by Trimboli, TJ
Kendra took a deep breath feigning a smile. Your watch won’t last forever, my friend. “As you wish doctor. I only pray as days go by, you see the error of your ways and help me usher these children of GOD back home. Peace be with you.” She whisked herself away heading for her stateroom.
That did not go as planned. He will not be broken easily.
They were in a stalemate, both had their hands clutching each other’s throat, and his was tightening. She needed a new plan of attack. A thought crept into her mind, a dangerous, primordial idea that if done correctly would rightfully unseat every person in power on this ship. She grinned as if she just came up with the plan to steal Christmas from the Whos' and disappeared down the steps into the bottoms.
CHAPTER NINE
BOBBI
Her stomach lurched a cry of anguish when she walked into the dining hall. Most of the time she was able to trick herself into believing she wasn’t hungry but the smell of beans and fish, no matter how gross, had her feeling the harsh effects of starvation. Her knees weakened as she hobbled towards the counter. Nausea set in and with each step, her tunnel vision worsened.
Whatever you do, do not faint. These people cannot see you falter.
Her legs gave out on her last step and if not for Becky, then every single person in the mess hall would have seen just how much of a mess she’d become. The room had gone to a glowing white. She felt Becky wrap her arm around and helped her to a seat nearby. She reached out feeling the cold, rough edges of the table. She sat herself down on the chair breathing rapidly.
Becky had left and she dare not call out for her. Bobbi sat upright doing the best impression of a woman who had her shit together. It must have worked too, because no one ever came to question if she were okay or not. She steadied her breathing drifting away back to the beaches she had tanned on.
You’re okay. You’re back on Capri. Lying on a towel basking in the sunshine, the sand cascading through my hands. The waves crash in the distance, as kids and adults yell out in joy.
The beach is alive, I am alive…I am alive.
She opened her eyes and sight had come back to her. She looked around the mess hall but no one paid her any attention.
Becky returned a minute later with a glass of water and a plate full of beans and what little lobster they had left.
What a combination. Bobbi pushed it away.
“You haven’t eaten in three days. You need your strength if you want to continue to be of any use. Eat.” Becky slid the plate back over.
She relented and dug in. Her mouth was so dry it took minutes to chew the food up enough for her to swallow. The cold beans left much to be desired and without the proper toppings, the lobster felt hollow and empty. Still, she powered through, eating as much of it as she could.
Who knows when I’ll eat again?
“Where are your guards?” Bobbi asked.
“They went to fetch us some more water.”
“WHAT?” Bobbi almost spit her food out.
“What’s the matter?”
“You need to have a guard by your side at all times, when you’re in here.”
“They’ll be back in ten minutes. We needed water.”
“It takes two guards to bring up the water?” she asked sarcastically.
“Yes, actually. It’s buckets of water Bobbi, one person can’t carry that alone; up flights of stairs, no less.”
“Oh. But still, it only takes a second for the tide to turn Becky. Food is scarce and people are scared. Large groups of people with nothing to do but sit and talk and there’s only one thing hungry people are going to talk about. One day, those people are going to be tired of sitting and talking and they will attack. Anyone who stands in their way of that pantry, will be cut down. I don’t say this to scare you, only to prepare you. I care about you very much and the more protected you are, the safer it will be.” Becky sat there with a smile on her face.
Odd, she’s taking this rather well.
A tear strolled down her cheek.
That’s more like it.
“You’re the only one on this ship who cares about me.” Bobbi reached out holding Becky’s hands.
“Hey sweetheart, how about some service over here!” a man shouted out.
Bobbi turned to the counter to see her worst nightmare.
The man looked to be in his late thirties, bald head, with the most unique beard she had ever bore witness to. His chin left clean while the mustache connected to the sideburns, which went to the jawline.
Her hand touched her gun. Get a grip.
Becky stood up to approach the man. “I am sorry sir. You were just here an hour ago. You know the rules. No extra portions.”
The man was sweating. His eyes were like flies zipping around the room in panic trying to find an exit.
Bobbi undid the clasp of her holster.
“I know but you have to be kidding me with those portions. They get smaller by the day and it’s—just not enough. It’s not enough. Look at me. I—am a big guy. I need more rations than someone—smaller than me.” His voice cracked every few words struggling to convey the tone he was trying to put forth.
“I’m sorry sir but rules are rules. I can’t break them. You’d have to talk to the council for that.”
“FUCK the council! Fuck all their stupid rules. They’re just five people that got together and think they know what’s best for us. They don’t know dick!” And he must have no idea who sits on the council.
“Be that as it may—”
The man grabbed Becky by the shoulders. “I don’t want to hear another word out of you if it isn’t, yes sir I will get you more food.”
Bobbi stood up. She made it known that her hand rested atop her gun.
The man immediately let go of Becky. He took a step back his body hitting against the counter.
That’s when the smell hit her. Did he just shit his pants?
The man ran off, the back of his grey sweat’s stained.
