Uncharted Seas

Chapter 3

As luck would have it, Abigail didn't find it very difficult to avoid Ernest at all! He mostly hung around the pool, and Abigail went everywhere else. There was the glass viewing area of course, but there was also so many other activities. One of her favourites with her mother was the Go-Karts, but she could also go on the Zipline (although her mother was too scared of heights to go anywhere near it herself), or do a couple of laps around the Ice Rink, try the Skydiving Simulator, although she only did so once, and she had brought her kindle, plenty of pencils and no less than three notebooks in case she just needed to occupy herself. Sometimes she just put her headphones in and stared out the window while listening to music. But Ernest had made more "friends" that he'd apparently be joining in college. She didn't know how he knew them at first, but apparently they were friends with his sister. And his sister...well, she seemed to be everywhere. As the cruise wore on, Abigail found herself actively avoiding the two, but their parents seemed to be completely unaware of the reason.

More often than not, this led her to the balcony of the main deck. She'd rest her arms on the iron railing and stare out at the ocean before her, just like she did at home. But when she was actually out here, it was so much brighter, more dazzling and more...blue! But that old feeling was bothering her even more now that she was in its domain. Despite how early it was, part of her wanted to jump into the beautiful, endless blue. It made her head hurt. It wasn't the only thing that did either.

"And here we have Abigail in her natural habitat."

Ernest's teasing voice seemed to mute the crashing waves that she'd been listening to. Letting out a breath, she turned around to see him with a gang of young adults and forced a smile onto her face.

"I just can't help it. It looks like you can't either, can you?"

They seemed angered by her retort, and Ernest stepped closer. He was already noticeably taller than her, and seemed to use it as a weapon.

"Aren't you going to go swimming? Your mother's already at the pool with mum and dad."

"Ernest, we're classmates. You know I can't swim."

"Actually, I don't. I don't remember you being in a single swimming lesson since we started going to school together, and that was a long, long time ago."

"Because the doctor said not to. I don't have the coordination for swimming."

"Well, things change, don't they? How do we know you're not just scared?"

"Because the last time I went swimming, I ended up in hospital." She looked over towards his new gang. "That was 2 months ago, for context. He was sick at the time."

"Maybe you just need a tutor." He continued walking closer, making her back right up as the others surrounded her. "I'd be more than happy to help you learn."

"I'm fine, thanks. My mum tried that when I was little and it didn't really work out."

She went to walk away, but was pushed back by one of his friends.

"Why? Are you scared?"

"Awh, she really is scared."

"No, I'm just tired. I'm just going to go and have a nap." She tried to leave again, and was pushed back.

"Come on. It's SOOO much fun."

"Guys come on."

Ernest was just watching them. He didn't seem to have caught up with them, but looked a little confused. He hadn't been particularly violent in the past, had he? He watched as Abigail looked around and made a run for the nearest gap, and his look of confusion turned to one of horror as she was pushed back hard into the fence- and it broke.

He ran to try and grab her hand as she fell with a scream, but she was out of reach. She only heard him for a second before she hit the water, but he didn't sound happy when he turned back to face the others. As the ocean took its effect on her, she couldn't help but wonder...what was he mad about?

Author's note: Sorry if this chapter's shorter than the others. Sorry it's also late...