VINDICTIVE

Episode 19

“I can't. You don’t understand ok? I know we weren't perfect… but don't know what to do without him.”

Morgan raked a hand through his hair. Sighing deeply.

“Well. Look, I know you love him. And I'm sure he loved you to. I don't know any other guy who would throw a party like that last second for just anyone.”

The ship groaned loudly, the tremors vibrating the floor and walls. I held Liam's body tighter when the lights flickered out. “S-so you really think he'd want you to just die here with him?”

Short sobs escaped my throat as his words sunk in.

“I just.. can't”

Morgan looked around. “Julie, his killer is on this ship. There's where he could possibly go. If you want to die with him why not try and find his killer first at least.”

Hesitantly I rubbed at my eyes, red and sore.

“I can't do that..”

He placed a confident hand on my shoulder.

“Yes you can, I'll help you ok? Well find that bastard and take him down. Just come with me ok?”

For a moment I thought, not sure if I'm ready to let go just yet. But Morgan has a point. Before I die, I want to see the look in that monster's eyes.

“Alright” I whispered, voice hoarse.

“Here.” Morgan took Liam's wedding band, handing it to me. “So you have a piece of him”

His cheesy sentiment managed to bring out a hint of a smile. Though tears continued to flow. “Thank you”

On shaking legs Morgan stood, offering me his hand.

“Now common, let go kick some ass huh?”

The lightbulbs in the roof sparked with a flash of light making us both flinch.

“We don't have much time.”

After laying Liam down ever so gently. I gave him one last kiss on the forehead. “See you soon..” I whispered, hesitantly standing before joining Morgan.

“We should check the outer decks first.”

“What? Why?” I asked, confused. After a moment, he brought out his knife, ready for anything.

“Because, it's the fastest way around the ship and keeps out of sight.” After thinking it over I guess that makes sense. “Yea ok.” I glanced back at Liam as Morgan pulled me down the hall.

Now in the dark the halls, once illuminated and colourful were dark enclosing spaces with potentially a hooded maniac around every corner.

I clung to Morgan's arm as we walked. Eyes darting with every flicker of movement. From below the screaming and banging continued.

Morgan's face looked hard as stone.

“That doesn't sound good”

“Why are they all just locked down there, it doesn’t make any sense. Why not get them all to lifeboats?”

He only shrugged. “I have no idea, myself and the other staff actually dont have alot of training for such a scenario. but I've seen enough to know that if a drunk guy gets angry enough there's almost nothing that can stop him. They won't be able to hold them in there for long. And when they break out they'll be scrambling everywhere”

I bit my lip as the banging and thumping increased. The sound growing over the shouting and screaming.

“Morgan I- Im not sure about this. I've never hurt anyone, ever. “ He only ignored my rambling, gripling my hand. Seemingly determined to keep me going.

The masked face flashed in my memory. The empty white face and glowing red eyes. Liam's blood dripping down splashing each drop on the floor.

I shut my eyes tight. No he's right. I need to do this. For Liam. I can die once I've made this right. I can do this.

“You say something?” Morgan mumbled, as we finally found an emergency exit. “Nothing”

Just as Morgan reached for the door the room began to tilt dramatically. The sudden incline nearly knocking me down, I gripped his hand. His arm clutched the side of the door. “Holy s**t”

Plates clashed, chairs screeched across the floor. The hollow wooden scraping makes my ears hurt. The incline increased. Dropping me to the floor.

“What's happening!” I cried over the clashing of furniture. Narrowly missing a stray table as it hurtled towards me. “I dont know!” Higher and higher it increased, the ship nearly vertical.

Finally the increasing incline stopped. Leaving us hanging from the door frame. “Morgan!”

Gunshots popped. Exploding from below but much closer than anything before. “s**t” Morgan spat. Grunting as he attempted to pull me up. An impossible task using one arm. The shouting from below increased, louder and louder. Like a thundering herd, everyone somehow scoured the ship. “Pull me up!”

I shouted desperately.

“Don't you think I'm trying?! You're too heavy!”

Ignoring that comment, I grabbed his clothes, using him to climb. “Ow hey, watch it!” His objections were quickly drowned out by a barrage of white fabrics. He's just lucky I'm not wearing heels.

At last, reaching the door I pulled myself up pushing it open. Gravity took over as it fell open with a bang.

“Great job Jules” He smiled. I reached out to help him up. When a group of men came from behind me. Two of them standing on my dress.

“Why you helpin that bastard?!” One shouted. All of them were obviously drunk. Barely able to stand on flat ground let alone this new angle we found ourselves on.

“He's one of the bastards that locked us all away to die!” The man's voice was soaked with fury as they began to grab at my arms. I held tight with every bit I had. “Stop, please! He's not!”

“The hell he isn't. All the staff here are tryin to kill us! Locking us away like bloody animals” He spat.

A hard pain knocked my side as he kicked me furiously in the ribs. For a moment I nearly let go. When I percisted in my grip he kicked me again.

“Let em go! They don't deserve to live!”

Morgan desperately grabbed my wrist. My arm burned with the strain. My shoulder feeling as if its about to tear off altogether. They continued to shout, all of them different things. Incoherent.

I focused all my attention to simply not letting go. Unwilling to allow someone else to die because of me.

My vision blurred as I was kicked again. Knocking the air from me. Still I held on, hands shaking but solid as iron. “Morgan..” I groaned.