KNOCK. KNOCK.

Ming Yu was woken up by the constant knocking on the door.

"Wan Zhe. . ." he wasn't beside him so he frowned, confused.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

His eyes were bleary yet forced himself to walk out of the bed and approach the door to open it.

"..."

"H-Hi. . . It's Bea Yu . . ." she awkwardly greeted with a smile. It was still early in the morning and other than her the rest were still resting.

[Admin: It's her. Do you know what she wants from you?]

. . .when will you stop asking me things I do not know. . .

[Admin: I was just talking to myself.]

This Admin. . . no matter how many times he tried he'll never get rid of this frustration that sprouted challenging his once level-headed self. 

[Admin: My friend, I know you love me. Heh.(￣︶￣ )]

Ahh. . . is this those moments where authors uses the expression. 'I-feel-like-coughing-out-blood?' Ming Yu decided to snap out of it and just ignore the annoying bug.

Bug. From now on he decided on that as Admin's nickname. This system felt more like a system bug rather than the actual system itself.

[Admin: What do you mean BUG?! I AM AUTHENTIC!!!]

Ming Yu focused his attention on Bea Yu who was trying to read his expression all this time. His face was still naturally expressionless but his brows were wiggling the past minute due to the notorious Admin. 

"What do you. . ."

"Ah. . . I wanted to ask if you've seen anyone else this morning? I called for room service but nobody answered. I walked around and saw your. . ." Although Chris Han and Xu Wan Zhe were sure to be a couple, she didn't want to conclude unless she heard it from their mouths. Ming Yu nodded his head verifying this fact and she smiled, feeling a bit jealous.

Such a dedicated man, who won't be envious? She knew that Xu Wan Zhe was not the type to fool around and would rather expend his all to one person.

[Admin: Hey! We're not finished talking you-]

"Where's Wan Zhe?"

[Admin: Don't you dare ignore me!!!(╬ •̀ω•́ )σ HUMAN. ]

"He told me he'll go to the kitchen and look for food to eat. When we arrived there there was no one and we thought that maybe they were still resting. . . but this shouldn't even be happening."

[Admin: I demand attention!!! You are the bug! Your entire family are all bugssss!!!(ꐦ ಠ皿ಠ )]

I am an orphan.

[Admin: "..."(；￣Д￣)]

Knowing how people were missing, the creepy vibes slowly sunk in. One of the kitchens doors was left open and delicious scent was wafting out of the room. Inside, Xu Wan Zhe was busying himself cooking up a meal. This made Ming Yu wonder more.

It seemed like. . . everyone else other than the guests were now gone.

Xu Wan Zhe was just finishing up and put the food on the table nearest to him, he smiled as he saw his lover walking up for a morning hug and a kiss on Ming Yu's forehead. He didn't sat across and rather chose to dine beside each other.

"Everyone else is gone. Overnight." The eerie silence within the cruise was clear to him soon as he woke up. The line was dead, the kitchen empty, no breakfast prepared, just. . . gone.

This was disturbing. . . only Ming Yu knew of what was to come albeit unclear to who the killer was. His grip on his fork tightened and Xu Wan Zhe lovingly rubbed his back to soothe him. At this point, he knew that no matter what he'll say, the anxiousness his lover felt won't go away.

"The doors to the sky deck are shut from the outside. We're locked inside. I wanted to look around some more but I didn't want to worry you for being gone for too long." Ming Yu had the right to know of this even if this would add more worry about their safety.

As a result he lost his appetite.

"A killer is on the loose." After deeply contemplating, he decided to tell him. "But I don't know who. . . " 

"Please don't ask me how I know." He wasn't ready to tell him the truth about himself.

Why was he hesitant to tell such important fact? Ming Yu was afraid. . .

If you were to tell the one you love the most that he was fake. Maybe fake wasn't the right word but still. . . does telling him that he was a character of his story make him feel better? And the saddening fact that he, after all of these pass, would come back to reality? One without him?

Heartbreak. . . he was scared of this. Xu Wan Zhe or no matter whoever he was in the past always stood strong. He shed tears when happy or sad yet he had always been the bigger person, steady like a pillar.

So he didn't want to see a devastated expression on the man's face if he knew of the truth.

Ming Yu had an inkling that although lifetimes passed within these worlds, when he wakes up, maybe not even an entire day would pass. . .

Let's not think of such things for now. . . 

It was just a repeat of escapism.

"..."

