Hide and Go Seek

9. Caleb

I walk out onto the deck to get some fresh air. It has now been three months since Katie was killed. I chuckle. Jade, the girl Katie roomed with, apparently stumbled in on her body and called the police. Jade was questioned and tried for the murder of Katie but was found not guilty. Rightly so, though her case then went cold. Reporters then got a hold of Jade and questioned her about Katie. They dug into Katie's past when they found out how she acted and when she moved into the dorms. They then found records of what happened.

The news back in the day when it actually happened, only made it to the local papers and was never made a big deal out of because no one could figure out what really went down that night, but we ultimately couldn't be charged with torturing someone or any degree of murder, because it was obvious we were also traumatized and delirious.

They dug into our past and found out about Grim, but, there was apparently a death certificate of Grim's the day we received our first text. Rumors spread about how everyone Grim was friends with was cursed, and tried to dig up all of our whereabouts.

Of course they couldn't find my dear brother Jacob, the Twins somehow got witness protection of some sort because their files were deleted, and all they got from me was that I was apparently traveling.

We all did pretty well covering our tracks. I chuckle again at the absurdity of everything.

I was out on the ocean again. I figured I should take a tip from my younger bro and stay on the move. Harder to get that way. And I would be isolated. I knew everyone who got on and off this ship. I should be safe enough.

Then I hear a bell. "MAN OVERBOARD!"

No! I think, no, no, no, not me! Not now! I try to run but another crew member grabs me and pulls me toward the side.

"What are you doing man?! You've gotta help!"

"No!!" I shout. But he was bigger and we arrived at the edge too quickly. Some others haul her up over the rail. I recognized her immediately. I groan and look at the man who dragged me here. He seems to have relaxed now and is peering at me.

"It's your fault" I say. He gives me a quizzical look, but before he can open his mouth Grim, or what used to be Grim, tackles me over the edge.

We are in free fall. I hit the water back first, like a reversed belly-flop, and it feels like I hit cement. I worked on a decent sized cruise ship, falling on still water could be fatal. And it was. As I sank I knew I was as good as gone. I can't feel my legs. I probably broke my back. Just be a quick death, I beg the heavens. Grim had lost her grip on me while we were falling. I had no idea how long it takes to drown, but from the picture I saw of Katie, this would be a much preferred way to die.

Just to make it faster, I empty my lungs and breathe in as much water as I can. I close my eyes, I feel heavy. I'm sinking much faster now that there is no more air in my lungs.

But then Grim is there. Stabbing me over and over. In the stomach, face, arms and legs. Everywhere she can. I try to scream but I choke. The salt water burning its way through me. I was in too much pain. She then drags me up. No, no, no! I break through the surface and my body immediately tries to expel the water in me.

"Oh, yes, yes, yes" It chuckles.