Page 7 of Ship Happens
“At least it looks like it’ll fit,” I say as I hold the suit against my body. Now if I can just figure out why we’re forced to dress like this.
I check my watch. It’s late afternoon, so I have a little time to kill before I need to stuff myself into the mylar costume. Snooping around the ship would be a mistake, however. I know too little, and I’m more likely to fuck something up.
So I do the only thing I can. I sit on the bed and wait for my roomie to arrive.
Chapter Four
Maverick
The ship is immaculate. In true Jim fashion, he took a luxury cruise and made it even more luxurious. Most of the people aboard this ship don’t even realize what’s situated below deck, and they never will. If the Normies knew what was going on...
At least he gave everyone a wristband so that we can tell who’s who at a glance. It wouldn’t do for people to walk around in colored jumpsuits like we’re someSquid Gameknockoff. That would have drawn too much suspicion.
The Cattle wear their usual colors, though sometimes only on their wrists instead of their entire bodies—pink for the horrible pedos, red for the SA monsters, and yellow for the run-of-the-mill criminals. Purple is reserved for known killers, and orange signals someone as a member of staff. Blue is new. Blue means the wearer is a Normie.
Allowing normal people into our serial-killer retreat is risky. That’s the understatement of the year. Granted, we thrive on risk, but still, inviting the Average Joe to wander so close toour secret doings is the most daring and dangerous thing we’ve done. Jim is either a genius or completely unhinged.
I guess we’ll find out which one soon enough.
I spot Bennett a little further down the hallway. We’ve been tasked with ensuring the new arrivals wear their wristbands. Ezra was looped in as well, but his shift ended about an hour ago.
“We need to make sure none of the Normies catch a ride on the wrong elevator,” Bennett says as he approaches me. “Two blue bands almost went to the Sinner suites because Grim and Rosie weren’t paying attention.”
I nod and look toward the elevators. The bands were a great idea, but they aren’t without their flaws. “Jim should have kept the Sinner guest list closed to new applicants for this event. He still hasn’t told me who I’m watching and why.”
“Did you expect any fucking different? He’s Jim. Secrets excite him more than murder, and that’s saying something. If you want him to tell you something, you just have to act like you don’t care. The more you ask him to tell you, the longer he’ll make you wait.” Bennett’s watch beeps, and he looks down. “Our shift is over. Maybe you can figure it out when you meet your roommate.”
“Yeah. Maybe.”
Bennett glances at his watch again, then claps his hand on my shoulder. “Well, I’m off to check on Cat. She’s already puked three times, and we aren’t even at sea yet.”
With that, he turns and heads toward the elevator.
Instead of following him, I take the stairs to the atrium. Bennett’s advice is sound, and he’s not incorrect, but I’d still feel better if I knew something about the stranger I have to sleep beside for the next week.
I don’t spot Jim in the atrium, but I do see Ice Pick. He stands on the second floor, with his forearms draped over the balconyrailing. In his right hand, he holds a beer. As he looks down, he gives me a little wave.
He’s the only familiar face I see, so I start up the staircase. He’s a bit of an odd guy, and I think there’s some undiagnosed mental issues going on there, but he means well. I would say he’s harmless, but his victims would disagree. He’s just your typical lonely, middle-aged, awkward dude who enjoys killing people.
“Hey, Ice,” I say as I approach him.
He raises his hand in a high-five, but I don’t realize that’s what it is until he’s started to lower his arm. I thought it was another wave.
“You been to your room yet?” He takes a pull from the beer bottle in his hand. “Better yet, have you seen the dime piece that Ezra was showing around?”
“Dime piece?”
Ice Pick nods. “Yeah, total ten. Dark hair, blue eyes, and ass for days.”
“You gonna go for her?”
“Me? Hell no.” He laughs and drinks his beer. “Every time I try to put the moves on a chick, I end up pissing off one of my friends. First it was Ezra. Then it was Bennett. I’m steering clear this time.”
“Don’t give up on love, Ice. Your woman is out there. If you give up, you’ll never find her.”
He lets out a burp that smells like the inside of a cattle barn. “Maybe you’re right. Thanks, Maverick.”
“Anytime.” I glance around the atrium, but I still don’t see who I’m looking for. “I need to speak with Jim. Have you seen him?”