Becky looked over at her.
Bobbi’s gaze said it all.
Becky scoffed. “It sounded a lot worse when you were describing it.”
“He was nothing. That’s just the idiots. Wait until the smart ones come. Then we’re all fucked.”
The guards walked in carrying a large bucket of water, even as two, they struggled.
“I should get back to work,” Becky said. They embraced.
“Be safe. Don’t leave their side in here.” Becky walked off to meet the guards.
Bobbi turned back to her meal. Half of it still remained, yet she found herself no longer hungry, though the food gave her an idea. Ten minutes later, she was strolling down the first floor hallway, tray in hand. After so many days without lights, she’d become like a bat seeing perfectly in the dark. The hallway was unlike the ones above. It wasn’t decorated. It was white, metallic, with pipes running all above and steam pumping in the distance. It was the only sound echoing the halls. Up ahead flicker of candle light shone. She approached two guards, a man and a young girl, sitting in front of a door. They were playing the card game war. The man looked her over. “Come to bring lunch?” Bobbi nodded her head.
He looked the tray over. “Where’s the other tray?”
“Other tray?”
“There’s two people in there.” She froze. Fuck.
She said the first thing that came to mind, “They only gave me one tray.” The man stared at her.
By the firelight, it felt downright terrifying. She held her ground.
He turned back to his game. “Serves him right, that fucker. No more food for him. Good on the council for finally making the tough calls. Go on in.”
Bobbi opened the door. She could feel the woman’s gaze upon her back. She slammed the door shut, happy to be rid of them. There was no candle in here. Trent and another prisoner resided in the small cell in total darkness.
A person could go mad down here like this.
The woman slept on the cot while Trent
resided on the floor. His head against the bars.
She couldn’t tell if he was awake or not.
“If you’ve come to play the part of the jealous wife, I’m not in the mood.”
“Too bad. You play the part of disappointing husband so well.” Through the darkness, she could see his smile.
“Is that for me?” He must have smelt the food.
“No. It’s for her.”
“I’m on more of a liquid diet now anyway.”
She bit back her every urge to scream in his face. Now was not the time or the place. “They want to bring you to trial.”
“That’s too bad. I was really looking forward to drinking myself to death. Guess I’ll have to settle for the council’s brand of justice.”
“Be serious. Valentina gave me time to continue my investigation but if no one turns up, then they will try you and I won’t be able to stop them.”
“Then don’t.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. Curse the day this man told me he loved me. “Don’t? You just want me to stand by and let them banish you? It’s a death sentence.” Trent said nothing.
“I refuse to accept that.” Bobbi placed the tray on the floor. “And I’m going to prove it your innocence, and then we’ll be even.”
“Even?”
“You saved my life and now, I’m saving yours. Even.” She opened the door.
“I never saved your life.”
She turned back to him. From this far back, she could only make out the shape of him in the dark. “The night you proposed to me.” Pushing the door shut, she rested her head against it. A tear fell from her eye dropping to the cold, damp, floor below.
The guard took notice of her. “Hey, you okay?”
She felt at her neck reigning in her tears. Her necklace was no longer around her throat. It now resided on the tray of food in front of Trent’s face. She turned and walked away ignoring the man’s concern. She left the door and her marriage in her wake and set out, determined to right a wrong.
CHAPTER TEN
MORRIS
“No, not there. There. Tie it to the hull,” Morris said as he watched one of the men he chose struggle to strap the spears in. “Oh hell, get out of the way.” He pushed Jamal out of the way. Jamal was the only other black man his age on this ship. Once Ahmed left, he made a point to make Jamal his running mate. He had nothing against white people, but when shit was about to go down, he preferred a brother by his side. He tied the spears to the side of the boat. “Hand me the oars.”
Jamal did as he was told.
The other volunteer approached. He was old and brittle and took damn near twelve years to walk to the boat but if even half the stories this man and his family have told are true, he was the best fisherman Morris would ever work with. His name was Hector and any kind of fishing there was to be done on this planet, he had. Fly fishing, recreational, commercial, sport. He’d gone shrimping in Louisiana and gigging in the Ozarks. A man’s man.
Hector made it to the boat passing Morris.
He nodded at the old timer and took a breather. The boat had been packed, supplies secured, they were ready to cast off. He peered out the open door. It was a five foot drop to the ocean below. He looked overhead. The day had become overcast but the heat wouldn’t relent. There was no breeze to seek solace in.
We’re going to roast out there.
“Pack your sunscreen?” a voice asked.
Morris didn’t have to turn around to know it was Ahmed. He smiled. “Please, you know brothas’ don’t tan. We simmer.”
Morris turned to face his friend.
Ahmed stood with his hands behind his back. A piece of what he could only imagine was TP stuck to his head. It was bloodied.
They couldn’t look at each other for more than a second before breaking out into laughter.
“Shaving just isn’t what it used to be,” Ahmed spoke.
