CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The Night the Waters Ran Red

The luxurious cruise ship glided across the dark ocean, its towering decks glowing under the moonlight. Inside, laughter and music filled the air as passengers enjoyed a night of entertainment.

Miss Okafor sat beside her husband, Seyi, in the grand theater hall, swaying gently to the jazz performance. Their daughters, Bisi and Chioma, sat between them, their eyes wide with wonder at the lively show.

"Mummy, can we get ice cream after this?" Chioma whispered.

Miss Okafor chuckled, stroking her daughter's hair. "Of course, my love. As long as your father doesn't finish all the chocolate ones first."

Seyi grinned. "Guilty as charged. But first, let's enjoy the music."

Just as the saxophonist reached the climax of his solo, a violent coughing fit echoed through the hall. A waiter stumbled, his tray of drinks clattering to the floor. Blood dribbled from his lips as his body convulsed.

A woman in a red dress rushed forward. "Someone call the medics!"

The waiter collapsed, twitching violently. Gasps filled the room as a security guard moved to check on him. But before he could react, the waiter's body jerked unnaturally—and then, he lunged. His teeth clamped onto the woman's throat with an inhuman ferocity. A scream ripped through the theater as blood sprayed across the pristine white walls.

Chaos erupted.

"RUN!" Seyi roared, grabbing Chioma while Miss Okafor yanked Bisi to her feet.

The infected waiter turned, his bloodshot eyes locking onto the panicked crowd. Behind him, others who had collapsed earlier began to rise, their movements jerky and unnatural. More screams filled the air as the infection spread like wildfire.

"This way!" Miss Okafor urged, shoving past the terrified guests. Seyi led them toward a side corridor, pushing through the growing panic. They sprinted down a narrow hallway, reaching a cabin door.

Seyi kicked it open.

But the moment they stepped inside, a low snarl froze them in place. A lone walker—a former passenger—stood in the shadows. Its lifeless eyes flickered toward them before it lunged.

Seyi barely had time to react.

"NO!" Miss Okafor screamed as the creature's teeth sank into Seyi's arm. He roared in pain before slamming the walker's head against the wall with brute force. The skull cracked, and the body slumped to the floor.

Seyi staggered back, clutching his arm, his breathing ragged. "I—I'm bitten."

Miss Okafor's heart shattered. Bisi and Chioma sobbed as they clung to her. "We—we can fix this! Maybe there's a doctor—"

"No, dear." Seyi shook his head, his voice filled with sorrow but certainty. "You know what happens next. I won't risk hurting you or the girls."

A loud crash outside the door reminded them of the hell unraveling beyond their walls. The undead were closing in.

Seyi took a deep breath, his eyes filled with love and resolve. "You need to go. Now."

Miss Okafor choked back a sob. "I can't leave you."

He cupped her face. "You must. Protect our girls. Live for them."

The pounding on the door grew more frantic. Seyi turned, grabbing a fire extinguisher and wedging it against the entrance. "I'll hold them off. Get to the roof—signal for help."

Tears streamed down her face as she kissed him one last time. "I love you, Seyi."

"I love you more. Now GO!"

With a final look, Miss Okafor pulled Bisi and Chioma away. The girls sobbed as they ran, their father's last stand fading behind them. The hallway was a nightmare—bodies littered the floor, and the ship had transformed into a floating graveyard.

By the time they reached the top deck, the screams from below had quieted. Only the relentless groaning of the dead remained.

For three days, they hid on the rooftop, rationing what little food they had. Chioma cried herself to sleep every night, clutching her father's scarf. Miss Okafor stood watch, never letting her daughters out of her sight.

On the morning of the third day, the rhythmic thumping of helicopter blades cut through the silence.

Salvation had arrived.

As the aircraft hovered above them, Miss Okafor hugged her daughters tightly. "Daddy saved us," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Now, we survive for him."

With the roar of the chopper drowning out her sobs, they were lifted into the sky, leaving behind the floating horror below.

Seyi was gone. But his sacrifice would never be forgotten.

Miss Okafor was at her doorstep thinking about the horrific event that took her husband. Then Bisi came outside leaving chioma and kunle inside as he played with her.

"I miss him." Bisi says as she sat beside her mum."So do I," She replied to her daughter.

"This the time for us to remain strong and protect ourselves from any threats."

The scene fades away as the instrumental sound plays in.