Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Set to Burn ❯ Prologue ( Prologue )

Prologue

10 years ago I set out on my first and only cruise. By some “lucky” chance I won a trip that I had entered at my school. The trip took place that July right after school let out; I was a freshman in high school. Getting to go anywhere out of state was exciting for me. My family didn't have a lot, me and my brother were provided for of course; anything that cost money like say more than $20 was more than we could afford. That's not to say that our life was lacking or hard, it was not. Our parents doted, each Christmas they always spend more than they should and each summer, we always did something fun. We all loved to camp and sometimes we stayed out by the lake for weeks on end.

My free cruise arrived in the mail, the 2nd week in May. My mom was so excited for me. She and I look so alike. Striking violet eyes, porcelain doll shaped faces, pale skin, long wavy dark red hair and athletic build. Whereas my younger brother Tim and our father were complete opposite. Tall, tanned skin, beach blonde short styled hair and green eyes, typical beach boys. Tim was only ten months younger than me but he was already 5'11 to my 5'7 frame.

My trip was to be three weeks. Seven days till shipped docked off the mainland of Hawaii. Another six days doing tours, scuba diving, anything you wanted to do. I was going by myself; the other winner couldn't make it. At 15, my first trip, a cruise to Hawaii, I was so happy. I didn't think anything bad would happen. My mother's sudden bad feeling about it should have been a warning,

My mom was seeing me off, Tim and dad couldn't come. They had to maintain the shop. “Theo?” Mom asked while hugging me close.

“Yes?”

“I have this terrible feeling that this is the last time I'll see you. No matter what, be smart and stay in your tour group.” Smiling and laughing

“Of course I will. When the ship docks, I'll call you. Promise.”

“Bye Theo.”

Had I known that I wouldn't be seeing her again I would have said I loved her and held her closer while crying.

Suite 102 was my room, first class. It was extravagant. A king sized bed with a red and creamy duvet over silk sheets. The bathroom had a separate shower and bath. Both were so big that at least six people could have bathed comfortably.

That day on the ship went by in a blur. The one memory about that day that has stayed with me was the dinner. People were dancing, smiling, and having a great time. I wore a white dress with a red ribbon around the waist. It was simple but pretty. There was arranged sitting, which was nice because you got to meet and make new friends. On my right were two very much older couples who were sweet and more focused on what pills they needed take more than anything else. Next to them was a middle aged woman. I believe her name was Stacy. She was very rude and made a point to say how put out she was to have to sit with us common people. Then directly to my left was a man was about 12 years older than I. He had kind green eyes, but a sad smile. His dark hair was short around the ears and a little longer on top. His face was slightly round with a strong jawline. When he stood up, he had to be at least six foot, if not more. He had a noticeably lean frame with muscular arms and legs. When he introduced himself as Sebestyen, I noticed a slightly Hungarian accent. Funny enough, though, this man would be the one consent companion I`d have when our ship burst into flames and left us stranded.

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I woke to an alarm sounding and heavy smoke in the air. I was just wearing a flimsy grey tank and shorts for sleep. I grabbed my huge suite case which, thankfully, I hadn't gotten around to unpacking and raced out my door. Something hit me; everything went slow motion, like you see in the movies. A man in captain's uniform with short white hair, brown eyes, and much paler skin than myself, tried to grab me. Everything went black.

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Screaming woke me. What greeted me as I woke up again was fire lighting the night sky and salty air. My body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. After much difficulty getting my eyes to focus, I was on something hard and the man who tried to grab me was trying to talk to me. I couldn't understand what he was trying to say. The pounding increased in my head until I fell under again. The last thing I could register was Sebestyen, of all people.