Bitten
1267 Words
Heading down to the lower deck to check, we opened the door that led down to the supplies room. The room was surprisingly neat and cleaner than I had expected. Nothing seemed out of place either. Walking around the place, I tried to see if anything was missing and my eyes suddenly caught sight of some cleaning supplies thrown to the ground. Someone had been indeed here.
“ Be careful! He might still be here.” Zachary called out to me and I nodded my head.
Chloe leaned in immediately towards Zachary wrapping her arms around his as she pretended to be afraid. Her sudden fragility made me roll my eyes. I ignored her walking around the place slowly trying to see if anything was missing but there wasn't. Apart from the things that had fallen, the rest of the place looked okay.
Suddenly, a petite young woman dressed in her cleaning uniform appeared rushing into the room.
“ What's going on here?” Her voice echoed loudly as she stared at us before realizing who we were. “Oh, sorry. I didn't know guests were here. Do you need something?” She asked, her eyes blinking at us.
“ What's your name and who is in charge of the storage? I need to speak to them.” Zachary said, his voice turning all CEO and dominant.
“ I'm Jane. I am the one in charge of the storage. I heard the alarm beep and I came to check on the place to make sure nothing is missing. Is there something I could do for you?” The young crew member asked.
While Zachary was busy questioning her, I stayed at the door waiting. The door didn't seem broken or anything so that could only mean that the person that Chloe said she saw before she fell was actually a crew member.
“Jane said that all the keys are usually returned to her after the members are done cleaning. I asked her to pull out a list of people that came to the storage yesterday and today.” Zachary said before pausing as he realized that his phone was ringing. “If you'll excuse me.”
Zachary stepped out of the room to take the call, leaving me with Chloe and Jane. Chloe still clung to her damsel-in-distress act, batting her lashes and pretending to tremble. Jane, on the other hand, looked genuinely nervous, her hands fiddling with the hem of her uniform as she moved toward a nearby desk to retrieve the list Zachary requested.
I kept my focus sharp, watching her closely as she shuffled through some papers. Something about her demeanor felt off.
“ Are you okay?” I asked as I stared at her.
Before she could answer, Chloe stepped in immediately. “Wait. Isn't it your job to make sure this place is always locked? Besides, how is it possible that oil was spilled and you didn't even think to check on the job done around the ship. You should be fired.” Chloe said arrogantly.
“ It's not her fault.” I defended. “Instead of trying to blame her, we should think about what to do now that we have a psychopath trying to kill us on the ship. What if he strikes again when we are alone?” I asked.
“ This is all because of you.” Chloe started making me stunned. “ Don't think I haven't heard of your bad luck. Zachary and I have been together before and we have never been in such danger. Besides, you're the reason why he won't get off this stupid ship. Do you want to see him dead before you realize what you are doing?” Chloe asked sneering at me.
I wasn't going to let her get to me this time.
“ Zachary is a grown man. I think he can decide for himself. What he wants to do and his reason for doing them. If you're so worried about my bad luck, you should quickly get off the ship as Zachary said before. You might just end up not getting rescued next time.” I said folding my arms as I turned to leave.
Just then, Zachary appeared out of nowhere coming back out and Chloe immediately ran over to his side pretending as if she didn't say anything.
“Was it work? You have to go to London, right? Let's go together.” Chloe said smiling innocently.
“ How did you know?” Zachary asked staring at her but I knew better than the sweet act she was feigning. She must have gotten his schedule. “Babe, I need to go to London.” Zachary said wrapping his arms around me.
I smiled pretending to be the perfect girlfriend just to spite Chloe.
“Of course, have a safe trip.” I said smiling as Chloe walked away angrily.
Once she was gone, I pulled away from Zachary's embrace and nearly arranging my hair. Zachary's eyes narrowed but I could see he didn't want to say anything. Going back to our cabin, I helped him pack his things silently watching as he made a few calls by the window.
“ I've already arranged everything. While I am gone, there will be some policemen on the ship to keep an eye on you. They don't let anything happen to you, don't worry.” Zachary said.
“ Okay.” I replied keeping my voice curt as I folded his jacket.
“ Is something wrong?” He asked, his eyes narrowing as he stared at me.
“ When will you be leaving?” I asked ignoring his question.
“ Tomorrow morning”
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The strong wind from the helicopter as it took off made me turn my face. I couldn't help but watch as Zachary left with Chloe going on his business trip. He said he would be back but all I wanted was for this cruise to end before he did. Returning back to my room, I stopped as I spotted a box sitting down in front of the door. Reaching for the box, I took it in one hand while I tried to open the door.
To my surprise, the box was already open. Gasping in shock, I threw the box to the ground the moment I saw the huge snake in the box. Unfortunately, the snake attacked me before I could get a chance to dodge, it's fangs sinking into my flesh before I stumbled back.
The venom burned like liquid fire, spreading quickly from the bite on my arm. My vision blurred as I staggered backward, clutching the wound. The snake coiled back, its unblinking eyes fixed on me, readying for another strike. I forced myself to move, slamming the door shut before it could slither into the room. My breaths came in shallow gasps as I slid down to the floor, pressing my hand over the bite to slow the venom.
“ Oh, sh**,” I cursed as panic surged through me.
I dialed the ship's emergency line, but just as I heard the faint sound of someone picking up, the phone slipped from my grasp, crashing to the floor. My hand was becoming numb.
“ Hello?” A voice asked through the phone.
“ Please help me. Snake.” I swallowed as tears filled my eyes. Zachary had just left and now, a box with a massive snake had appeared. “I've been bitten. Room 102.” I said trying to control my breath before my eyes darted to the door.
More snakes.
- Writer
