Where On Earth Are We?

Waking up from a dream, Angel's eyes fluttered open, revealing a look of bewilderment.

"You're awake, Angel," Doctor Reeves cheerfully greeted her as he removed the needle from her hand. He dabbed the back of her hand with a cotton ball and secured it with a plaster.

Angel observed the doctor, who was now looking at her and studying her face. During their previous interactions, she hadn't paid attention to his appearance. But now, she noticed that his hair was parted in the middle and reached his shoulder, and he had tied it up in a ponytail at the back. His face and exposed hands were the color of wheat. His deep-set eyes were dark brown, with slightly thick eyebrows above them. The bridge of his nose was high, and his lips were not too thick nor too thin.

He smiled, and dimples appeared near the corner of his lips. He was a handsome young doctor. Angel wondered if he just graduated from medical school.

Angel's gaze darted around, and she was happy that she had not found her new husband inside the room. A female crew who seemed to be in shock was accompanying him.

"Were we caught in a storm last night?" Angel asked.

Doctor Reeves, who was taking her blood pressure, paused. "If you are feeling better, you can go up the sun deck and take a look. The sun is about to set now, so it is not very hot."

Angel thought it was a good idea. She really did not want to stay in bed and accidentally fall asleep and dream again, and she did not understand why she would always dream about that fallen king.

What was strange about her dream was that she could clearly remember the names and faces of the people, and the scenes seemed to be in sequence like watching a movie.

Angel intended to get off the bed, but she staggered.

"Be careful." The doctor extended his hand to steady her. At that moment, Leoric entered the stateroom. His eyes narrowed when he noticed the doctor's hand was on Angel's right elbow.

"You have just woken up, and you cannot wait to throw yourself into another man? So, this is the real Angel Hart? You are really so good at projecting yourself as an innocent and pure young heiress," Leoric said sarcastically.

Doctor Reeves retracted the hand that was supporting Angel. "You misunderstood Mr. Graystone. I only supported her as she was still weak and almost fell. The woman over there can testify."

The crew, who came with the doctor, nodded in agreement. "He is right, Sir. I saw it with my own eyes. It was accidental."

Leoric's unwavering stare shifted from person to person, conveying a sense of scrutiny and authority. This simple gesture commanded attention and respect, instantly establishing him as the dominant force in the room.

"All of you, come up to the sun deck. It has cooled now so it is safe to meet there. There is something I need to discuss."

After giving the instruction, he turned and left without looking back.

The doctor led the two women to the sun deck, keeping a polite distance. There was only one flight of stairs, but Angel was panting when she reached the sun deck. Her body was still too weak. She needed to recover fast.

The west was splashed with hues of red and orange. It was a beauty to behold but Angel was not in the mood to appreciate it. She was shocked when she made sense of their location. The people around her were no longer surprised. They had the same reaction as her.

"We are in the middle of a desert!" It wasn't a question but a statement.

Angel approached the railing, her hand trembling as she touched its still-warm metal. She gazed ahead, taking in the endless expanse of sand that extended even to the distant sand dunes.

"This.." she was speechless.

The twenty-five men and six women on the deck directed their gaze at the Captain, who sat in a high chair in the bar area. Beside him was Leoric, with his calm face.

The men and a few women were scattered on the deck; some were sitting in lounge chairs, while others were standing.

"Everyone, as you can see, we are in the middle of nowhere. We don't know which island is this. Our navigation devices are broken. Even if they aren't, they are useless anyway. Our communications devices are also not working...." Captain Niel trailed. "We cannot contact anyone, and I am not sure when rescue would arrive."

"Leo, you've got to contact my Dad. I have a satellite phone in my cabin. He gave it to me for an emergency." Emily sprung from a lounge chair walked hastily to the bar, and clutched Leoric's sleeve.

"Ma'am, even the satellite phones are not working," said the captain, trying to sound calm.

"We took stock of supplies. We have at most a week. If rescue did not arrive on the third day, then we had to leave the boat and look for food and a water source. In the next few days, those who are injured try to recuperate. We already lost four people, and we don't want to lose more."

After finishing his words, the captain glanced at the chef.

"Starting tomorrow, there will be no breakfast, but we will serve lunch earlier at 11:00 am and dinner at 6:00 pm at the lowest deck. At 8:00 pm, all lights will be turned off, so everybody should be resting by then. We will also not turn on the air conditioning. Only the freezer will be kept operating to preserve our food. Please use water sparingly."

The men and women on the deck could only nod their heads. They were in a daze. The phenomenon was beyond their human minds to comprehend.

Captain Niel nodded toward Leoric, indicating he was done with his speech.

"We should start preparing for an eventual evacuation. Those who have trained in surviving a desert may share your suggestion ..."

"Leo, what are you saying? My Dad and brothers will look for us, and we will be rescued. By now, they should have already learned that we are missing." Emily, a pampered girl since she was young, interjected and shouted in panic.

Suddenly, a tall and bulky man with long wavy black hair that fell just above his waist, quickly climbed a narrow ladder to reach the viewing deck. He skipped three steps at a time and craned his neck towards the west to look at something.

"What the hell is that?"