Saturday, April 20th, The Year 2219

Asher's POV

I came to see if Brooke was okay, but she is crying and hysterical in front of her room door. So, I ran over to see what happened.

"Simone, what....." Oh no, please tell me it didn't happen again. Simone had tears falling from her eyes too.

"Miki's gone, Asher. The same thing that happened to Kristi just happened to Miki. We saw her sitting on the ground, clutching her stomach. She looked up and tried to tell Brooke to be careful around someone, but she didn't get to say a name. Something crazy is going on this ship!! We need to get off this ship asap. Both of our friends are dead, and from what?! We came to have some fun. Now, we are mourning because something killed them!! Help me get Brooke inside, please? I believe she is in shock."

She's gone too?! I'm not staying either. Once the ship ports at Ralmainia, I am getting off. Brooke didn't scream when I carried her into the room. I placed her on the couch.

Simone grabbed a cover for her and Brooke.

"I'm scared, Asher. I don't want to die. I don't want Chanelle or Brooke to die. I don't want you to die either. Can we all be friends again? I understand that you were hurt from what happened and broke up your relationship with Brooke. She is a changed woman. She still cares about you. I don't believe she wants to pursue a relationship with Jason. Will you stay with us, please?"

"Of course, I'll stay. And, yes we can be friends. Where is Chanelle's room?" I still care about her too.

"Right across the hall from Brooke. She may not be in there."

"I will find her and be right back." I opened the door, and that quickly Miki's skin was gone. There is definitely something weird going on this ship.

I knocked on the door several times. No answer. I don't know even where to go. I saw her walking my way from the main area of the ship.

"Chanelle, Simone and Brooke watched your friend die. And, the same thing that happened to Kristi happened to your friend. When I opened the door to come get you, the skin was gone. Somebody knows something, and we need to find out who. Follow me back to Brooke's room."

"What the heck is wrong with ship?!!"

I had Brooke's room key, so I opened the door. Brooke did not move. She was stiff as a surfboard. Simone was curled up on the other couch.

"Miki's gone, Chanelle. I saw it with Brooke this time. I now know why Brooke was like she was in the stairwell."

"Where's Jason?" Not that I really care.

"He went back to his room, wherever it is. He always comes to Brooke's room. I'll send him a text from Brooke's phone."

He does? It sounds strange to me. Time to really investigate Mr. Maisel. Brooke's room was huge, it's like two rooms in one. I sat in one of the recliners in the living room.

Jason's POV

I made it to Brooke's room as fast as I could. Chanelle opened the door. The first thing I saw was Brooke in Asher's arms. They were both asleep.

Asher is pissing me off. I told him to leave her alone. He was her past. I am going to be her future.

"What happened? I came as fast as I could."

Simone answered, "Jason, Brooke and I saw Miki die. She died the same way Kristi died. We want to get off this ship! Will you stay with us, too? Asher is already staying with us. Brooke's room is plenty big enough for all of us."

"Of course, I'll stay. Try and get some rest. It may not be easy, but at least try."

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Sunday, April 21st, The Year 2219

8:00 am

Everyone was still asleep when I woke up. And, Brooke was still in Asher's arms. I'm tempted to move her away from him, but now is not the time for trouble. Asher did open his eyes.

I had to mumble. "Why is Brooke in your dang arms, Asher?!"

"So, that's why I couldn't move. I had no idea," he said with a smug grin on his face. "Look, I'm just as surprised as you. She finally is getting some rest. Let it be."

"I'll be right back. I'm going to shower and change into clean clothes."

Asher's POV

Jason was pissed, but I didn't care. I didn't know Brooke was laying on top of me. But it feels so right that she is. Is it wrong for me to say I am in love with her? My mother would be really happy.

Brooke started tossing like she was having a bad dream. Then, she screamed.

"Brooke, love wake up."

She opened her tear, stained eyes.

"Asher? What are you doing here?" She just realized what position she was in. "I'm sorry about sleeping on top of you. I must have joined you sometime last night. The only thing I remember is seeing Miki die."

