The steady rhythm of weights clanking and machines humming greeted Zack as he stepped into the ship's gym. The room was spacious and well-lit, with large windows offering a view of the endless ocean outside. Eric and Josh were already there, both halfway through their warm-ups when Zack arrived.
"Took you long enough," Eric said with a grin, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Had to actually wake up first," Zack replied, setting down his water bottle and joining them.
The three of them moved seamlessly between machines and free weights, exchanging tips and competitive banter. Zack's athleticism was evident in the way he approached each exercise—controlled and efficient, but never over the top.
"Man, you're making us look bad," Josh said, shaking his head as Zack finished a set of pull-ups with ease.
"Maybe you should step it up," Zack quipped, grabbing his towel.
Eric laughed. "Careful, he's gonna try and out-climb you later."
After a solid hour in the gym, they headed to the rock climbing wall on the deck. The wall loomed high above them, the colorful handholds gleaming in the midday sun.
Josh whistled, craning his neck to look up. "You sure about this, Eric? That gym session didn't leave me much gas in the tank."
"Excuses already?" Eric teased.
Zack smirked as he strapped on his harness. "It's not that bad. Just don't look down."
One by one, they tackled the wall. Zack was the first to climb, his movements fluid and deliberate as he navigated the handholds with ease. Eric followed, his progress steady despite his earlier bravado. Josh, meanwhile, grumbled his way up, pausing occasionally to catch his breath but refusing to give up.
By the time they all reached the top, the three of them were winded but triumphant. The view from the top was breathtaking, the endless expanse of ocean stretching in every direction.
"Worth it," Zack said, leaning against the railing as he caught his breath.
"Barely," Josh replied, grinning despite himself.
Later that afternoon, the ship's intercom crackled to life, and the captain's voice echoed through the halls and decks.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. I'm pleased to announce that we've entered the Bermuda Triangle. For those curious, we are currently sailing through calm waters, and there are no unusual conditions to report."
Zack paused mid-step as he heard the announcement, his curiosity piqued. He made his way to the upper deck, where the railings were lined with other passengers gazing out at the ocean.
The water was calm, shimmering under the afternoon sun. Zack leaned on the railing, scanning the horizon. He wasn't sure what he'd expected—swirling whirlpools, eerie fog, or maybe even a hint of the supernatural—but all he saw was water.
"Doesn't look so mysterious," Josh said, appearing at his side. Eric joined them, sipping from a bottle of water as he took in the view.
"Kind of a letdown," Eric said.
Zack didn't reply immediately. He stared at the ocean, his mind flickering through the stories he'd read about the Triangle—ships vanishing without a trace, planes disappearing mid-flight. None of it seemed real in this moment.
"Maybe that's the point," Zack said finally. "The mystery's in what you don't see."
Eric raised an eyebrow. "You've got some deep takes, man."
"Or he's just trying to sound cool," Josh added, grinning.
Zack shrugged, pushing off the railing. "Either way, it's not what I expected."
As the day turned to evening, the three of them found themselves lounging in the ship's common area, the energy of the day giving way to a more relaxed mood. The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the ocean in shades of orange and pink.
Josh stretched and yawned. "Alright, we've worked out, climbed a wall, and stared at the most boring part of the ocean. I say we hit the bar tonight."
Eric nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's make it happen. Zack, you in?"
Zack smirked. "Wouldn't miss it."
As the ship's lights began to flicker on, illuminating the decks, the three of them headed off to prepare for a night of drinks and laughter.