Now knowledgeable of what was going on, Xu Wan Zhe frowned at the gravity of the situation. He didn't need to imagine how heavy Ming Yu felt thinking about his safety. He could only pull him into his arms hiding the dangerous glint that flashed through his eyes.

No matter what, he won't let anything happen.

Between the two they didn't need to doubt whatever came out of the other's mouth. If one said that a murderer was with them then the other would believe him no matter how out-of-the blue it sounded.

Such was the trust between two loving pair.

"Eat, even just a little. Don't make me worry more than this." Xu Wan Zhe smiled not letting the situation pressure him and neglect the care his lover should have from him. Looking at such a man, Ming Yu chanted at heart that his big lover was really the man meant for him.

Admin was still maddened but could only shut up for now and swallow down his anger. It wasn't the time to be petty.

The halls started to buzz as the guests were leaving their rooms to dine. The couple was just finishing up when the troublemaker Hong Bing approached slamming his hand on the table in a demanding way.

"Where the f*ck is everybody." This cocky *ss was pissed.

"..."

"Food. Where did you get that?" he questioned further.

"Cook for yourself." He stood up taking Ming Yu by hand and strolled around the ship to know more about what was going on leaving them by themselves.

"Let's check the rooms first. . ." Ming Yu recommended.

The elevators were working and after going through all the rooms the pressure reached new heights. Other than their own rooms, the rest were locked. 

They entered a woman's room which was left open.

It felt like Ming Yu was peeking through the real side of a beautiful lady. Pretty on the outside but a real slob when away from the spotlight. What bothered him though was that this room belonged to Catrice Rogers.

There was no mistaking it since the Admin was the one that gave him the information which room was who's. What disturbed him was that what he guessed was right.

That woman that night. . . it was Catrice.

[Admin: Ah f*ck I feel the damn tingles. . .]

Admin didn't need a voice to let him feel his fear.

"Did you notice anything?" Xu Wan Zhe was sensitive when it comes to the fluctuation of his lover's mood. He would never fail at guessing it.

"Catrice. . . she's dead. . ." 

"Why do you say. . ." Xu Wan Zhe paused before he Ming Yu's hand was suddenly flung which dragged Ming Yu to face him imagining something he didn't want to think off. 

" Are you not telling me something I should know?" His gaze was grave.

"..."

"Ah Yu." His tone, cold. Pressuring him.

"I. . . was taken away. The night before you met me and I saw her."

"..."

"..."

[Admin: Author. . . i'm about to piss my pants.]

"Was this why you told me not to ask earlier?" He guessed wrongly. Which made Ming Yu frown in guilt.

Xu Wan Zhe face was twisted in anger and stared coldly at Ming Yu. He wasn't directing his anger at him but to whoever the f*ck dared to touch his treasure and threatened his life. Ming Yu felt the chill but didn't know what to say. . .

"You said nothing will happen to you. . ." he mentioned, wintry.

"From now on, nothing will. I just arrived to this world and it already happened."

"..."

"Trust me. . ."

"..."

A cold minute war passed and Xu Wan Zhe weakly embraced him, not close enough wishing inside that if only they could meld into one so both of their fates and lives was guaranteed to be together.

"Ah Yu. . . I never told you this but since the time I almost lost you. . . the despair I felt  since then had been hunting me all this time. . ." He trembled as the memory flashed in his mind.

"I don't want it to happen again. If it does, then I don't think I can remain strong infront of you."

"So please, as much as you could. Always stay close to me." he begged.

"Stay where I can reach you."

"If not, I might just break."

[Admin: "..."]

This was the first. That he said something like this. 

"I promise." But. . . 

"You promised." he lovingly kissed his face and nuzzled his face on the crook of Ming Yu's neck.

I promised. . . but someday. . . even if I do not want to I'll. . .

"Mmn."

I will still go back to a place that is out of your reach. . .

"Mwuah." Xu Wan Zhe gave him a loud childish peck on the forehead before leading him back into his- 'their' room. He skillfully zipped his luggage open and with a harsh pull a secret space within his luggage was revealed.

"..." ( O-O) . . . even Ming Yu couldn't stay composed.

[Admin: ━Σ(ﾟДﾟ|||)━!!!]

A pair of handguns and a set of Bayonet knives. A Holster for concealed carry and rows of packed bullets. 

What. . . 

[Admin: A-A-Author. Your man isn't a part of some kind of M-Mafia Syndicate or some hidden boss of the underworld. . . right?]

There were no tattoos on his body. . . so no?

