floor. With Snowdon and Kershaw on the tail of the group, they noticed they have stopped.
“Why we’re stopping?” Snowdon asked.
Sylvester, who was ahead, said. “It’s blocked here, too.”
“What?” The bear-man and lion-man made their way through the fellows on their way and face the similar blockade.
A pile of destroyed and burnt debris covers every corner with no little gaping hole to crawl through. It mostly contains steel and aluminum structures all smashed with force and contents of what could make up a piece of an engine machinery.
“Oh, no…” Megan the cheetah whispered.
“This cannot be!” Carolyn said.
“Don’t tell us we’re trapped.” Ryder said.
“No! We have come all this way.” Lani cried.
The group were back again disappointed. With questions regarding another way around or questioning on the first officer’s thinking. Snowdon couldn’t think of anything, given how unpredictable the ship is at this state.
“You don’t have a clue, do you?” Portia spat.
Some look at the white bear and others feeling in defeat. With heavy tension on their shoulders on what to do next and figure out to get through this trap-like corridor. They are all caged in here.
-----------------------------------------
Chapter 13: Deck Zero
At the other side, the party waited. Zoey and Killian exited out. Soon Clover, Lani, and Megan appeared. Finally; Pricilla, Sylvester, Snowdon, and lastly, Jennings exited. Pricilla didn’t panic all the way after entering back at another vent but sobbed through mental stress.
Carolyn made quietly to Sylvester and hugged him. She was anxious of waiting. Jennings stood quietly for brief moment and sat down with his knees close under his chin against the wall next to the black tunnel. When all saw his expression of someone being traumatized by shock, they soon felt like someone is absent.
Miss Blake the rabbit said. “Where’s Foxley?”
Sylvester breaks the embrace from Carolyn, and the others that have been delayed through the shaft quieted. Jennings was getting close to break apart as he whimpers in pain. Sylvester quietly replied her and the rest, “He fell…in the shaft.”
Lani scoot closer with Jennings. His hands hiding the mess from everyone. He then made an obstructed muffling speech, he sobbed, “We couldn’t do nothing.” Lani said nothing but kept on comforting him, rubbing his shoulder.
In their minds of “this can’t be happening” was solid throughout. It has shown its merciless nature. As inexperience than just learning how to make a fire in the forest, danger is lurking at every corner. Death telling when it is time to go unannounced.
“Why you couldn’t save him?” Portia glared at the tiger.
Sylvester was taken aback, but his wife defended, “He did all he could. Don’t bring it up in front of Jennings!”
Snowdon started before any bickering could hold in place. “Alright, everyone. We wouldn’t be in here if it wasn’t for Foxley that knew about the air-shaft. I’m sure he’ll want us to keep moving, or else, his death will be meaningless.”
Where they are, an alleyway corridor with two doors on each side. If they make up the topography, the now starboard side alleyway is a blank dead end. Moving the other direction, they meet a long, dimmed corridor. Wider for the moving traffic of crew members was the named Broadway on Deck 0. The long corridor that drives almost the full length of the ship. Every crew member’s post crosses by non-stop; engineers, officers, waiters, entertainers, cooks and cleaning staff wander this street-like corridor.
The lighting fixtures were still alight but dimmed; not enough to beam the new ceiling. It’s getting noticeable that the emergency power was dwindling. For any of the beastmen who possess nocturnal vision won’t be worried except the remaining humans. Just as the group come a cross the long corridor, there was a smell of smoke they have noticed when they exited the ventilator, but then it came another ghastly smell of burnt hitting their nostrils. Sylvester, the only one with a real flashlight, swipes the beam of light at a grotesque underworld. Kershaw the lion with his phone, lights at the black figures resting quietly on the ground around them.
They were everywhere…
“They’re all dead…” Stephanie whispered in fear and stepped further behind Jett.
Upon inspection, bodies had been exposed from first to third degree burns on their faces or any part of their bodies that had been exposed from their clothing, every little it protected them. The among dead beastmen with fur or feather had been roasted to bare skin to meet second- and third-degree burns. Their bodies are in early decomposition stage. Kershaw concluded, “Flash fire. It superheats the air and... burns the lungs like rice paper.”
The long corridor’s walls are roasted into soot. The surviving crew, especially Miss Blake the rabbit, cannot make up the formerly white-painted Broadway. Everything looks different.
