Mablood
1285 Words
Sam dodged quickly. For the third time, Sam did not want to receive the same treatment. Accusations notwithstanding, firm evidence. Because at that time, he was really questioning something that should be questioned.
"Not this time, Ms. Sood. It's enough that you've slapped me twice in the past hour."
This time, Sam's wise expression made Alison speechless. Especially when Sam's hand could deflect the previous slap.
"I asked in all seriousness. If you want the fish, you must have something to share with me. Stop spitting in the well if you still want the water. You curse me so many times and expect me to give you something for nothing? Just wake up from your nightmare, Ms. Sood."
Sam laughed for a moment, but Alison saw him grinning. In fact, Sam only felt that he was so wise. Like a grown man filled with the best advice of his life.
Sam's image of Alison's erotic, pitying face now filled his head. His hand grazed his chest, as if he could feel how firm Alison's chest was as she teased him to give her some food.
But Sam's hallucination had to end quickly when Alison brought a bottle of mineral water to him. He looked up, staring at Alison's face, which was shaded and sweaty from the tropical sun.
"You have fish, and I have water. We can split it. Half a share each. Isn't that fair enough now?"
Sam laughed sadly. Alison's shirt was dry. And he could no longer get his golden opportunity, even at close range. He chuckled, then nodded his head in approval of the rather favorable offer.
"Not a bad idea. Sit down, please. I didn't know you could get water that fast. Did you find a spring around here?" Sam moved on, grabbing some leaves after handing Alison his grilled fish for a place to eat.
"I found an old bottle over there. Also, a small, clean towel. I think both of them got carried away by the current like we did. So, I tried to find another rock crevice filled with water and tried it. But it was saltwater."
Sam frowned. His hands skillfully divided the sweet fish meat into two equal pieces. "And then?"
"I drain it. I mean, I put the other side of the towel on the surface of the saltwater, while I put the other side of the towel in the bottle that had been placed in a lower position. And voila! I have water!"
Suddenly, Sam was at a loss for words. He didn't even respond when Alison smiled warmly at the end. For the first time, he was in awe of the woman he had thought of as a monster in The Next Heaven area earlier.
Sam's hand stretched forward. His smile was no less warm as he watched Alison eat with gusto. "I think we can share more to last until help arrives, Ms. Sood. I'm glad to be here with you."
Sam's blood rushed as Alison shook him tightly. It made him forget the slap he had received twice before.
"Of course, Lawton. I still regret my decision."
Sam did not want to ask further questions. But he was still curious about some of the other survivors who were previously rescued.
"You were on Tracy's ship, right? Tell me what happened last night? Why didn't I see you yesterday?" Sam grabbed the burning branches and put out the embers while watching Alison's expression change.
For a moment, the two stared in silence. Sam was wrestling with his curiosity, while Alison was anxious and indecisive.
Sam sat quietly, giving more pause to Alison, who was still struggling with emotions. He looked up at the hot blue sky. "Ignore if you—"
Alison's trembling voice did not make Sam immediately turn his head and judge with great anger. Instead of intimidating, Sam remained silent to be a listener.
Alison told him everything. She had indeed picked up the ticket that Sam had thrown away in The Next Heaven area by accident. As if by surprise, after a series of events about death threats around the apartment, Alison applied for a sudden leave of absence. Knowing she would be rooming with Sam on the cruise, Alison chose to sleep in restaurants or churches.
That night, she was sleeping at the bar when she heard people screaming from the deck. Some crew members asked everyone to hide in their rooms, while Alison went to the deck from the opposite direction.
"Are you getting crazy? They are on deck, and you're challenging them?" asked Sam in dismay.
"Sometimes staying close to the enemy is the best strategy for safety, Sam."
Sam was completely at a loss for words after hearing Alison's nonsensical reasoning.
"Hell, when I got to the deck, I met you. Standing on the railing. Drunk. And throwing up."
Sam laughed, but he couldn't help it. He remembered that he was standing on the edge of the deck when everyone was screaming in terror. He also heard gunshots several times. Before someone finally bumped into him.
Sam's unsteady body still survived. But his declining consciousness made Sam scream emotionally, even though Alison had asked him not to say a word.
Sam cursed incessantly. Even venting her disappointment about Annie's affair to Alison.
"Did I?" Sam asked, confirming. "I don't remember saying anything about it."
"You're a b***h, Annie, I'm trying to work hard to raise money for your dream wedding, but you're cheating on me and having f*ckin' s*x in our bed? You're the b***h, Annie, and blablabla."
Sam tapped his forehead lightly as Alison mimicked his drunken cursing that night on the deck. He was frustrated when Alison laughed mockingly.
"I apologize for that, Miss Sood. Can you just continue with the story?"
The clumsy Sam kept his eyes on the agitated Alison as he continued to remember what exactly happened that night. He couldn't even remember why he fell.
"As you can imagine. They approached, demanded everything you had, and you were pushed away when they found nothing to take from you."
Sam was silent for a long time. He doubted the truth of what Alison had said. This time it wasn't just because Alison's story didn't make sense, but because of other things that made him insecure. Before he finally heard something in the distance.
"Did you hear that?"
Sam reached for the bottle and downed half of it. He hurried on as he looked around.
"What? Hey, aren't you listening to my story? Where are you going?"
Not wanting to worry her, Sam shook his head slowly after checking the situation. But he could not see in the dark forest. Vigilantly, he sat facing the forest area as Alison continued to tell her story.
Sam's concentration was getting more muddled. His expression could no longer be hidden as something sounded clearer and closer. Something like the rustling of dry leaves from being stepped on while running around.
"What was that?"
Sam grabbed one of the big, thick branches and stood up, alert. "I think someone's starving."
Sam's answer made Alison, who was drinking, choke. "Then we had to go fishing again. You can teach me how."
Sam refused and shook his head as Alison tried to pull him along. The rustling of leaves sounded closer and more. It was as if it was running at lightning speed after a long stalking.
"I don't think the smell of grilled fish will make them come out, Ms. Sood." Sam glanced at Alison's injured hand. Fresh blood was still occasionally dripping down the rock. Meanwhile, the wind was relentless, carrying the rancid scent of fresh blood.
"You mean they smell my blood?"
- Writer
