The Dream 3
The ship’s engines hummed steadily as I stepped aboard, glaring at the polished floors and pristine corridors.
My fists clenched at my sides.
Cairo
A ship? Seriously? You couldn’t have gotten a jet instead?
Cairo
It’s faster, more comfortable, and doesn’t make me feel like I’m stuck in a tin can.
My mother said sharply from behind me. Her tone was enough to silence me mid-rant.
She walked past, her heels clicking against the metal floor.
Anna
This isn’t a vacation. And maybe if you showed a little gratitude, you wouldn’t be so unbearable to deal with.
I huffed, slinging my bag over my shoulder.
Cairo
I don’t see why we couldn’t just—
Sebi interjected, his voice soft but firm, like a balm over the tension. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
Sebi
You’ll like it here, Cai. I even arranged a training room for you—a big one. Should keep you occupied.
Sebi
Yes, sweetheart. I figured you’d need a way to let out all that energy.
Kai chuckled from the corner, leaning casually against the wall.
Kai
I’ll show you. Not like you have anything better to do.
I followed Kai through the narrow corridors, my annoyance simmering but curiosity piqued.
The training room was bigger than I expected, with reinforced walls, targets, and even a sparring area. My fingers itched for a weapon.
Kai drawled, crossing his arms.
I muttered, grabbing a set of throwing knives from the rack.
As I trained, I could feel Kai’s smug presence looming, his gaze irritatingly calm.
My throws were precise, but every time I missed a mark, his chuckle grated on me.
I snapped, hurling a knife toward the target.
He said lazily, leaning against the wall.
Before I could retort, a loud, metallic clash echoed through the ship, followed by distant shouts.
My heart froze as the sounds of panic and chaos grew louder.
Kai moved toward the door, his relaxed demeanor replaced by sharp alertness.
The ship jolted violently, and alarms blared.
My instincts kicked in, and I reached for my gun just as an explosion ripped through the training room.
The force threw me backward. My vision blurred, and everything became a cacophony of noise and searing heat.
The last thing I saw was Kai’s face, his wide eyes locked on mine as he lunged forward, his body shielding me from the blast.
A sharp, burning pain tore through my shoulder, and the world went dark.
Mom, I want to show you I’m capable.
Sebi, I’m not just a child...
Kai… I don’t need your protection. I can protect myself.
The thought jolted me, and the stillness shattered as the sounds of chaos came rushing back—screams, bullets ricocheting off walls, the groaning metal of a ship on the brink of collapse.
My eyes shot open, and I gasped as pain lanced through my shoulder.
I croaked, blinking to clear my vision. He was there, crouched beside me, his face pale but his expression focused.
Blood dripped from a gash on his forehead, but he was still holding a gun, his body angled protectively toward me.
I called again, louder this time
He glanced at me, relief flashing across his face for a split second before urgency took over.
He barked, his voice steady despite the chaos around us.
I followed his gaze to a hatch just three feet away. A trapdoor.
I tried to move, but my body protested—pain blooming from my shoulder and head, making my limbs heavy.
Kai snapped, already pushing me toward the hatch.
With his free hand, he wrenched it open, revealing a narrow ladder that led to a small compartment below.
I didn’t have time to think. Kai practically shoved me in, his hand firm but careful on my good shoulder.
I slid down the ladder, landing awkwardly in the cramped space. Seconds later, Kai followed, sealing the hatch above us.
The space was suffocatingly tight, dimly lit, and filled with the low hum of machinery.
I realized with a start that we were in an escape submarine—a last resort for situations exactly like this.
Kai didn’t waste time. He stumbled to the controls, his movements slightly shaky, and began prepping the sub for launch. I slumped against the wall, my breaths shallow and uneven, watching him.
I asked, my voice trembling.
Cairo
Where are they, Kai?
I pressed, panic rising in my chest.
His silence said everything.
Kai finally turned to me, his expression grim.
Kai
We don’t know. The ship… it was hit hard. Sebi ordered me to get you out. Your mom…
He hesitated, the words heavy in the air.
Kai
She told us to protect you. That was her last order.
I stared at him, my chest tightening until it felt like I couldn’t breathe. Guilt clawed at me, sharp and unrelenting. This was my fault.
Cairo
I didn’t… I didn’t even say anything to them,
I whispered, my vision blurring with tears I refused to let fall.
Kai crouched in front of me, his hand gripping my good shoulder.
Kai
Cai, listen to me. Right now, we survive. That’s what they’d want. Got it?
I nodded, but it felt hollow. My thoughts were a mess, bouncing between my mother’s sharp voice,
Sebi’s warm smile, and the last moments of the ship exploding around us.
The sub shuddered as it detached from the ship, Kai expertly guiding it into the depths. The chaos above grew muffled, the sounds fading as we descended.
I wanted to focus on the silence, to let it calm me, but the pain in my head and shoulder was unbearable. My vision swam, and I could barely make out Kai’s face as he called my name.
His voice was distant, frantic.
But I couldn’t. The pain and the guilt were too much.
My last thought before everything went black again was Kai’s face, bloodied and bruised, and the echo of my mother’s voice telling me to be better.
Comments