Secrets at Sea

Chapter 11

We sprint out of the hallway and into the pale moon light. Rushing past cold, dark metal frames that shoot hundreds of feet into the air. The creak from a metal seat nearly makes my heart jump out of my chest. We run past the ticket booth for the amusement rides behind us and there is a single dark hand print on the ticket window. I snap my head back forward, trying to push the image out of my head. Kepner's hand moves up from my waist to my arm.

I'm going to have to remind him of personal boundaries when we get out of this. I joke in my head trying to distract myself from the pain in my chest. We haven't spoken a word since being out in the open. The only noise is from the ocean crashing up against the still ship. When did we stop moving?

Kepner stops dead in his tracks and jerks me to a halt. He grabs my arm with both his hands as he literally pulls me off my feet, tucking us behind another ticket booth. I look at him, wide eyed. He pulls out his rifle from his back and puts his finger up to his lips. I hear a faint whistle followed by the clank of something hitting metal. I jump slightly and can feel a wave of ice rush through my body. I'm paralyzed for the second time tonight. There are faint footsteps on the deck that are slowly becoming more and more audible. I'm staring at the railing in front of me. Through the open gaps I can see the dark water stretching for miles away from the ship, before being engulfed by the incoming fog.

Kepner wraps his arm around my waist. I don't think anything of it, but I do feel a bit calmer knowing that he'll protect me if needed. I take a deep breath and try to push the fear down. If we need to run then I can't be like this. We won't be able to get away again if he has to carry my dead weight again. I think and take another breath. I look over at Kepner who is peering around the corner of the booth. The footsteps have stopped, meaning one of two things. They left the area or they are waiting for something. My ears are on high alert; listening for any sign of movement.

My ears perk up to the loud, repetitive pounding of someone running towards our side of the ship. There's a high-pitched whistle that comes from the other side of the booth before another set of footsteps joins in.

"Shit!" I hear a voice shout a little farther down the ship and the footfall quickens.

"Come 'ere boy!" A different voice shouts, followed by a maniacal laugh. "I'm gonna get 'cha!"

Kepner turns around and looks in my eyes. "We have to go, now." So we do.

We take off away from behind the booth. Kepner has both of his hands on his rifle, so I'm on my own to keep up with him. We're running full speed away from other people. Please be the right way. I pray in my mind. The sooner we get to the bridge the sooner we're to safety. We run down one of the open view side corridors. I briefly look over the railing towards the pitch black sea. The stars and full moon are so piercingly bright against the black water that I wonder how the city's light pollution could ever dull them. I look back in front of me right before I run into a person. I hit him so hard I'm knocked off my feet. He climbs on top of me and pins my arms above my head with on hand.

"Hi there cutie." His eyes are wide with excitement. A red bandanna covers his mouth, but I can still feel his unnerving smile. I scream as loud as I can, hoping that Kepner can hear me. The man hits me hard across my face.  I cry out and he hits me again. He presses a blade up against my throat. "No one likes a loud bitch." He hisses as he presses the blade harder against my skin. Warm liquid starts to drip down my neck. I glare at the man, not breaking eye contact. He starts laughing and the sound sends shivers down my spine. His laugh cuts off and he closes his eyes as he sighs. "Can I help you?" He shouts.

"Yeah, you can start by getting off my girl." I hear Kepner growl. The man slowly moves the knife away from my throat and turns his head around to look at Kepner. I catch a glimpse of Kepner and he looks furious. He has his rifle aimed at the man's head and the look in Kepner's eyes scares me more than the man on top of me.

"I didn't see a label on her." The man snaps. He looks back at me and grabs my face with his hand. "As a matter of a fact, I still don't. Do you?" He says as he tilts my head from side to side. "All I see is that she's mine." He runs his fingers across the cut on my neck. His fingers tighten around my neck and he lifts me up onto my feet.

I grip at his hand, not able to breathe. He's maneuvered himself behind me so that I'm facing Kepner. "That's enough." Kepner growls through gritted teeth. He's trailing the man's head with his rifle.

"Take the shot then." The man snickers and tightens his grip even more. I want to cry out, but no noise comes. Tears are streaming down my face as I flail around, trying to get air. Kepner glances over to me and his eyes soften.

Take the shot. I think.

Kepner nods and fires.