Chapter 84 - Treacherous waters (1/2)
The intense cold and shivering pulled me from dreams filled with monsters chasing me inside a burning tower. There was a pale light coming from the rounded window by the door. With my hands, I searching for a blanket to cover myself but lonely touch solid icy lumps on both sides. I sneezed and sat up while rubbing my arms.
”Lights!” I called, but nothing happened. Then it all came rushing back to me. The fire and the panic all in one slap across the face. My eyes began to adjust to the gloom and I could make out the motionless two shapes beside me. They didn't breath, I ran my fingers over Demos' face. It was smooth with skin texture yet so cool to the touch. It felt alien. I quickly retrieved my hand and crawled to the end of the mattress. The cabin was oddly silent, then I noticed I couldn't hear the engines either. Did we already reach our destination? I rushed to the door on unsteady feet. The boat rocked from side to side. When I turned the knob, the door yanked opened almost taking me off my feet. I was greeted with angry roaring waves and the huge sky with different hues of pinks, orange, and deep gray.
”What's going on?” I yelled over the chaos. I struggled to stay on my feet as I made my way to the kitchen. Waved crashed against the side of the embarkation splashing me in the progress. My hand slipped on the wet wall. I watched in horror at the darkened sea raged and came back for revenge. Surely it wanted to pull me into its depths. I fought to reach the door, I grabbed the knob and it slipped.
”Ah!” I floor leaned working to get me off balance. The loud wave hissed behind my back. My arms waved in front of me to keep me steady.
”Liliane!” shouted a voice from the open door of the kitchen. Two tall figures appeared behind me. I smashed into them. When I looked up I found Dots and the captain.
”Where are you going, young lady?” he said half smiling. Dr. Churchhill was by the door. They rushed me inside the warm kitchen. Angus and Dr. Nadaly looked up from their steaming cups of coffee.
”What happened?” asked Agnus getting up.
”I caught a mermaid, she was about to jump in the waters,” laughed the captain. He let go of his iron grip. I was shivering in my soaked garments. Dr. Churchhill hurried to my side with a blanket that he pulled from the couch next to the tiny bookshelf by the door.
”What were you doing outside?” he wrapped it around me and rubbed my back. ”I told you I'll come to wake you up,” he frowned. ”And grant?” I shook my head.
”They are still... sleeping,” I answered through chattering teeth.
”Give her something warm to drink,” he called over his shoulder. The nameless young man got to his feet and went to the door at the other end of the room. He came back with a green mug, the doctor guided me to the couch. Captain Thomson tore his raincoat off and hanged it by the door. I dripped to the floor leaving a pool of water on the floor. Dots didn't move from his spot.
”Here you go,” said the young man with a smile. I peeked into the mug. ”I'd figured hot chocolate would suit you,” I nodded and took the warm beverage eagerly. I sighed as my trembling fingers came in contact with its surface.
”Thanks,” I muttered. He flashed me a huge grin with his green eyes sparkling. Dr. Churchhill shoved him aside while glaring. He gave out a surprised scream while regaining his balance. He nervously scratched his head and averted his eyes.
”Quit hitting on the lady. She's not free and you really don't want to mess with them Elija,” he warned. He took a step back.
”I wasn't hitting on her. I was just being polite. Anyway, I'm not into women,” he narrowed his eyes at me. He turned around strode away to the other side of the room. The doctor turned his focus back at me.
”Don't mind him. I've always thought those who are too smart and too young can't be normal,” he crooked his fingers to make air quotes around the word normal. I followed the young man, called Elija as he settled on a chair. So he was a scientist like Dr. Churchhill?
”How old is he?” I sipped from the mug and stuck out my tongue. It was way too sweet. I caught Elija smiling, our eyes met for a fraction of a second. I quicked dropped my gaze to my hot chocolate.
”I guess he is sixteen or something. He built his first model at eleven. Well, his mother is no other than the great Emilia Burns,” I looked up at him, that name didn't ring any bells. Still, I nodded and kept drinking. The shivering subsided, I pulled the blanket close around my shoulder. My shoes were completely soaked and leaking. Then the reason I got out of the cabin came back to me.
”Why did we stopped?” I faced the doctor. He sunk to the couch next to me with a sigh. ”I got up and I couldn't hear the engines. Are we there yet?” he ran his hand over his tired face.
”Yes, we are. But the waters around this island are treacherous. We are waiting for dawn to get closer,” he exhaled then his eyes stopped on my ruined shoes. ”I hope you have spares,” he pointed at them. I slowly shook my head.
”I didn't have the time to pack a lot... with the fire and everything,” I chuckled. He nodded with a finger over his chin then his head sprung up. He went to his bracelet, scrolled over it.
”Olga? Do you have something to lend Miss Kerry?” the blank face artificial appeared above his device.
”Clothes? Shoes?” she asked in a dry tone.
”Yes, bring them to the kitchen,” he turned to me. ”Grant will be furious if I let you caught a cold. Wait here,” he got to his feet. I gave a quick scan around the kitchen. Angus and Dr. Nadaly were engaged in a fierce conversation while Elija was reading something from his bracelet. Dots stood by the door and captain Thomson has disappeared behind the door when Elija got the hot chocolate. From the loud waves of laughter coming behind it, I guess the cook was busy preparing breakfast there. Dr. Churchhill went to sit with the others.