Into The Unown

The Bounty

When Ash blinked awake, his body felt relaxed and his mind at ease. He stretched his limbs, his body feeling unnaturally heavy.

Ash looked down, his heart skipping a beat. Beside him Serena lay curled against him, her head resting on his shoulder. Ash didn't dare move.

His mind ran amok, scrambling for answers. The last he remembered, he'd woken up from a dream wherein he'd seen her. The next he knew he was begging Serena to sleep beside...

Ash's face turned into a deep shade of red as embarrassment crept up his breeches.

I must have sounded so desperate and—ugh! When is death when you wish it!

Just then Serena stirred awake. Her eyes opened, immediately meeting his; an awkward silence prevailed in the air.

After she realised the situation, she shot up right. Brushing her hair out of her lips nonchalantly. "Good morning?" She said.

"It's noon,"

"Oh... good noon?"

Does she always look this cute when she wakes up?  Ash rubbed his face which felt unnaturally warm.

The two of them sat still, awkwardly avoiding eye contact.

"I didn't mean to—" Serena started.

"I wasn't trying to—" Ash blurted out at the same time.

They stopped, glanced at each other, then sighed.

"I mean, it's not a big deal," Serena said, "We're in a relationship anyways and we've done more stuff than..." she tuned off, turning more red.

"Yeah, totally normal," Ash nodded vigorously. "Wait... we're still dating?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Do you often nap with girls who aren't your girlfriend?"

"No! I mean—uh—I'm glad we're dating?" he waves his hands defensively in the air.

Serena giggled, and despite the awkwardness, Ash couldn't help but smile. The two of them sat there for a while, exchanging awkward silence which was broken when the door to their room rang.

Ash frowned. "Did you order something?"

"Gary must have," Serena said, standing up and smoothing her clothes. "I'll check."

"Wait—maybe I should—" Ash started, but Serena was already at the door.

She opened it and in a flash, found herself on the ground.

Serena blinked, unsure of what happened. In front of her stood a tall man dressed in the ship crew clothing. In his hand was a blade, drawn out, dripping blood like a faucet.

Where did that blood come from?

Serena barely had time to gasp before the assassin struck again. She crawled backward as the blade came near her face, chopping her hair in half.

"Serena!" Ash yelled, leaping to his feet. He grabbed the nearest lamp and swung it at the intruder, forcing him to retreat for a moment. "Stay behind me!" He cried, helping Serena to her feet.

The assassin recovered quickly, their blade slicing through the air as he advanced.

"Duck!" Serena let out a cry as she grabbed a nearby chair, slamming it into his back. The assassin fell down, struggling to get back to her feet.

"Who the hell are you?!" Ash shouted as he swung  the lamp again, further pushing the man to his knees.

The assassin didn't answer, but his focus on Serena made it clear who the target was. Ash's jaw clenched as he twisted his arm, knocking the blade away from his hand.