Ark Of Hope: Beyond The Dark Horizon

by Roger David Francis

  “You’re getting there,” Jade told him and sat down on the small bed. “The Captain said we were heading for a place called Sandy Island,” she said thoughtfully.

  “So?”

  “I’ve heard of it and,” she paused frowning, “it doesn’t exist. I mean, it’s supposed to, it’s been tracked on radar and seen from the skies but when anyone tries to find it, it’s not there. It seems to keep appearing and disappearing in a random way.”

  Brett stared at her bewildered. “So Sandy Island is known to everyone but it doesn’t really exist at all, and that’s where we’re heading? Great.” He sat down beside her and took her hand. For a few minutes they were silent each lost in their own thoughts.

  The door bust open and Cassie rushed in, her tear stained face twisted in misery.

  “It’s the waiter,” she sobbed. “He’s made this happen. He wants them to suffer like he did.” She sniffed and wiped her nose on the edge of the bed sheet.

  “The waiter? What are you talking about, Cas?”

  “Gary Wurner. He told me he’d got his cronies from Hell to arrange this get together with the passengers to punish them. He’s going to make them relive their terrible ordeal all over again.”

  Jade and Brett exchanged glances. Brett’s eyebrows shot up and Jade hid a grin. She’d thought about what Brett had said and some of it had made sense, like being drugged. It was bad, but not as bad as some of the other options. Not that any of this was funny but the idea of the waiter bringing down the Princess May for the second time with the help of minions from the underworld was too farfetched for anyone to swallow.

  “If you’re right,” Brett said soothingly, “then the sooner we get off this ship the better. We just need to find Robbie. This time we’ll stay together, okay?”

  Cassie nodded backing out of the door.

  “Careful, you silly bitch!” A young woman about twenty five pushed Cassie back into the cabin. “I followed you back here. You’ve been messing with my boyfriend.”

  “Who the hell are you?” Brett demanded.

  “Carlotta.” The girl tossed her long black hair, her green eyes glittering. “I’m a dancer.” She turned her strange eyes on Cassie, “I saw you watching me, you were sitting next to the man with no face, sussing out the competition were you?” she sniffed and looked Cassie up and down, a scowl on her face, “as if my Gary would be interested in a dog like you.”

  “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” Cassie told her. She had a mental picture of the skeletons jiggling about on stage; it wasn’t possible that this beautiful young woman was one of them, she thought, and then checked herself. Of course it was possible, this was a ghost ship, nothing was what it seemed.

  Carlotta slammed the cabin door shut. She was about five foot ten; very slim wearing a thin gauze blue gown that flowed around her figure. Apart from her nose which appeared to be flattened against her cheeks she was very attractive.

  “Gary, I’m talking about Gary. He’s mine, and I’m not letting some little stowaway slut take him from me.”

  “You think I’m interested in the waiter?” Cassie was astonished.

  Carlotta’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t come that, bitch. I saw you with your heads together, he was offering you my favourite dish, the one he always saves for me, octopus, good job you refused it or you wouldn’t be breathing now. I told him, play around and you’ll be sorry. There are plenty of slags on this ship who’ll drop their knickers but there’s only one Carlotta.” She tossed her hair again, “So I’m warning you, keep away from him or I’ll feed you to the fishes.”

  “My friend already has a partner,” Jade pointed to Brett.

  “Oh, is that so? And why should I believe you?” her scornful gaze was withering as her green eyes flashed contemptuously at Jade. “You don’t even care that your boyfriend has been sentence to death. The jury’s out, you stupid slag, and you’ll be next. They know he’s not alone, that you three slithered onto the ship with him; they’ll come looking for you when they’re done with him. The crew are setting up the noose on the deck right now. He’s had it.” The girl looked pleased with her breaking news.

  Horrified, Jade could only stare at her. “Noose? What are you talking about?”

  “That’s what happens to stowaways, didn’t you know? They get hung, drawn and quartered.”

  “What deck?” Brett asked, already heading for the door.

