My Worst Nightmare Samira

"H-h-how did you...?" Even though she leaves me the time to finish my thought, I'm stuck.

"How did I get here?" She completes it for me. I nod, unable to muster up another sound.

"I took the ship, stupid. Can't believe none of you idiots figured out it was me when I volunteered. Not that there were strict requirements to begin with. Guess I should be thankful for that. Anyway, I didn't come here to explain myself. I came here to talk to you."

"W-w-why would you...?"

Her eyes pierce a glare into mine. "Why would I get on the ship? Seriously, can't you talk properly?! It gets frustrating seeing you stutter around! I had my reasons, alright?!" I nod, shrinking back with every word she spits out.

"I saw my dad talking to you earlier. He doesn't want you to go, does he?"

I shook my head.

"But you want to go, right?"

I nod. I did. Until now. But not if it means that you are coming along.

"That's why I figured out a way for both of us to get on the expedition without his knowledge. In return for my help, you will help me conceal my identity. When he finds out, it will be too late to turn back. Agreed?"

I nod again. Completely against my will, but...I can't help it. It's her! The monster from my childhood, back to haunt me. Images flash through my mind, each one reminding me of another horrible memory. Me pushed into the pig's stall, forced to swallow left overs from the trash, stuffed and locked into a cabin, beat up in an alley, and always the hovering noise, the sneers, and the comments that hurt like knifes twisted into my stomach.

"Piggy should go where little piggies belong, don't you think?"

"Piggy doesn't speak human tongue. Try saying oink, oink instead."

"You're right. Well, piggy, tell me. Are you comfy there in the slime, oink?"

"Hey, piggy. Answer piggy. Otherwise we might need to tell the butcher about you. You wouldn't want to be slaughter yet, right piggy?"

"Piggy wants to eat a bit more, doesn't it? Here you go, look what I found in the trash. Perfect for little piggy. Come here, piggy."

"Are you listening, piggy?"

"Hey! Are you listening?" I snap back into the present. Samira stares at me, hands on her hips and her eyebrows furrowed. "Well?!"

"Yes?"

"Do. You. Agree?" Exasperation deepens her voice as she grinds out the words.

"Yes...?"

"Alright. So we'll wait until after the others fall asleep to take action."

"Yes..." I don't know what her plan is; all I know is that mine just got ruined.