A TV screen sat to one side, and an image was frozen on the screen. I recognized the hallway as mine as you looked at it from the end near my door to the staircase at the opposite side. Two chairs sat in front of the screen. One of them was empty, and the occupant, another young man, stood from the other.
"Thanks for coming so quickly, and on your day off," the young man commented as Charlie and he shook hands.
"It's fine, but what's the problem?" Charlie asked him.
"It's something at around the five-thirty mark," the young man explained. He took a seat in his chair and picked up a remote control. "Let me show you."
Charlie settled himself into the other chair and the man played the video. We waited for a few seconds before I caught something. It was a shadow that rose from the bottom of the wall between Archer and my room, and up to a height of nearly eight feet. The darkness had the vague outline of a person, and moved across the hall to Alicia's door where it disappeared upon contact.
The only problem was that no one was in the hallway.
The man stopped the tape, and Charlie leaned back with wide eyes. "What the hell was that?" he whispered.
The man shook his head. "I don't know, but twenty minutes later it repeats, but in reverse. Then nothing happens until Mr. Archer emerges from his room a few hours later."
"Damn it. . ." Charlie swore under his breath.
"What? What's wrong?" I asked him. I nodded at the video. "Doesn't this prove Max-Archer is innocent?"
He rubbed his chin and shook his head. "I don't know what this proves, but the uncertainty means Archer isn't going to be free tonight."
My shoulders slumped and I shook my head. "But I know he's innocent. . ."
Charlie stood and set a hand on my shoulder. "We both know, but we can't have any doubts to Archer's innocent before he's freed," he insisted.
I sighed and nodded my head. "I know."
Charlie studied me. "How about you get some sleep? You look tired," he commented.
I shrugged. "I guess."
"Here, let me lead you back," he offered.
I managed a small smile and shook my head. "No, you've helped me enough today. Besides, I need to think some things over."
He pursed his lips, but nodded. "All right, but ring me up if you need me. I can be reached at the three-one-one extension."
"I will," I promised.
I returned to my room and settled down on my bed. The book still lay in its proper place on the nightstand. I dragged it onto my lap and looked over the plain cover.
"If only you could help your owner," I whispered.
There was no reply, so I set the book on the nightstand, slipped off my shoes and curled up for a long nap.
I didn't awaken until several hours later. The darkness outside my windows told me the sun set long ago, and night ruled the high seas. I rolled over away from the window and froze.
The book lay open on the nightstand, and a faint glow emanated from its blank pages. My heart beat quickened as dark shadows slithered from the paper. I knew I needed to scream and run away, but I couldn't will myself to roll over. I watched mesmerized as the shadows slunk over the nightstand and reappeared over the edge of my bed.
The tendrils split into slick, smaller ropes that slid over my bare, trembling arms. The things rolled me onto my back, and their slender bodies dove into my sleeves and beneath my shirt. They pushed into my bra and wrapped my heaving breasts in slow, delicious massages. My head lolled back as I succumbed to its soothing, sensual touch. Each glide, each massage captured me in a haze of lustful desire.
I felt my breasts swell and strain against the bra. The tendrils lifted my bra above my breasts and freed me from the clothing, but not the sensual need that burned inside me. Nothing short of sexual fulfillment could satiate the growing beast inside me.
The thick, glistening trunk of the creature stretched down to my waist and stopped at my jeans. It popped the top button open and slipped into my underwear. I jumped when the tendril pushed into my wet folds and slid over my shivering womanhood. The tendril stroked my sensitive nerves, and my hips rocked with its sultry movements. I groaned and licked my dry lips. Each stroke was pure, delicious torture, and I wanted more. More of it. More of the pleasures it created inside of me. More of the growing craving for its body inside mine.
The thick trunk dipped deeper and penetrated my hot, pulsing core. I gasped and squirmed as the tendril filled me from wall to wet wall. It slid deeper and deeper until I felt nothing but it within me. Then the creature slipped out and thrust back in. Every inch of it slid across my quivering womanhood and sent shudders of ecstasy through me.
