The Cruise Ship — Episode Three

“I think I may have made a mistake.” Dimma said to herself.

Dimma has been hiding with her daughter for almost the whole day. She was getting tired and weak. Michelle was hungry too. Her small stomach kept rumbling, and making noise because of hunger. Dimma tried to console her.

“My baby, please endure. We will eat soon.” Dimma said. But deep in her heart, she was worried. She had no food. She didn’t even know how to reach the restaurants in the huge ship. Everywhere looked like a new place. She was confused and sad. She left food in her house to starve in a cruise ship.

“Did I make a mistake by taking Michelle from Stuart’s cabin? At least, he would have fed her if I I left her there.” She said in her heart.

Michelle began to cry louder. She said she is hungry.

“Mummy, I’m hungry. My stomach is paining me.” Her voice broke Dimma’s heart. She hugged her tightly.

“Don’t cry, my love. God will provide. I am your mother, and I will not let you die of hunger.” She said. But inside her soul, she was troubled. She looked around and saw the lights of the ship glowing as night fell. People were eating, drinking, dancing, but she and her daughter were starving.

“Oh God, help me. This child has suffered with me enough. Please, do not let hunger finish us here,” she prayed with tears in her eyes.

Dimma thought deeply and decided to play smart. She bent to Michelle’s ear and whispered something to her. She decided to let Michelle go back to Mr Staurt. At least, she would have food there.

“I will let the see her and find her. They should take her back to Mr Staurt. I will go back and get her when I figure things out.” She said in her heart.

“My daughter, when they find you, don’t tell them I was with you. Tell them you went out to play and missed your way. Don’t mention me at all. Let them take you back to Stuart. He will feed you there.” She tells Michelle.

“But Mummy, I don’t want to leave you.” Dimma smiled weakly.

“I will still be close. Trust me. I will never abandon you. But you must eat, my child.” Dimma said. Michelle wiped her tears and nodded. “Okay, Mummy. I will do it.”

Soon, Dimma saw some of the men Stuart had sent moving towards her direction. She squeezed Michelle’s hand and whispered to her.

“Go now. Run to them.” Michelle waited for a second, then obeyed and ran forward. The men saw her.

“Here she is! Captain’s daughter!” they shouted with joy. They rushed and carried her.

When they entered Stuart’s cabin, Mr Staurt was there. He was angry at Michelle but she spoke fast and convinced him.

“You mum came to pick you right? Why did you follow your mum?” He asked angrily.

“Daddy, I was just playing around. I lost my way. I didn’t see Mummy anywhere.” Stuart smiled and believed her. She pretended to be happy.

He called the kitchen. “Prepare the best food. Deliver it here.” Soon, plates of hot food were brought for Michelle. Michelle ate hungrily with her little face bright with joy. Stuart joined her to eat. Michelle smiled but inside her, she was sad because she knew her mother has not eaten while she was enjoying good food with Stuart.

“This is my daughter. She deserves the best.” Staurt said. Michelle’s eyes burned with anger, but she said nothing. When Stuart went out later to attend to his duties as captain, Michelle quickly packed food inside a small bag and carried it secretly. She slipped out of the cabin and walked fast until she found her mother hiding nearby.

“Mummy, take this food. Please eat.” Dimma grabbed the bag and ate aggressively. “God bless you, my child. You saved me,” she said with tears in her eyes.

After eating, Dimma hugged her daughter and told her to return to the cabin before Stuart starts looking for her. Michelle obeyed and ran back without being noticed. That night, Dimma could not sleep. She was restless. She decided to explore the ship further. She sneaked into a nightclub filled with music, laughter, and flashing lights. People were dancing wildly. She sat at one corner, looking lost. That was when a rich man walked to her. His name was Henry, from the UK.

“You look lonely. Come with me. I will show you the true comfort of this ship.” Henry said.

Henry led her to his cabin and she did not resist. After all, she was looking for where to lay her head. The cabin was big, with golden curtains and a wide bed.

“This is where I stay. You can be my guest,” he said, smiling as he poured wine. Dimma shook her head.

“Please, I am not here for that. I just need a place to rest. Allow me to stay here tonight. I beg you in the name of God.” She begged.

“You want to stay with me for free? Impossible! Nothing is free here. If you want to stay, you must give me something in return.” Henry said.

“I don’t understand.” Dimma said.

“You must sleep with me.” Henry responded.

“No, I can’t do that. I am not that type of woman. I am already in enough pain. Please, don’t add to my pains.” She said. Henry stood up and blocked the door.

“If you don’t give me your bo.dy, I will report you to the captain. I will tell them you sneaked into this ship illegally. They will throw you into the sea. You will die.” Henry said. Dimma became afraid.

“You can’t do that. Please, have mercy.” She pleaded. But Henry grabbed her arm and tried to drag her to get what he wanted. She struggled and pushed him with all her strength.

Henry staggered backward and fell. His head hit the sharp edge of a glass table. “Ahhh!” he screamed, then collapsed. Blo.od began to flow. Dimma froze in shock. She stood at one corner, shaking like a hen beaten by rain.

“Jesus Christ! What have I done? I didn’t mean to kill him. I only wanted to push him away.” She bent down and touched his body, but Henry was lifeless. She started crying.

“God, my troubles are multiplying. First, Stuart took my daughter. Now this man is dead because of me. What am I going to do? How will I survive this nightmare?” She asked herself in tears.

Next episode coming soon