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Gretchen Sumner stirred herself awake, while laying on her side on her small bed inside the cabin of her sailing yacht. She groggily blinked her eyes out and slowly got up from bed, not feeling sleepy anymore. She wanted to go up the boat and see if the sail's catching the wind. Gretchen sat up in bed, and started to stretch her arms above her. She's a middle aged woman, about forty-four years old. Has a slim figure, with long brown hair that touches her shoulders, and hazel eyes. She let out a loud yawn, her long hair shaking back and forth, when she was shaking the sleep out of her head. She looked out the small, circular window beside her and saw that it's still nighttime. She let out a sigh, thinking she must've been asleep for only a couple of hours. Gretchen looked to her left on a desk beside the bed, and saw a small photo of her and her two little boys she has. They're back at home, waiting for her to come home. She stared at the photo and smiled when she locked her gaze on her sons. She missed them. And by her calculation, she'll be home to them in a few more days.

She got herself off the bed, feeling a bit parched now, and she went to the small kitchen around the corner. And while she opened up a cabinet to pick up a small cup, she can hear the boat creaking from the inside when it hit a wave outside. She got the cup under the faucet and filled it up with water. She took a small sip, her throat feeling better when she'd quenched her thirst. She let out a sigh and placed the cup in the sink. Had enough of drinking water now. Gretchen took slow strides to the staircase, to head up the deck. She took a few steps and she was greeted by the fresh, cool, night air when she'd emerged herself out of the cabin. The waves crashing against her yacht, titled 'The Sumner Queen'.

Gretchen looked out at the scenery of the ocean, and the stars and moon way above the ocean's surface. She drew a smile across her mouth. She could never get enough of solo sailing across the ocean, away from her home in Florida. She had a passion for sailing throughout her whole life. But even to her, solo sailing on her boat can get lonesome. She would've took her kids with her, but she wanted to have some time away from them and away from land, also from where she works. She hardly ever gets to sail on the ocean, only once in awhile. And her kids were still young, but they know and understand that she could use a break. And besides that, her brother's looking after them until she gets home. She won't be gone forever.

The middle aged woman went to the wheel and gripped it with both hands, the small breeze blowing against the sails and her hair. It was a weak breeze. She looked up at them, seeing them moving slightly by the wind. She turned the wheel a bit, turning the sails in the process. With the boat turned a bit on the dark ocean, she was feeling relaxed on board. Breathing in deeply, and letting it out slowly.

Then she giggled to herself, when her imagination had her picture her docking her boat on a warm, sunny day on the docks back at home. And her sons and her brother, were standing there on those docks waiting for her. Her youngest son was waving at her, when he can see her smiling face on the boat, as she'd prepared to dock it. She mumbled to herself, "I'll be home, guys. I'll be home." The wind blew and hit her face again, humming at the cool breeze hitting against her. She closed her eyes and relished it. When Gretchen opened her eyes, they caught sight of something up ahead. Somewhere far away from her and the boat's position. Something she'd never expected to see at this moment.

She can see a green light ahead. And it looked mysterious. It was just hanging over the ocean, at a far away distance, not moving at all.

Gretchen was frowning at it. She'd thought that there was a lighthouse nearby, but then a thought came to her, she remembers that she's not near any sort of land right now. She's still in the middle of the ocean. If it wasn't a lighthouse, then what could it be?

The brunette haired woman grabbed the binoculars close to the wheel and put them over her eyes, looking through them. She doesn't see any building...Nor land...Just the glowing light. For some reason, something didn't feel right to her. It was a feeling of dread that was clawing at her chest. She lowered them and glared curiously at the light far away, "What is that?"

*****

Seven Years Later

I was walking around through the darkness, trying to figure out how I've got here. Everywhere I've looked, there was just no light. Just darkness. I turned my head to the right and then to the left, not seeing anything at all. What's going on? How did I get here? And...Where am I?

For some odd reason, I was feeling like I was being watched. By something in the darkness. I whirled around, but didn't see anything. I let out a small, calm breath. It's probably the dark playing tricks on me. It does that to people. I think, I better just get out of here.

But before I could move a muscle, I heard a voice somewhere nearby, "Mike."

I gasped and turned around quick, to see a big, mysterious figure in the shadows. It looked big, on four legs....And I think I see wings on its back. What is that thing? Is it...A dragon of some sort? I don't understand, I thought dragons don't exist. And those eyes...They were white and glowing. The voice sounded like a woman, all warm and soft. Did that voice come from that thing? That's impossible...Is it?

I asked out loud, while staring at it, stuttering a bit, "W-Who's there? Who are you?"

That's when the voice said back, that thing not taking it's eyes off of me, "Find me."

Then I heard another voice and it sounded familiar, "Mike....Mike..."

That's when I've felt something violently shaking me by the shoulder, "Mike!" I shot my eyes open and gasped. Breathing heavily at the face that's close to mine. I was staring into the face of my brother, Scott. He drew back his face from mine and sighed in annoyance, "We're almost there." He pulled himself back and sat down in the front seat of the car, while uncle Joshua was driving through the streets of Ft. Lauderdale. I let out a sigh of relief to myself. It was just a dream. I was dreaming about that...Thing. But why? I never dreamed of something like that before. What a weird dream. I must've fell asleep in the backseat and dreamed of that thing. I hardly slept last night, since I sometimes stay up late in the night.

I looked at myself in the rearview mirror, staring at my handsome self. I have shaggy brown hair, hazel eyes, have a bit of a muscular build, since I work out., and I'm twenty years old. I looked to my brother in the passenger seat. Scott has brown hair like me, but it's shorter. He has blue eyes, compared to mine being hazel. He doesn't work out like me, but he's still a good looking guy for a seventeen year old. He usually gets annoyed by me. But hey, Scott is Scott, and he thinks he's a smart elic. I gazed at my uncle driving now. He's about forty years old, has brown hair and it's short. He was wearing a suit and tie, because he has to go to work later on today.

I looked out through the window beside me, watching the people we're driving by on the streets. We were heading off to our destination at the docks. I made a smile to myself, feeling excitement building within me. I can't wait to get on board that cruise ship! It's awesome! I hardly ever get on a cruise ship. Lucky me.

I turned back to my brother and uncle, still looking ahead through the windshield. I furrowed my brow. I'm not going to be going alone. Actually, I never had a ticket at all to get on board the ship. Quite frankly, I never bought the ticket. It was supposed to be Joshua's, but he gave it to me, since he wanted me to go with Scott.

See, here's the thing. Scott has a girlfriend named Emily, whose mother is named Hilary, has bought some tickets for a cruise going to the Bahamas. She'd bought four of them. From what I've heard, one was for Emily...I think her father, Rick, is coming along....For Scott, and supposedly for Joshua. But since he can't get a vacation from his job, he appointed me to go with Scott, so he won't go off alone. Scott however, doesn't want to go with me. Not wanting to have anything to do with me. But Joshua insisted and ordered me to go along and not waste the ticket. He wanted us to bond, like we were brothers before.

Me and Scott, don't get along well. Since I'm just...Well, lets just say a menace to the family. I do have an attitude. But not all the time! Honestly, I am trying to change, but Scott hardly trusts me. Actually, he doesn't trust me at all. I shot a bit of a glare at Scott. I do admit, even I won't admit it to him, I do love him, don't get me wrong. But he's really so judgmental, just like most people that I know, and I somewhat hate him for that. But whatever, if he doesn't want to listen to me and believe a word I'm saying...That's fine. This is going to be a fun trip, looking forward to this. Man, I wish that I was just going off on a cruise alone.

Joshua looked through the rearview mirror and asked, "Are you alright?" Before I could answer Joshua's question, I let out a yawn. My uncle chuckled and said, "You really were sleeping like a rock back there. Look like you were dreaming. I think, you were mumbling too."