Aubrey the horse-woman covers one hand on her front muzzle from the ill-odor of the dead. The group of twenty-three waited for a brief second on what to do now on this deck. Lost track of time, they know they have climbed many decks and recollecting from the start from the ballroom to deck zero might felt quite a long process. Water have invaded the decks they have come through below them to which incredible that the ship is floating still on the surface. It had been a long journey to make it this far alive here.
Snowdon quickly found a deck plan plate on the wall, he had to kneel to face it. The deck plan of Deck Zero was more detailed than the passengers’ deck plans. With the long corridor simply visible at first close glance, it proves its utility the longitude of the ship. The “you are here” red dot was in the near middle forward section which the bow was pointing at Snowdon’s right.
“Everyone, listen to me.” He said. Everyone paid attention. “Down this corridor is the bow, eh? There’s an access hatch right there that puts us into the bow-thrusters room. We get into the propeller tubes and the only thing between us and the outside is nothing.”
“Sounds a good plan to me.” Said Aubrey.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Ryder said, “but I have feeling we cannot go on without Jennings behind.”
“You all go ahead then.” Lani said. “I’ll stay with him.”
“Who wants to stay for a break?” Portia said and raised her hand.
“Are we really taking a break? We really climbed a lot of decks.” Rico said.
“All that water that has been following us, I don’t think we should.” Sylvester said.
Snowdon declared, “If you all want to stay here for a while that’s fine, but I’m going to the bow to find that hatch. We’re almost there, people.”
“I want to take a brake.” Portia hissed. “Since we’re almost there since you’re already confident about it, so might as well stay here until you come back and clear the path.”
Snowdon ignores her but took it in consideration for the whole group. “Might as well.” He turns to the tiger-man, “Rycroft, take charge of the group. Kershaw and I will go on ahead and look at the bow. We’ll clear up anything in our way, come back, and escort all of you out to safety. It’s that clear?”
The group nodded or vocally agreed. Snowdon and Kershaw started their short journey to the bow corridor. The lights fixtures flickered a bit and came back on. Both beastmen disappears through the dark, the lights faintly shined their figures. The group, standing somewhere in the Broadway corridor, and surrounded with lifeless bodies, they one-by-one sat down either side of the walls. With Sylvester taking charge for the time being, there’s nothing more to do but wait.
“I know we’re pretty quiet here, but there isn’t anything to do but talk here.” Sylvester said.
“Humph, given the circumstances about the situation we’re in, it’s not easy to break up the silence.” Rico said. “Right now, we broke it. I know most of us don’t know who each other, but we can start with one question that all of us we can answer; Why we’re on this cruise?”
“Easy,” Sasha started, “we’re on vacation.”
“I’m sure there’s more to it, son.” Joshua the shepherd said. “But yes, I came on this cruise for the holidays and away from work and spend time with Sasha. My wife, Claire, was going to join but business got in the way and she’s in Hilo waiting for us.”
“Mom and Dad are really busy and I’m the only boy in the family.” Sasha remarked.
“You’re lucky that I’m keeping you closer at all times, so I can see you growing up.”
Then Zoey spoke. “Well, I’m here with my husband for the honeymoon cruise. I even met other newly-wed couples on this trip.” She paused of how others short lived marriages ended so soon. She trailed off, “They all gone…”
Killian was quiet, too. The only surviving honeymooners on the ship of all the thirty couples onboard. Killian Maxwell knows the meaning of death. He had been emotional with his firsthand accounts. From grandfather to his...
…his first wife…
Zoey knows the existence of his first marriage. Killian was keeping it simple, but so far, she had seen strong emotions coming from the tuxedo cat. Like that time when she was seasick. All fully worried sick of anything to the most least concerned illness. She has wondered if he needs some help to reconcile the past. Killian, on the other hand, is a different motive. He was willing to move on, it took him two years, but afraid to face the similar consequences he had dealt in the past. Meeting the Vancouver-born Zoey Cosasko was a beautiful start of a friendship since college in Seattle. After graduation, he works as a car salesman, then promoted to supervisor of the car company, a great car expert by his colleagues, while Zoey started her gymnastic career and later mayor’s secretary of Seattle. They have never bumped into each other since then nor knowing their personal life shared. Killian over a year as salesman, met the first Mrs. Maxwell, a tricolored calico cat named Valerie Dolores. A talented hairstylist, she recently broke off with her old boyfriend two weeks prior encountering Killian when she was looking for a new car. It was awkward when Killian met her while showing an ideal car for her. None the less, he won a heart from her.