"I came to check on you and saw you sitting on the floor, in shock. Simone told me what happened. I'm sorry, Brooke. Next stop, we are getting off this ship. Something is definitely going on."

Surprisingly, Brooke did not move. She started crying again. "Please don't leave us. Promise me, please? I couldn't take it if you died too. No, we are not together, but I still care about you, Asher."

"Thank you for still caring. There is nothing we can do until we get to Ralmainia." I used my hands to caress her back to calm her down.

"I'll never leave you alone, Brooke. I promise."

She unwrapped my arms, then stood up. Brooke grabbed my hands to pull me out of the chair and dragged me into her bedroom. And, closed the door and locked it.

"Uh, what's up?" I tried to open the door, but she wouldn't let me. She pushed me down on her bed and sat on top of me.

"Jason and I are not exclusive, Asher. And, you are not with Crystal anymore. That's why I left your company. I would never lie to you about anything. After what happened to us, I have so much more respect for relationships. Faithfulness and loyalty are key components. You want me as much as I want you. If I am going to die, I want to die happy."

She tossed off her shirt, then unhooked her bra. "Brooke, sweetheart you just went through a traumatic experience. This isn't the time for this. You're not going to die. Of course, I want you, but not like this."

She unbuttoned my shirt first, my belt and zipper on my pants. "When will the right time be, Asher? I want you to take me now! Make my hurt and pain go away. I haven't been intimate in a long time. Fulfill my desires, Asher Gray. Your horny because your weapon is telling so. It's begging you, 'Go inside Brooke.' Everyone is asleep. No one will hear us." Brooke started running her hands, up and down my chest. Her hands then started moving further down.

It won't take away her emotional pain, but she sure would be in pain from what she wants me to do. "Brooke, you're vulnerable. What kind of guy would I be to take advantage of you at this moment?"

"The kind of guy that I want and need. Don't be shy now. We are consenting adults here. Just hush and make me scream your name. I promise not to be loud."

I am so doomed.

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12:00 pm

When I opened Brooke's bedroom door, Simone, Chanelle, and Jason were sitting on the couch. Jason was pissed and angry.

Jason stood up and was about to punch me in the face. I ducked just in time.

"You just had to work your way back into the picture!! Why didn't you stay away?!!! Why were you in Brooke's bedroom?!"

"Do you mind?! Brooke is asleep."

He took another swing, and I ducked again. "Helping her go to sleep."

"Stop lying! You and Brooke had...." He pushed me against the wall and started choking me.

"We didn't...." Was all I could get out.

"Jason, stop it!!!" Brooke screamed as she opened the door to her room.

"We didn't do it. Asher didn't want to take advantage of my vulnerability, which he says I had but I didn't. So, we didn't have sex. I was the one who wanted it. You and I are not exclusive, Jason. Just everyone leave me alone! I want to be alone."

She slammed her door shut.

Jason still had his hands around my throat. "Let go of me, Jason!" After catching my breath, I went to grab a glass of water. "Ladies, I'll be back. I need to shower and change."

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5:00 pm

Brooke's POV

After a nice, long shower, I went to my closet for an outfit. I stayed in my room after the altercation between Jason and Asher. It was my fault. And, I wasn't vulnerable. I knew what I was doing.

I opened my room door. They were all sitting together.

"Listen, I am the one who dragged Asher into my room. I knew what I was doing. Asher talked me out of it. It would not have been an appropriate thing to do, considering the circumstances. If you, Jason and Asher, can't co-exist, then both you both should leave. If you can, we need to all be on the same page. I'm not leaving my room until we port in Ralmainia."

"Brooke, how are you going to eat? You need food."

"Simone, after what happened to Kristi and Miki, I don't want anything off this ship. I'll starve if need be."

"You know darn well we are not going to let you starve. We'll find you something."

"Whatever. Jason, you and Asher sit on the couch. If either one of you snaps at the other, both of you are getting out of my room. Understand? This is my room, so my rules."

Jason was mad but I don't care. What is their problem anyway?

"I need to get a message to Miki's family. I tried, but I suddenly can't get any service."