I gazed at Joshua and nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine. It was...Just a weird dream."

Scott giggled in his seat, "Probably dreaming about getting laid."

I laughed at his joke, "Very funny. I don't have a dirty mind, you know."

Then I could see that my brother waved his hand in a dismissive way, I even saw that he'd rolled his eyes through the rearview mirror, "I doubt it, but whatever. I don't want to know what your dreams are anyways."

I made a grin behind him, "Why? Afraid that you'll have wet dreams like me, instead of your girlfriend?"

Scott looked over his seat and glared, "At least, I have a girlfriend. You're just irresponsible." I shot a glare back at him, wanting to knock his lights out.

Joshua scolded us, "Hey, you two are too old to bicker and fight each other. Get over it."

Scott slacked back in his seat and whined, "But Joshua, why can't I just go alone with my girlfriend? Rick says that he's going with his daughter, so I won't be alone! I'll be with them!"

Joshua sighed, when he turned the corner on the street, passing a sign that says we're not far off from the docks now, "How many times do I have to tell you? I want you and Mike to get along like you've used to. I just want you guys to get over your issues and move on. ESPECIALLY you, Mike."

I mentioned, "I can get along with Scott fine, it's just that he has a problem with me."

Scott chimed, "Yeah, and for good reason. You're an asshole."

I narrowed my eyes, "Screw you. You just don't know how to loosen up and have fun."

"By getting yourself arrested for beating the crap out of someone? You call that having fun?"

I flipped my bro off, "Fuck you."

My uncle hit the brakes at the stop light and turned his body to look at me with his own glare, "You, I would expect more." I glared right back at him. In all honesty, I didn't get along with him either. He can be pretty judgmental too, just like Scott and everyone else. Me and Joshua really don't see...Eye to eye on things. But compared to little bro here, they do! And it's crap. Joshua sat back and looked ahead, as the light changed to green. He pressed his foot on the pedal and drove some more, "I'm tired of this crap, Mike. I know that you've moved out of the house and all, but I don't think you've grown up yet. And you're twenty years old!"

I chuckled in disbelief, "Really? You don't think I've grown up? Why is it that everyone keeps saying that I haven't grown up?"

He answered, "Because even at your age, you're still acting like a child."

Scott exclaimed with his brows raised, "Ha! Told you so! He's irresponsible!" Joshua didn't let that sink in, and he glared at him. Scott meeply sat back in his seat, keeping his trap shut.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance at Scott's comment, "Don't care anyways."

Joshua let out a breath and turned to the right on the street, "Well, perhaps for you acting responsibly towards your brother on the trip, will make you not act like a child. I just want you guys to get along. That's also what your mother would've wanted."

I didn't exactly show it, just to show my own tough exterior. But on the inside, when I heard him mention mother...I felt a twitch of pain in my heart. Mom has been gone for...Seven years.

Seven years....They've gone by fast.

Joshua went on, as we can see the docks up ahead, "Look, just get on board that ship, and enjoy the trip. Also, don't kill each other, either. I'm counting on you guys to stay out of trouble." He narrowed his eyes at the rearview mirror, his gaze on me, "Especially you, if I find out that there's any kind of trouble on board, I'll be holding that against you."

I said with smug, "Heh, like everything else you've held against me?"

Joshua let out a huff of annoyance and impatience, "Mike, just stay out of trouble."

I nodded twice, rolled up my eyes and sighed loudly, when he found a parking spot in the docks and parked it, "Alright, alright. I'll stay out of trouble."

He raised a demanding finger, "I mean it. That means, no fighting, no stupidity, and most of all, no macho bullshit. Got it?"

"Got it."

Scott grinned big as he can see the cruise ship we're getting on up ahead, "Well, we've finally made it." He unbuckled the seatbelt, and opened his door, piling out. I did as well, stepping on the asphalt and watching my brother walk past me to head to the trunk. Joshua already popped it open and we can see our suitcases piled against each others. Scott picked up his, and I've picked up mine. My uncle slammed it shut, and we both, while dragging the suitcases along the ground, started to head off to the cruise ship. It has one big word that's said in big, bold, black letters. The ship's called 'Starfish'.

I was staring up in awe at the big ship. God, I've seen cruise ships in my life, but never got aboard one. I remember when mother sailed across the ocean on her yacht. And now...I'll be over the ocean myself, and it'll be great. I looked at Scott, who's walking beside me, gazing in awe at the ship too. But I'll have to put up with this guy beside me. You know what? If he gives me attitude, I'll freakin ignore him. I'm going to have fun on there, in every minute.

Joshua asked me and Scott this, "Doesn't this thing look beautiful?"

Scott smiled in agreement, "It is. I'm just surprised that Emily's mother has bought those tickets. Guess, she wanted her daughter to go on a cruise she'll never forget."

Joshua nudged his elbow in Scott with a grin, "And seeing how you and Emily are together, it's a great place for any couple to hang out on."

I made a devious grin on my face, "Just don't forget to wear a condom."

Scott turned to me with his eyes flashing anger, "You know what? When we get on board, I'm going to toss you off the ship."

I crossed my arms and smugly said, "You'll have to dive in after me, to save me from the sharks."

Scott muttered under his breath, and I barely heard a word he said, "I'll let them eat you."

I was fuming at that and asked heatedly, "What'd you say?"

Joshua held up both hands, "Knock it off." Me and Scott glared at each other for another moment, and we both melted them off our faces. Still walking up to the ship. Walking past several group of people ready to get on board the luxurious ship. Then I was a bit surprised that both Scott and Joshua stopped where they're at, and I was about to walk past and away from them.

I turned around a bit and asked with a frown, "What are you guys doing?"

Scott answered his eyes searching for someone, "I don't see Emily."

I shrugged my shoulders, "Maybe she's already on the ship."

He shook his head, "No, Emily said that she'd meet me outside the ship and we'd get on together."

I let out an exasperated sigh and asked Joshua, "I really hate to sound like a child, but can I get on board without him?"

My uncle responded, "No." Then he gave me a small smile, "Besides, you haven't really met Emily before. At least, introduce yourself to your brother's girl."

I wrinkled my face, "Is she judgmental like you and Scott?" I waved my hand at him, "Or what about her father? Cause if they are, I'm not going to talk to them."

Joshua narrowed his eyes at me a bit, at the word judgmental. I narrowed my eyes back at him. Well it's true. You and everyone else just judge me. He held that expression for a moment, then he softened it up and replied, with a wave of his hand, "I'm sure you will, when you'll travel with your brother."

Scott muttered, "This is still bullshit. Mike's just going to ruin everything." He shot his hand at me, "I mean, look at him. He still has an attitude."

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "Whatever."

Joshua turned to him, "Scott, I don't care what you think. He's going with you."

We all heard a voice, "Scott!" We turned and saw two women with blonde hair and slim figures coming towards us. One of them was older than the other one. One was in her forties, has shorter blonde hair, and the younger one appeared to be about my brother's age, and her hair was longer. Both of them have piercing blue eyes, while gazing at us. That must be Emily and her mother, Hilary. I know I never met them before, but I can bet that's them. Emily sprinted toward Scott, and with a smile on his face, she ran into his arms and gave her a hug. Emily giggled and gave his cheek a kiss, "You beat us here! I'm surprised."

Scott let out a laugh and removed his embrace off her, "Yep, we made it."

Emily turned her gaze at Joshua and was waving at him, "Hi Joshua."

Joshua waved back, "Hi Emily."

Hilary walked up to him and said, "I suppose that you got here ok?"

He nodded at her, "Yep, we did. So where's Rick?"

