Short Story

Short story

On Saturday afternoon, an ex-shoplifter was on a ferry. He was one of the guests who were invite to attend the birthday party of the daughter of the ferry owner. Unexpectedly, a drunken man grabbed the ex-shoplifter by his shoulder harshly. The drunken man turned out to be the detective who had arrested the ex-shoplifter before in the past. The drunken detective started to questionings him about what was he doing here and why he is on the ferry. The drunken man thought that the ex-shoplifter was stealing foods or money from other guests on the ferry.

Suddenly the ferry began to shake, unable to balances himself – the drunken detective started to become seasick. Without thinking straight – the ex-shoplifter sneaked pass the drunken detective who were trying to hold himself on to the railing and at the same time trying  to grab the ex-shoplifter who was about to run away. The ex-shoplifter had no idea why he was trying to run away since had not done anything wrong or stolen anything from anyone.

“Not yet” The ex-shoplifter told himself before he entered into the upper deck.

Eight pm of that night, the ex-shoplifter hid himself in the crowd. As he was quietly watching every movement of everyone in the upper deck – searching for specific target. Without any warning, the ex-shoplifter began to walk forward to his target. Suddenly one of the crewmember rushed into the room, his face was turning pale – trying to catch his breath, everyone looked at him, the crewmember started to shout

Everyone get out right now! The upper deck is about to collapses” The crewmember shouted.

The sound of wineglass slipped through of the guest and crashed to the ground, make a loud echo that brings guests in the room snaps out of their blankness and start to panic.

“Everyone calm down and slowly follow, do not panic. The rescue ship has arrive while ago” Said the crewmember as he slowly guides the guests to the rescue ship.

The ex-shoplifter was about to walk out, all of a sudden he stop and look across the room and saw the drunken detective who is laying on the floor sleeping. He took a deep breath and jogging to where the drunken detective is laying. The ex-shoplifter trying to wake the drunken detective up but there is no sign of the drunken detective would wake up.

“Okay plan B Alex, either leave him or take him” The ex-shoplifter thought then carefully make his decision.

Before he could make his decision, the upper deck start to collapse. Alex have no choice but to carry the drunken detective out. However they did not make it out from the room, the upper deck collapsed.
Once Alex open his eyes, he try to remember what happened after he try to help the drunken detective. Suddenly he starting to realise that he laying on a hospital bed, also he could see the drunken detective who is laying on the hospital bed next to him.

“You finally awake” A girl smiled at him with her arms crossed. Coraline: the daughter of the ferry owner – she wearing a long black dress with heavy makeup.

“What happened?” Alex questioned her while looking around.

“Don’t you remember? The upper deck collapsed – you and Mr. Black over there didn’t make it out” She pointed at the drunken detective who sending a death gazes at Alex.

Before Mr. Black could make his speech, a nurse interrupted his speech and start to tell them to be quiet and tell Alex and Mr. Black that they would be discharge in afternoon.
Afternoon, Alex was about to step out of the hospital but he was stopped by Mr. Black who is standing in front him with his arms crossed. Alex’s face start to turning pale and trying to walk pass Mr. Black.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Mr. Black said in his deep tone and look at Alex, who is stared at the floor as if he done something wrong.

“G…Go home” Said Alex who has become very nervous and keeps looking down.

“Thank you for trying to help me” Mr. Black said as he pat on Alex’s shoulder then walk to the entrance, leaving Alex with puzzled look on his face.

“Don’t tell me that he actually awake but didn't bother to get out” Alex thought as he walking out of the hospital with Coraline.


The End.