Happily married for five years, living together in a fine apartment. Time flew blissfully for both. Traveling around the world together with Royal Trident Lines from Alaska to Australia, and Mexican Rivera to South America. Meeting the friendly crew onboard that they got to know their names and favorite food, it was the sweet life.
On a Labor Day weekend, Killian came back from work and normally expect Valerie to come comeback later. She routinely closes the hair saloon before taking the subway. Very little was known as she always takes the same substation. It was rush hour. Back home, Killian made dinner as he waits for her. Her absent became more visible and call her, texted her, and message her whereabouts.
Nothing.
He made towards the apartment lobby and exited out the building. His surroundings on the big city was blaring sirens of police cars, firefighting trucks and ambulances. Ignoring these accustoms of the city life, he called the closest people that surrounds Valerie’s life. They all respond the same thing: they haven’t seen her. She didn’t call him on anything or calling her friends and relatives. She went all silent all the sudden, and Killian knew she was never the type that goes quietly unannounced. Considering her missing was too soon for police standards. He went to visit the hair salon but was closed. He kept calling her and did the same routine to what she does when leaving or coming to work. Walking to the closet station, but only to meet two police officers guarding the station entrance. Asking what’s wrong, they informed him about an underground derailment. Hearing the news was back-stabbing. It never came to mind to his conclusion that a disaster had came upon.
Time went by, Killian never went to bed until finding her. Limited from getting near the entrance but seeing every sacked body one-by-one being picked up. A few severed injured were rescued. A few with minor injuries but walked away safely. But more bodies appeared from the station’s entrances. Desperate, looking through hospitals and asking the medical staff with a picture of her. Time was slow for Killian, the longest and the worst weekend he ever spent. He did everything he could to find her. His friends, and his brother Tony forced him to go back home and take some rest. Tony took over and since Killian only searched through hospitals. He feared and took into consideration to claim a likely body. Of the 200 dead on the subway derailment with a few 28 survivors. Valerie Maxwell’s body was identified…
…Killian holds Zoey’s hand, slightly tight as his emotions came back as the capsized ship was all too familiar as the train wreck itself. More people died all around him…
He cannot let this pass and cause more harm on others and especially his Zoey and him…
“That’s horrible!” Stephanie said. “Were there a lot of newly-weds onboard?”
“I’m afraid so.” Said Miss Blake the rabbit. “It was the peak season.”
“Other than honeymooners,” said Ryder, “how many people carried this tub?”
“Two-thousands? I don’t know.” Said Rico. “So, back to the first question…”
“Ah, right! I looked forward this such trip with my partner, if you catch my drift.” Ryder said and pointing his human boyfriend whom had been quiet but listening.
Kale, as a part-time artist and psychologist, seems a bit out of place when he’s a bit of a timid man, but collected, and has the confidence of giving people’s advice for life improvements of the individual, at the same time he had been observing everyone’s behavior in this first-hand account scenario. All thanks to a certain wolf-man who brought him up with all great support when he needed one. Naturally, Rico had seen both of their personality somewhat clear; the quiet one and the energetic one. They both met after college, different universities, in the same apartment building five floors apart, but their schedules arriving back at the lobby was almost the same or meeting up on the same elevator without trapping them inside. It took awhile for Ryder to break Kale’s shell, only to find out that despite his lack of interactions with him, he works as a psychologist, dealing with other people’s problems which requires interaction. Although, a quiet man that listen personal issues and uses his art skills to express these psychological conditions and about himself, paints with colors against the blank canvas. Impressed, Ryder had been admiring him since then…
Until that awkward kiss…
It was a romance waiting to happen. Both sharing and hanging out together that Ryder had grown to Kale so much that he confessed in the rightest moment to reveal. He was afraid that Kale might reject him and because he had never seen him hanging out with someone, not even a girl, or in a gay bar. He didn’t have any clue of his orientation, but the wolf’s feelings were pounding through his chest that screams “I’m in love”. Kale, surprised, he gave him a go, but the thought of an inter-specie romance was what got him in doubt. Despite that it is very common on couples of the same-sex than the opposite-sex.
