Chapter 7

"Forget it," Clara said suddenly, wiping her tears as she looked up from Logan's embrace. She choked out, "Fortunately you guys came in time, so I didn't get hurt." She timidly looked over to Natalie in her wheelchair before fearfully shrinking back into his arms. "But I really was frightened by what happened today, so we should still punish her for what she did. Otherwise, what if she does it again in the future?" Jayden frowned, while Logan absentmindedly traced the armrest of Natalie's wheelchair. "I heard that…" Clara's voice grew fainter, yet each word rang clear. "Natalie has thalassophobia. We happen to have a cruise—how about we leave her on the cruise and let her drift on the sea for three days?" "That—" Logan instinctively looked at Natalie. "Isn't that too—" Before Jayden could finish his sentence, Clara burst into tears once again. "I knew it!" She sobbed while taking several steps back. "Natalie has always mattered more to both of you!" Clara turned around and started to run off. "Guess it's none of my damn business!" "Clara!" Jayden grabbed her and turned to look at Logan hesitantly. "It's just for three days; it should be fine, right?" Logan glanced at Natalie's pale face before eventually nodding. … The sea breeze carried a damp, salty scent on the cruise's deck. Jayden personally secured the wheelchair in the cabin. He even carefully tucked a blanket over Natalie. "We'll come pick you up in three days." He crouched down, trying to meet her gaze, but her eyes remained fixed on the distant horizon. Logan went down on one knee and took her cold hand. "Be good, Natalie. It's only for three days, and then I'll be back to pick you up. Besides, it won't be as scary now that you're inside the cruise and not looking at the sea. This is already considered a light punishment." "You won't be able to pick me up," Natalie suddenly said. Her voice was calm, as if she were discussing the weather. "Clara would never let me leave this cruise alive." "What nonsense are you spouting?" Jayden stood up abruptly. Logan's grip tightened as he said, "Please don't be like this, Natalie—" Seeing that they didn't believe her, Natalie simply turned away. "It's up to you whether you decide to believe me or not." Logan's expression suddenly froze. "Let's go." Jayden tugged at him. "Let her calm down for now." As the two walked down the gangway, Natalie's phone suddenly vibrated. She glanced at the unknown number on the screen and gently pressed the answer button. "We're here, Ms. Carter." The voice on the other end of the line was calm and professional. "Please provide your current coordinates." Natalie whispered the cruise's location in a barely audible voice. She then slowly looked up and stared into the distance, silently bidding goodbye to Logan and Jayden, knowing that they would never meet again. … Not far off, Logan and Jayden walked on either side of Clara as they headed toward the dock. For some reason, Natalie's final glance had left them feeling unsettled. They exchanged a brief, knowing glance and were about to speak up. Before they could do so, a massive explosion erupted behind them. Jayden and Logan froze, their faces filled with terror as they turned back. What they saw next would haunt them for the rest of their lives. The cruise carrying Natalie had suddenly exploded in the middle of the sea, the powerful blast ripping it apart. All that was left was a sea of debris and blood.