  “Off the dining room, but you’re too late to save him. When I left they were putting the noose around his neck.” She laughed and then spat on the floor. She lifted her head and glared at Brett, pointing at Cassie, “You should keep this little bitch under control; she’s flashing her knickers at every available man.”

  Jade shoved the young woman to one side. “Come on,” She shouted to Brett and Cassie, “We have to get to Robbie.”

  They ran along the corridor aware that the strange thick foamy fog was seeping from under the cabin doors and gathering speed behind them. At one point Cassie slipped and fell to the floor, ripping a tear into her white trousers across the knee. Jade helped her up and pulled her along. They raced up the stairs and into the dining room.

  There were no chairs and tables, no food and drinks, and no people; just a large completely empty room.

  “We’ve come through the wrong door.” Brett panted.

  “No, we haven’t,” Cassie told him with certainty. “This room changes somehow, ignore it.” She led the way across to the sliding doors. Brett pulled them across and they stepped out onto the deck.

  Chapter 9

  Robbie was slumped between two men, his head lolling to one side, the heavy rope noose around his neck. His eyes were half closed as if he’d given up, all his strength seemed to have drained away. The tallest man was holding the rope up high looking at Captain Livingstone-Bryson.

  Without a second’s hesitation, Brett ran over and rammed his body into the man holding the rope, punching him hard in the stomach. He watched him hit the deck, roll over and lie still. The other man was struggling to keep Robbie upright. His face was red and he was sweating with the effort, scrabbling around trying to find the end of the noose. Brett jumped on him pinning his arm behind his back. The man gave little resistance and fell backwards. Robbie slid down in a heap on the floor, his eyes rolling. Brett tugged the noose from around his neck and threw it across the deck. It landed by the Captain’s feet.

  Robbie groaned and beat his hands on the deck, his eyelids flickering.

  “I wondered when you’d show up,” Captain Livingstone-Bryson murmured, his tone mild. He bent down and retrieved the noose. “I’m glad you did, of course, it saves me searching for you.” He ran his hand over the noose, a thoughtful look on his face, “It’s either this or you walk the plank, your choice.” He made a clicking sound in his throat. “When we met earlier you never told me you were stowaways,” he complained.

  Brett gritted his teeth. “You bloody maniac,” he yelled. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “My job, of course. You and your friends shouldn’t be on my ship, you don’t belong here. It’s for paying passengers only. I’ve already been informed you’ve eaten several plates of food and slept in one of the cabins, and I won’t even go into the accusation of you having sex, soiling the sheets in paying passenger’s beds.” His eyes swivelled to Cassie, “And as for you, taking in a free show in the theatre, well, you will of course be billed for it.” He looked uncertain for a moment, “Or maybe not, you can’t pay if you’re dead, can you?”

  “You’re off your bloody head!” Brett bawled.

  The Captain looked offended, “Please don’t shout at me, I don’t appreciate it.”

  “Maybe you’d appreciate a punch in the face?” Brett glared at him.

  The Captain glanced around, a furtive, hunted, expression on his face. “I know the rules,” he bleated. “You’re the ones who’ve committed a crime. Either you spend the rest of your lives in prison or you take the option of a quick painles
s death. Your choice.”

  “You ridiculous man,” Brett spat.

  The little man who’d pretended to be the Captain slid through the door and stood pointing a finger at Robbie, his massively oversized uniform flapping around his thin body. He was wearing a peaked cap so large it almost covered his eyes. “I knew you’d be trouble,” he yelped.

  Malcolm Livingstone-Bryson’s mouth turned down. “You’re wearing my uniform,” he said in disbelief.

  “So?” the little man was defiant. “It’s no good to you now, is it?”

  “Do you want to join these four stowaways in a watery grave?”

  The little man chuckled. “I’d say it was a bit late for that, wouldn’t you?” He walked over to the rail and looked down. “I can see Teddy floating in the water,” he said pensively. He glanced back at Captain Livingstone-Bryson, “All of this is your fault.” He said to him, his eyes glittering with unshed tears, “I saw you trip Gary Wurner up to stop him getting in the lifeboat so you could take his place. Didn’t save you though; did it?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes, you do. You’re just fish food now, like the rest of us.”