Hilary let out a sigh, "Well, I called him and he hasn't answered." She had put on a glare, "He'd better get here. He promised our daughter that he would show up and be there for her."

Emily walked up to her mother, with an apprehensive look, "Mom, he hardly ever talks to Scott. Actually, he's never met him. He doesn't know him much, like you, and you only told him a bit about Scott on the phone. I'm...A bit nervous about this."

Hilary waved her dismissive hand, "I wouldn't worry. I'm sure he'll give your boyfriend a chance." She looked to Scott and said with a big smile, "And hello, Scott."

Scott laughed and waved, "Hi, Ms. Harper."

Hilary glanced at me now, and I was just giving a shy wave. Then she glared at me and asked, "I suppose, that's the troublemaker, Joshua?"

I grumbled under my breath. Seriously? I looked at Emily beside her mom, and made a shy smile. I got to say, my little bro really has went out with a beautiful girl. I guess, I can give him credit for that.

Joshua nodded and reassured, "It is, but I promise you he won't cause trouble."

Emily paced toward me and made a smile too on her face, "I'm sorry about that, I didn't say hello when we came here. You were just quiet."

I shrugged my shoulder, returning the curtesy by smiling back, "I guess, I was afraid I'll say something stupid and regret it."

Emily held out her hand, "Emily Harper."

I looked at her hand. I don't really do handshakes a lot. But I guess I can do this one. Then I firmly grasped it and shook her hand, "Mike."

We heard another voice coming, "Sorry, I was late!" We saw a man about the same age as Hilary walking in fast strides dragging his suitcase along the ground. He was huffing, like he was feeling tired. I can guess that's Rick, Emily's father. He has short brown hair, and is medium build. He also appears to have green eyes, compared to his daughter. He groaned, when he got close to them, mostly his wife, "Sorry, about this guys. I was stuck in a bit of traffic here and there. But I'm here!"

Hilary gazed at him with a look, "You'd better be here. I bought that ticket for you."

Emily ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him, "Hi dad. Glad you came to meet my boyfriend." She let him go and gestured her hand to Scott, "This is Scott." Then she glanced at him and gestured to her father, "Scott, this is Rick, my father."

Scott made a smile when looking at his girlfriend's father, "Emily and Hilary told me a lot about you. Finally nice to meet you."

Rick nodded and said with his hands on his waist, "So...I've heard that you went out with my daughter for about a year now. You don't look like I've pictured."

I chuckled deep in my throat. Well, at least my bro's made a good first impression.

I saw Rick turning to his wife and asked with a grim look, "I don't see your boyfriend here. Care to tell me why?"

Hilary glared at him with a bit of a huff, "He couldn't come and say goodbye to Emily. He had to work."

My eyes went wide as I just figured it out. I can see when Hilary was thinking about him, she really doesn't like him all that much. And when Rick just brought up the fact that Hilary has a boyfriend, that made me realize that they're not together anymore.

Funny...I thought they were husband and wife. Heh, no wonder she doesn't show a hint of smile at Rick.

Emily grabbed her father's arm and pulled his gaze off her mom, "Dad, come on. I know you don't like Marco, but-"

Rick sighed and nodded, "That's right. I don't like Marco all that much. He seems to be the shifty type."

Hilary raised a brow, "And how would you know? You never met him."

Rick sighed in annoyance, "I don't know, a gut feeling."

Emily had a look of worry right now, "Dad, Marco's not that bad."

Hilary crossed her arms under her breasts, "Yes, at least he's always there for your daughter, than you are."

Rick waved with both hands, "But I'm here now!"

"Yeah, for once."

Rick gave her a narrowed look, "Hilary, not now."

Hilary rolled her eyes, "You're right. Now's not a great time to do this. Besides, you don't listen to a word I say anyways." She walked up and wrapped her daughter in for a hug, "I love you, and stay safe."

Emily giggled, "What do you think's going to happen to me? We're just going to the Bahamas."

She let go of her daughter and held up a finger, "But you never know what will happen. And you need to listen to your father, understand?"

Emily rolled her eyes, "Mom, I'm not a child anymore."

Hilary stared at her face and smiled at her, "I know. You grow up so fast." She leaned forward and gave her daughter a loving kiss on her forehead, "I love you."

"I love you too, mom."

Hilary backed away and turned to look one last time to Rick and pointed a finger at him, "And you better be there for our daughter. This is your time to be there for her. That means, no phone calls from work. And please, give her boyfriend a chance. This is Emily's first boyfriend she ever had. Cause, if I get a phone call from Emily saying that she's depressed because of you, I'm going to regret not having Marco coming here."

Rick giggled, "Or regret buying that ticket for me." Hilary lowered her finger and just glared at him. He let out a sigh and nodded, "But alright, I'll try to give her boyfriend a chance."

"And no phone calls?"

He waved his hand, "I'll be turning that phone off."

Hilary stared at him for another second, and then she walked past him, "Alright, goodbye."

My eyes went wide at their attitude toward each other. God...They really don't like each other. This sorta reminds me of...My mom's relationship with my dad. I honestly, hope that Emily's parents won't have so much bad blood between each other.

Rick let out a breath, looking relieved that he's not putting up with her anymore, "Well, glad that's over with."

Emily snickered and said with optimism, "Hey, lets put it this way. At least, you don't have to deal with her for several days. You get to hang with your daughter." She patted his arm, "I think, we'll both like this trip."

Rick smiled at her, "And it'll be like old times when we were close."

She commented, "I'm glad you came here, dad. And meet my boyfriend for the first time."

Rick looked at Scott, like he just remembered that his own daughter actually has a boyfriend, "Ah, yep, Scott." He motioned his hand at him, "So...Since I know little about your family from Hilary. Are you the...Troublemaker?"

I internally laughed at that, when Scott made a wide face. Well, so much for the first impression. Scott shook his head and waved his hand at me, "No, actually I'm the good boy in the family. My brother Mike's the bad one."

I shook my head and muttered, "Well, not all the time."

Rick glanced at me with a narrowed look, showing distrust, "Can I trust you?"

I shrugged my shoulders and glared right back at another person whose freakin judgmental, "Do I not look trustworthy?" Then Joshua gave me a heated look and I sighed after I saw it, "Yes, you can trust me."

Rick gave me that look for a second, looking deep into my eyes. Then he softened it up and nodded. Emily made a comment about me while talking to Scott, "He doesn't look like trouble to me. He...Looks a bit like you." She giggled and looked at my hair, "Only a bit shaggier than yours.

I made a smile at her. I think, I'm going to like Emily after all.

Scott clasped his hand on her shoulder, "Don't let his looks fool you. He's so irresponsible and rude." I gave my brother a hard look. Thanks, Scott.

Rick shrugged his shoulders a bit, and grabbed the handle of his suitcase, "Well, young men usually are."

Joshua nearby, nodded at me and Scott, "Well I think that's enough out of me. I need to go to work." He pointed a finger at me, then at Scott, "You two have a nice trip and stay out of trouble."

Scott waved and nodded, "Don't worry, I will."

Then Joshua remarked with a narrowed look towards me, "And Mike, screw everything up, and I'll kill you."

I know that he doesn't mean that, but I'll try not to screw the whole thing up. He thinks that I like trouble, but I actually don't. I'll do my best. I waved back and said, "I won't, now get going."

Joshua went to Rick and said, "Well, I know that you'll look after the boys here, I'll leave you to it."

Rick nodded and said, "Take care." And with that, Joshua took off in a jog on the dock. In a rush to head for his car and go to work. Then he nodded to himself and glanced at his own daughter, "Alright so, do you have the tickets?"

Emily beamed and dug her hand into her pocket, "Yep, right here." She pulled out four tickets in one hand and held them out, "There you go, guys." Rick made a grab for one, Scott did too, and so did I. Leaving Emily with only one now.

