Chapter 84 - Treacherous waters

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.

After what appeared like forever, Olga entered the kitchen. She had a small bag with her, she walked straight to me and tossed it on my knees. I jumped at the contact, a little scared.

"I believe this will fit," she whirled and exited the kitchen without paying attention to the doctor. Which was odd, wasn't Olga his assistant or something? The way they interact was strange too. There were no feelings or attachments. Dr. Churchhill was cold towards her. And she was just a blank slate. Maybe, he was immune to artificial from working long hours making them. He lost the awe I feel each time I watch Grant and Demos. "That's only your opinion" the word of Demos echoed in my head. Right, it was only in my head. I need to stop crafting scenarios. I don't know what the hell those two are up to when no one is looking. And I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

Getting up I placed the empty chocolate mug on the table next to Dr. Churchhill. He looked up from the conversation he was having with Angus.

"Did Olga bring you something to wear?" I quickly nodded.

"Thanks, I'll head to my cabin. I need to change, I don't want to be a bother," all three at the table frowned.

"Are you insane? You're going back in that weather?" Shouted Dr. Nadaly.

"I can't undress here. I'll go take a shower it will be ok," Dr. Churchhill got up.

"Hey! You by the door!" he called to Dots. The cyborgs turned to face us. His faceplate blinked.

"Yes, how may I help?" it said in a plat mechanical tone.

"Can you accompany this young lady to her cabin and make sure she doesn't go overboard?" Angus and Dr. Nadaly shared a concerned look.

"Certainly," answered the Dots. It pulled the door opened for me. I slightly bowed my head at the group and exited. A gush of wind stirred my hair out of control. I gripped my bag trying to stand upright.

"This way," said the cyborg. It offered his hand to keep me steady. I held on it for dear life. Buckets of seawater threw in my face. My eyes burn from the salt. It's a good thing I left my glasses in the cabin. The walk seemed shorter than what I've experienced previously. Dots waited for me to get inside before leaving. Quite the gentleman, I must admit.

The metal door shut out all the noise of an angry nature. The room was the same as I left it. My mates were immobile on the mattresses. I let the blanket sunk to my feet in the entrance and walked to the bathroom. I kicked out my shoes and shook the water out of them in the sink.

"I wonder if they have shops on that island?" I muttered to my reflection in the mirror. My face was pale, I pulled my T-shirt over my head and my pants both joined my shoes in the sink. I quickly stripped the rest and stepped in the shower. The hot water felt amazing against my cold skin. It helped ease the burning in my eyes too. With a towel wrapped around me, I went to the bag Olga gave me. I pulled a deep green fabric, turned it around trying to figure out what it was. I looked back into the bag unsure if this was a dress or a designer skirt. There was a pair of high heels in the bag and nothing else.

"Damn!" I whispered. "Does she think I'm going out to the club or something?" I tossed the green dress back in the bag furious and crossed my arms over my chest. There's no way I was going to wear that thing. I paced back and forth then went back to the entrance where my bag waited for me. Frenetically digging inside it, I got my winkling dirty T-shirt from my escape from a building tower and two clean panties. I screamed in frustration.

"Damn it, Liliane. Couldn't you pack your freaking bag properly?" I raged and kicked the bag. I stomped back in the bathroom and glare that the bag Olga gave me.

"I can't believe this!" I slipped into my panties and grabbed the dress.

"I can't believe this," I repeated as I squeezed inside the dress. It was a tight motherf.u.c.ker with off-shoulders and it was shorter in the front. I pulled on the hem stretching the fabric. When I stood before the mirror I blushed at my reflection.

"Ok, the dress is pretty," I smiled and frowned. "Oh, f.u.c.k it!" I went to retrieve the shoes. And boy...oh boy they were designed for me. I giggled as I backed a little to see them in the mirror. I rang my fingers in my wet hair and hurried out, the heels clicked as I walked. I froze when I saw Grant sitting on the mattress.

"Where are you going?" his words hesitant. He got to his feet.

"I-I," I looked down at myself feeling my cheek burning. He closed the distance in a few steps. His arms find their way around my waist and he held me in his arms, lips hovering above mine. My heart raced, that constricted dress made it hard to get a full breath.

"You're breathtaking," he whispered. I didn't let him add more. We went into a frenzy lips exchange. My hands went into his hair, gripping locks of curls. He m.o.a.ned against my mouth when I pulled on them.

"What's going on?" asked a voice behind us. We broke free, my head was spinning from oxygen deprivation. Demos was standing by the mattresses with a frown. I took a step back on unsteady legs.

"What are you wearing?" his hands were clenched into fists. "You are not going out of this cabin wearing that! I tear it right off you," he growled in the most menacing way. It was not a s.e.xy threat but a lethal one. His eyes flashed blue.