  “Get out of my uniform before you stretch it out of shape, you silly little man,” the Captain barked. “I won’t tolerate insubordination, especially from a pint sized prat like you. I know who you really are, Tony-Tony the ventriloquist. I should never have hired you, you were pathetic, you and you moth eaten bear, I could see your lips moving.”

  “Never!” the little man yelped and Brett drew his breath in sharply as he watched him slowly melt into the deck until there was nothing left but the Captain’s uniform in a heap on the floor.

  “Damn cheeky rascal,” Captain Livingstone-Bryson muttered.

  Jade was kneeling beside Robbie. He looked at her and blinked several times. “Thought you’d never get here,” he gave a strangled laugh and coughed.

  Jade winced at the deep red sores across his neck where the rope had bitten into his skin. She helped him stand up. At first he tottered and then straightened up. Putting her arm around his shoulder Jade led him over to Brett. She glared at the Captain.

  “You’re disgusting,” she hissed. “You’re a murderer, no better than a thug in uniform.”

  “I’m obeying the rules,” Captain Livingstone-Bryson explained patiently as if he was talking to an errant child. “Aboard ship paying passengers only get to enjoy the experience. Stowaways like you are greedy thieves who have to be punished.” He sighed. “What sort of Captain would I be if I let you get away with it?”

  “How long before we get to Sandy Island?” Brett asked.

  The Captain’s eyebrows rose up. “My word, you are well informed, aren’t you? Someone’s been busy nosing around.” He chuckled. “Now that’s given me an idea. I can offload you there, that’s punishment enough.”

  “Good,” Brett said, “the sooner we get off this ship the better.”

  The Captain’s eyes narrowed, “I never mentioned Sandy Island, it’s classified information. Have you been snooping, reading my private memoirs?”

  “You told us about it not long ago.”

  “I wouldn’t do that, it’s a secret. Even I don’t know anything about it.” He paused looking thoughtful. “I think,” he said slowly, “you’ve been taking me for a fool. You stowed away on my ship to gain access to Sandy Island. You’ve been cunning but not cunning enough I’m afraid. You’ve had a wasted journey, Sandy Island is off limits to treasure hunters.”

  Brett stared at him. “Treasure hunters? What are you talking about?”

  “Well, that’s what you’re after, isn’t it? Don’t look so innocent. Do you think you’re the first people to try and sneak onto the Island?” He gave a harsh grunt, “It all makes sense now. Heard the rumours, did you? Thought you’d go searching for the Chalice of Truth?” His eyes narrowed. “You won’t find it. No-one comes back from Sandy Island, they disappear.” He gave a short sharp bark of laughter. “Hobson’s choice for you, I’m afraid, my friends. Either you remain on board and take your punishment or you step onto the Island and take your chances.” He looked gleeful.

  “You’re just trying to frighten us,” Jade said, “It’s just a deserted Island. You’re making stuff up.”

  “Am I? I can’t remember.” Captain Livingstone-Bryson looked thoughtful. “I seem to be getting a bit forgetful lately.” He plucked his cap off his head and began scratching, his finger coming away with stringy yellow lengths of what looked liked thin worms. He stared at his finger and grimaced. “What did I tell you?” He said, “My brains disappearing bit by bit, no wonder I’m losing my memory.”

  Cassie took a step back in disgust. “You’re vile,” she hissed.

  “I need to lie down,” Robbie groaned.

  The ship lurched suddenly and Jade fell against the Captain. He toppled backwards as if he had no strength and fell on his back on the deck. He lay still, his eyes open looking up at the sky.

  Brett felt like kicking him and dragging him to the side of the ship and tipping him over into the ocean. He took a step towards him.

  “Don’t even think about it young man,” a commanding voice said.

  Turning Brett was again confronted by the little man who a few minutes ago had melted on the deck. This time instead of the Captain’s uniform he was wearing a pair of green shorts, a red frilly blouse and a pair of sparkling pink three inch high heeled sandals. Brett thought Robbie was laughing but when he looked, his friend was doubled up and his eyes were squeezed tightly shut, he was making small dry heaving noises. Cassie was staring at the little man.