I let out a excited breath, "Alright, Bahamas here we come." Emily let out a shrill cheer, loud enough to draw a few faces to stare at her. I laughed a bit and we all were heading off to the man who checks for the tickets. And then, we got on board the ship. Just in time for the thing to get ready to sail off on the ocean. I looked out over the side of the ship, watching ourselves move along the mainland, and I was looking at the tall buildings as we go by them. I smiled to myself as we're ready to leave Florida.

This is going to be great. I glanced at Scott beside me, with his arm around Emily's shoulder. Rick standing beside his daughter, looking out over the ship too. I'll just have to put up with everyone's judgement, and I'm good. Not like I haven't before.

*****

Me, Emily, Scott, and Rick wandered in the hallways of the ship, looking for our rooms to stay in. I was dragging my suitcase across the floor, walking beside my brother's girlfriend. This place really is incredible. My first hour on a cruise ship, is going great so far. And what's on board, is better than I've thought!

On the deck outside, there's a large pool. And while all four of us walked around in the ship, we saw that there were a few places to eat on board. One that makes pizza, another that only makes seafood, there's a buffet in there! I can't wait to go in there. And the last one, is pretty much an Italian restaurant. A couple other places caught my eye too. One place in particular, that Rick's excited to go in there, is a casino. The other place, is the kind of place that holds comedy shows. And the last one, is a gift shop. I think Scott and Emily would like to watch a comedy show or two in this place. I might too, when I get the chance.

Now here we all are, almost to our cabin rooms. The four of us stopped trotting about in the hallway, since we believe we've found them. Rick nodded and said, "Well guys, I got the room keys." He held them up and said, "So...I guess I'm sleeping alone in my room, huh?"

Emily snickered a bit, "Aw, you want to cuddle with me?" She put on a serious face and shook her head, "No thanks. I want to cuddle with this guy here." She leaned into Scott, and he showed her an amused look, "I think he wants to cuddle with me."

Scott wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head, "And you know it."

Rick then had a bit of an protective face and said to him, "Hey, you better take it easy on my daughter. And...Don't do anything I wouldn't be doing."

Emily let out a exasperated sigh, "Oh, dad."

He asked with a look of defense, "What? I'm your father, and I'm looking out for you."

Emily rolled her eyes and leaned her head on Scott's shoulder, "I can take care of myself, you know."

He pointed a finger at her, "You are still my daughter."

I jokingly muttered behind the couple, "Hey Scott, when you're planning to do something that Rick wouldn't be doing, just make sure you have a condom on."

I saw Rick's face turned white, and Emily just laughed at the joke. Scott looked back at me with a blush on his face and said in a whisper, "Shut up, dude." I was laughing my head off, holding my sides.

Rick shot a glare at me and muttered with the color returning to his face, "I don't find that funny. In my opinion, sex is suppose to happen after marriage."

Emily made a crack, "That's not what mom said."

He raised his eyebrows and exclaimed, "Emily, that was different!" She laughed at that and he sighed when he held out the room keys to us with a small chuckle, "Just take the room keys."

Emily snatched one from him, holding it against her chest, "Thank you."

He nodded, "You're welcome." Then he made a warning to Scott, "And as for you, don't do anything stupid to my daughter."

Scott nodded at that, "Yes, sir."

"Just call me Rick. Not Mr. Harper, or sir, just Rick."

"Oh...Ok, Rick."

Emily blew off a strand of hair off her face, "Pff, dad. Quit being overprotective. He's not going to do anything you wouldn't want him to do."

Rick handed me the next room key and said to her, "He better not. You may not be little, but you're still seventeen."

Scott stated, "I'm seventeen too, Rick."

Rick turned to them and crossed his arms, "Exactly, that means you're still too young to handle a kid."

Both Emily and Scott's faces flushed, and they both chuckled weakly. I was giggling at them and said with a wave, "Well, I'm off to my room now. Talk later."

Emily's blush went away and smiled at me, "Alright, see you around." Then she said to Scott, when she dragged him to their room, "You want to go swimming? I want to put on my swimsuit."

Scott used the room key and opened their door, "Sure, I'm in the mood for it." They both entered their room and closed the door behind them.

Rick stared at the door for a moment and muttered, "They've better not put up that 'do not disturb' sign on the door handle. Or I'll know that something's up."

Man, he's having a hard time giving Scott a chance. Well I can tell that's Rick's fatherly instinct is kicking in. I laughed a bit at that, "Oh, Scott's a smart kid. He wouldn't try anything like that." Unless, Emily tempts him to. If I was in his shoes, I wouldn't offend the girl by rejecting her.

Rick peered at me and said, "Well, I'll see you around, Mike. I'm going to head off to my room." And with that, Rick dragged himself and his bag to his room, used the key, and went in there, shutting the door behind him. I turned myself to my door now, used my key, and went into my room as well. And when I've entered in there, I saw that the cabin in my room looks better that I thought it'd be. A medium sized bed, and across from the bed mounted on a wall, was a flat screen TV. I can see that I have the balcony view of the ocean outside. I smiled at this and made my way to my bed, laying the suitcase on the ground beside it. I turned my head and see that there's a small round table in the room too. A small bathroom in another room.

I let out a sigh to myself, and headed to the balcony outside. I opened up the glass door and stepped out, to gaze at the beautiful ocean. I leaned over the banister a little bit, enjoying the view. Man, it has been about an hour ago since we've departed from land, and it already looks beautiful.

Then mom's face came into the picture and I had a sad look now. Mom...If you were here in this room with me, I know that you'd find this amazing. You always did love the ocean.

I do too, but I never had a chance to be over it. And now...I'm riding on a cruise ship over the water.

I washed that look off me and started to smile. I'm really going to love this, and this is just the beginning of the trip. I'll try to have as much fun as possible.

*****

Me, Scott, and Emily are sitting around at a small square table having a buffet together in the seafood restaurant. It has been five hours after all of us have settled in our rooms and started roaming around. Since I've packed up my swimming trunks, I went swimming at the pool on the deck. Talk about a lot of people and kids playing there! I hardly had enough room to even swim. Scott and Emily showed up after I did, and I was expecting Rick to be there to keep a 'watchful' eye on his daughter. But Emily said that he was going to leave them alone for a little while. Scott had mentioned that Rick went to the casino, since he's a bit of a gambler.

So with that answer, I was swimming with Scott and Emily. Well, she'd laid herself down on the ground on her towel and got herself a tan. What girl wouldn't, right? Anyways, I was swimming with Scott most of the time, like we were acting like little kids. I thought that Scott wanted to avoid me throughout the whole trip, but he decided to give the whole bonding thing a try with me. I didn't argue with that. I had to admit, he didn't give me a problem or attitude ever since we were having the time of our lives. It's like he doesn't have a problem with me anymore. Which was fine by me, if he doesn't. I wasn't in the mood for drama. I remember when we were little, when our mother was still around, we used to swim together. Funny part is, since I was older and a bit taller than him, I used to dunk Scott below the water and he tried to thrash out of my grasp. Mother always scolded me for that. Talk about good times.

I took a bite of a crab leg and chewed thoroughly. Humming in delight at the taste of seafood, after dipping it in a sauce. After we went swimming, the three of us went back into our rooms and changed out our swimming attire and back into our casual clothes. We all decided that we wanted to go get something to eat, and we decided to eat in the seafood restaurant. I love this place and I've almost stuffed myself to death! It's better a little bit than Red Lobster back at home. I ate a lot of breaded shrimp, crap legs, and shrimp scampi. Emily and Scott were pretty much enjoying themselves too, I'm imagining that she's mentally thanking her mother for buying them tickets to go on this trip. I smiled at them, watching them holding hands and looking at each other. Scott's real lucky to have her. I never had a girlfriend before, and he's lucky. Well through most of his life as a teenager, he has been with a few other girls, before he'd met her, from what I know anyways. Honestly, I didn't care who he goes out with. But from what I can tell...They look cute together.