I was intoxicated with the sensation of its smooth body inside mine, the way it squirmed and pressed inside me, but there was a deeper connection. The thought of knowing this creature, this wonderful thing, had chosen me above everyone to grace with its gift of pleasure. It took me, ravished me, and owned me like it would not own another. I wanted nothing more than to let it take me forever, to be joined to its body as one for all eternity.
It pushed me back onto the bed and pulled my shirt over my enlarged breasts so it could glide unhindered across my trembling body. My heavy, swollen breasts rubbed against the thin, tight fabric of my bra. The tendrils slipped my bra off, and the hot air washed over my pert buds and sent tingles of excitement through my body.
Other tendrils pulled my pants and underwear off, and I lay naked beneath its hundreds of pulsing arms. They glided over my sweat-soaked body and touched every intimate part of me. They worshiped my body as sensual believers, and I as their goddess reveled in the attention. The sound of my soft sighs and heavy groans filled the room.
Its thick main trunk never ceased our sensual love-making. My hips moved with its perfect rhythm as the tendril pushed in and out. Each thrust was harder and faster than the one before it. My hands stretched over my head and I clutched the pillow cases between my fingers. I gasped for each hot breath. Every movement was sweet torture. Each penetration was one step closer to orgasmic oblivion. I groaned and squirmed. My body demanded release.
The thing toyed with me, slowing down its pace. I whimpered, and yet it refused to give me the satisfaction I needed. The tension inside my body was pure, delicious agony. I couldn't take it. I needed this creature to take me and make me its own.
My voice was a husky shell of itself. "Please don't. Don't stop," I pleaded.
I didn't care what I was saying. I only cared about what this thing could give me, and that was relief. Relief from the demands of my body. Relief from the memories of that day. Relief from being myself for just a little while. Right then I was a sensual being that hungered for the feast of pleasure this beautiful creature set before me. I would have that feast even if it took my soul to buy it.
I groaned and squirmed. "Please take me. Oh god, please take me," I murmured.
The creature shuddered and fulfilled my wish. Its thick, wet tendril thrust deeply into me. The penetrations were harder and faster. That's what I wanted. That's what I needed. That's what I so craved. I needed to rut with this creature, to become forever joined with it. I closed my eyes and my lips parted in a smile.
"Yes. Yes, that's it," I moaned. My words were punctuated with louder and deeper groans. "Give me more. Oh god, yes."
The creature penetrated me again and again. My body rippled with the furious, demanding waves of pleasure. I strained against the coils around me and inside me. The tendrils wrapped me tighter in their hot, wet bodies. The tension inside me grew to unbearable heights. Faster and faster we went. Harder and harder. I was so close. Only a little more.
"Yes! Yes! Take me! Make me yours!" I cried out.
I snapped up from the bed and blinked. My body was covered in a sheen of sweat and my hands shook so badly that I clenched the drenched sheets to steady them. The room was empty of everything except me. The tendrils had again disappeared into the recesses of my mind. I whipped my head over to the nightstand and my eyes widened
.
The book was gone.
I turned on the lamp and searched the floor, and even under the bed. The book was nowhere to be found, but I did find my clothes. I slipped into my pants and clasped my bra. The cups felt tighter than they should have been, but I didn't have time to worry about that. I had to find that book.
That's when I heard a commotion in the hall, and there came a hard knock on my door.
CHAPTER 10
I tossed my robe over me and I flew to the front door. I opened the door and found Stuart on the other side. He was out of breath, and behind him I could see Lana's door was open. Several crewmen, including Captain John, stood inside with Lana and Alicia.
"There's been another attack, Miss Johnson, and your presence is requested in Miss Galas' room," he told me.
"It's Jane, and I'll be right out," I promised as I grasped the edge of the door. I needed to find that book.
"He'd rather have you out now, Jane," Stuart insisted.
