The Sinner

83

There's this quote out there that says maybe forever is a word meant to be about memories and not people.

And maybe that's true.

People disappoint you. People disappear from your lives without explanation. People fucking suck.

The fact that Rafe knew I was drugged, is what hurts. And not only did he do nothing to help me, but he put me somewhere that he knew I didn't want to go. Rafe, fucking sucks sometimes.

He's turning into someone I don't know anymore.

And now I'm trapped on this ship with him.

The sound of footsteps echoing down the hallway are alarmingly loud. I take a step around the corner, attempting to shield myself. I glance around to see who was causing all this noise. It didn't take long for the breathing to become labored, and I knew it was a woman. Yet they sounded terrified. Maybe they had to get away.

Sarah comes ripping around the corner, glancing behind her to make sure no one was following her.

"Sarah?" I ask quietly as she runs behind me.

She jumps, quickly turning around. She was slightly out of breath, beads of sweat fill her forehead as if she had just been in water or something.

"Corrine," She breathes out. "I can't talk, I have to—"

"Why are you running?" I ask, glancing over our shoulders. "Is something going on?"

"No time to explain," She says. She opens her mouth like she wanted to say something more but hesitates.

"You can tell me," I say, "We used to be best friends. You can still trust me."

She swallows hard, "I need to get off this ship. I need to go back home and find John B."

"I want off too," I tell her.

She tilts her head, "You do?"

"Rafe knew Rose drugged me and still put me on this ship," I tell her, "Even though he knew I didn't want to be." I came to terms that I was going to miss my dad and Maggie's wedding. I was too far from home at this point, but maybe I could make it back for the reception if I somehow found a way to leave now.

"Okay," She says, tucking some hair behind her ears. "We'll leave together. It's safer that way."

"Let's go."

We both take off in the direction she was heading originally. She was walking pretty fast as if she had to get away from someone. Like they had been following her.

"Who are you running from?" I ask.

"My dad," She tells me. "He lied too. They're awful people, Corrine. And I refuse to be a part of this family any longer."

She's right. They are. They lie, cheat the system, and manipulate everyone around them.

Why do I always find myself surrounded by these types of people?

"There's a boat on the main deck," I tell her. "It's the only way off."

"It'll work," She tells me. "We just have to figure out how to get out of this maze first."

I spot a ladder that looked vaguely familiar. It must be the one I used earlier or one similar. Sarah runs by it, but I glance up, noticing the latch was back down again.

"This way," I tell her. I slowly climb each step, careful to not get my foot caught. I grab ahold of the handle with one hand, balancing myself on the ladder. I attempt to push the latch upward, but it wouldn't budge. "It's locked. Or something's blocking it."