I laughed internally. If mom was around, I wonder what she would think of Scott's relationship with her? Well, Emily seems like a nice girl, so I'm thinking yeah, she would like Emily.

A part inside me does sometimes wonder...When will that happen to me?

I mean, sure I have spoken with a few girls back in high school...Before I got kicked out. But I never officially gone out with one of them. The few that I knew...I didn't feel any kind of connection with them. One I remember was too perky....One had a real attitude and it's worse than mine! ....Another one, well I sorta thought I had a real crush on her. But the problem was, she moved away and I never saw her again. She really...Looked cute.

I still gazed at Scott, having another bite of crab meat. You're lucky, bro. You're real lucky.

Emily giggled and said to me, her voice breaking me out of my thoughts, "What are you staring at?"

Scott laughed at me, when I shook my head out of the trance, "Don't tell me you're having a crush on her. That's my girl you're looking at!"

I turned red a bit in embarrassment, "What?" I wrinkled my face, "Heck, no. I don't have any crush on her at all." Then I was waving them off, "Forget about it."

Emily replied, "Oh, I'm not offended by it."

I slouched back in the seat, still staring at them, "Thanks, but I'm still telling you to forget about it."

Scott grinned in disbelief, "You know something? I'm surprised that you've made a big change in behavior and we've only been on here since a few hours ago. I guess a trip away from home is what you needed. You haven't been acting like a jerk ever since we got on board."

I grinned right back, surprised at his words. I had to admit it, I've been on my best behavior after we left Florida. Might as well keep my word to Joshua. I don't want to ruin the trip. I replied, "Well, I'm not in a rush to get kicked off the ship. And...Don't want our uncle to kick my ass."

Emily chuckled a bit, "Well, despite what Scott said to me about you, you're actually sweet."

My face widened at the comment, "Ah....I'm not that sweet, but thank you."

Scott chuckled when a thought came to him, "You're maybe what she calls sweet, but you're also sour."

I let out a sigh, "I'm not sour all the time, either. I guess...I'm a bit of both."

Then Emily nudged Scott at his side, "And you've thought that you wouldn't like the idea of travelling with him. But guess what? Several hours later, and you guys are getting along."

Scott muttered, "So far, anyways. This is just the beginning. I...Still have a bit of doubt that it'll last."

She said with a lot of optimism in her voice, "Oh, things will get better than before."

Scott turned his face to me and smiled, when he said to her, "Yeah...Maybe."

I smiled back. At least, he's starting to trust me...Just a little bit.

Emily said with a breath let out, "I can't wait to see the beach in the Bahamas. Actually, I wonder if they'll have the same seafood like we had here?"

I picked up a glass and had a drink, "I'm down with that. As long as Scott doesn't throw any food at me like a baby, I'm good."

Scott raised a brow and curiously asked, "Since when have I ever thrown food at you?"

I giggled, "Remember one time, that you were angry at me for mocking you at the table and you threw food at me in retaliation? I think it was a hamburger."

Scott let out a laugh, "Yeah, I was six, and you called me dumbo. Like eighteen times."

I was just snickering, "Oh god, you had such a good aim. I was thinking you'd be playing softball in school."

My brother mentioned, "Yeah, but I wasn't a big fan of baseball. I only did basketball."

I nodded, "True, too true." A waiter came over and asked us if I needed anymore water. I said yes, and he picked up the glass and left. We've chatted for a little bit, until behind the couple, I saw Rick entering through the entrance of this place. He caught sight of us and waved. I waved back and announced, "Well, well, looks like the overprotective father came back from gambling."

Rick said when he took a seat next to me, "Sorry, it took me a long time to come find you guys. I was so enthralled of playing a bit of blackjack at the table."

Scott asked with a smile, "Did you win any games?"

Emily rolled her eyes and had a look of worry shown in her eyes, "Please, don't tell me you gambled all the money you had."

Her father shook his head, "No, I'm smarter than that. I'm not just a compulsive gambler who gambles his life away. No, I'm the smarter kind of gambler. You know the high risks, you think real hard, and you don't bet on anything that might make you lose in a bet." Then he had a proud smile on his face, "And to answer your question, yes, I did win a few games. I'm pretty lucky."

Emily melted that worry away with a smile, "Good. Mom always did tell me that you had a problem with gambling."

Rick had an annoyed look and asked, "Do you always believe every word your mother says? She can be a liar too."

Emily muttered with a hard look, "Dad."

He waved his hand, "I'm not going to worry about it. She can think and do whatever she wants. Doesn't bother me none. Besides, she's not on board with her boyfriend, it's just the four of us." Judging by the way he sounded, he really had a big distaste toward Hilary and her boyfriend. Honestly, I don't know how he'd feel, since I was never married. I can only imagine....Sorta. He glanced at me, "So...Mike, are you behaving well? Haven't gotten into any trouble?"

Emily scolded through her teeth, "Dad."

I waved at her, shaking my head, "I'm fine, don't worry." I looked to Rick and answered his question, "I'm behaving well, thank you for asking."

He nodded and said, "Good job." Despite the two little words he said, he had a distrustful look in his eyes. Then he began to smile and said, "So, we're having seafood now? I could use some of it."

Scott beamed and pointed at the buffet table, "There's a plate for you to grab. Dig in with us."

Rick got up off the chair, "On it." He walked up there and grabbed his plate, to get what he wanted. When he returned several moments later, the waiter came back and asked him what he'd wanted to drink. Rick ordered his drink and the waiter came back a second later with a glass of water. He held up his glass for a toast with a smile now, "Well guys, lets make a toast. To our first day on the ship, and no problems at all."

Sounds about right! I smiled and picked up my glass, and so did Emily and Scott. We all clanged our glasses together for the toast and drinked our beverages.

*****

I watched out on the deck during the night, several more hours later after eating with my brother, his girlfriend and her father. The stars twinkling above the ocean and the big ship. The small burst of wind smacked at my face, blowing some of my hair and covering my eyes. Dang it, I hate it when my hair does that to me! I like it a bit shaggy, but it annoys me when the wind blows it and covers my eyes. My mind keeps nagging me to get a haircut, but another part in there says, 'no way'! I was chuckling to myself at the thought. Just glad that no one was around to see me chuckling at the silly thought. I looked down over the ship, to see the bottom of it crashing through the ocean floor as it moved along the water. I let out a breath, as my mind was beginning to imagine how it felt for mom to be out on the ocean.

Is this what it feels like? The feeling of being over the ocean? Is this what it feels like mom?

I remember back then, when she had her boat that she can go sail on, she didn't let me and Scott go with her. That was why I was never out on the ocean at all. She, due to her protective nature, said that she was worried that me and Scott were just not old enough to handle it and said that we might've gotten hurt, or killed. She did have a point, the ocean can be a dangerous place. She did however, plan on taking us with her when we were older. But...When she was gone...We, especially me, never had a chance.

Mom...

I changed my look, to a bit of a sorrowful one. Seven years....Where did you go? I looked out at a far away distance. Just staring at the water and the view. Everyone thinks that you've died while sailing alone. But...I sometimes think that you're alive and out there somewhere. Somewhere lost at sea.

So...Where are you, mom? Where are you?

I smacked my hands against the barrier that'll prevent me from falling off the ship and backed away, sighing. I'm going to head off to bed. I'm sure everyone's turning themselves in for the night. Better get at it, and see what happens next with Scott.

