Secrets at Sea

Chapter 18

The kitchen leads to a long, door-less hallway. This must be the main kitchen that helps to sustain all the restaurants on the upper decks. I adorned a thin apron before leaving the semi-safety of the kitchen. The chill of the metal hallway radiating through my skin and freezing my bones. I breathe out and see a puff of air clearly leave my body. 

I can't wait to get into the sunlight again. Even though I'll be more venerable and easier to spot I'd just like a hint of warmth at this point.

I walk farther into the hallway, the light from the kitchen beginning to fade behind me and the cold seeping more and more into my being. I hear a noise around me and I freeze in place. I hold my knife out with my right hand as I crouch slightly, getting myself into a defensive stance. The sharp sound of metal tearing pierces the air. My heart rate quickens and my grip tightens on my weapon. I turn around slowly and see four claws reach down from the ceiling. They're long, sharp, and grey; the same color as the monster that we'd seen down in the engine room. The claws reach further towards the ground, joined by the body of the monster as it slowly slinks out from the darkness, long and disproportionate to any human body out there. I take a step back towards the end of the hallway that is unknown. 

Better there than here. I think and slowly make my way backwards.

The monster hisses and clicking noises begin to echo around me. It's fully on the ground now, using all four limps it has to support its weight. It tilts its head, like a dog trying to figure out what it's looking at, as it begins crawling towards me. I match its pace, the closer it got to me the farther I step back. It's slinking forward now, lowering itself closer to the ground like a lion ready to pounce on its prey. The monster opens its mouth, razor sharp teeth gleaming in what little light there is, a chirping noise comes out and I'm frozen in place. My body refuses to listen to what my mind is screaming at it.

Move! Move damnit! 

But I don't. I can't. The monster steps right in front of me, lifting itself onto its back two legs and hovers over me. I feel tears stream down my cheeks as it brings its face inches in front of mine. I can feel the warm, dank breath cover my face in a moist heat. I want to close my eyes so I don't have to watch it kill me, but even my eyelids are under its spell.

One of its claws grazes my temple and the world around me begins to vibrate. My eyes stay open as colors form in front of me, washing over me, and lifting me off my feet. My body begins to vibrate as the monster disappears from my view. The colors brighten and warp with each passing second until my eyes burn, feeling like they're melting out of their sockets. 

The light vanishes and I'm left standing in the middle of a grass field. The ocean breeze from the west ruffles my periwinkle silk dress. My hair is long and a beautiful mousy-brown color, loosely braided down my back. I can feel the wet, cold grass peek through my toes. The souls of my feet soaking up the energy from the earth.

A noise from the west startles me and I see a woman gracefully floating down from the mountains to the south. Black, lacy fabric from her long gown trails behind her. Her dark hair is tied up into an intricate display on her head as if the stands crowned her a queen. She lands without a sound just a few feet ahead of me, her eyes bright and comforting.

"Hello sister." Her voice melodic and soothing. My soul aches to be near her presence and I can feel the yearning of her soul as well.

"Is it time?" I ask, my voice not my own. My body moves without my consent, as if I'm just a passenger along for the show. I hug the woman, embracing her hard and feeling her sorrow coarse through my body. We stand there for a while, exchanging energy and silently communication with one another. I tear myself away from the woman and step back while resisting the urge to embrace her once again. "Viella, how do we know this will work?" Nerves overwhelm me as I ask her the question that was brewing inside me.

"It has to Senna, otherwise there will be no future for us and this wonderful planet." Viella says softly. I nod,understanding what must be done. I turn and float away as fast as I can, away from the woman. I head west towards the ocean, the ocean that smells of sulfur and death.