CHAPTER 20: BURNING ICE

The time was nearing midnight, the ship once again descended into the mist of darkness. The ship was approaching uncharted waters filled with unwanted dangers a vessel could imagine.

Caleb proceeded to the restroom to clear his head. Many thoughts engulfed his mind and ever worrying circumstances emerged. Caleb washed his face and cleared his thoughts. "Ahhh… So many things have happened these past few days. I feel like I'm in a deep whirlpool and just forcing myself to take deep breaths, just to get air. No matter, I need to stay strong." Caleb continued to wash his face. "This ship has proven sturdy, I keep forgetting that I'm on the ocean hundreds of miles from shore. Though I must say the so-called "fancy" life isn't for me."

Caleb drenched his face one more time. "What is happening… First my long lost brother, next Tristan's mystical abilities and that celestial plain, now Lady May's unwavering condition?! Gosh my life is a mess." Caleb washed his face for the third time, this time with more water. "No matter, I'm sure a solution will come now sooner or later, I just hope it doesn't get worse."

"Don't move…" A revolver was raised towards Caleb's back. Certainly Caleb felt goosebumps through his whole body. "Don't act up or I will shoot you." The unknown hitman began to utter. "Please don't shoot!" Caleb begged for his life. "We can talk about this… Who are you?!" The killer was silent and didn't make a noise.

Caleb looked at a nearby mirror and saw, It was Drew. "What? Why? How? How did you get here? What do you want from me?" Caleb screamed in panic. "I don't want much from you so chill the hell out." Drew uttered, persistently threatening Caleb to pull the trigger. "Drew, let's talk about this, I have money I'll give you all of it." Caleb uttered in panic. "Enough, follow me… I have a job for you." Drew then hammered his revolver into Caleb's head incapacitating him. Drew then dragged Caleb away…

In the royal room, Lady May was resting in her bedroom. She was accompanied by the gang, awaiting her full recovery. Everyone grew worried for her. Prince Quentin then began to explain the immense sickness which Lady May had.

"A few years ago, Lady May was diagnosed with an unknown disease. It seemed as if it was some sort of blood deficiency. Doctors of Great Britain, thought of it to be leukemia or blood cancer. Doctors said that there is no current cure available in Britain. I spent years in Germany and France looking for a cure, but no one was able to provide it. So I looked towards the west. Books from our library suggested a treatment by which the west had that may potentially cure her leukemia. I was hesitant to bring Lady May to the United States, but I had to risk it. That's why we were ready to engage on the Voyage. Our journey has been very difficult, but I'm glad that you guys are here. For that, Thank you I am most grateful."

Everyone felt emotional. Being a prince is more than fancy parties and Lavish banquets. Everyone has their problems to face, no one is an exception to the challenges that life brings. "I didn't know Lady May's condition was this dire. But know one thing Quentin, No matter what happens we'll be with both of you." Nicollette comforted profusely. "We'll do our best to take care of her royal highness." Gabriel added. "No matter how difficult, Your fight is our fight." Tristan concurred.

The night wore on, and gradually, a realization began to dawn upon Tristan. "It's been 15 minutes and Caleb still isn't here." Tristan worryingly said. "I'm gonna go look for him."

"I'll go with you." Gabriel and Prince Quentin uttered. "Be safe you girls, We'll be back shortly." Prince Quentin uttered.

As the group split up, Tristan kept on worrying about Caleb's whereabouts. "He probably got lost or something, Take a breather Tristan." Gabriel said. "He's right, the ship is massive, it's really easy to get lost here. Let's be more optimistic" Prince Quentin added.

Upon their arrival at the restroom, the three were met with no one. Caleb was not there. "Wait, he was here before… What the hell? Caleb!" Tristan loudly yelled. "Tristan, calm down, He probably got tired and went back to your room." Gabriel optimistically replied.

Driven by a mounting concern that gripped his body, Tristan hurriedly thrashed towards their room with each determined step. His sense of urgency propelled him into a sprint. While Gabriel and Prince Quentin followed behind. From all the running the two were out of breath. "Tristan, slow down… There's a sign over their, that says not to run in these halls. So please slow down." Prince Quentin suggested.

Upon reaching room 204, The three were met with a locked door. "Damn It! Caleb open up!" Tristan yelled as he profusely knocked on the door. "I'll get the spare keys at the Lobby," Gabriel offered, then running toward the lobby.

"Tristan please calm down, you're actually making me nervous now." Prince Quentin muttered, as Tristan continued to bash his fist on the locked door. "Tristan…"

"What?!" Tristan replied angrily. Tristan began to stutter and breakdown from all that was happening. "I… I'm sorry Prince Quentin. I didn't mean to-" He replied sobbing.

"I don't know what's going on right now, but screaming won't help. Come here." Prince Quentin uttered, embracing his broken friend.

"Did anything happen between you two?" Prince Quentin questioned. "It's just not like you to go out willy milly for such a shallow reason… I'm ready to listen. Remember? Your fight is my fight."

Burdened by the weight of the events, Tristan shared with Prince Quentin everything that had happened. "Ever since we left England, I thought It would be a breeze… But it wasn't. In Fact it was more chaotic than I've ever imagined. I'm not what you think I am Quentin, I'm a monster, Caleb is the only who could see the real me and now look, I can't get to him… I don't even know if he's in there or not! He means everything to me and I can't help but feel this voyage has drifted us apart, further and further to waters uncharted. A part of me wishes we never left London."

A sudden feeling grew on Prince Quentin's heart. "You have more than me, I wish I had friends like Gabriel and Nicollette or Caleb. Growing up was difficult. As a prince I was just a figurehead, I had no permanent friend. Honestly I had no freedom. So many do's and don'ts. I barely have any time to breathe. I'd give my life to be with you and the gang for all these riches, so don't tell me you regret everything and every moment here… I know you don't mean any of those words, because you promised… You promised to live life with no regrets."

The words of Tristan were harsh, but it was the Prince's words that made its target. Tristan fumbled, as flashbacks of everything flooded his heart. "From the night before we boarded, we had a toast… we had a toast to promise to stay together, to never leave each other's side. To reach for happiness. To live life with no regrets… Caleb gave up his real brother to be with us. He chose us, over his brother by blood. Yet I never saw a regret on his face." Tristan's face hrew with the real meaning of the words uttered by his friend. Becoming a person is more than just taking risks and jumping into conclusions. It mattered that your thoughts-"

"I got the key!" Gabriel rushed in, intervening in the conversation. "Oh thank God you're here." Tristan replied, picking himself up. "Come on, let's open the door… Don't worry Caleb, we're coming in."

The door opened rapidly and the three barged through the room. Unfortunately Caleb wasn't there either. They stormed through the rooms in hopes to find a clue or something. Panic spread as desperation kicked in.

Upon inspecting the bedroom, Tristan's gaze fell upon an envelope elegantly placed upon the bed. Cold air sweeped the room as Tristan opened the contents of the envelope. "Hello onlookers, If you want to see your friend once more, meet me at the Stern of the ship at 3 am sharp… no guards, no guns, just bring your prince with you, unless you want something to happen to your beloved."