I whirled around from the barrier, walking past the pool in the middle of the wide deck, since it's closed for the night as well. Scott really has been in a good mood with me today, after we both got on board and left the land behind. But now the question is...Would the good mood he has with me last? I really don't like him when he's being so judgmental, like Joshua and everyone else.

I'm not going to think too much about it. I'm going to bed.

I headed through a door to head inside the ship. I was standing in a big round circular room, that's like a dome. Before I could move on, my eye caught someone in sight. There was a girl...About my age, with long brunette hair and cute cheekbones. She looked to be in her Spanish decent and with a good figure too. I tilted my head at her with a small hint of a smile. She looks cute. I wonder if she's with anyone? Now that I'm wondering, is she from Ft. Lauderdale? Or from another state?

Maybe I should...Talk to her. I could probably hang out with her on the ship, while we're heading to the Bahamas. Yeah! That'll give me the perfect time to get to know her.

I put on a cheeky grin and cleared my throat a bit. I'll just talk to her and whoo her with my charm. If Scott can have a girlfriend, why can't I? Well, she won't be my girlfriend at first, but in time, she will.

Now with that motivation, I strode toward her, she was actually texting on her phone, laying herself against the wall. Somehow she'd got herself a signal that worked and she's doing her thing. The beautiful woman noticed that I was standing in front of her and she asked with a look of curiosity, "Yes? Can I help you?"

Well alright, here it goes. I shook my head, "Oh, nothing really. It's just that, I see that you're standing here alone, and...Thought you wanted company."

She smirked and put her phone away in her pocket, "Well, that's nice of you to do that. But I'm just waiting for someone."

Well this isn't going very well. I asked away, "Oh, uh....Who?"

Then not a moment passed and I heard an angry shout nearby, "Hey!" I jumped a bit and so did the girl. We both turned and saw a muscular dude with blonde hair trotting fast at me. He gave me a shove and sneered, "What are you doing with her?"

The girl got in between me and him and said, "Barry, he wasn't doing anything. Calm down."

The guy, whose name's Barry, glared right at her and said, "He looks like he was hitting on you. Gabby, you know I don't like it when guys are falling for you."

Gabby shook her head, "He just found me alone and asked me if he would keep me company. I told him I was waiting for you."

Barry raised a brow of disbelief, "Really?" Then he pushed her away slightly and glared right at me, "Now listen here, you dipshit. That's my girlfriend you're talking to. And if you ever bother her again, I'll kill you."

I backed off from him a step. God, no wonder he's pissed. They're...Together. Crap.

Gabby clasped his shoulder, "Barry, just leave him alone, he wasn't doing anything."

Barry ignored her when he brushed her hand off with a shrug of his shoulder, and threatened me again, "I mean it, come near her and I'll kill you." Then he gave me a hard shove and I stumbled back, "Got that, punk?"

Ok, that's a bit too far. You just pushed me and called me a punk.

Then that guy went on, only now he's taunting me, "You look so much like a punk, even your mother wouldn't look at you."

My blood boiled at what he just said. What?! I shot daggers back at him and said, "Funny, you calling me a punk. You're acting like one, saying that. And not to mention, you just left her alone. For all things considering, I wouldn't leave a girl like that alone." Then I made a step toward him, "And if you ever call me a punk again, then I'll show you what a punk is."

Barry had a somewhat mock amusement on his face, "Oh, a tough guy, eh? Well I deal with tough guys all the time, so you're not the first one."

Gabby hollered behind him, not wanting this to go far, "Barry, lets go."

Then he grabbed my shirt and snarled, "Think I'll back down from a fucking beetle like you?" Then he was making a smug smile now, "Boy, and I would think that your momma left you, because you're just a ugly little beetle. I'm surprised, she hasn't squashed you like one."

Are you kidding me?! Saying that, when he doesn't even know my mother, how dare he! I shoved him off of me, "Get off of me!"

The blonde haired dude was surprised at me for my push and he said, "Ohhh, you bite the dog, he'll bite you back." And with that, he drew back his hand and swung a fist at me. Slugging me across the face. I grunted and stumbled myself back, rubbing my cheek.

I heard Gabby scream, "Barry stop!" I jerked my head to see in time that he rammed himself into me, right in my stomach, knocking the air out of my lungs. He tackled me to the ground, with him on top of me now. I gasped, trying to get my lungs full of air again, and he was getting ready to punch me with another fist. But I managed to punch him in the gut, before he could do so. He groaned in pain, as the punch was hard enough to hurt him. I pushed him off of me and was gasping for air again, as my chest was still feeling hurt. I was rubbing it in circles.

I turned to Barry, who was getting up off the floor. He's tough, I'll give him that. Barry mocked me again, "God, you punch like a girl. Not a big wonder that your momma left your ass. She wanted her son to be a real man, not a girl who can't punch."

My eyes were flashing anger, that would've been enough to light him on fire, "You son of a bitch!" I ran at him and gave the guy a punch to the nose. He cried out and actually recovered himself in a mere second and punched right back. I ducked under his fist in time to dodge it, and he tried to swing at me again.

While I was dodging, Gabby was screaming her head off, "Stop it! Boys, stop it!"

I backed away from Barry, with my back pressed against the wall behind me, and gasped when he was making a hard swing at my head. I scurried away and he actually punched the wall hard. He groaned through his teeth and shook the pain off his knuckles. Then I had a chance to punch him in the side, right in the rib. Barry cried out and taunted, "Pathetic!" Then he swung his fist and it connected to my face, knocking me back.

I recovered with a hard step to the floor, steadying myself. I hissed through my teeth and I was ready to hit him again. But before anything else could happen, a man got in between us and snarled at both of us, "Break it up! Break it up!" He pressed his hand to my chest and used his other hand at Barry. Stopping him from coming at me again.

Barry yelled, thrusting a finger at me several times, "Fuck you! I hope you get tossed off the ship!"

I screamed back, "You wanna fuck with me?! Huh?!"

"Oh, when I get through that guy, I'll fuck you up, asshole!"

"Bitch!"

"Fuck!"

The man between us sneered, "That's enough!" Then another guy came out of nowhere and grabbed Barry roughly by the collar of his shirt, and dragged him away. While Gabby had her hands pressed to her mouth in shock. I finally let a moment of calm finally catch up to me and I realized that the guy who tried to stop the fight and the other guy who dragged Barry away, are security guards of the ship. I was huffing and breathing heavily at the guard. Wiping the sweat off my brow. The guard in front of me, asked in concern, "What happened here?"

I gestured to Barry nearby, trying to catch my breath, "He...He started it."

Barry heard me from afar and shouted at me, "That's bullshit! I did nothing wrong! You were harassing my girlfriend!" Gabby was trying to calm him down, along with the guard with him.

I shouted back at him, "I did not!"

The guard grabbed my arm and that drew my attention to him, "That's enough, kid!" I shot a narrowed face at him.

Then before anything else could happen, out of the blue, Emily, Scott, and Rick came out of nowhere and found me with the guard. They trotted to me and Rick asked, "What's going on?"

Scott asked too, "Yeah, what happened? We heard screaming down the hall."

The guard let go of my arm and asked Rick, "Are you his father?"

Rick shook his head, "No. He's just travelling with me."

The guard made an angry face at Rick, "Well, your friend has got into a fight with that guy over there." He pointed at Barry at the corner of the room, appearing to have finally calmed down, "I don't know who the hell started it and quite frankly, I don't care. I would've kicked those two off the ship, but I'm going to give them a warning. Including your friend."

Scott shot a glare at me, showing me a look of disappointment in his eyes. Rick was showing his distrust toward me as well, and as for Emily...She was just staring at me, in total pity. I turned to the guard and protested, "Look, I didn't do anything. He really was the one who started it. I didn't harass anyone, and I didn't start this fight. It was that guy who did."