“Well, that’s cause you’re just used to shaving those three hairs you call pubes, not a full head of hair.”
“I’ll have you know I had at least five before we set sail.”
They laughed until it hurt to smile. An uncomfortable silence grew over them.
Ahmed was the one to break it. “Listen, about this morning.”
Morris waved him off before he could continue. “It is what it is…We both got to do what we believe to be right and that’s just what you did. I can’t hate you for being true to yourself.”
“That’s very pious of you. Regardless of everything that’s happened, you’re still my brother
Morris and nothing will change that.”
Slowly, they embraced but for Morris the hug felt hollow. He may have said the words but he felt no connection to what he was saying. He desperately wanted to speak his mind, to yell, and slap some sense into Ahmed. To show him what he was doing was for the better of a group and not just some manipulative attempt to use religion as a means of gaining an advantage but it would be no use. An impressionable child is unreasonable but an impressionable man is all but an impenetrable fort. Morris simply held his brother, content to have one last fleeting moment of friendship then Kendra strode in.
Morris released himself from Ahmed’s grip. He took a step back placing a hand at his knife.
“Get the boat in the water,” he said to Jamal and Hector.
They did their best to push the small escape boat into the water but it was simply too heavy.
Ahmed made a move to help.
Morris stopped him. “I think you’ve done enough.”
“It’s not what you think Morris. She’s simply here to say a prayer for your travels. We are not the enemy, my friend. We are simply here to help.”
“Somehow, I highly doubt that with her.”
Ahmed went to speak but a hand on his shoulder quieted him.
Kendra approached Morris.
He stood ready to strike. He watched her produce an umbrella from behind her back. “I don’t want your gifts.” He spat.
“Do not be so hasty as to deny GOD’s gifts, my son.”
“I am not your son and you do not speak for GOD. You are nothing but a liar. A self righteous bitch who took it upon herself to finally be someone. Well guess what, you failed. You will never be someone, not while you manipulate and feed lies into everyone’s heads. They are scared and directionless while you are taking advantage of that but you won’t get away with it. The people will wise up to you and they will turn on you and you will go back to being the nobody you have been all your life.”
The room fell silent. If one listened hard enough, they could hear a pin drop.
Kendra said nothing, she just stared into Morris’ eyes.
It made him supremely uncomfortable but he refused to back down.
She took a step towards him placing her hand on his cheek. A tear strolled down her face. “It’s okay. I know most of you still fear me but I am on your side Morris. I come here not to trick you into doing anything but to simply give three men brave enough to weather the storm a little shade.” She placed the umbrella in Morris’ hand.
For whatever reason he could not fathom, he took it.
She smiled at him. “For the son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” She kissed him on the cheek.
As she stepped away, Morris could see Valentina standing in the doorway. Her arms crossed, menace in her eyes yet she said nothing. Somehow, that felt even worse. He saw Valentina and Kendra lock eyes and could swear he felt the temperature rise in the room. He always wondered which of the three women on this ship in charge was the hardest mother fucker going. He once thought it was Valentina since she was Russian and he always knew them to be tough as shit but watching the two know locked in a soundless battle, he could no longer be sure. She stood tall and imposing and at first glance one would assume her to be the victor but her eyes betrayed her. He couldn’t see Kendra’s eyes as she had her back to him but he took Valentina’s as a sign of Kendra’s insanity. He became so lost in his thoughts he b
arely registered Kendra turning back to him.
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. I have told you these things so that in me, you may have peace. You will know suffering in this world but be courageous for I have conquered the world.” With this, she made her exit.
Morris caught Ahmed’s nod at him. He returned the favor watching them leave.
Kendra stopped just short of Valentina. She whispered something that Morris couldn’t hear but whatever it was, it rattled Valentina.
Morris threw the umbrella into the boat. “All together.”
Morris, Jamal, and Hector pushed with all their might. It took several attempts but they managed to drop the escape boat into the ocean below. It crashed with the waves up against the larger ship.
“Whoa. Jamal, Hector, get in there and steady us”
Jamal jumped down. He turned back helping the old timer into the boat. Once aboard, they each grabbed an oar, pushing off against the luxury ship. They coasted about a foot away from the boat.
Valentina approached him. “I’m worried.” “We’ll be fine,” he stated.
“About her. What did she say to you?”
Morris shrugged. “Just more of the same. Spouting off at the mouth. Toxic drivel is all.”
“Let’s hope so. The council is important, Morris. Without us, this ship cannot survive. We are the last branch of society left on this planet and if we let it fall, we will forever be known as the ones who let it happen. The one’s who collectively destroyed the human race. You do well to remember that while you’re out there.”
“We’re wasting daylight, kiss the bitch, and let’s get a move on,” Hector shouted.
“You heard the man.”
He turned to jump into the water.
Valentina grabbed his arm pulling him in for a hug.
It was the nicest display of affection he’d had on this ship. He hugged her back.
