Sea Sick: A Horror Novel

Think it’s about time I went at things with a clear head.

The next thing he examined was his paperback book. It was crazy – and almost ironic – that in all the time he’d been stuck aboard this ship, he hadn’t managed to read a single page. The final thing Jack’s eyes fell upon was something he’d almost forgotten he’d brought along with him: the small leather wallet lay open on the bed, a silver shield and crown above the slogan which read, SERVING-PROTECTING-MAKING A DIFFERENCE. On the opposite side of the wallet was Jack’s identity card for the West Mercia Police. Once upon a time the small wallet had meant everything to Jack, and then later it had meant absolutely nothing. Now, for some reason… now, it seemed to matter again. He’d taken an oath once, to serve and protect the innocent by bringing the guilty to justice. That oath applied now more than it ever had. Jack was a police officer, and it was his job to do what needed to be done.

Jack got dressed and left his cabin. He knew it would be for the very last time. He took the familiar elevator upwards and stepped out into the familiar corridor with the familiar laundry cart on his right. He walked towards the Promenade Deck and skipped, mid-stride, as the ship tilted expectedly. Stepping outside, he turned immediately to his right and put a hand up.

“Hey! Hey, lads.”

The two boys stopped in their tracks a mere second before they collided with him. Jack smiled at them both. “You kids be careful now, you hear? Don’t want you falling overboard and getting eaten by a killer whale.”

The two boys giggled and then walked away, keeping their speed within sensible levels. It was the first time they’d ever listened to Jack.

Let’s hope it’s my first victory of many today.

Jack went in the same direction as the two boys, which led him out to the pool area. He needed to be wary of security looking for him, but there was someone he wanted to speak to while he still had the chance. Before he went upstairs to speak to Claire, though, Jack strolled over to the edge of the pool just in time to catch a young lad about to go sprawling to his knees. The boy tripped over his own feet and fell into Jack’s arms. The mother came rushing over to thank Jack, and he told her she was welcome. With that task completed, he headed up to the Sun Deck.

Upstairs, Claire lay sunning herself beside the empty lounger with the green towel. Jack picked up the towel and took it to the edge of the ship. He balled it up and threw it into the sea, watching it fan out and sink below the waves.

“I…er, think that belonged to someone,” Claire said from behind him.

Jack went and took a seat on the lounger next to her. “It’s been there a long time. Whoever left it there obviously wasn’t bothered about it.”

“Guess you’re right. Did you have to throw it overboard, though?”

Jack shrugged. “I didn’t like the colour.”

“Fair enough.”

“Claire?”

“How do you know my name?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Jack said. “Just listen to me, okay?”

Claire looked worried, but she remained quiet.

“Something is going to happen tonight and I want to know that you and the baby are safe when it happens.”

Claire’s worried look changed to fear. “What? How…”

“I know I’m frightening you, but it’s important you just do as I tell you. If tomorrow comes then you’ll understand why. I really hope it does, but to be honest I don’t really know what’s going to happen.”

“If tomorrow…what?”

“Be in your cabin by eight-o-clock tonight, okay, and make sure you are nowhere near Conner. Conner is sick, and so are lots of other people. Stay away from them all.”

“You’re frightening me. I’m going to call someone.”