I sit at the front as Malak drives her Mercedes and we remain silent for the entire trip as usual. She turns around the bend and takes a left turn into Karagola place, where my house is situated. She stops before the gate and I thank her. I jump out and open the gate, when she calls out to me,

"Amy...", I turn to look at her surprised that she even spoke to me. "Yes Malak?.", " I....umm...someone was asking for you today at campus....", she adds. Hmm...who would ask for me? "Who was it?", I ask her. "Do you know anyone by the name of Larry?"

"Larry...Larry?....no...not that I know of. But why are you so concerned?", I ask her looking at her worried expression. "He was...weird.", she says again and frowns. "Weird in what way?" She shrugs, gets irritated with all the questions and doesn't bother to reply. She whizzes the car away. I was hoping it was not Mr murderer.

Oh just the thought of Mr murderer causes the arrector pilli muscles in my skin to contract causing my tiny hair strands to stand up.
Why am I always so nervous around him?

***********************************

'Now and then its good to pause in our persuit of hapiness and just be happy.' I read a quote on someone's whatsapp status.

Today is the day I get released from this prison....on the inside....I'm very excited about this trip. I would like to experience how it is to be on a holiday.

It would be my first time on a cruise. My first time to myself. I can be whoever I want to be. I already feel a difference in the air. I feel....happy. Happy. Happy for once in 7 years.

Mom waits outside in the car and has my suitcases packed in the boot. "So..is everything you need packed?", she asks me for the 100th time. "I don't know why I have a feeling that you are forgetting something.", she croaks.

"Mom you worry too much.....but you know what...you are right...I think I forgot something....I'll just run up and grab it okay....", I rush upstairs and open my dresser drawer.

The heart pendant sits on my makeup kit. I pick it up and clip it on. I then think of carrying something else....incase...for protection. Why am I thinking like this? I have to stop worrying. I want to run downstairs but don't build up the courage to do so.

I must carry something to protect me. Just in case. It has always been a habit. I then remember the gold pocket knife Sabby gifted me and open my cupboard where it stands neatly in my pen holder.

"Gotcha!" I grab the knife, shove it in my front pocket and run downstairs. "Don't RUN", I hear mom shout from outside and I slow down.

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We arrive at the docks. The huge ships are offloading huge containers. A group of school children are excited about boarding the little ferry boat. Where will the cruise be anchored at? I suppose I have to go more into the docks.

The sky is clear and bright blue. The sea wind plays with and tugs at my hair. The harbour is not as busy as i had expected it to be. I wear a long red dress, and a brown sun hat. The salty air is somewhat inviting and I feel refreshed. I smile to myself.

"Would you help me with your heavy bags?", Mom asks me as I admire the endless blue ocean. I run up to her and quickly take my heavy suit cases from her and place them on the floor. "This is where we were supposed to meet Mr Hillburg.", I tell mom. "Well he is late...or rather, I think we are late."

About five minutes later, as mom and I wait by the car admiring the ocean, we hear the bold voice of Mr Hillburg. "Amanda Brown." He calls out to me and i turn around surprised to see him for the first time in a pair of colourful shorts and a blue T shirt , Malak in a short, tight baby blue tip and denim shorts, Richard posting a lopsided smile and a woman in about her mid fourties who I'm guessing is Mr Hillburg's wife come towards us.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting my dear, but as we were waiting for you I decided to take everyone on a celebratory breakfast.", he laughs. I smile. Mom comes forward and introduces herself.

"No I apologise for being late...", "Oh come on...Mrs Brown, don't worry...be happy.", he jokes. Mrs Hillburg and Mr Hillburg get busy and comfortable talking to mom.

Richard whistles a tune , comes up and shoulders me. "Ssup?...someone is looking gorgeous today." Before I could tell him thank you, Malak who was passing by smirks , "tell me something I don't know.", and she flips her hair.

He chuckles, "That was for Amy ", he states and she whispers an embarrassed, "Oh...". Richard being a jerk with a very kind heart tells her, "But you are looking smoking hot babe.", trying to make her feel less embarrassed. She shakes her head and flips her hair. And guess what? I caught her smiling again.

Mr Hillburg receives a call and then tells us that its time to board the cruise as we have to go through the documentation process. Mom becomes stunned suddenly as the realisation hits us.

I go up to her and hug her tightly. "Don't worry mom....I'll be fine, I'm your strong girl." She clutches my red dress and tells me in my ear, "Amanda Brown...be safe...I love you, call me when you are inside okay." I nod and bite my lip. We pull apart and she kisses my forehead. She waves and walks away to the car. She drives off.

The others walk away as I watch mom drive away. Mr Hillburg comes up to me. "Umm Amy, would you please do me a favour and stay here for about a minute until my son arrives."

I stare at him and look towards Richard hopimg for his help, but he was far away amusing Mrs Hillburg with something. "Actually, I have to be at the cruise before they board since I have everyones tickets and documents, and Jhon will be here just now.

He went to give his dog to a friend, to look after it while we are here.", Mr Hillburg explains to me and tells me the direction to the cruise. So I had no choice but to say yes.

Mr Hillburg thanks me and turns to walk away and join the others when I realise something and stop him. "Wait!", I shout out. ,"How will I recognise Jhon?", I ask. Mr Hillburg chuckles. "Don't worry, he recognises you." And he walks away leaving me confused.

I stand against a tall wooden pole and wait for Mr Hillburg's son to arrive. I'm waiting for someone I don't even know or recognise. I shake my head. Suddenly a stronger sea wind blows my sunhat away and I run after it in desperation.

It stops in front of a handsome young male in black jeans and a white golf shirt. He bends down to pick up the hat and I pant as I reach up to him.

"Thank you.", I say breathlessly to the very handsome boy who seemed about a year or two older than me. He looks up to me and freezes as he stares at me. "That's mine.", I point to the hat. He frowns at me. I clear my throat. Then his blue eyes turns towards the hat. "Oh..", he hands the sunhat over to me and smiles. "You're welcome.", he replies.

I notice his accent and ask him, "Australian?" He frowns again and turns to me. "You guessed that right." I look at him and his face seems very familiar.
Where have I seen him before?

"Do I know you? Your face seems to be very familiar." He smiles and shakes his head. "And here I wanted a holiday with no one recognising me. Hi...I am James Whittaker." I still don't recognise him. His blue eyes bare into mine. Then I remember hearing Sabby and Layla mention him last year. He is the son of a very famous chef.

"Are you the son of The chef Gerald Whittaker?" I ask him and he chuckles and nods. "Yes...actually, he is the chief chef of the Saphire mermaid." He tells me still staring at me in the eye.

"What a coincidence. I am boarding that cruise today too." I tell him. "No way...we should meet up sometime." , he tells me and someone calls out his name. "I have to go...but before that", he smiles. He let's out his right hand to me. "Friends?" he asks. At first I am surprised by the sudden gesture but later, the warmth returns and I kindly accept his offer. "Sure...friends it is.", I say as I take his hand.

He shakes it quickly and then runs off.

How sweet of him. James Whittaker.

I turn around and walk back to the place where I was supposed to be waiting for Jhon Hillburg. I then get the shock of my life when I look up to someone waiting for me. Standing against the tall pole, wearing his neon boots, a pair of jeans with a blue vest, and showing off his guitar tattoo on his left arm is....Mr MURDERER.