He did have the difficulty to say that he did love him back. Kale brought it up sometimes in the first weeks of their developing relationship, stating that he felt it was all too soon. Ryder thought he was putting a lot into thought of this doubting feeling he was going, almost like an identity crisis of his orientation. At one point, a cousin of Ryder assumed that Kale might be zoophobic without prejudging at others and the thought of romancing one was wrong…
That “wrong” part statement from his cousin made Ryder wondered if Kale had a conservative but somewhat of a hypocritical demeanor but at the same time unfitting. One night, Ryder tried to talk Kale of their doubting relationship. After a tough, diplomatic argument, Kale then realized that in his middle school years, he once heard his grandfather negatively expressing his opposition on inter-specie couples and creating “monsters” is an act against nature. While it is true about hybrids that have health problems and there are a few exceptions as long that they are of a close related species that are less likely to face genetic deformations. But in this case, Kale was a young boy with unfamiliar controversial subjects that soon will hear it in the future and his grandfather just stated his opposition on inter-specie opposite-sex couple rather than the same-sex, this small detail affected him prior to meeting Ryder for the first time. Clearly to Ryder, he got one gigantic misunderstanding or got the idea wrong the whole time. Even Ryder had to state: “You and me cannot get pregnant! We’re both guys of different species”. Ryder easily convinced Kale of his long-time misconception from his grandfather, he had felt like a fool and that it meant for all types (homo and hetero, even if they cannot conceive) and that same-specie couples should be on the same boat. Besides, the Maxwells are of a different specie of cats; a tuxedo and a Russian blue.
A new feeling inside Kale came, and that was freedom. Now that his grandfather passed away but never got to see his grandson’s outing in college but likely he would have disowned him big time, but never the less, Kale still loves his granddad who he was. With so much exciting euphoria, Kale kissed the wolf-man back and said, “I love you, too.” And since then, he made love-theme paintings in billions of colors. Decided to also enroll in marriage counseling of his career. All thanks to Ryder.
After Ryder’s statement. Portia said. “Huh, they would usually go on an all-gay cruise.” She turns to Rico. “So, how about you, Rico?”
Rico wasn’t interested, especially from her. But spoke, “I’m a blogger, and travel agent. I looked forward to review the islands and the ship.”
“Curious, as a travel agent, how many people did you booked on this ship?”
Rico is an expert in this, but she’s pushing on the drama. The Hispanic human kept his mouth shut from her. He knows how many people from New York he had booked them on. Ryder and Kale are the only ones left. He glared at her.
“Nothing?” She scoffed, “I guess you’re lucky that none of them would put up a lawsuit on you.”
“And you’re lucky that I’m not gonna give you a big-ass cookie on your face.” Rico is triggered with acid inside his near-empty stomach. And by cookie, he meant a slap on her face in Spanish references.
“Hey, stop it, Matthews.” Aubrey the horse warned. “How dare you manipulate at others in a time like this.”
“Easy, I’m just asking.”
“These two are my costumers,” Rico announced, pointing at the wolf-man and human, “are you now happy? They are also my closest friends. The only people that I could convince to come this far. Can we, please, keep the conversation at ease?” Rico recompose of his anger from this manipulating being.
Rico Marrero admits that she’s worse than Clara. Clara wouldn’t play someone’s feelings like that. She was a kind young lady, but the spark in life had deteriorated between Rico and her the moment he moved to New York. Rico longed to leave his home country due lack of opportunities and monstrous hurricanes erasing paths for the mass. Despite that, he had started working in the tourism industry as an agent and part-time service clerk at the San Juan Harbor cruise ship terminals. Frustrations on politics and economy, Rico gathered his savings for his future until he got a job offering in New York. He took it without objections without any motive of the so-called American Dream. While there as a full-time travel agent and later part-time internet blogger, financially secured, he met Clara who also moved from her home country and works in a bank as a office clerk. Rico was an idiot for his part upon falling in love with her. He wasn’t worried anymore, he didn’t care the whole world if it was going to end, and nor give a single fuck about how tough New York’s city life is. It took him a week to call her before saying the later.
He wanted to show her what he can do and fix the problems they could face ahead, but most of it could end to fail for Rico. While she was the traveling type, they would let go of their weight on their shoulders when nothing is about to collide them. He did the same thing one last time this previous December…
That yesterday’s December was the comet that collide them apart. Maybe earlier after Thanksgiving. Rico’s first holidays for family gatherings, after moving to New York, for Thanksgiving and later Christmas’ Eve/Christmas Day and Día de Los Reyes made him a bit of an airhead. Knowing he cannot spend all three holidays flying back and forth constantly and the holidays in America are different than Puerto Rico’s ways of holidays from late November to first half of January. Clara knows well his overly caring mother that likely pressures him and making him kind of guilty of not being present and close with his family. All he could do freely is rather spend one holiday once per year as he did his first one, only visiting for Christmas until New Year’s Eve, not minding Día de Los Reyes in early January.