"I tried too, Brooke but couldn't get service either. It's too much weirdness going on. This cruise seemed destined to be a disaster when it pulled away from home," Simone says.

"I'll be right back." Jason then got up and left the room.

"Brooke, please don't be offended by what I am about to ask. Has Jason ever asked you to his room? Simone told me he always came to yours."

"No, he hasn't asked me. What are you trying to say, Asher?"

"You are a very beautiful woman. Don't you find it strange?"

"Maybe he is extremely private. I never thought about it. I just want to get off this ship. We have two days until we get there. It's too long."

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Monday, April 22nd, The Year 2219

8:00 pm

Asher's POV

Tomorrow we can finally get off this nightmare of a ship. Brooke, Chanelle, and Simone are packed and ready to go. They finally got Brooke out of the room today. So, I took this opportunity to go pack my clothes and take them to Brooke's room.

On my way back to her room, I smelled a strange odor coming from somewhere. I followed the scent to a room with double doors. Either someone forgot to lock it or left it unlocked on purpose. So, I checked to see if anyone was watching. No one was so, I went in and closed the door.

I wished I didn't come in here because I found an empty trash can and threw up some food. This is something out of a horror movie! The skins of people from this ship were up on hangers like they are coats. They even had name tags. This is beyond disgusting.

I saw Kristina, Miki, and her boy friend's skins. I found another trash can and hurled whatever was left in my stomach.

I need to get out of here fast!! I ran to the door, grabbed my luggage, and got out of there fast! I ran all the way to Brooke's room.

I knocked on the door and Brooke answered.

I hurried into her room, shut the door fast, and ran to the bathroom. I'm surprised there was anything left in my stomach because it came out.

"Asher, are you okay I there?"

"Um, I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

I washed my hands and opened the door. "Can you get me some water or something to drink."

"Of course. Have a seat."

Are we even going to make it to tomorrow after what I saw? Brooke came back with a glass of water.

"Thank you."

"Asher, what's wrong? You look like you saw something that spooked you."

"I did. I can't get the image out of my mind. Whatever I ate came out. If I tell you, it will make you upset." I started running my hands through my hair.

"What else can go wrong on this horror cruise?"

"On my way back to your room, I smelled a rancid odor. So, I followed the scent to a room with double doors. I opened the doors, and....."

"And what?" Brooke motioned for me to lay my head in her lap.

"In the room was skin - the skins of people who died on the ship. Someone on this ship is killing people, Brooke. I saw Miki, Kristina, and Miki's friend. Their skins we're on hangers, with name tags like they were coats."

I looked up and saw Brooke in tears. "We are going to be dead before we even get a chance to get off."

I sat up. "We are not going to die. Where are the others? They haven't come back yet?"

"No, they haven't. Chanelle and Simone said they are sleeping in their beds tonight. Jason didn't say where he was going. So, it's just the two of us. Asher, we both need comforting. You are just as scared as I am." Brooke started rubbing her hands up and down my arms.

"Will you now do what I asked the other night? Nobody is here. We are totally alone until tomorrow. If you will have me, I'm yours. I know I cheated, but like I said, I still care about you too."

"Are you really sure? And, please don't bring that up anymore. I forgave you a while ago but never said it. So, I forgive you. It's in the past. Let's both leave it there. I still care about you too, and I am a free man. Heck, my mother wants to see us back together."

Brooke stood up, and her shirt came off. "Then, let's make her dreams come true."

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12:00 am

Brooke and I went several rounds, and it was amazing. I loved working every inch of her body.

"I missed doing that."

"You never did that with Crystal?"

"Not even once. She never wanted to, and now I know why. Please, don't ever leave me again."

"I won't. Now, how about again? We are making up for lost time."

We were about to go at it again but.......

The ship started jerking around. "Whoa, what's wrong?"

It did it again as Brooke and I began kissing.

"We need to get dressed. Something is wrong."

The captain came on the loudspeaker, "Ladies and gentlemen, please brace for impact! The cruise ship has suffered engine failure! I repeat, brace for impact!!!!"

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