Matthew was eating as Joseph, Talen, and Stitches appeared. He looked up. The way he did this hinted to them that he had almost forgotten about Joseph and Talen joining him. Warm, cozy, and inviting, the room felt. The attention to detail is exquisite and top-notch. In one corner of the room, there was a big, brown piano. No one was playing it, but it played anyway by itself. The cover was open, revealing the inner workings.
Setting his fork down on his plate, he then dabbed his chin with his white cloth. Tossing it down onto the table, he pushed back his chair to get up. As he approached them, he put on a fake, but friendly-looking, smile. He wants them to feel welcome here.
"Put me–down!" Joseph shouted as he began kicking his legs and hitting Stitches on his back and even his head. Stitches shook his head, slapping his hand onto his face once. He then proceeded to throw Joseph down onto the floor. THUD!
Sitting up, with his hands flat on the floor, Joseph gritted his teeth as he glanced up at Stitches.
"Didn't I warn you what would–," Joseph began saying.
SLAP!
"Now, now boy," Matthew said as he held his hand out in front of him, slowly creeping closer toward Stitches. "That's no way to treat our friends, Stitches."
"Yeah, dumbass!" Joseph said as he was gently rubbing his left cheek.
SLAP!
"Dammit, that's it!" Joseph said as he leaped back up onto his feet. As he did that fast, he lunged forward at Stitches.
"Haha!" The Witch laughed out loud, "too slow, too slow. Haha!, haha, haha!"
"Enough, all of you," Matthew shouted in an intimidating, deep tone of voice. Breathing heavily, he became frustrated. "W, Stitches. Leave now. Leave us be!"
SLAP!
"Fuck…off muppet," Joseph said as he sarcastically smiled and waved goodbye to Stitches.
As he and the witch walked over to the stairs leading into the hallway, Stitches looked back over his shoulder at Joseph. Using his pointer and middle fingers, Stitches signaled to Joseph that he was watching him. Stopping in the doorway, with his back facing them, he gave everyone the middle finger. Then, after he finished fucking around with Joseph, he finally left.
"Gentlemen," Matthew said as Joseph and Talen turned around. "Glad you could join me. Come…come, come."
Walking back over to where he was sitting, he then took a seat. He picked up his cloth, fluffing it out, and draped it down to cover his thighs. Gesturing to them, he told them that they could take a seat wherever they please. He wasn't picky about where anyone sat really.
"Come sit," he reiterated to them, "Allison prepared a lovely dinner for you both. Cooking's one of her specialties. Shouldn't be too much longer."
What in the actual fuck is going on? What happened to the demented, delusional man they'd last seen days ago? Now, as he sat there, he was no longer masked in the red paint. He'd showered, dressed nicely for the first time in years, and was behaving differently; treating them as though they weren't being held against their wishes.
"Take a seat," Matthew said again. "Let's talk."
The piano finished playing Moonlight Sonata. There was a brief lapse in between playing its next programmed song. As Joseph and Talen took their seats at the table by Matthew, the piano began playing its next song: Prelude in C Major by: Johann Sebastian Bach. Instead of the faster-paced version, this one was much slower.
"Ahh, another favorite of mine," Matthew mentioned as he took another bite of his garden salad.
There were three wine glasses. Matthew's was filled quarter-way full with dark red wine. The wine bottle he was enjoying was in the middle of the table with its cork in it. There were also candles, which were lit and burning. They were the centerpiece for the dining table.
"I just want to start by apologizing for how I've treated you these past few days," Matthew apologized.
"Bullshit," Joseph said, "that a bunch of bull coming from you."
Matthew looked over at him as he grabbed his wine glass and took a sip. Picking up his cloth, he dabbed his mouth.
"If you heard the full story, you'd think otherwise," Matthew said, "To be short, I didn't start out on this path."
"No? Then what?" Joseph said.
Matthew took another sip of wine. Setting the glass back down, he dabbed his mouth again.
CCRREEAAKK!
"Woah," Talen said in a startling way, "what was that?"
"The creaking?" Matthew asked, "don't worry, she creaks and groans all the time."
Matthew wasn't telling them that he was deliberately sinking his yacht. Furthermore, the only reason he called them up to join him in the dining area, was because if they'd stayed down in the engine room, they'd find out his plans. That was the only reason they summoned.
It was shortly before their arrival, that the Captain had called to inform Matthew that the boat was taking on water…just as he'd planned. Unbeknownst to them, the motorboat was being prepped and loaded. Meghan and the Cannibals were in charge of completing that task.
They were instructed by Matthew to avoid the dining room at any cost. If they'd failed to follow through, it would ruin his plan. Using other hallways, they worked their way around the dining room to avoid being detected by Joseph and Talen. Even so, they could still hear people walking around outside on the deck and above, but ignored that. They are more interested in hearing Matthew's story.
The time right now is 7:42 p.m. The sun is still setting on the horizon. But besides the fact, Joseph and Talen's time was running out. Then, in came Addison and another gentleman. Both carried silver plates, resting the plates on their shoulders for stability. The man walked over to where Joseph was, and Addison walked over to Talen. Lifting the dome lids up, they set the plates down.