The second year in living New York City and the next upcoming holidays. He was fully motivated coming back again to see his young cousin Tiago. As far as he can remember, Tiago was born when Rico was 11-years old. He saw him growing up the many times he got the chance to see him, knowing him more than anyone else than his paternal uncles did that Tiago sees him as his big-brother. For the first time he really cared for him even more after he left for New York. And the times for the holidays pressure, Tiago knows how to make him feel like family without worrying the constant disarrays the island country is having. Rico can finally call someone who is not the only one in the family like him. He was smart, open-minded, optimistic and aware of the going ons without feeling down. He’s now sixteen years old and capable of knowing how the world works. That was the good and optimistic side of Rico, and Clara loves that soft part of him.
But the next future holidays to the present, soon got further in the way for Rico and Clara. Discussing their plans to be spent for the holidays, there’s always a pros and cons. Rico had admitted his poor connections with Clara’s mother, but Clara always states that even her previous boyfriends weren’t well liked by her mother. It’s always her looking for flaws on every man she brought over the house. Not even married, she even patronizes him every moment as a mother-in-law; through the phone. Rico cannot even fit in well with her brothers and only a handful of her cousins had given him great sympathy.
Clearly, Clara admits her family isn’t perfect and so as Rico’s. With weight on their shoulders and lack of diplomatic arguments, almost eating each other and throw each other’s face. Their fellow neighbors sent them complains to the landlord and almost getting in trouble for domestic abuse. They both eventually slept on separate beds; Rico on the couch. He thought he got it all: a decent job, a nice girlfriend and a better life than his home country. But there are still untied knots that haven’t been checked. How to fix this? If Tiago knows how to solves problems, he could do it, too. Started making breakfast for Clara every morning, reorganizing and changing his agenda, trying to make omens to Clara’s family, especially her mother, even if she rarely accepts his omens. Seeing Clara’s text messages on his phones being optimistically in good mood when asking about her day and at work.
Deciding not to spend the holidays without anybody but themselves, Rico subconsciously booked the Royal Trident Cruise to the Hawaiian Islands which many customers that came through the course of the year as there were still selling staterooms in the lower category of ocean view cabins or interior cabins. He booked for two.
He hoped that this could reconcile his affairs that he poorly handled in the beginning of Clara’s relationship. A week left before the December 28th departure from Long Beach, Rico came back home and saw Clara’s bags packed than normal. It was more than it was needed. She really packed to the brim. Rico knew that this isn’t her way of packing. She was there in the couch and wanted to talk...
All his efforts were in vain...
A short silence, the young lion-man cleared his throat. “I guess there isn’t any secrets to keep, huh? If we get out of here…” He holds his fiancée’s hand. He eyed directly at her, “…we’re going to get married.”
“Really?” Stephanie cried with hands clasping together. This could be the only time she gets her mind off from the bodies around her. She really wants to hear bright sides from dark times. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations!”
Reasons like this is how Kent Wide fell for Stephanie when they started dating last semester. Though, quite the feisty one, but an interesting ideal girl. Kent befriended Jett when he joined the soccer club. Like impulsive teenagers of his age, was almost like love at first sight until he saw her characteristics that thrived him further to fall in love with her. Jett, as the older brother, kept a sharp eye on him most of the time. But gave up after an argument with his sister. It was one of those cases of “dating my brother’s friends”. During their relationship, Sylvester Rycroft came back home from retirement and wanted to spend the time with wife and children and planned this Hawaiian cruise, Carolyn offered an invitation for Kent Wide, but the Wide family has their own plans for the holidays at the Bahamas.
With Rycroft soon learning that Stephanie is dating someone without knowing the moment he came back to Miami. Like every fathers’ nightmares of letting go their daughters unlike their sons, he just doesn’t know who’s this Kent character is and is he a fine boy who can take care of her while taking her out on a date like in the movies or taking on place that she doesn’t know about and could cause some trouble and doesn’t want to get on bad influences on her. Carolyn clarifies him during the early days of the cruise as she’s the one who openly allowed the boy to date Stephanie to begin with.
