Chapter 2: The Horror of the Blue Sea
1410 Words
Chapter Title (If Provided)
Dilan's room was a storage closet. After washing repeatedly, he finally rid himself of the stench of urine. He threw his clothes directly into the trash. He would avenge this humiliation.
Night fell. A shocking conspiracy was unfolding in a corner not far from Dilan's room.
Already seasick, having not eaten all day, and after the day's events, Dilan felt like his head was about to explode. He opened his door.
A faintly fluorescent jade pendant on the doorknob stopped him in his tracks. He had given it to Ashley after she suffered a serious illness in her childhood. Dilan had carried the jade pendant for as long as he could remember. He gave it to Ashley, hoping it would protect her. Miraculously, Ashley recovered from an illness that countless doctors had been unable to cure.
Now, the jade pendant was here. Ashley had seen everything that happened during the day. A sudden feeling gripped Dilan. Perhaps Simon was right. Their upper-class circle was beyond his reach. Ironically, Ashley had kept the jade pendant all these years. Perhaps bringing him on this trip was meant to be a final break.
"Mr. Harris, are you sure about this?"
"What if Ashley gets angry? With her temper, we're finished."
"Hmm?"
Dilan recognized the voice instantly. It was his "mother-in-law," Estelle. But why was she here at this hour? And with Simon?
Dilan cautiously crept closer.
Estelle's voice sounded again: "If something goes wrong, all our previous efforts will be wasted."
"Auntie, don't be nervous," Simon chuckled. "Once the deed is done, will Ashley really refuse?"
"Ashley hasn't explicitly agreed to marry me because of that good-for-nothing."
"But..."
"No buts," Simon said, patting Estelle's shoulder. "Do you want to see Ashley waste her youth on that loser?"
"Ashley marrying me means endless riches and honor for both of you."
"Tell you what! If things go as planned tonight, whether Ashley agrees to marry me or not, this ship is yours!"
"Ashley is in danger!" This was Dilan's only thought. He wanted to knock on the door and tell Ashley everything he'd heard, but he hesitated. Would she believe him? Perhaps, to Ashley, Simon was her true destiny.
"Guard the door. No one approaches without my order!"
While Dilan hesitated, Simon and his men approached. Dilan quickly hid. Simon and Estelle exchanged glances, and Estelle knocked on the door.
"Ashley, it's me. Open the door, I need to talk to you."
The moment Ashley opened the door, a pair of large hands covered her mouth. Simon carried her into the room and slammed the door shut.
A relieved smile finally spread across Estelle's face. Once tonight passed, she would have endless riches and honor. Her daughter? In Estelle's eyes, Ashley was merely a tool. Ashley might be unwilling now, but she would thank her later.
Dilan's heart felt like it was being squeezed. He recalled the past. When Estelle scolded and humiliated him at home, when he was bullied outside, only Ashley stood up for him…
"Mr. Harris is a lucky man tonight," one of the guards at the door said. "Miss Lu's figure, her looks… she's top-notch."
"It's a shame she doesn't know how lucky she is. Being chosen by Mr. Harris is an honor. Countless women are lining up for his attention."
"Can't you shut up!" Estelle snapped, silencing them. Their eyes still held disdain for her. They looked down on a mother who willingly offered up her own daughter.
Every word that reached Dilan's ears felt like a stab to his heart. Inside the room, Ashley's struggles seemed to play out before his eyes.
"Damn it!" Dilan couldn't take it anymore. He lunged forward, punching one of the guards in the face. Caught off guard, the guard spat out blood and teeth.
"What are you doing here!" Estelle looked at him as if he were a ghost.
"Selling your own daughter! You don't deserve to be called a mother!" Dilan snarled.
"I'm doing this for Ashley's happiness!" Estelle backed away nervously as Dilan approached. "Marrying Mr. Harris is better than being with a loser like you!"
"For Ashley's happiness?" Dilan scoffed. "I think it's for your own!"
