The air feels heavy as I step out onto the promenade deck the next morning. Jack is beside me, his hand brushing against mine as if seeking reassurance. The ship’s gentle rocking beneath our feet is soothing, but my mind is anything but calm. The note from last night—Trust no one—burns in my thoughts, an ominous reminder that there’s something sinister unfolding around us.
The sea stretches endlessly before us, shimmering under the soft glow of the early sunlight. Passengers mill about, sipping their morning coffees or chatting in small groups. Everything appears normal, but I can’t shake the feeling that there’s an undercurrent of unease among the staff.
“Are you okay?” Jack asks, his voice low and steady, breaking through my thoughts.
I nod, but it’s a half-truth. “I’m trying to be. B