With curiosity on Sylvester, he scoots closer on his daughter. “Stephanie…”
“What is it, Dad?”
“About this relationship with you and Kent.”
“Not this again, Dad.”
“Please, let me speak. Look, I know that I haven’t been around to see you grow up until high school, and all I see is time moving so fast. Same for Jett, too.”
“I know you care for us.” Stephanie shyly looked away from his father’s glowing eyes. “Now I met someone who cares for me.”
“I…” Sylvester wants one vital detail to feel at ease of this vague relationship of his daughter involved. “Well, I see you got what you wanted, but you know not all first relationships are like…you know…fairytales. It’s not always perfect and if he leaves you, I know could be, um, painful, but you’ll be fine soon. And…I know teenagers these days are more diverse in their choice of dating and if that’s the case, I’ll just be okay with it, and as long…”
“Dad.” Stephanie interrupted.
“Yes?”
“I’m dating a rare white tiger. Is this what you were concerned?” The idea of Stephanie dating a different specie was a bit concerning for Sylvester, however, now hearing that her case is with a same specie, there is still father’s biggest fear; their young daughter getting an unplanned expectation at a young age.
“Really? Well, nothing then. But…”
Stephanie knows about the infamous “The Talk”, but he indirectly talks about life advice of relationships. Stephanie cuts in. “You know, Dad, I always wanted to feel how is like to be in love, and this is the best feeling with Kent around.” The young tigress paused and looked at him. “I just realized that I’m glad he wasn’t on this trip, he could have died!” His father hugged her in comfort. Soothing her as she emotionally sobs.
“I’m sorry…I understand.”
“I love him, and I want to see him.” She muffled her falling voice.
While the father and daughter converse, Jett awkwardly took the spot light. “So…uh, might as well say something…” the others glanced at him, “Me and my folks are on this cruise ‘cause my Dad came back from the Navy and celebrate like family. And…I suppose some of you have seen me on television or social media on stage. But I’m now retired after some complications with the band.”
“Complication with the band, how cliché.” Portia quietly muttered her voice.
Jett grunted under his breath. “You know, I’m wondering what you wrote in that article?”
“I should be asking that, too.” Miss Quinlivan turned at Portia.
“Don’t bother, guys. Malcolm fixed it before I could have noticed.” She remarked.
“What did you have in mind?” She said.
“Yeah, I remembered what your friend said; ‘Are you trying to trash their careers?’” Jett said. “What the fuck were you trying to do?”
“Jett!” His mother scolds.
“Speculations, I think you both were lying.”
“Why would I be lying to an accident!?”
“I thought you got what you wanted with the interview, you weren’t satisfied with our thoughts?” Aubrey said.
“If you both don’t want an interview, to begin with, I wouldn’t have done it.” Portia said.
“You asked for one! You came to my room in front my parents and begged.”
“Sorry, you’re right.” Portia said and quieted before resuming. “If you didn’t say the truth about Bradley Roar’s real reason why he left the band, and instead of hiring a new replacement, your career would have succeeded. My theory, you and your bandmates are better off without him and writing him off was the solution, but no, you and your mates refused and unplug the game.”
“Are you accusing me and everyone against him? Haven’t I told you everything? Bradley couldn’t take all the pressure and when his father was ill, he has gotten worse than ever. I’m the only one that made the mistake, I couldn’t control it, he ran away, and I couldn’t stop him on time. All an accident!”
“And that’s my conclusion as expected that you pushed him and…” Portia explains but…
“PUSHED HIM!?” Jett screamed. Clover gasped at the woman’s words. The tiger-boy stands up and glare at her with fury with balled fist ready. “You’re sick, lady!” Portia got taken aback the young beast boy.
Clover stepped in, “I heard rumors, but this one has gotten too far!”
“Would you calm down, Jett! Like I said, Malcolm had snuck in before I would have sent it to the editors before all of this happened.” Her last part of her sentence was gestured all the surroundings of the capsized ship.
Jett, still angry at her for unwanted bad reputation of lies, his parents behind him are prepared if he made one move on her that could result in physical injuries. But he grunted in anger and calms down at the mentioned close call. But he wasn’t finished.
“Do me favor.” He started. Portia puzzled. “Your friend, Malcolm, is dead, and if you do survive, I hope you have a good idea how to take responsibility when his family are asking you questions that you’re unlikely to answer. They will be mourning him and you, the closest person to ever be with, is like a final piece of the puzzle. I hope Malcolm’s death wasn’t in vain.”