  “What the bloody hell’s going on?” Brett stared at the little man outraged.

  “Watch your language in front of a lady,” The little man hissed. “My name is Divinity. At least that’s my stage name. I’m a drag queen.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” Brett growled. “One minute you’re the Captain, next a ventriloquist and now you’re a bloody drag queen. What are you going to be next, an exotic dancer?”

  “It’s none of your business how I make a living.”

  “Just clear off,” Brett took another step towards the prone figure of Captain Livingstone-Bryson.

  “You mustn’t tip the Captain overboard. He has to be the last man standing, don’t you know that?” The little man giggled. “Do you remember what happened on the Titanic? The band was still playing when they went down with the ship. Wouldn’t it be funny if the Cockroaches did the same?” He looked Cassie up and down, “I can find a spot for you in the drag show if you like,” he offered.

  The ship lurched again and the dull throbbing of the engine suddenly stopped.

  Captain Livingstone-Bryson sat up. “This is your stop,” he said to Brett.

  There was a cough and a voice behind them said, “Not a good idea, Sir.”

  Brett spun round coming face to face with Gary Wurner. His face darkened. “What do you want?” He growled.

  The waiter looked affronted. “Why, to assist you, of course Sir, Sandy Island is not a welcoming place. You and your friends could easily get lost. You might consider you’ve had enough adventure for one day and take the easy option of walking the plank.” His eyes twinkled. “It’s a little less painful than being strangled by a noose. Better the devil you know, as they say.” He wiped his hands down his white jacket, leaving a red smear, and grimaced. “So much blood,” he muttered. “I have things to do, I can’t waste any more time on you, it’s already three thirty.” His eyes shifted furtively. “Do what you like, there is only one way this day can end,” he said and turned, disappearing through the door into the dining room.

  Cassie walked over to the side of the ship and looked over the rail, her eyes widening in surprise. “We’re on land,” she said with awe in her voice.

  “How do we get off the ship?” Brett asked.

  “The Captain will probably suggest we jump,” Jade remarked, a sour expression on her face. />
  The little man who called himself Divinity smirked. “You think you’re so smart, don’t you?” He tittered suddenly, “I hope you like cucumber sandwiches.” His mouth turned down, “Maybe I should come with you, show you the way?”

  Jade eyed the little man in drag with distaste. “Not happening. Why don’t you mind your own business and go away, you silly little twerp?”

  The little man puffed himself up. “Are you going to let her speak to me like that, Captain?” He squealed. “She doesn’t know her place. I’m up here,” He raised his arm as high as he could and then lowered it to a few inches off the floor, “And she’s down here in the pecking order. What’s hard to understand?”

  The Captain waved his hand in the air. “Enough,” he growled. He turned to the little man, his expression brightening, “You’re a better drag queen than a ventriloquist; I must say that outfit looks good on you.” His eyes twinkled.

  “Why thank you kindly, sir,” the little man simpered.

  “For Christ’s sake!” Brett yelled. “How do we get off this damn ship?”

  Captain Livingstone-Bryson sighed. “At the end of the deck there’s a walkway leading to the island. It’s time for you to bugger off.”

  Brett stared at him in disbelief. “Do you know how stupid that sounds?”

  The Captain shrugged his shoulders. “Even if you find the Chalice of Truth they won’t let you take it from the Island. It belongs to them. They hate treasure hunters.” He grimaced and poked his finger in his ear. He wriggled it around and sweat broke out on his forehead. “My brain is leaking from my ears now. You’d better go before I lose it altogether.” He squirmed on the deck, wriggling like a worm.

  “Who are they?” Brett felt like kicking him. Jade touched his arm and shook her head.

  The Captain smirked. “You’ll find out.”

  Cassie had walked off. She shouted back to Brett, a note of disbelief in her voice. “It’s true, I’ve found it. There are steps leading to the beach.”