Chapter 17 – Different Reasons, Same Response

October 28th 2027 10:35

‘Why is there a ship here in this river?’ Pov asked, marveling upon this blue grand vessel.

Finding a ship here in this river felt like finding an airplane in the middle of the city. It just felt like it didn’t belong here. Had it been a boat instead, sure, but not a ship. Why would there be a ship?

‘Carrie, what do you think?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘No theories at all?’

‘None. What matters is that this ship possibly has supplies that we need.’

Fair. Carrie wasn’t wrong. How this ship ended up here wasn’t a main concern for them. More of a… food for thought, if that was the idiom; this ship having been parked here aroused curiosity, and if there was an answer then Pov would be satisfied. But since none of them had any answer… and since their concerns were more on things that regarded their survival, she had to focus on what mattered: the supplies that this ship might contain.

This ship was huge. Could perhaps contain a hundred people comfortably inside. Again, not sure why it was here, but here it was. It looked empty, without people. Regardless…

‘Alright, let’s go inside then,’ Pov invited.

‘No.’

‘Carrie… this ship is a vehicle, yes, but it’s not moving. Think of it like a building. You’re fine with entering buildings!’

‘Buildings don’t have the capacity to move.’

‘Well, I doubt this ship has the capacity to either.’

‘It won’t be a ship if it doesn’t.’

‘It must’ve been abandoned here for a reason.’

‘You go and search for supplies inside.’

‘And you’ll be waiting outside?’

‘Yes.’

‘No way then; I’ll be alone!’

‘I’m not going to leave you.’

‘No way!’

They were faced with a dilemma. For different reasons, Carrie and Pov were too afraid to enter the ship. And, silently, both were in agreement: they would rather die than overcome their fears. So, was this it? The end of their journey?

Carrie proposed, ‘I’ll stand here, and you go onto the ship. You don’t need to go inside, just check the outside—where you have a clear line of sight to me and not feel alone.’

That was a compromise that Pov could handle… ‘You promise you won’t just vanish? Or run away?’

‘I need whatever supplies that might be there. I won’t vanish or run away.’ Carrie nodded.

‘If I raise my voice, asking if you’re still here, you won’t ignore me and will reply?’

‘I will.’

‘I don’t have to check the whole ship. Only the parts that I feel comfortable with?’

‘Yes.’

‘You promise you won’t leave me alone?’

‘… I promise.’

‘What’s with that slight pause? You promise that you won’t leave me alone?’

‘I promise.’

‘On your life?’

‘On my life.’

‘You are serious?’

‘Would you just go already?’

‘You seriously mean what you said?’

Carrie sighed. ‘I seriously mean what I said. I promise I won’t leave you. On my life. Serious.’

‘Actually, that’s too easy… I need something heavier than your life to feel secure. Maybe… if you just… go together with me?’

‘Look, if you’re not going then we’re wasting time here. Are you going or are you not?’

‘You do know how hard it is for me, right? I need some reassurance. You’re supposed to make me feel good enough to go!’

‘Fine. Once more: I promise that I won’t leave you alone. Not on my life, because that’s not heavy enough for you, but on my honor.’

That made her feel good. But… not good enough…

She didn’t say that, but she noticed that from her expression.

‘You know what? Here.’ Carrie took out her pocketknife and handed it to Pov. ‘One of my items. Think of it like a stuffed doll that accompanies you, so you feel less lonely. Now, are you going or are you not?’

‘… I’ll go.’

---

10:42

Pov’s chest felt tight. While roaming the outside section of the ship, even though she could see Carrie standing and waiting for her near the ladder, she kept calling out to her.

‘Carrie,’ she called.

‘Here,’ she would reply.

She would do this every half a minute.

Sure, it was repetitive. Might be pointless even. Especially since she was convinced that Carrie would keep her promise. However, Pov just couldn’t help it. In the back of her mind, fear infested itself there. Lurking outside of view. Ready to swallow her whole the moment she was alone… She wouldn’t be able to handle it.

I’m scared…

‘Carrie!’

‘Here!’

Pov continued searching the ship. The outside was filled with windowed rooms. Some rooms still had luggage in them; and they would have clothes. Dry clothes. Which was valuable for them. She made sure to collect and gather the items which they might need into one luggage and dragged it around.

Going through the rooms, there were a number of sealed commercial water bottles. Which was nice. Meant that they didn’t have to worry about water, about dehydration. The problem however would be food.

‘Carrie!’

‘Here!’

The faster I get out of here, the better, she thought.

Pov was sure Carrie could hunt or gather food. Like she did with apples. It was best if there were some canned foods which they could carry with them, but she doubted she could find it. This seemed to be a travel ship meant to carry passengers over a distance. And travelers wouldn’t carry canned foods with them (she did get a few instant noodles though). Generally, the ship would provide food. Which meant that food would possibly be at the inside section of the ship. At the storage area.

I’m never going there.

‘Carrie!’

‘Here!’

Pov went from room to room, getting the things that they might need, and… she finally got to the control room. At the control room, she had a thought to herself: one of these buttons that were laid on the panel could possibly open the ship’s storage. After all, they needed some way to get to the storage. Maybe, if it opened a door somewhere, Pov could access it, while still being able to see Carrie.

Then, she would be anything but a burden, and more than just a casual help! Finally, a chance to possibly redeem herself!

‘Carrie!’

‘Here!’

Well, she wanted to be helpful, but—truth be told—she would abandon that thought immediately if she ever felt alone.

This one looks like it’s for storage.

She pressed the button. A loud metallic sound followed.

And the ship shook.

She had pressed a button that got the ship moving.

‘Pov!’ Carrie shouted.

If the ship is moving, then… I’m going to be alone. No. Anything but—

The ship swayed. Caused Pov to lose her balance.

She fell and hit her temple on the control panel.