Nightfall

Seeing Mia leave from the corner of my eye I saw someone else also glancing at me. It was some guy who seemed to be around my height with raven hair and ruby eyes. 'What's with his clothes?' He was dressed in all black and had some long trench coat with chunky boots, a sci-fi type of wear, With goggles to match. 'What's he staring at' 

"Hey nereus do you wanna go to the control room first or the laboratory?" Viny said "The lab" I replied, focusing on him he looked a lot like Mia, Copper hair and Hazel eyes he also had freckles and was a bit shorter than me. 

"Are you Mia's brother perchance?" I asked "Yeah I am, That little brat didn't tell you anything about me huh" He looked annoyed and later sighed "She's a little rough around the edges, and constantly puts up walls around people. But she's pretty fun once you get to know her more" Viny turned around and gestured for me to follow. Before we left he quickly turned around and yelled something to the guy from before 'Klien' that was his name 

A bit later we arrived at the lab. It was a bustling hub of scientific inquiry where curiosity met precision. There were long study work benches that lined the room, each meticulously organized with an array of glassware and beakers. Test tubes filled with all kind of chemicals shone in the worklight 

The air was filled with a faint sterile scent, and a tang gas like smell. There were plenty of cabinets and tables filled with endless microscopes and to the left an eye wash station and computers. There also seemed to be a steel door to the far back. Most likely a storage room full of chemicals. 

After admiring the lab me and Viny headed inside, There were about 10 people in the room each working on something. Walking past a few people we reached another door that was etched into the side near the eye wash station. After walking inside, the room seemed to be an office and there was a man sitting inside.

He was blonde and looked to be around 50 'He must be the captain of the laboratory' 

"Doc this is Nereus, He wants to be a part of the lab team he just came onboard a day or two ago." Viny said turning around to look at me "Nereus i'll leave you with charles then, see you later!" hastily leaving looking at his watch. 

"Hello Sir" Turning around to look back at the doc, he looked as if he was glaring at me with his icy blue eyes.

"So you want to work at the lab? Why so?" saying in a stern voice 'People are not very welcoming around here huh' 

"I just wanted something to do something while i'm here, And get enough money to stay somewhere that isn't the lower deck" saying causally 

"Ah so you just want money? Not a bad take, most people looking for jobs around the ship also want money to lounge around. Therefore I dont take in just anyone especially in a dangerous field like this" Locking eyes with me he placed his pen and paper down 

"That being said, what makes you different?" He said, placing his hands together. Straightening my posture I calmly took a breath in 

"Well It's not wrong that I do want money but that's not the only reason why I've decided to work in the lab, I was a biology major before the incident and that certain event made me want to learn more about what's happening to our world" Getting a little excited 

I glanced back at the doc I smiled and added "Which then gave me a bigger desire to learn more and experiment with some of these growing creatures, And what better way to learn than being on a ship surrounded by these same creatures.." 

"What caused them to grow? Why has their habits and behavior drastically changed? Where did they get such destructive powers enough to destroy countries!" Lets not forget the massive natural disasters, I'm a very curious person you see" getting a sense of satisfaction I took in another breathe I looked directly at the doc 

"The world is changing so why should we get left behind?" feeling myself getting carried away I stopped talking and looked away for a bit. Hearing nothing but silence I faced the doc. 

The doc just stared at me for a bit 'Did I ramble on too much?' Looking away and focusing my gaze at the window behind him I heard him chuckle for a bit 'I did.. Didn't I' 

"Interesting" He said a bit after 

"So can I work here?" Scratching my head, Lying back on his chair he wrote something on one of his paper 

"Why not" He said in a carefree tone 

…

–Charles– 

Seeing the kid leave, I stood up and shut the door behind him. Walking towards the coffee machine I grabbed a cup of coffee

Sitting back at my desk I looked towards the window, seeing the ocean waves and the endless abyss of the sea 'The world is changing so why should we get left behind, huh' 

The kid really got gut, You should see his passion and driven motive while he was talking.

The kids blabbering really got me excited for this world's evolution and gave me the hope that we might just be entering a new era soon enough and this new generation will lead it. 'I wonder what that kid will become' There's lots of talented kids these days 'The worlds in good hands' no room for us old farts huh 

Laughing to myself I grabbed my coffee and took another sip 'very interesting indeed' he kinda reminds me of someone.. 

…

'Phew' that was very intense 

The doc seemed pretty intimidating at first but later had a cheery expression. Walking out of the laboratory into the halls walking past many people for a bit looking for the stairs to the lower decks. 'It's getting late' After strolling for a bit I came across some stairs and saw a sign 'Forecastle' It led to the upper deck. 'Should I check it out?'After a while of conflicting against myself I decided to head up 'Why not'.

