The hum of the ship's engines was a low, soothing vibration beneath Zack's feet as he stepped out of his cabin. The corridor was quiet, save for the occasional muffled laughter or the creak of a door opening. Most passengers were probably still waking up or lingering over breakfast. Zack checked his watch—it was already mid-morning.
The map in his hand felt unnecessary, but he held onto it anyway as he headed toward the main deck. He preferred to figure things out as he went. The ship was a maze, but it wasn't anything he couldn't navigate.
When he emerged onto the main deck, the sun hit him full force. The breeze carried the faint smell of saltwater, and the pool area was already alive with people. Kids cannonballed into the water while parents sipped cocktails under oversized umbrellas. Zack wandered along the edge of the deck, taking in the scene.
There was something strangely peaceful about being surrounded by so many people while staying in his own bubble. Zack wasn't antisocial—far from it—but he didn't mind being alone either.
After a while, Zack's curiosity pulled him toward one of the bars tucked just off the main deck. He took a seat on a high stool, glancing over the menu for a moment before ordering.
"Rum and Coke," he told the bartender, a woman with auburn hair pulled into a neat ponytail.
"Starting strong, huh?" she joked, her hands moving quickly to mix the drink.
Zack smirked. "Why not? It's vacation."
She slid the glass across the counter. "First cruise?"
"Yeah," Zack said, taking a sip. "Figured I'd see the Bermuda Triangle before I get too old and boring to care."
The bartender chuckled. "That's an interesting choice. Most people come for the beaches or the food."
"Beaches are beaches. But mysteries? Those are worth the trip."
"Fair point," she said, flashing a smile before turning to another customer.
Zack leaned back, the cold drink refreshing against the warmth of the morning sun. He wasn't the kind of person to overthink things, but he'd admit the rum helped. It smoothed out the edges of whatever hesitation he might've had about striking up a conversation.
By the time he left the bar, the ship had become a little easier to navigate. Zack spent the afternoon wandering, stopping to take in the ship's amenities. He watched a group of people play basketball on the court and briefly considered joining before deciding to save it for another day.
The climbing wall caught his attention next, towering over the deck with colorful handholds scattered in seemingly random patterns. A few people were already harnessed up, making their way to the top with varying degrees of success. Zack decided to save that for later too.
Instead, he ended up at the edge of the deck, leaning on the railing as he stared out at the open ocean. The water stretched endlessly, its surface shimmering under the afternoon sun.
His family's warnings echoed faintly in the back of his mind. Getting stranded, getting sick—none of it had seemed likely enough to matter when he'd booked the trip. But now, staring out at the vastness of the sea, he felt a flicker of something. Not fear, exactly. More like respect.
The ocean was an unknown that most people didn't think twice about. Zack, though, couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath the surface. The idea thrilled and unsettled him in equal measure.
That evening, Zack found himself back at the same bar. The bartender greeted him with a nod as he slid onto a stool.
"Back already?" she asked, sliding a napkin toward him.
"Figured I'd end the day where I started it," Zack replied, ordering another drink.
This time, he stayed longer, watching the other passengers as they laughed and mingled. He didn't need to join in to enjoy the energy.
When Zack finally made his way back to his cabin, the ship was quieter, the hum of the engines more noticeable in the stillness. Tomorrow, he thought, would be the start of something different.