I pursed my lips, but grudgingly followed Stuart across the hall and into the room. My eyes widened as I saw that the space was nearly as wrecked as Alicia's room had been the night before. The furniture was disemboweled and upside-down, but it was only part of the living room and the dining set that was effected.
Stuart left me and hurried out. Lana and Alicia were in the middle of their retelling of the events, though the captain acknowledged my coming with a bow of his head.
"That. . .that thing threw the furniture around and disappeared from the room under the door," Lana told us.
"No, through it!" Alicia argued.
"It went under, you dunderhead!" Lana insisted.
"Ladies, please remain calm and continue with your story," the captain requested.
"That's it. Then we called the 9-1-1 number and you guys came," Lana finished.
"And what did this intruder look like?" Captain John asked them.
The women glanced at each other. Alicia bit her lip and shuddered. Lana straightened and pursed her lips.
"It looked like Max," she revealed.
I started back, and Captain John frowned.
"Are you sure?" he questioned them.
Alicia lowered her head and nodded. "Yes. It looked just like him from the night before. All dressed in black."
Captain John shook his head. "It's not possible. He's locked away."
Lana scowled at him. "How do we know you locked him up? You're friends with him, maybe you hid him somewhere and he got out."
The captain stood tall and towered over the women. "Miss Galas, I will admit Mr. Archer is a friendly acquaintance of mine, but I do not endanger my passengers through preferential treatment. If you doubt me, I can provide ample evidence of his being in his cell the entire night that would be admissible in any court."
His words cowed the frightened Alicia, but Lana scowled at him. "Then I expect to see that evidence of that."
"I will be glad to oblige," he agreed. He looked to me. "Miss Johnson, I'm sorry to have to wake you at this hour, but I wondered if you heard or saw anything?"
I shook my head. "No. I didn't hear anything until just before Stuart knocked on my door."
The captain pursed his lips. "I see. Well, thank you for your statement, and for coming in-"
"What in the world happened here?" a voice spoke up. We turned to see Renee in the doorway with Stuart behind her. Her mouth was dropped open as she stepped into the suite. "Was there another attack?"
"It seems so, Miss Roster," the captain confirmed.
"Seems so?" Lana snapped as she swept an arm over the area. "Do you think we did this ourselves?"
"I can't be sure of anything until the investigators comb through the rooms. Until then, I'll have to ask you ladies to take only the essentials and move to another suite," the captain requested.
"Again?" Alicia cried out. Tears sprang into her eyes and she shook like a leaf in a tornado. "How many times is this going to happen? When are you going to start protecting us?"
Lana wrapped her arms around her friend's shaking shoulders and squeezed her. "We'll get off this horrible ship as soon as the next port." She turned to the captain. "When do we get there?"
"Midday two days from this day," he replied.
"Then schedule us for getting off. We'll take a plane back home," Lana informed him.
"We can arrange with our company for a full refund, and the plane," he offered.
"We'll expect that," she demanded.
"If you ladies would follow me then we'll get your statements and reinstate you in different suites," the captain requested.
"They can stay in mine," Renee spoke up as she stepped up to them. "Three should be plenty to keep whoever it is away."
Lana pulled Alicia closer to herself and glared at Renee. "We're not staying with someone who still thinks that man is innocent."
Renee frowned and folded her arms across her chest. "If I'm wrong then how do you explain him doing this if he's locked up?"
"I don't know, and I don't care," Lana snapped. "I just know we're not staying with you. I don't even want to stay on this floor." She glanced at the captain. "Now let's get going. I don't want to talk to this person anymore."
The captain bowed his head and led the pair past the stunned Renee. Stuart stepped up to us. "Ladies, I think you should return to your rooms," he advised. "The investigators will be here shortly."
Renee and I stepped out into the hall along with Stuart, and he locked the door behind us. He stood at attention in front of the entrance, and I made to walk across the hall to my own room, but was interrupted by a venomous voice.
"This is all your fault." I turned to find it was Renee who had spoken. Her eyes were narrowed and shone with a fierce light.
