I sit impatiently on the large, overstuffed chair in the private room that has been designated to Detective Brian. He has become very important since last night and is playing a crucial role in this case.

I had been informed that the cruise will not stop at the next island, due to the "unfortunate incident" that had taken place last night.

All I am interested in knowing is, who is this person that had killed my friend? I would like to meet him personally.

I had decided that I would ask Detective Brian to allow me to meet the murderer in person.

I have been waiting here since I had awaken from my restless and uneasy sleep. I have not even put a morsel of food into my dry mouth. I had switched my phone off this morning, irritated and nettled with the vibrations and ring tones.

I did not meet any of my fellows since last night and nor do I desire to do so. I do not want to be witness to any kind of fake sympathy, pity and crocodile tears.

I hear the creak of the door and Detective Brian walks in with a sincere smile on his face. I had always imagined Detectives to be the stereotypical types - straight faced and a teensy bit intimidating.

However, along with being serious and composed, Detective Brian has a sense of affection. He sits down on the less comfortable chair in front of me.

I try to conceal my queasiness when I view the files under his right arm. He calms me with a reassuring smile. And then I begin...

I disclose everything that I know about Malak and narrate all that had happened from the day I had met her up until last night.

He stops me time and again to ask me a few questions and pours me a cup of refreshing tea in the process.

I gradually sip the hot tea as I talk about Malak. I sense that he seems to be very surprised when I do not hesitate to speak about last night and explain everything in detail, including the position of "the body" and the description of the room and surroundings.

I had prepared myself for this moment and had repeated these lines to myself the whole time. After I am done with whatever I had wanted to say, I take a deep breath and sit back, relieved to get all of this information off my shoulders and onto someone else's.

Didn't they ask these questions to the murderer?

He clears his throat and looks at me proudly.

After a few moments of silence, I finally muster the courage to ask him the question I had practiced asking him last night. He notices the hesitation in my worried eyes . "Do you need to ask me something?", he questions me as if reading my mind.

I nod. "Yes umm...I know that this is a private case and you have certain rules and regulations to follow, but...please understand it from my perspective. I would like to meet him!", I finally say.

He looks at me, confusion written all over his face. "Sorry?", is all he manages to say.

I sigh. "I would like to meet the murderer in person Detective Brian. I want to know which monster has taken the soul of my friend. I want to ask the murderer in person why he did it! I.. I hope that this is not too muh to ask for. Please understand that I have to.", I say exasperatedly.

He stares at me in shock, baffled and bewildered by my question. This worries me. "What?", I ask him rudely.

He takes a deep breath and shakes his head from side to side as if not believing what I had just asked for. "What?", I ask him for the second time, but this time it comes out more like a whisper.

"Amanda, we don't know who murdered Malak!", he tells me slowly and clearly. My heart sinks to the bottom of the ocean.

"That's why we need your help. There is a dangerous murderer on the loose. Well, as of now, he is trapped between the tall walls of this cruise. But so are we. There is no where we can hide. Nor is there any place we could run to. This murderer is living amongst us. Do you understand that everyone's lives are in danger?"

I pull at the hem of my dress in shock and fear. Each word is a hammer blow. The words send cold chills down my spine.

What!! How is this possible? They did not get the person who had murdered Malak. Oh no!! This is insane.

"Now do you understand how serious this matter is Amanda!" I wipe away my perspiration on my forehead and nod.

He sighs. "As of now, I have somehow handled the situation by spreading the news that Malak had fell in the bathroom, hit her head on the wall and had passed away. The people that were present at the crime scene had to swear that they would not spread the real news. Believe me, I have threatened them real bad in order for them not to open their big mouths. I had no choice but to. I had to prevent the forthcoming hysteria and panic amongst the people."

He shakes his head. "You must have heard that we would not stop the cruise at the next island as planned in order to prevent the murderer from escaping. But we have to stop at Portuguese island. That's in no time."

"How can you guys not know who the murderer is? WHY don't you know? It is your job to know?", I accuse him between tears. He comes over to my once again shivering self, and pats my back slowly. "Amy.", he calls out my pet name," that is why I would need your help and cooperation." I look up at him trying to predict what is going to follow.

"We are not on land. It is only myself and the security team. To be honest, we don't know what we are doing. I am going to ask you to do me a huge favour.", he tells me. In fact he begs me. I wipe my tears and nod frantically.

"What? What can I do for you?", I ask.

He smiles and takes a deep breath before saying, "I will need your help in catching the monster!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear readers:

Tell me what you think about this short chapter. Who do you think is the monster? Remember to vote and comment.

I love you all.
Mwaah
Love amina.