Captain Higgins had watched the man's stomach, large and bulbous, split open and rain a slithering terror upon the woman and child. She turned and drove her elbow through the emergency break glass, hauled the fire hose out of the cabinet, and unleashed a fury of water on the creature.

After creating some distance, Captain Higgins led both of them back to the bridge for safety. Both doors were locked, she made sure of it. And when it came to the windows, they were stronger than the average piece of glass. No creature was getting in.

They eventually fell asleep and Captain Higgins watched her ship from above. Daylight took the sky, the sun muffled by grey clouds. The ship and all its horrors were lit up on full display.

There weren't many people left on the ship. There may be some hiding below deck, but the majority had been slaughtered or escaped in one of the lifeboats. If the military let them.

Captain Higgins pulled out her binoculars and peered across the ocean. Several naval ships surrounded the cruise, their military-grade vessels floating on the horizon like steel sharks. Numerous lifeboats floated near them, their orange paint easy to spot among all the grey. They didn't let them pass. I wouldn't be surprised if they're not letting anyone leave. Not until they are fully examined. Not until the threat is removed.

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There was not much choice in the matter. It was better to risk being stopped by the military than to be hunted by the creature. Humans were capable of some nasty things, but better the devil you know than the devil you don't.

Not that escaping mattered to Captain Higgins. Her time was up. It didn't take her long to figure that out. Once the headache started hammering away like a nail in the center of her skull, she knew she was next. That's where everything started. The headaches. That's why William took his life. That's why Ava's head was missing. That's why Captain Higgins had a lesion under her jaw, running down her neck. She didn't remember anything, but she knew the parasite was in her, controlling her thoughts. She tried to access her memory but it was foggy, like trying to search for something through murky waters.

She brought her fingers to it again, the wound lighting up in pain at the slightest touch. There was no more blood, the skin sowing itself together with its magic, sealing the creature inside until it wanted out. Captain Higgins would be lying if she said she wasn't scared.

But she didn't want to give it the satisfaction. She wished she had something more powerful than a flare gun. She wished she could stop the son of a bitch in its tracks.

She looked to the woman seated on the floor, head against the wall, and the child, head snuggled against her chest. The least she could do was help them off the ship. They looked all right, no lesions on their body. They could make it. But it wouldn't be easy.

Time is of the essence. Especially when you started considering the naval ships. I'm going down with this ship. But they're not. I have to lead them to safety. I'm the captain and this will be my final trip.

Captain Higgins adjusted her hat.

We have a few hours at most. I'll need to wake them soon.