I frowned at her. "How is it my fault?"
"This whole mess started when you met Max, and stole his book," she pointed out.
"I didn't-"
"Shut up. We all know you did it." She marched up to me and studied me with those cold eyes. "I wouldn't be surprised if you were the one behind these attacks."
I stood tall and glared back at her. "Why would I want to attack people I hardly know?"
"You're not as stupid as you look. You know enough to see a threats to Max's affections," she argued. She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. "I wouldn't be surprised if you planned this from the beginning. You put yourself in that suite just to get close to Max and then you'd get us out of the way."
"That's ridiculous! I didn't know anybody on this ship before I boarded!" I argued.
"Miss Roster, Jane, if you would please return to your rooms. The others in the hall are still asleep," Stuart whispered to us.
Renee sneered at both the steward and me. She spun on her heels and marched to her door, but paused with her hand on the knob and looked over her shoulder at me. "I'm not done with you yet, girl, and if you think you're going to scare me into turning against Max then you've got a lot to learn." She stepped into her room and slammed the door behind her.
Stuart and I winced at the loud noise. "I'm glad I don't manage her room," he whispered.
"Yeah. She'd be a handful," I agreed as I turned to him. "But you're not going to stand there all night, are you?"
He smiled and shook his head. "No. I'm just waiting for the investigators-" We heard a noise down the hall and looked to see a couple of the crewmen walk down the stairs and towards us. "That should be them now." He glanced back at me. "Were you wanting a wake-up call in the morning?"
You mean later today?" I teased.
His smile widened. "It is pretty late, isn't it?"
"Pretty late, but I think I'd rather have a Do-Not-Disturb sign put on my doorknob," I requested.
He nodded. "I'll do that."
"Just don't stay up too late on my account," I told him as I returned to me room.
I shut the door and leaned against the entrance. My room was thankfully just as I'd left it. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed.
"What's g
oing on here?" I whispered.
I was startled when I heard a noise from the bedroom. I pushed off from the door and tiptoed across the suite and to the bedroom door. The entrance was ajar, and I peeked inside.
A man stood beside my bed.
My heart quickened. The man was entirely covered in black, filmy clothes that gave off a sheen. I stepped back to run away, but the man turned towards me. It was Max, or rather, someone who looked like him. The rough features were his, but the lines weren't exact. It was as though an inexperienced carver had tried to carve from life and only partially succeeded. Whoever it was also didn't move like him. They swayed from side to side like a snake reared up for attack.
However, the most horrible part of the intruder was his eyes. In the dim light they glowed like hot coals. I gasped and stumbled back. The intruder rushed towards me. I raised my hands and a deafening scream escaped my lips. I tripped over my feet and fell to the floor. The intruder blanketed my sight with his black body.
In the midst of my terror I fainted.
CHAPTER 11
I knew nothing until a bright light stabbed into my eyes. My eyelids fluttered open and I saw I was in my suite. The sun through the open curtains told me it was mid-morning.
"We thought you were never going to wake up," a voice spoke up.
I turned my head to my left and my eyes widened. Max sat beside the bed. He had one of his bright smiles on his face. I furrowed my brow.
"Max? What are you doing here?" I hoarsely whispered.
"As much as I love to hear your beautiful voice, I would prefer you not speak too much," he requested. He grabbed a glass of water from the nightstand and held it out to me. "And you should probably drink this. You sound like a hundred year old great-grandmother."
I sat up and leaned against the pillows before I took the glass. The water slid smoothly down my parched throat, and I handed the glass back to him.
"How long was I out?" I asked him.
"About five hours. Stuart hear you scream and rushed in here to find you collapsed outside your bedroom door," he explained. "The captain and the others tried to revive you, but the ship's doctor advised against it and said sleep would lessen the shock when you did wake up." He leaned towards me and studied my face. "You did receive quite a shock, didn't you?"
A memory flashed through my mind of those red eyes. I shuddered and looked away from him, but nodded my head. "Yes," I replied.