Amissis Imperium

Mortiferum Vacation

I stared up at the intimidating ship that was docked at the port. The smell of the ocean filled my nose and I couldn't help but feel a sense of oncoming dread because of it. Something told me that this trip was going to be a bad idea...

I could feel it in my stomach, which kept performing nauseating flips.

"I..." I pulled my eyes away from the ship. Clearing my throat lightly, I tried to speak with a leveled tone. "I don't think we need a vacation, Als," I spoke, looking at Ally. 

We had been dating the past four years since I couldn't have trusted anyone other than her. Ally was the obvious choice to date -- she would always protect me. I would never let anyone get close to me other than Ally and Brendon – they couldn't be trusted.

They might hurt me or manipulate me like Michelle tried to all those years ago.

Brendon had gone off for the past couple months after Ally and I had graduated college. I hadn't heard from him since. It wasn't uncommon of him to do that, especially since we no longer lived in the cabin anymore. We had an apartment in the city, which was a great change of pace. I loved the convenience of everything in the city – especially the tiny bagel shop on the corner.

The bagel store kept me sane during my college years, and became my study fuel for finals.

"Why can't we just start work early?" I asked, looking at all the people that were waiting in line to board the cruise ship. We had been standing out in the sun for the past ten or fifteen minutes, and most of these people looked to be sweaty, not to mention they looked beyond irritated that they had to wait to begin with.

I really didn't want a fight to break out – I tended to stay away from any fights or loud areas. Although I had my anxiety medication, I still became incredibly anxious when I was in an environment that would produce a stressful environment.

A cruise ship is one of them, I'm sure.

"I really don't care for drinking or partying..." She pulled me to her side gently while I stopped talking, and swung an arm around my shoulder to hold me close.

"Because, Nat..." She instructed. "We need to celebrate our graduation from university," she paused and then took in a deep breath, her hands wafted in front of her. I glanced at her, slowly raising an eyebrow at what she was going to say. "You smell that?" She didn't wait for me to respond, a giddy smile forming on her face. "The ocean -- you've never been to the ocean before."

I shook my head, taking in her words. I couldn't help it when my lips formed into a firm, straight line. "Because I don't like the ocean..."

Ally blinked her eyes. "I know you don't..." She hugged me suddenly, causing a small squeak to escape from my throat. "You're scared of aaa-ll the sharks-!" She sang out, not taking my fear of the deep blue sea to heart. "And that stupid little fish that has the light on its head!" She twirled me around in the line that we were standing in, much to the annoyance of the other passengers waiting to board.

Some had to take a step back so that we wouldn't collide with them.

I began to sweat, not liking the attention on me.

I never liked the attention on me.

I had a small amount of social anxiety that I was never quite able to get over.

I struggled to get out of her grip, seeing an opening under one of her arms. Once I had been freed I narrowed my eyes at her. She had on a teasing grin, raising her hands up in front of her in mock surrender...to which I scoffed at.