Climbing up the stairs I reached the door and pulled the handle. Fresh breeze hitting my face. Continuing, I saw that the upper deck was mostly empty. It wasn't that out of place since it was almost 8. Seeing some benches I sat down staring at the ocean. 

I always used to sit down at the beach with my mother and little brother. The ocean calmed me down, my heart syncing with the soft motions of the waves.

Back then during the catastrophe my mother and little brother were on a trip to Asia, Thank god since they weren't there to fully witness the impact of what happened. The incident was way less severe in the North Eastern Hemisphere. 

Lying down on the bench I stared at the sky for a bit. My eyes searching for something I seemed to be forgetting something? What was it? 

"Oh I didn't know someone was up here, It usually empty around this time of day" Someone said 

Getting up It was a boy with blonde hair who looked a little bit younger than me. He wore clothes that were bigger than him and a tore up shirt. 'Must be one of the poorer refugees' 

"The ocean is beautiful isn't it?" He said sitting next to me. You could see his little face light up

"Yes it is, What are you doing up here alone kid? Wheres your family" 

His mood started to shift and he looked a little glum "I'm alone.." 

"Oh.. I'm sorry" 'Dammit, why did I have to ask that, stupid!' 

"Oh it's okay! I have lots of friends who I consider family and to me it was less lonely here on this ship than it was when I was on land.."

'Poor kid' there's lots of people whose lives have changed whether it was for better or worse, Grabbing a tiny little lollipop that I took from the lab from my pocket I reached my hand to him 

"Here you can have this" I said feeling a little wistful "Thank you!" He grabbed the lollipop and threw it into his mouth. 

"What about you mister? Wheres your family" 

"Oh mine there not with me right now, I'm on this ship to find them" glancing back at the ocean 

"By the way kid what's your name?" I added 

"I'm Jake and I'm 13!" He said licking his lollipop "You're the same age as my little brother you also remind me of him" The kid was all alone, Imagining my own little brother by himself my heart broke. 

"Oh that's so cool! What's his name?" 

"Crius" 

After a while of me chatting with the kid it reminded me of my little brother back then. I don't remember my childhood from past 4 but it felt nice. 

… 

I reached my room. By this time it was dark out and many people were heading towards their room. Opening the door I was met with the scent of a stale dry oder and bitter coldness. 'Home sweet home' a bitter grin sprang on my face. 'Sigh' 

Sitting down I took off my shoes leaving my socks to cling onto my feet for warmth throwing my shoes aside I layed down turning off the tiny lantern which was the only source of light in here, darkness encircling the small perimeter of the room soon I fell asleep 

… 

*BEEP* 

*BEEP* 

*ALL PASSENGERS SEEK REFUGE* 

*UNKNOWN ATTACK* 

Waking up a sudden sound pierced the tranquility of my blissful dream. My heart raced as a loud force shaked up the ship, Hearing lots of crashes and wails. I jumped up from my bed instinctively alert. Grabbing my hand gun and a sword crafted from steel I ran out the door and was met with many people running in panic and gathering up their families for safety. Looking at the clock posted up on the higher ceiling '4am' 

"EVERYONE STAY CALM THE LOWER DECK IS THE SAFEST" 

"STAY IN UR ASSIGNED ROOMS" The officer projected his voice 

"ALL ABLED BODY REPORT ON THE UPPER DECK, LEVEL 4 DANGER" 

Running up the stairs towards the upper deck I heard a familiar voice "Nereus wait up!" It was Aaliyah she looked like she was out of breath. "What are you doing down here?" I quickly asked 

"I was in the engineering room since I was placed on cleaning duty on my night shift, when I heard the warning and ran to the lower deck for safety, That's when I spotted you" 

"Anyways that's besides the point why are you running towards the upper decks??" 

"Are you crazy? Can you even fight" 

"I've got a little experience and besides I need to help out" I yelled over the panicking crowd. 

"And why do you specifically need to help out you're new anyways" She quickly replied, grabbing my arm "I appreciate the concern but if everyone runs away who will help protect the ship?" seeing that I wasn't going to compile she let go 

"Just be safe" Turning around she left, I ran up the decks the further up I went the less people that were around. Finally nearing the upper deck I froze 

There were massive amounts of these creatures circling the margin of the upper deck it looked like a mutation of a sea lion and octopus 

"They're evolving.." I said under my breath feeling a sort of excitement and a sense of dwelling 

Looking to my right I see the Captain and Iris up front leading the attack 

…