The bar was alive with laughter and chatter when Zack, Eric, and Josh arrived. The warm glow of hanging lights reflected off polished wood, and a steady hum of conversation filled the air. It was busier than the previous nights, with groups of passengers mingling at the tables and the bar.
The three of them claimed a spot near the window, where they could see the ocean stretching into the night. Zack nursed his usual drink as Eric scanned the room, nudging Josh.
"Think we should step up the socializing?" Eric asked, his eyes flicking toward a trio of women at the other end of the bar.
Josh grinned. "Always. Zack, you in?"
Zack glanced over, catching the girls' laughter as they leaned in close, clearly enjoying each other's company. He shrugged. "Why not?"
They approached casually, Eric leading the way with his confident grin. The introductions were quick and easy. The girls—Tara, Jess, and Mia—were a mix of vibrant energy and easy charm, matching the playful tone Eric and Josh quickly set.
Zack played along, his comments drawing occasional laughs, though he stayed slightly detached. He wasn't the type to dive headfirst into flirtation, but the lighthearted banter was entertaining enough.
"So, what brings you three here?" Tara asked, her gaze shifting between them.
"Vacation," Eric said, leaning back with a smirk. "Though it feels more like a workout with this guy dragging us around," he added, nodding toward Zack.
"Hey, I'm just keeping you on your toes," Zack replied.
The conversation flowed easily, and the group falling into a comfortable rhythm. Drinks were poured, jokes exchanged, and the atmosphere seemed perfect—until the ship suddenly shifted beneath them.
A low rumble filled the bar, subtle at first but quickly growing louder. The lights flickered, and a collective murmur spread through the room as passengers glanced around in confusion.
The ship's intercom crackled to life.
"Attention passengers," the captain's voice boomed, calm but firm. "We are experiencing sudden changes in weather conditions. Please make your way to covered, indoor areas immediately and remain there until further notice."
The announcement sent a ripple of unease through the bar. Zack looked toward the window, where the ocean, once calm, was now churning violently.
"Guess we're staying put," Eric said, gesturing to the room.
"Yeah, we're good here," Josh added, though his tone was less certain.
The bar was fully enclosed, and the staff reassured the patrons that they were safe. Still, the energy in the room had shifted, tension replacing the earlier ease.
Zack's attention was drawn back to the window as the first wave slammed against the side of the ship, spraying water high enough to obscure the view. The sea outside was alive now, its surface roiling under the force of the wind.
"Holy—" Tara started, but her voice was drowned out by another crash.
Zack's breath caught as the waves seemed to rise impossibly high, the ship lurching with each one. And then, just beyond the chaos, he saw it.
At first, it looked like the water was simply swirling—a natural vortex forming in the distance. But as the seconds passed, the whirlpool grew, its edges glowing faintly with an eerie, blueish light.
"What is that?" Jess whispered, her voice barely audible over the noise.
None of them answered, their eyes fixed on the spectacle outside. The whirlpool was massive, its pull evident in the way the waves seemed to rush toward it.
"It's… glowing," Zack murmured, his grip tightening on the edge of the table.
The bar had fallen silent now, all eyes drawn to the window. The whirlpool continued to grow, its luminescent edges casting a faint glow into the stormy night.
For the first time since stepping aboard, Zack felt something close to fear. The unknown had always fascinated him, but this? This was something else entirely.
The ship rocked violently, and Zack steadied himself against the table. The girls huddled closer to Eric and Josh, their earlier playfulness replaced by unease.
"We're fine," Eric said, his voice steady despite the uncertainty in his eyes. "The bar's safe."
But Zack wasn't so sure. His gaze stayed locked on the whirlpool, its glow intensifying as it continued to grow.
The storm raged on, and the chapter of their night that had started with laughter and lighthearted conversation ended in an ominous silence.