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"Welcome to the Poseidon," a man leaning on the wall across the walkway sarcastically said. The man had a condescending smile on his face when he looked at Noah as he leaned casually against the wall nearby smoking a cigarette and wearing a dishevelled crew uniform with short ginger stubble and plain features. The man pushed himself upright before walking to stand close to Sophie.
Noah looked at Sophie wearing her cutlass tucked into a modified decorative leather floral sheath, leaving most of the beautiful blade exposed at her belt attached to her curvaceous hip. The look conveyed hidden meaning. He intended to speak to her about their cold-hearted actions of throwing the survivors to the giant sharks earlier as bait. Also implying that he wouldn't thank her for saving his life. He turned back to reply to the smoking crewman.
"Are you the ability-user who saved us before with that ice harpoon hitting the Kraken's tentacle?" Noah asked the crewman.
"Sure am. Kraken, eh? We saw its tentacles lit by the flames in the water last night as it attacked your boat. It must have been terrifying," the man inhaled deeply on his cigarette as he glared from under his uniform cap towards Noah.
"Thank you, Sophie was the one who drove it away when she got the propeller to go." Noah sensed an underlying hostility from the man, so diverted the conversation to Sophie as he noticed the man's interest in her.
"Oh, really? You were who chased that monster off?" the man asked in surprise as he flicked his unfinished cigarette overboard with a spray of ash.
"I would kill for a smoke," Sophie said in disdain as her eyes followed the glowing fall of the cigarette before it extinguished in the water.
"Here, take it. I have plenty more of them. You just have to tell me when we're alone how you beat that Kraken creature in exchange," the dishevelled man pulled an almost full packet of cigarettes from a pocket inside his crew jacket before offering it to Sophie's lips.
Sophie accepted the cigarette with only a snort in reply. The man then pulled a lighter out before shielding her smoke from the wind with his other hand as he lit it. The man pulled another out before placing it in his mouth while putting the packet of cigarettes away without offering anyone else any.
"How do you still have so many left? Your uniform is only a little messy, but it isn't dirty the way most survivors are. Why is that? By the way, what's your name?" Sophie asked.
"My name's Craig. The Poseidon was making a scheduled stop in port when the apocalypse hit and left us stranded out here. We were still supplied for another 8 weeks of the cruise. Half the passengers had disembarked to do sightseeing for the day but obviously couldn't return. I'm jealous. It looks like ability-users are treated with the fear and respect they deserve back on land," the crewman earnestly said.
"On land, you face death every day. Out here you're still relatively safe living in luxury. Why would you ever want to be a part of that chaos?" Noah asked him as his suspicion of the man deepened.
"You'll find out soon enough, they look down on people like us. Those rich snobby bastards think they're entitled to anything even after the world has ended," Craig said bitterly with a sneer as he spat overboard.
"I just tried to take a small slice of the pie, and they punished me for it. They owe me, but the other three ability-users are passengers, and after the Captain died, Theodore took charge. He was the second mate. But he's just a spineless blank worm that doesn't want to accept the world's new order. People like us are the new upper class. The passengers and crew just haven't realized it yet. Now there are more of us, I'll gain the respect I deserve," Craig continued with zeal.
This guy's view seems to coincide awfully close with what 'the Fallen' believe. Has Ronan sensed his kindred spirit and sent Sophie to recruit him? Is that what he instructed her to do with me too?
Noah kept his thoughts hidden as he nodded dismissively to Craig. He turned his back on the pair as he was approached by the now towering Alex while the relieved Josh hung from his arm. Josh threw his arms around Noah's neck in a tight hug before speaking. Craig led Sophie away while trying to entertain her. She cast a glance at Noah as she ignored Craig's attempts to woo her.
"I can't thank you enough, Noah. You saved the love of my life! If you ever need anything, just let me know," Josh earnestly said, withdrawing from the hug and placing his hands on Noah's shoulders.. Alex playfully punched his shoulder with his bandaged hand as he gave him a wide grin before signing something to Josh.
"Alex says that you were a badass when you did the backflip to catch the axe right out of the shark's mouth, then dodged the tentacles to drop on top of the other shark that didn't even see you coming," Josh Laughed as he interpreted for Alex.
"I didn't think he saw that. He was too busy being a badass himself wrestling a giant shark with his bare hands!" Noah playfully replied, causing Alex to let out a chuckle as he read his lips. Alex turned his hands over, which were the size of dinner plates. Revealing the blood-soaked bandages on his palms, covering the deep gashes to show Noah that they had already stopped bleeding.
"They'll make a good scar to show the grandkids," Noah observed with a whistle.
"Now you're both safe. We should go see how things are getting on with our new landlords," Josh suggested.
"Have you met Craig, the ability-user who just left? I don't trust him. There's something shady about him, which I just can't put my finger on," Noah said.
"I noticed that too, but everyone is shady after the arrival. That's why Alex and I just keep to ourselves and try to stay unnoticed. I guess the unnoticed part is impossible now considering Alex's transformation," Josh replied as he looked lovingly up into his husband's eyes. Alex gently smiled down at him.
***
Noah and the couple regrouped with the ferry survivors who were clustered together inside the walkway, near where they climbed on board. Ringed in by the cruise ship crew with the passengers observing the survivors while dressed in formal wear as if celebrating a special occasion as they watched the spectacle of the ferry's struggle with the Kraken. Then the giant sharks' attack claimed two lives from the ferry's survivors.
Standing in front of the gathered survivors of the ferry, stood three well-dressed upper-class gentlemen, holding crystal wine glasses. A crewman stood nearby with a simpering expression as he waited for instructions from the gentlemen. He assumed that the crewman was Theodore, whom Craig spoke about scornfully earlier.
Opposite the four men from the cruise ship speaking on behalf of the ferry survivors was Ronan, scowling in displeasure. There was also Sophie with a glaring Craig, shadowing her. An anxious Mister Kim shielded a timid Su behind him. She had her arms around her Grandpa's waist with her head hidden in his back as she peeked warily at the wealthy passengers in front of them.
