Sea

CHAPTER 4

Darkness.

When combined with silence and fear, very deadly especially when one was already lost to the world of hallucinations and gradual brain damage.

It seemed that one of the creatures had wandered into the generator room that still supplied the ship electricity even though it was no longer moving and decided to mess with the wires a little bit. Sparks and electrocution managed to drive the creature away who snarled back and limped away, clearly injured. But the creature had managed to inflict some damage to the room as some gallons of diesel started leaking and the sparks still happening were moving dangerously to the puddle of diesel that was forming. Then it happened.

All guests or rather hostages were still cooped up in their suite when they smelt it. Thick and strong smoke coming from the vents filled up every room. Of course, they waited for the anti fire procedures to bein and for the sprinklers to be activated but nothing even budged, except for the creatures still growling. The smoke got too much in the rooms and to open a window proved to be a problem because they were still stricken by fear to think rationally. The smoke got so thick, survival instincts were jolted to kick in and simultaneously, all guests opened their doors and ran out blindly, hitting each other in the process, screaming too.

It was a struggle to get outside for fresh air but they managed their way out unto the deck once more. Immediately they all stepped on the deck, a large blast occurred, blasting them all into the water and a side of the ship where the creatures were situated was engulfed in flames.

As the guests bobbed in the water, watching the flames rise, a cry of relief burst through their lips. They rejoiced for joy as they thought their foes had been vanquished because they could hear the groans of the creatures burning in the fire. So they thought.

Unknown to them, there were still sharks lurking in the waters but the blast had terrified them away. The fire died down after a while and the guests were getting back on the deck, still feeling happy until a scream pierced through the air. And all guests froze, fearing the worst to come. But it was not that, yet.

Silence reigned for a few seconds but it felt like hours of still silence. The splash of water caught their attention and everyone saw Sir Bootlocks being dragged underwater in a second. Silence reigned once more as the realization of sharks being underneath them and them being on a probably sinking ship hit the guests hardly. Sir Bootlocks resurfacing and going under once more startled the guests. Prince Obitin who felt obligated to help his butler dived in headfirst to save him and saw the horror going down below.

Dozens of angler fishes feeding off his butler was what he witnessed but he still went head on to save his butler who was loosing a lot of blood from the chunks taken from his legs and arms. Prince Obitin, kicking away the fishes successfully grabbed his torso and swam back to the deck where the guests were waiting with a hand to pull him back on deck.

Prince Obitin was congratulated and applauded by the guests and Lady Madare could be easily spotted as she inched closer to the prince, who she had taken a liking to because of the act of bravery. Sir Bootlocks could not say anything but thanks to the prince who refused to accept them. He was set down at the corner of the deck to rest by the prince. The rest of the guests continued their chitchat on how to get help from the ship and back to their respective homes safely and Sir Bootlocks was left to his thoughts as he clung to life.

The memory of how he felt something biting his ankles earlier but ignored it. As he was about to get unto the deck, he was suddenly pulled by the most disgusting set of fish he had ever seen who were attracted to the blood from the wounds he had inflicted on himself. He fought them off and resurfaced once more and tried to get on again but he was bitten and he screamed in pain and went under once more, but this time, the guests saw him. He tried to fight once more as he swayed his arms frantically underwater as the lack of oxygen started affecting him and his attempts dulled bit by bit and reduced in speed and strength.

The fishes took advantage of his drowning and bit out of him, and he, already feeling numb because of the freezing water could no longer fight back or even move a muscle. Before he succumbed to death, he saw his master swimming towards him and tried to move towards him but he could not. The next thing he realized was that he was out in the air and being set on deck. He noticed his master got a few serious scratches and could not say anything but croak out thanks. He began shedding hot tears of gratitude but he also smelt the most foul stench ever. Before he could even speak or yell, he was pulled violently into the dark corners but no one noticed except Hakuna who screamed and pointed at the empty space the butler was supposed to occupy.

Prince Obitin and the rest of the guests followed the trail of blood the butler's body left on the deck's clear marble floor and came to witness the most gruesome thing ever. Two of the creatures which had survived but were badly injured surrounded the butler who was on the deck floor.

They had torn into his belly and were feasting on his organs and insides, pulling on his intestines while he was still alive, their eyes fixated on the rest of the guests . The women held back their screams and the prince fell to his knees in agony and heaved painful tears. The butler turned and managed to croak out "Run" to the prince before one of the creatures reached in his mouth and pulled out his tongue and gobbled it up while the other one reached into his chest cavity and brought out his heart that was still beating faintly, crushed it and threw it towards the prince before settling for gouging out the butler's eyeballs and swallowed them whole, all while still looking at the prince. The rest of the guests scrambled away from the scene, dragging the prince who still seemed to be in agony and ran back to the deck.

They contemplated whether to jump into the sea and be eaten by whatever else was lurking down in those waters or to stay on deck and be eaten by the creatures. The ladies burst into tears and Hakuna held on her master.

Silence reigned, joined by darkness and the everlasting building up fear.

And they were seven left, for now.