“You…” Portia was lost in her thoughts; the future was there very clearly once she’s out of the tub. “How dare you!”
“You’ve been a pain in the ass when you came with us! And now, I’ll make your life in pain, I hope you got an idea to make up Malcolm’s family and live with your life after this.”
His mother behind with hand on shoulder, “Jett, I think you have your point. Please, sit down.”
Jett obeyed his mother but gave one more glance at her with a cold shoulder at her. “Don’t forget.” Jett stated her to remind.
The mood was killed but survivors make up their own business. Lani, whom had been comforting Jennings for a while, asked. “Have the officer came back?” She meant Snowdon, but she yet gotten to know everyone’s names.
Sylvester said, “No, not yet.”
“You should check on them, Sylvester.” Carolyn said.
“You know I wouldn’t break orders from others.” He remarked.
“My dad is with him.” Gwen said. “They’re still checking the way out.”
“Or leaving us to drown.” Portia muttered.
“Anti-optimistic much?” Rico said.
“They could be hurt, and they need our help.” Aubrey said.
“Maybe, but they should be shouting in this cave.” Ryder said. He decided a go for it. With one hand held cupping his muzzle. “Snowdon! Kershaw!” It echoed but wasn’t a long lagged one. The sound absorbed instantly. Three faints ones were picked.
Not long, a clear whistle responded. Gwen was quick to identify it. “That was Dad.”
“Huh, I was expecting a roar or a snarl.” Ryder said.
“My dad cannot roar like he used to.” She stated.
A while later, the polar bear and the lion made back to the group as their figures reflect the light fixtures under them. The two doesn’t show any signs to what they have been up to. Snowdon still in his black jacket uniform for the gala unbuttoned and Kershaw had already taken off a while ago since the ballroom. Sylvester meets up to them to hear any news. “How is it?”
The two beast-men were…
…quiet.
They were disappointed. “Well?” Sylvester demanded.
Snowdon responded, “It’s blocked…”
“What? But how!?” The tiger couldn’t believe it.
Kershaw added, “There’s severe damage and we have checked precisely if we have missed it. Turns out, we aren’t even that close to the said hatch.”
Almost the whole group stands up to hear the news, they weren’t very good. Disbelieved toward the reveal of their hopeful escape route has shattered in their minds.
“No way!” Ryder said.
“No…” Miss Blake whispered.
“Oh, for real!” Killian spat.
Others just quieted of the news, but Sylvester wants to be sure, “Are you sure? Have you tried to clear the way?”
“We did everything to clear away, but it’s twisted steel tangled up every where.” Snowdon said. “This ship suffered extreme damage after capsizing.”
Sylvester sighted. “So, what are we gonna do? Is there an alternative?”
“We got to find a way around to the bow than here.”
“Another hatch or an upward stair to the engine room or some place else for a different route that could lead back to the bow should do.” Said Kershaw.
“The deck plan shows other ways than from here.” Said Snowdon as he walks to the same plate on the wall. Tracing his fingers through the long corridor all the way to the back and stopped. “Here. We should go to the stern. There’s another hatch that leads to the main engine room. We go there and journey through the corridors ahead and get to the bow engine room.”
“In other words, we must go climb to another deck and cross over.” Kershaw said.
“Guess plan B is now in our side.” Sylvester ended.
Snowdon turns at the group. “Alright, group, we got different change of plan. We move through the corridors at near the stern, the back of the ship, and look for another way to the next deck above…”
Portia snapped. “I’ve heard what you’d said! You think that’s easy for a crew member, but I’m a passenger and this has gotten too–” Her speech was interrupted when Aubrey grabbed her arm and shoved her away from Snowdon and the rest of the group, she scolds her like no mother could ever give to her children as ultimatum.
“Listen, Portia, we’re tired of your negative attitude! Nagging and whining is your solution to all your problems, but not for us! If you can find your way out of this tub, then do it! Do it yourself!”
“Miss Quinlivan, that’s enough.” Said Miss Blake. She moved between the two and break any possible physical harm.
“Let go of me!” Portia said and shake her grasp off.
