VINDICTIVE

Episode 18

Over Liam's body a familiar dark figure loomed, crouching beside him. Holding his newly bloodied knife to the light, inspecting it curiously. It was all I could do to scream when the figure stood straight deadly eyes locked on me.

Liams blood dripped to the floor from the tip of his blade. Those soulless eyes looking hungry for its next bloody fill. One step. It drew closer. Two steps.

Tilting his head at me playfully.

“N-no no” I panted, struggling to focus. I'm gonna-Im gonna die. My hands feel cold as ice, heart racing as I instinctively stepped backwards.

“Juuulie” A staticky, unnaturally deep voice radiates from under the mask. The person obviously using an electronic voice changer to disguise himself.

“Come here sweetheart. You don't want poor ol’Romeo to die all alone now do you?”

Without another coherent thought I ran back in the bedroom, slamming the door behind me. Leaning back against the door, I held a hand over my mouth, struggling to hold back my sobs.

A gentle knock came from the other side.

“Juulie. Common out. This won't hurt a bit I promise. It'll be nice... and-“ The sullied blade shot through the door, mere inches from my shoulder.

Ripping a scream from me. “-Quick!”

“Get away!” I cried. Looking around, the only way out was the balcony. I simply ran. Relieved for a moment to be outside. Of course my hopes are dashed and dizzy at the direct shot down to the lower decks over the rail. A deadly fall.

To my terror, the bedroom door was beaten from its hinges. The hooded figure trudging into the room looking exhausted. My hair whipped around me, the veil and dress catching the wind dragging me around.

I gripped the rail for balance. Eyes locked on my approaching death.

After a few moments of looming around the room, he spotted me. stelling closer and closer when finally he stood in the doorway. Effectively cornering me. My only available options are to jump and die, or fight and die.

Mouth open, my chest heaving, I searched for a nonexistent third option.

“By the way. I never got to congratulate you tonight.”

He stepped forward, his hand reaching out.

I swallowed thickly as a cold leather glove took hold of my throat. Squeezing lightly.

“I wish you both a long and happy.. afterlife”

Leather crackled in my ears as his hand tightened. My heart thumping in protest, hands gripping the rail so tight I've lost feeling. This is it. This is the end. My mouth hung open, gasping for breath. Only the faintest of squeeks escaping for all my effort.

In a natural panic my hand rushed to grab hold of my assailants wrist. Doing everything in my power to remove it. But to no avail. Time slowed, feeling heavier than sand. The howling of the wind fading from my awareness, leaving only the panicked thumping of my screaming heart. I don't wanna die. I can't-

The grip suddenly released, my body dropping to the floor as gravity came hauling back. My lungs screamed for oxygen having been only moments away from stopping altogether. My hand rubbed at my throbbing throat. Mind reeling. Somewhere beside me was grunting, shouting. A hollow sounding thump before silence. I couldn't even look. Still recovering.

“Julie, hey- Julie!” A voice. Familiar.. where have I..?

A hand gripped my shoulder, shaking gently.

“Snap out of it Jules. Common! You're alright!”

Blinking slowly, I looked up. Confused. “Morgan?”

My eyes drew to the floor. Needing to know what happened to the reaper. “W..where..?”

I panted, anxiously searching the room.

“She.. got away” His voice cut through. My brows furrowed in confusion. “She?”

“W-well I.. I'm pretty sure it was a she. Or a very small slender man I guess. Your guess is as good as mine.

But the point is they're gone” he offered his hand, helping me to stand. “Liam.. L-liam..” I groaned, body struggling to stand. Morgan took my arm, draping it over his shoulder. “Here, I gotcha” with all his might, he helped me back into the living room where my husband still lay. Unmoving and pale as moonlight. My arm released from Morgan letting me fall to my knees in a cloud of white satin.

My voice caught in my throat. My world is lying dead before me. “Liam”

In my mind all I can see is his goofy smile. His warm laugh rang in my ears. Tenderly I took his hand, holding it to my cheek. His warmth is not completely gone. With the most grievous of sobs I pulled him to myself, draping him over my lap.

“Why…” I held him tight to me. Eyes pouring out my suffocating greif. “You can't go.. I need you. What am I supposed to do without you!” I screamed. Bawling into his hair. Still smelling of pine. Morgan came into view as he knelt down beside us. “Julie.. h-he's gone..” he whispered. But I refused to believe it, arms gripping his body protectively. “Go away” I sobbed, my mind set to strike with full force if he attempts to take me from him.

“I'm so sorry julie. I really am. I'm so so sorry. But we have to go, we're running out of time” From below were the faint distant sounds of screams. Echoing though the ship. Morgan heard it to, looking at the door anxiously. “The water must have finally made it to the ballroom.” But my mind isn't the least interested on everyones approaching watery grave. That's inevitable, we're screwed no matter what we do. Especially with no help on the way and no way to call. No.. my mind is on the knife, glistening in Morgan's pocket.

“Romeo.. won't.. die alone” I mumbled. Snatching Morgan's blade before he could react. “Hey! What are you!?” With my free hand I held the tip to my stomach. Pulling back I prepared to strike my finishing blow.

With a clang, Morgan smacked the blade from my grip. I tried to focus on his shouting through my blurry tears. Ears ringing. Furiously he grabbed my shoulders, shaking me. I only blinked. Trying to focus.

“Goddamnit will you get a grip on yourself?!”