"What are you waiting for? Get him!" Estelle shrieked. "If you disturb Mr. Harris, you'll all be sleeping with the fishes!"
The guards didn't need further prompting. They lunged at Dilan.
*Crash!*
A sudden sound from inside the room made Dilan's heart skip a beat. Ignoring the guards behind him, he rushed towards the door. Ashley was all that mattered.
But just then, the door opened. Standing there were Ashley and Simon.
Dilan froze. Ashley's clothes were intact; she showed no signs of assault. Instead, she looked at him with disgust.
"Well, well, if it isn't the loser," Simon sneered. "Not embarrassed enough from earlier today? Back for another taste of that fine wine?" He turned to the guards. "Can't even handle a nobody! What good are you?"
"Ashley, did he hurt you?" Dilan ignored Simon, his eyes fixed on Ashley, waiting for an answer.
"Hurt me?" Ashley looked confused. "We were chatting when we heard the commotion outside. What are you doing here?"
"The sound just now…"
"I accidentally broke a glass while Ashley and I were… enjoying each other's company," Simon interrupted. "Any problem with that?"
"Impossible!" Dilan refused to believe him. Ashley wasn't like this.
But Ashley's expression confirmed everything.
"Can you leave now?" she said. "Don't interrupt our conversation."
"That's wonderful, dear!" Estelle seemed oblivious to Ashley's sudden change in attitude. "Following Mr. Harris is so much better than being with this loser!"
Dilan's heart turned to ash. He couldn't believe Ashley had said those words. The cold sea breeze felt like knives against his skin.
"What are you waiting for?" More guards arrived. Simon waved his hand. "Throw this loser overboard! I don't want to see him again!"
"Simon!" Ashley's face darkened. "We had a deal! If I agreed to be with you, you'd let him go!"
"Agreed?" Simon laughed. "I never agreed to anything! But I didn't expect you to be willing to sacrifice so much for this loser. Since you're with me now, let me help you sever ties with him completely!"
"Simon, you liar! You're not human…"
Before Ashley could finish, Simon dragged her back into the room. She struggled, but she was no match for him.
"Ashley!" Dilan finally understood. Ashley had agreed to be with Simon to save him!
"Get him! He dared to ruin Mr. Harris's fun! Kill him!"
The guards swarmed Dilan, kicking and punching him relentlessly. Even though he could fight, he was outnumbered. A blow to the back of his head brought him to his knees. They dragged him by his ankles, and all he could see was Ashley's back as Simon gripped her. Finally, Dilan lost consciousness.
A jade pendant slipped from his pocket. His blood flowed onto it. In the darkness, it emitted a faint glow.
*BOOM!*
A tremendous crash rocked the ship. Furniture clattered to the floor and shattered. Everyone rushed out of their rooms.
"What's happening!" Simon cried. "What was that!"
"Mr. Harris! It's bad!" A man stumbled out from below deck. "Reef! We hit a reef! The ship's sinking!"
"Lifeboats! Launch the lifeboats!" Even Simon panicked.
"Too late!" The ship listed sharply. It was difficult to even stand.
"How could you let this happen! I don't want to die!" Simon grabbed the man by the throat, his face filled with terror.
Panic spread throughout the ship. They were all members of high society, with bright futures ahead of them. This cruise was just a leisurely pastime. Who would have thought they would die here?
Estelle was the most distraught. She had dreamed of marrying into the Harris family and enjoying a life of luxury. Now, before she could grasp that dream, she was about to lose everything.
Despair engulfed the ship. A fierce wind whipped up the sea, sending waves crashing against the vessel. The ship lurched violently. The mast snapped, glass shattered, and deck chairs flew overboard.
"Dilan!" Ashley stumbled out of the room, frantically searching for him. She found him unconscious in a corner. Before she could reach him, another violent lurch sent her sprawling.
The ship sank. Dilan was oblivious to it all.
As the seawater engulfed the vessel, a bright light burst from the jade pendant in Dilan's hand.
*Whoosh!*
The light vanished, absorbed into his body.
- Writer