Steaming, delicious-smelling, and looking, dinner was served. Another waitress walked into the dining area, walking over to Matthew. His plate didn't have a cover on it like theirs, but his food was still freshly made and warm.
Everyone was served waygu medium-rare cooked steaks, steamed asparagus, a baked potato with sour cream, and broccoli drizzled with a special sauce. Matthew smiled as he glanced over at Addison. She smiled back at him.
"Thank you, my dear," he said.
"You're welcome," she responded. "I'll be joining you gentlemen shortly."
"Can't wait," Matthew stated.
As their main course was served, Joseph and Talen were hesitant at first to eat. What if he poisoned the food? They couldn't conclude on that thought. But it remained in their head. Either way, however, Talen picked up a fork and steak-cutting knife.
"Don't be so bleak, Joseph," Matthew said as he looked over at him, "I assure you I did nothing to your food…if that's why you're skeptical?"
Joseph turned his head to the left slightly, staring directly over at Matthew. He folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. Rolling his eyes dramatically, he still refused to eat what was offered. This was his generous side of him.
"You're going to eat that?" Joseph asked Talen as he held his fork up to his mouth. There was a chunk of steak on it. He froze before putting the fork into his mouth. "You trust him?"
Talen shrugged his shoulders, taking his first bite.
"See?" Matthew said, glancing back over at Joseph, "told you I didn't do anything to your food. Just trust me and my word."
"Fuck…you. Do us a favor and hang yourself!"
"Joseph!" Talen shouted.
"If the first Matthew Cross were here instead of me, you'd be dead already," Matthew said, "but the first Matthew isn't here, now is he?"
"What do you mean?" Joseph asked with his head tilted. "The first Matthew?"
"Ah, allow me to elaborate," Matthew responded as he set his fork down on the table next to his plate. Talen took another bite of the steak, while Joseph leaned back in his chair, his arms still folded on his chest.
"I'm not the "real" Matthew," he said, "I'm a cloned version of him. You see, when he first went down this dark path, he knew he'd need a way to always make sure he would live to see his work become reality. With that, he built a cloning machine. If he were to be killed, the machine would then create another one of himself. Hence, why I'm here talking to you gentlemen tonight. I'll tell you more once you start eating. This steak ain't cheap you know. I'd hate to see it go to waste."
Joseph unfolded his arms and leaned forward. Picking up a fork and steak-cutting knife, he cut into the steak. As he did that, Matthew continued to explain where he'd left off.
"Daddy," Meghan said, "you need to see this!" Meghan said as she rushed into the dining lounge. Walking over to the fireplace, she picked up a remote off the small end table in between two black reclining chairs. She turned the tv hanging on the wall above the fireplace, on. Stitches, the Witch, Addison, and an Albino Cannibal also rushed into the dining area. Talen stopped eating, and so did Matthew and Joseph.
"What's going on sweetheart?" Matthew asked.
"Just look!" Meghan responded as she unmuted the tv.
"Renowned Scientist Dr. Matthew Cross, has been confirmed alive by surviving eye-witnesses. Joining me today in the studio are Eric Leblanc and his son Timmy."
"Thank you for having us, Charlette," Eric said with a faint smile. Timmy was shy and nervous, his cheeks red.
"So tell us, were we wrong to allow Dr. Cross to continue to work on the island even after getting fired from Sahara?" Charlotte asked.
"It wasn't until Sahara Therapeutics abandoned their facility on the island, that he began his own demented experiments. A cloning machine, using natives on the island as test subjects, mass murdering people to cover his tracks. I could go on and on."
Matthew pushed his chair back, threw his cloth onto the table, and turned to face the television. He folded his arms. Joseph looked over at him, noticing that his mood had suddenly changed. It didn't take much effort to show his new feelings.
"I thought he was dead?" Meghan questioned as she looked back at her father over her shoulder.
"So I assumed," Matthew responded.
"He's going to tell them everything," Meghan mentioned.
"Not if we get to him before then," Matthew suggested.
Talen ate another piece of steak. He leaned forward to grab the salt shaker to add a little salt to his baked potato. Joseph, after only eating one piece of steak, stopped eating.
"Darling," Addison said, "it's time."
The power suddenly went out. The lights, the television, the piano. Everything went dark. Talen shook from being startled. Joseph looked around and was confused. Not a moment too soon, red flashing lights turned on and continued to flash. A loud alarm started going off. Something was very wrong, but Joseph and Talen didn't know what that something was.
Turning around, Matthew walked over to Joseph's chair, setting his hand on the back of it.
"Please, don't be alarmed," Matthew said, "everything is fine. Just sit tight, and all will be over soon."
"Over?" Talen questioned.
"That's what I said, yes," Matthew responded.
An older man walked into the room. It was the same man who brought Joseph his food. Only this time, he was carrying an orange lifevest. Stitches and the Witch ran out into the hallway to grab Meghan and Addison a lifevest too.