The guard was glaring at me now, "If I were you, I'd go off to your room, until morning. And if you ever start a fight again, I'll report you and then you'll be placed under arrest, got it?"

"But I didn't do anything!"

Rick grabbed my arm and pulled me away, and apologizing the guard, "I'm very sorry about this. I'll take care of it."

The guard nodded, "You better." He was motioning his hand towards the hallway, "Now get going."

And with that, Rick said to me in a whisper, "Lets go." We all walked away from the scene, with my head down, not looking at anything as we've paced away. Well....Crap. We walked for a long time, until we were at the corridor of the cabin rooms. Rick jerked his hand off my arm and asked in a heated tone, "Are you crazy?" Scott and Emily stood nearby and he narrowed his eyes at me, "Look at me when I'm talking to you." I raised my head and looked at his gaze, "What the hell were you thinking? Are you seriously trying to screw up our trip?"

I defended in a mutter, "I didn't do anything."

Scott chimed in with a shout, "Yes, you did! You always do something like this!"

Rick waved his hand up the path where we've left the guards, "Goddamn it, you can't go picking a fight with someone like that. You could've gotten kicked off the ship and get arrested."

I made another protest, this time only louder, "But I didn't do anything! That asshole started it!"

Rick argued, "So you'd just fight back, without thinking there'd be a consequence?"

I shook my head slowly at him, "You don't understand. You have no idea what he'd just said. He was picking on me, and-"

Scott shouted, "Mike, when you're on board of a cruise ship, you're supposed to follow rules! And as usual, you don't follow them!" He shook his head in disgust at me, "I don't understand you, Mike. I really don't. This is just so like you."

I turned to my brother, "Scott, this isn't what you think."

"Oh, from what I can tell, it's a freakin fight!" He threw his hands up in the air, "And look who's here. My brother, and he never changed at all."

That's when Rick glared at Scott, "That's it, I've had it. If your brother's a punk, then I can be sure that you're a punk too."

Scott's eyes went wide at the accusation, "What?! I didn't do anything wrong!"

But Rick ignored my brother and he shoved a finger at him, "I don't ever want you near my daughter, ALONE, ever again." Then he turned his fierce gaze back to me, "I knew you and your family couldn't be trusted."

Emily tried to step in and defend us, "Dad, they're not bad people! They're just-"

Rick then turned to his only daughter and pointed a finger in another direction, "I want you in my room now."

"But, Scott's-"

"I'm forbidding you to go near that boy, and I'm going to call your mother about this."

"Dad-"

"And when we get home in the next several days, I'm going to talk to your mother about letting you end up in a relationship like this one! Apparently, she doesn't know how to parent her own daughter pretty well."

Now it was Scott's turn to defend, "Now wait a second, I-"

Rick still with a glare spat this out, "You and your brother, stay away from my daughter." Then his attention went back to Emily, "And as for you, go to my room!"

Emily glared at him, "Dad, you're being unfair."

"I'm being unfair? I'm being unfair that I'm not the mother who lets her own daughter do what her heart desires? That I'm not being the enabler?"

Emily started to say, "Mom is not an enabler. She-"

He cut her off again, "Well, I'm not mother and I know what's best for you. And what's best, is that you stay away from Scott."

Emily heatedly remarked with her hands to her hips, "Maybe Marco would not be an overprotective asshole, like you, and let me do what my heart tells me to. Not tell me that Scott's forbidden and bad."

"Well I'm not Marco, either!" Emily's face widened and so did mine and Scott's. Goodness, he's pissed. Rick sneered, "I'm not some guy that your mother is sleeping in bed with right now. I don't care if I'm Marco or not. I'm your father, he's not. And I can bet your ass, that he wouldn't know how to be a good father, if he got a kick right in the ass!" He pointed a demanding finger down the hall, "Now go to my room."

Emily tried to argue, "But, dad-"

"NOW!"

Emily furrowed her brow, both of them glaring at each other and not looking away for even a moment. She began to strode fast past him, without argument. Before he could follow his daughter down the hall, Rick turned to me and Scott one more time, "I wish you haven't come aboard this ship." With a loud, stressed sigh, he walked after Emily. Leaving only me and Scott now, who now has his glare toward me.

Scott fumed, "Are you fucking happy? Are you fucking happy that you ruined my life, again?"

I sighed and pleaded, "Scott, listen-"

"No, you listen to me!" I jerked back from his shout and he went on, "I'm sick and tired of this crap. And you keep putting me through it!" He shook his head and took a calm breath, "I've had it. I have had it. I can't take anymore of this."

I held a blank look on my face and Scott went on with his rant, "I'm done with this crap. I'm tired and I'm done with it. You never listen to anyone, and you never cared about anybody, but yourself. You were only pretending to care about me today, but the truth is, the only thing you care about is Mike. And that's you! You only care about yourself."

I argued and shrugged with my hands, "You seriously think that? God, what do you want from me? An apology? Well, I'm sorry."

"Even when you apologize, you don't mean it! If you were sorry, you would change your attitude and grow up! You keep getting yourself into fights and you start them like a brat!"

"Ok, I'm saying this officially for the record, I have grown up. And how many times do I have to tell you? I didn't-"

He pointed an accusing finger at my chest, "You kept fighting in school, and you got kicked out of there! You talk back at people, who try to tell you what to do! Not to mention, lying to everyone, including me, through your teeth all the time! You did drugs! You stole a car one time! Hell, you can't even hold a job for a week!"

I narrowed my eyes, "That's because everyone always picks a fight with me!"

Scott rolled his eyes, "Oh, blame it on everyone but yourself! That's so like you!"

I made an argument, "What, you think I'm going to let someone pick on me? Bully me? No! Because I'm not the type of guy to be pushed around!" I waved my hand behind me, "I got into that fight, because he was picking on me! Because he was just another asshole, who just comes out of the blue and picks on me!"

"I don't even believe you at all! You always start shit, not the other person, YOU. Every stupid thing you did in the past, was your own fault. How about this? If someone just talks badly about you and tries to pick a fight, then walk away! Why can't you be a normal person and walk away?! Because you don't have any self control, not ever since mom died!"

That stung my heart a bit and I muttered with a soft look, "Scott..."

He let out a huff, "Mom would be disappointed in you. Like me and Joshua are. She wouldn't like what you've become. A selfish jerk. I have been so embarrassed by you for years, and why do you think I don't want to talk to you? And when you've moved out of the house, I'm glad you did, because I'm done talking to you. After this trip, I'm cutting you off for good. I'm done. You've ruined my life in a lot of ways, and ruined my relationship with Emily. Heh, it ain't the first time you've done that, you know."

I tried to defend myself, with a shake of my head, "Scott, come on-"

He shoved a hard finger into my chest that time, "NO! You come on! You're an idiot, and I'm tired of it! We don't ever get along together, so what's point? I wish Joshua was here, instead of you! That way, I would've won Rick over! You never cared about me, and you want to ruin my life, so I would be like you! Is that right? So I can be like you?! A loser?!"

Honestly, that wasn't even true at all. I do care about him. Heck, I don't want him to be like me, at all, "Scott, I'm trying my best to work out my life, but it's just so hard!"

"Excuses! All a bunch of crappy excuses!" He waved both hands at me, "You know what? I don't want to listen to you! You won't listen to your own brother and uncle, so why should I care what you'd say? Just stay away from me, and maybe you can figure out another way to fuck up this trip and my life, even more than it already is! I swear to god, it's a real hazard having you as my fucking brother!" And with that, he whirled around and walked away from me.

I hollered for him, "Scott!" He didn't stop where he was at, and disappeared into his room with a loud shut of his door, that ran out through the hallway. Now...A pit formed in my stomach. God...Scott never had a confrontation like that with me before. And it really...Got to me. I hung my head and just stood there, taking a trembling deep breath and letting it out, "Scott....I'm sorry." And I've meant it.

