It's been merely two hours since I've boarded this cruise, and our activities so far have been the most fun I've had in a long time. To be completely honest, it's been too fun. I'm ashamed to admit that my real intentions aboard this ship have faded from my mind since. But that doesn't change anything. I've started in a good position, and my goal now is to keep moving forward with my relationships with these people.
I must ensure that I have gained their trust, or the rest if the mission won't work. But it has to work. I have to make it work. But I have to do it without drawing any unwanted attention. I may be here for a reason other than to relax like everyone else, but I must blend amongst them. Be exactly like them until I have to change. But I can't be too much like them, for the more I do so, the more inclined I'll be to shy away from this mission, and I'll fail.
I replay her words in my mind.
"Don't forget what you're on that cruise for," the girl with the curly brown hair and dark eyes told me a year ago. "This may be the only opportunity you have to succeed, so don't be a wimp."
I remember laughing at her statement. "Don't go thinking I'm a wimp, Al. This is for Mum, so I know I'll never fail."
Tasmin Kelly.
She's the one I have to get close to. That's Phase One. It's been a couple hours, but I feel as if I've been on a cruise with her forever. Her trust already seems strong, and I'll possibly have to meet with Al soon to further our planning.
I copy Tasmin and wave at the passerby. They are all incredibly happy to see us, or extremely jealous. But they smile, scream and wave anyway. I look at Tasmin. The smile on her face hasn't faltered yet, and I'm starting to wonder how strained her face must be, or how happy of a person Tasmin is.
Could someone so cheerful do something so…?
"Guys, let's head back. If we're quick we'll be able to take some really nice photos on Deck seven!" Tasmin informs us.
My head hurts. It's throbbing as if I have a second heart, beating louder than my real one, right in the middle of my brain, and it hurts like hell.
"Harry…"
I look up, snapping out of my daze. I shouldn't be thinking too much around her; it'll look suspicious, and the last thing I want to do is raise any eyebrows about how trustworthy of a person I am.
"Yeah?" I say as casually as I can.
"You okay?"
"Oh, yeah, fine," I tell her. "I'm just tired is all."
She nods in understanding, but that's not enough for me to feel reassured. Then she smiles; now that's enough.
I replay what my mum told me as she lay on her deathbed all those years ago.
"It's for you. Just for you," she told me, rubbing my youthful hand in her frail one. "Don't forget to have fun."
I nodded at her a million times. "I will. I promise I will."
Now I'm here, thinking about what my mum said, and thinking about what she said. Regretting my decisions for one second, taking pride in them in the next. But then I remember my intentions and I take back all my doubtful reasoning. I'm doing this for a good reason.
If I had the opportunity to tell my story to Tasmin, I would. But the risk; the risk is too high. She can't know anything to do with my mission, because if she knows, everything that I've built will collapse.
Again, Tasmin is the most important part of my mission. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have to lead this mission. If it wasn't for her, I also would be unable to complete my mission.
So, in a way, Why'd you do that, Tasmin? and in another way, Thank you, Tasmin.
We gather all our belongings and return to our cabins on Deck ten, Ben and Charlie disappear into our cabin, along with Emily and Lilli into theirs, but I shoot my shot. Just as I throw my hand forward to grab Tasmin's hand, an ear piercing scream bellows from the cabin that Emily and Lilli just entered a moment ago. I link my fingers onto Tasmin's, but I'm dragged along by her into the room where we face an absolutely terrified pair.
"What?! What's wrong?!" Tasmin frantically asks, and in that moment I also hear Charlie and Ben stomping their way over.
In Lilli's hand is a white slip of paper, and the two seem to be staring at it in horror. I try hard not to rush forward to take it from her.
This note could have everything and nothing to do with me. It could expose my situation, it could be a note explaining why there won't be any WiFi at sea. It could be a note containing crucial information on my case, or it could be a kind greeting from our room service manager that Emily and Lilli overreacted to. Standing here, a few feet away, I feel completely helpless, and I feel a real bead of sweat drip down my face and pool in my temple.
Charlie and Ben are behind me now. "What happened?" Ben's asking, trying to see over Charlie's head, to which he stands aside to let Ben through. "Emily, Lilli, are you okay?"
In that moment we all spot the Note of Death in Lilli's hand. I don't and do want to hear it, but she gulps and reads, "'Dear passengers, we are sorry to inform you that one of your three baggage checked-in by you today has gone missing. Due to safety regulations, we will be unable to look for your missing piece until after the safety drill. We are sorry for any inconveniences, and we will do our best to find and return the luggage. Please consult Front Desk for more information. Regards, Management.'"