"Umm, why are you putting those on?" Talen asked.
"We're going to get help," Matthew answered as his butler put the lifevest over his head, tying the straps around his body so it wouldn't fall off. "I'm not technical when it comes to power outages like this. Quite frankly, this has never happened to the Avalon before."
Avalon was the name of his yacht.
"Just hang tight," he told them, "we won't be gone more than an hour, I promise."
Joseph got up out of his seat, setting his hands down on the table. Talen also got up but didn't set his hands down. He folded them and looked over at Matthew, Meghan, and Addison as they all walked over to the sliding glass door. Addison unlocked the sliding door, pulling it open. Meghan and Matthew walked out first, with her being the last.
Joseph and Talen ran over to the sliding door, running outside after them. When they got out onto the stern deck and looked over to their lefts, they saw Meghan and Addison being hoisted overboard and into the small motor boat; the same boat that Joseph and Talen were brought to the yacht in days earlier.
Stitches and the Witch came jumping down from above. Just above the dining lounge were a bedroom and a decently-sized private balcony. Even outside, there was a small bar area with stools to sit on.
The two Albino Cannibals ran outside on all four, standing upright behind Joseph and Talen. They were panting like a dog from running. Matthew turned his head halfway to the right, just enough for them to see his mischievous, devilish smile.
"I think it's time I fess up," Matthew said as he turned around to face them.
Matthew slowly turned his head when he heard the sounds of slow, moving water. Everyone looked in the same direction. For Joseph, Talen, and the two cannibals it was their rights, while it was to the left for Matthew.
"I never intended on letting you live," Matthew finally told them, "not to spoil the surprise, but it's going to be epic."
Stitches and the Witch were standing next to him as he explained what was going to happen next. No longer would he be able to hide his real intentions. The Albino cannibals grabbed their arms so they wouldn't be able to try and get onto the boat too.
"Remember how I said we were going to get help?" Matthew questioned, "well… I lied. If I were you…I'd finish eating if I were you. But I'm not, so that's why I'm telling you. If we had more time, I'd explain further. But we–I mean you–don't. Safe travels to the great beyond."
Turning around, Matthew jumped into the boat tied up alongside the yacht. Stitches had handed him something, putting it into his pocket. Joseph and Talen saw the exchange but didn't know what Stitches gave him.
Allison started the engine by turning the ignition key. She would be the one driving the boat. Just as Matthew began untieing the ropes, the waiter and waitress, and even the Captain came running out from inside. They were all wearing lifevests too.
"Mr. Cross, wait," the Captain said.
"Come on, come on," Matthew said, "we don't have all night."
The three of them ran over to where the boat was, but just as the Captain grabbed the railing to jump over and into the boat, Addison pushed the throttle forward. The boat sped away, leaving Joseph, Talen, the albino cannibals, the Captain, the waitress and waiter, and the butler behind. The butler didn't get outside in time to see the boat drive away.
"You fucking–ugh," the Captain shouted, but gave up when water started washing over everyone's feet.
The Albino Cannibals screamed as they let go of Joseph and Talen. They both ran back inside, closing the sliding door. The Captain turned around, sighing heavily.
"Who are you?" Joseph asked.
"Me?" He asked as he pointed at himself, "I'm Mr. Cross. Howard Cross."
"You're related to—?"
"I'm his father," Howard said.
The water was gradually getting deeper as they talked. This was no place to talk. They need to find another way off the yacht.
"What's really going on?" Talen asked.
"He didn't tell you, did he?" Howard asked with a sigh thereafter. He shook his head and rubbed his forehead.
"You won't be leaving the yacht. Not now, not later, not tomorrow."
"What do you mean?"
"You're going to die here with the rest of us," Howard explained. "That boat was the only way off. Without it, we're trapped."
"You're kidding…, right?" Talen asked.
Howard shook his head and talked back. "I'm not."
"Well, what the fuck!" Joseph shouted as he threw his hands up into the air, shaking his head and rolling his eyes. It's always one thing after the other with you people!"
The stern was sinking deeper and deeper. The water was now rising past their ankles.
"Come," Howard said, "follow me."
"Why?" Joseph asked.
Looking back over his left shoulder, Howard answered the question.
"There may still be a way off," Howard stated, "but I'm not guaranteeing the idea will work. But it's worth a shot."
Opening the sliding door, water began flooding the dining area, pouring in through the sliding door' opening. Closing the door wouldn't do any good. That would only be a temporary solution. But sliding the door shut was difficult. After trying multiple times, Howard gave up. The albino cannibals were still panting heavily.
"How long do we have left?" Talen asked.
"Not–."
BOOM! With a simple press of a button, The yacht exploded, making a loud, thunderous boom. Everyone, including his own father, was instantly killed. There's no way they could've survived the explosion. There was simply no way.
"And boom goes my baby," Matthew mumbled quietly to himself, referring to his beloved yacht. "What a shame this is."