I did say I was sorry before, but I never meant it. And why I never meant it? Because I didn't want to look and sound weak. I just wanted to be strong.

I let out a sigh and paced slowly to my room, using the room key to get in there. I shut the door behind me and trotted to my bed, laying with my back on it. Looking up at the ceiling with my hands on my stomach. Having a guilty look on my face. I hardly ever show a guilty expression. In all honesty, sometimes when I do one stupid thing...I show it upon my face afterward and it doesn't last very long. I never showed it to anybody. Not the cops, not the teachers back in high school back then, not even to my family.

But now...I believe that this guilty expression upon my face...Will last a lot longer than the other ones. Scott....

Every single thing he said just now was out of hate and anger, but he's mostly right on several things. And I don't blame him at all for hating me.

For one thing, because of my attitude and everything...I do believe that I have ruined Scott's life...For so many years. I kept on embarrassing him, making him distrusting me, he even comes to me for help and I'm not doing a good job at helping him, and I keep letting him down. One time, I even got him into trouble in school. I'm not exactly a good role model for him. I have ruined his relationship with a girl because of my stupidity...Only once, I think. And now it's twice now, when it came to Emily. I really screwed things up with her and her father. He really hates me, like Scott does. Emily...She didn't appear to hate me. But her boyfriend and father do.

And when he brought up the fact that our mom would be so disappointed in me....He's right, she would be. She wouldn't like the person that I am. But the sad part about it is....I'm this way, because of her. After she died...I've changed. I became a guy who has an attitude. I'm not the same, little boy I once was. When she was gone...Something inside me was gone. I just...Miss her. I just want her back. I love her.

She really would be disappointed in me, because of my attitude. And also my irresponsibility. I didn't have a lot of self control, because of her, but most of the things I did back then was my own fault. Among the things that I've done back then, I've got into fights, I don't start them all the time, but nevertheless get into them without walking away. I really didn't have a lot of self control back in the day and it's my fault. Not everyone else's...Mine.

I'm not special, I did a lot of stupid things, hardly took a lot of responsibility for them. But...I haven't lately, before this trip came about. Ever since I'm not in school anymore, and moved out of the house, to live in an apartment building, I am trying to get my life back together, and I wasn't lying that it's hard to do so. Because I think everyone's just judging me still, even when I'm trying to change, not to mention I'm still haunted by my own hurt feelings about my mother. I keep feeling that the whole world's against me, and I hate that feeling. Just makes me wonder, why should I trust someone, when no one trusts me?

I let out another sigh. I have felt guilty before, but after everything that Scott said to me tonight...I feel really guilty. Like all his words and everything that he'd described in detail, made me realize how much of a person that I really am. How much I've hurt him. And...It's getting to me...So badly. For the very first time, it all struck me like a knife to my heart. And now really looking back at everything I have done wrong, it's no wonder he's real judgmental, doesn't trust me, and doesn't want anything to do with me. I can understand it. I...Really am a menace. And an idiot like he said.

Scott...I'm sorry. This time, I really am sorry. I didn't get along with you and Joshua back then, but I want to make it up to you guys. I may have an stubborn attitude, but I really am trying to change. I'll be more responsible with my actions now, instead of being irresponsible. You were right, I should've just walked away from any fight, including the one with that guy tonight. I never shouldn't have lied to you before. Never should've embarrassed you....Ruined your life. You thought I wasn't listening to you tonight, but...I really was. And how I was behaving with you today on the ship...It wasn't a lie. It really felt like we were brothers again, like we were before....Before mom died.

I'm sorry, Scott...I'm so sorry.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a photo of me, and Scott when we were younger. I was ten when the picture was taken and Scott was around seven. And the other person in the photo that has a big smile upon her face....Was my mother, Gretchen Sumner.

Now my eyes were filled with tears, fueling by my own sadness for her and the guilt I'm having tonight. I'm sorry...Mom. I really am.

If you're watching me, and if you hate me, I don't blame you. If you feel any kind of disappointment at all toward me, I don't blame you. I'm just a poor excuse of a son and I have been for years. You never wanted me to be that guy. I know you wouldn't.

One of my tears fell down my face and onto my bed. I'm sorry, mom. I am.

But....I'll try not to disappoint you anymore. And I'll try to make things right with Scott. You'd want me to.

I let out another breath and sniffed my nose, and I placed the photo on the bedside desk. Then I went laying on my side, looking outside through the balcony window. I wiped the tears off with my wrist. Starting to feel tired now.

Well....I'm going to head off to bed real soon. Might as well get to it.

And when tomorrow comes....I'll see if I can make it all up to Scott. When I see him, I'll sincerely apologize to him. Which, I hope he can even look at me, after tonight. He really hates me.

Well I have to try. I need to make it right.

Because I am trying to change, and I'll admit it...I do want us to be brothers again. Joshua got us on board together, so we'd bond and be brothers again. Then I'll work on having a healthy relationship with my uncle. He really is a good guy, and I didn't treat him well back then also. I'll make it up to him too.

But first off...Scott.

Scott...I hope you can give me one more chance.

*****

I was snoring a bit through my nose, twitching a bit since I was feeling cold. I reached around for a blanket to wrap myself deeper in, but I don't feel it. Then I jerked my eyes open and shot my head up and looked at myself. My eyes went wide. I can see why I'm not feeling warm. Because I'm not in my own bed. I looked around and saw....That I'm in the place that has darkness around me. I got up fast off the ground, surprised that I've woken up here.

Where am I? Am I...Dreaming again? Or...Does it feel like a dream? It feels real here for some reason. If I'm in a real place, then how did I get here?

I heard a female voice behind me that sounded like a hissing whisper, and it sounded close, "Mike."

I screamed and whirled around, my scream echoed in the distance behind me. I can see the big figure with wings in the shadows again. The one that I think it's a dragon. The white glowing eyes staring right back at me. I backed away a few steps away from the thing. The feeling of fear and dread was hitting me so hard, my legs were starting to tremble. I called out, "Who's there? Who...Who are you?" I'm getting a feeling that the voice really did come from that creature and it can speak to me. Where else did that voice came from? Surely, no one else.

The voice, judging by way of direction came from where the creature's standing, spoke to me in that warm, smooth tone, "Find me, Mike."

I asked, trying to find my voice, "How...How do you know my name? What's going on here? And...Who are you?"

The dragon moved a bit, in the dark, I could've sworn that I could see a big, long tail swishing behind it, "Find me...."

I woke up with a sharp gasp and shot up off the bed. Breathing heavily, over and over again. Until I was slowed down to relaxed breaths. To my relief, I've woken up in bed in my own cabin room. I'm still on the ship, and I was dreaming again. I looked out of the balcony window and see that day has come over the ocean and the ship. I let out a calm breath. Another dream about that...Thing. Is that thing...A dragon? It looks like it.

And god...That dream...That time it felt like I was there. I could feel the cold around my body still from that dream, because I wasn't wrapping a blanket around me in the dream. Even that fear and dread from that dream, I can still feel it. It...Felt like I was really there, and it's strange.

What's going on here? Why am I having strange dreams about that thing? That's twice now.

But the bigger question is....How did that thing know my name? Did that thing really talked to me? I couldn't see it's mouth moving.

I let out a huff and tried to ignore those questions swirling around in my head. They're just dreams. And there's nothing to worry about. Dragons are not real. This isn't fantasy, this is reality.

Just a dream....Just a dream.

I let out a slow whoosh of air and got the covers off of me, can't sleep now because of this. I'm getting dressed and try to enjoy the second day on the ship while I can.

And...Hopefully, I can patch things up with Scott. I guess, I'm gonna find out.