What brought Aubrey to the edge was her thoughts about the manipulated post-interview she revealed when facing against Jett. What she had formerly added in that article before Malcolm Robertson fixed it before sending to chief editor? Jett’s alternated version was grossly, ambiguously extreme as to be considered homicide and attempt murder. While Aubrey only talked about her tough times without a husband and taking care of her young children in London and pursuing her singing career to reach to the top and make herself a secured position of her new-found voice is considered a healthy dose for herself and her children. What else is there for an anticipation of her ordeal to where she is? Her husband left her and took the money. Without saying anything after the poorly handled divorce; nine months later she gave twins. She went back to live with her mother and continued working at the Royal Albert Hall in London as a ballet dancer. Soon her voice was noticed among the staff. Taking advantage to show her talent in the next season of “Britain’s Got Talent” she received praise from the crowd and the judges.
She won second place when she appeared in “Britain Idol”, defeated by an Irish singer. It didn’t take too long when she found an open position to work on a ship that routinely sail on traditional crossings on the North Atlantic aboard the Triton. Somewhere small but making herself a recognizable face from many who have seen her on stage. With changes and then a big transfer when the cruise line wanted her to work on the Poseidon this December until New Year’s Eve. Three days before the ship had arrived at Long Beach, her mother called, and her ex-husband was on the line.
Her answer was clear for the man who had left her for her inheritance. She gladly response, “I’m glad you left me.” She worked all the way to where she is and cannot let one nasty ass come back and take advantage of her. It was greed that brought a lot of damage and cannot let it take away her earnings.
So, then, if Portia had talked her late husband then a sick rumor could harm her innocent reputation. If she knew or talked to him, is unknown. But this blonde woman is taking merciless motives against these two celebrities with no sense of anticipation and fact in her hands.
Portia continued, “If you think you can interrogate me, then I got nothing else to say to you! It’s all over. I cannot think of anything to get out of this boat!”
Snowdon resumed. “Let’s move, group. There’s no time to waste.”
The whole party stood up, and with their slow pace, carefully walk through the long corridor with bodies lying around.
Lani helps Jennings up. “Can you go on, Sid?” The man nodded. Still affected but cannot pull the group behind.
From all the climbing and keeping the only direction toward the bow, now they’re walking away from their original path where the forward engine room is. It’s disappointing that their plans are not coming to fruition. If plan B works, looking another way to get the next level and head directly to the bow, they would be running to kiss the ocean and go home.
The lights on the new floor flickers again. It didn’t light up back.
Young girls’ voices screech at the sudden shut down.
“The lights!” Rico shouted. His eyes stretch to adapt the darkness, he can feel the pupils growing wide.
The beast-men saw this, but their eye sights quickly settle into the dark.
“Don’t move!” Sylvester shouted.
But false alarm, the lights came back on. The sigh of relief broke out the humans’ breath.
“The emergency back up power is keeping it up.” Snowdon said. “We’ll be fine for the time being.”
“How can the ship still preserve some power left after tipping over?” Zoey said.
“It could last long enough for maybe five or six hours.” Snowdon replied.
“We need flashlights for the ones we cannot see the dark.” Kale said.
“He’s right, we need some supplies if we want to get out of here.” Ryder said.
“The firefighting facility should be at the stern, we can find all the supplies what we need there.” Snowdon said.
Their marching resumes and their walking pace are rather slow. Making careful steps on whatever is on the current floor. With Snowdon and Kershaw on the tail of the group, they noticed they have stopped.
“Why we’re stopping?” Snowdon asked.
Sylvester, who was ahead, said. “It’s blocked here, too.”
“What?” The bear-man and lion-man made their way through the fellows on their way and face the similar blockade.
A pile of destroyed and burnt debris covers every corner with no little gaping hole to crawl through. It mostly contains steel and aluminum structures all smashed with force and contents of what could make up a piece of an engine machinery.
“Oh, no…” Megan the cheetah whispered.
“This cannot be!” Carolyn said.
“Don’t tell us we’re trapped.” Ryder said.
“No! We have come all this way.” Lani cried.
The group were back again disappointed. With questions regarding another way around or questioning on the first officer’s thinking. Snowdon couldn’t think of anything, given how unpredictable the ship is at this state.
“You don’t have a clue, do you?” Portia spat.
Some look at the white bear and others feeling in defeat. With heavy tension on their shoulders on what to do next and figure out to get through this trap-like corridor. They are all caged in here.
13th chapter of fanfiction Ship Wave.
Category Story / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Gender Any
Size 120 x 90px
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