[Admin: I need a change of pants. . .]

Xu Wan Zhe chuckled when he saw that dumbfounded look.

"For self protection. I always have them with me. It's not like I haven't killed anyone." With a few gestures, what was needed to be check and assembled were finished and he hid a gun under his shirt, the other back into the luggage.

"By killed I meant in the past. How many people did you think tried to assassinate Hui Tian for the throne." He recalled the experiences of saving that crown prince's ass a lot of times and smiled wryly. 

Ming Yu felt a bit uncomfortable with his experience but accepted it since it was due to circumstances.

 "You don't like me now?" Since he killed people.

"It's okay. . ." In the inside, he was perfectly fine with it as long as they continued to live. This book was initially intended for ranting malicious thoughts. The bad things that one hoped wouldn't happen are expected to happen and might even be worse than predicted.

"Should we continue look-"

"WHAT KIND OF F*CKING SICK JOKE IS THIS!!!!!" Hong Bing's shouting echoed through the ship. It sounded close and seemed to have came from the elevator.

"The others noticed. . ." Ming Yu voiced out and waited for his lover's words.

"What do you think we should do? Focus on ourselves or take care of them too?" Xu Wan Zhe asked a serious question.

Ming Yu had no qualms in simply protecting themselves since all the people here had a reason to die. He just. . . doesn't remember.

"As long as you are fine then i'm fine." This was his true feelings.

"Same here." Xu Wan Zhe grinned leaning down to kiss his lips. It didn't stop there as he plunged his tongue through letting his tongue do wonders that Ming Yu's knees buckled from the pleasurable exchange.

He was cornered on the wall restricting him from breaking away.

CLUNK.

Both of their eyes were drawn to the sound of the mug falling onto the floor.

"D-d-d-d-disgusting!" Lan Mei Ru shouted and ran off leaving a bad taste.

"That b*tch." Xu Wan Zhe cussed. 

Ming Yu's face burned red and drooped his head to hide the embarrassment on his face. Ahh... they were seen! SEEN!

[Admin: Does that even matter?]

(a/n: the people reading my book already saw and heard everything pffft-!)

Ahhhhhh. . .

"I don't mind if there's an audience next time we- " Ming Yu hurriedly shut his mouth with his heated palms since he couldn't stomach any embarrassing thoughts than this.

[Admin: You dirty little author. . .]

(a/n: directing this to myself XD.)

The two headed back to the dining room where everyone took their place and sat. From the looks of it they weren't idle either and searched through the entire ship. Other than Chairwoman Fan who always had the haughty gait and her son who stood calm, everyone else had a panic stricken look.

"What's going on? Where's everyone?" Secretary Luo nervously asked.

"I went to the employee floor but it was shut. The stair are also locked with its shutter down." Professor Sun added.

"Hong Bing! What's going on!" Bea Yu was confused.

"Why are you asking me! I have nothing to do with this!!!"

"Your family owns this damn ship!!!" Secretary Luo proved a point.

"Where's the chairman?!" Lan Mei Ru noticed this.

"I've never seen him since the first day!" Bea Yu also wondered why she hasn't seen him.

"L-Let's stay calm." 

"Calm?! What the f*ck! We're out stuck here!!! This should be some kind of prank! Whoever started this stop it! This is some nasty  entertainment!!!" 

"Does screaming like a retard would help anyone?" Chairwoman Fan finally couldn't tolerate the rich-second generations screaming like a slaughtered pig.

"Chairwoman Fan! Dare talk like that to me and you think i'll let you off?"

"Just a bastard. Useless." Her smiled held contempt and a devilish intent.

"CHAIRWOMAN FAN!" 

It was chaos, Hong Bing was acting like a rabid dog howling and biting everyone with his words and useless taunts.

The calm Fan Han saw them entering the room and moved. He waved his hand and stood beside them moving his hand around in sign languages. Xu Wan Zhe nodded as he understood and slowly explained what was going on to let Fan Han read his lips.

After understanding this, he finally expressed a frown and waved goodbye sitting at a solitary corner far enough to see everyone's lips.

"Chairwoman Fan! I demand an apology!"

"Hong Bing, don't go too far." Professor Sun thought it was inappropriate for him to treat an elderly in such a way.

"You don't deserve my respect." She made her attitude clear.

"You-" he had nothing more to say.

"Mother-in-law, let's calm down okay? okay?" Lan Mei Rui tried comforting her but only recieved a cold glare in return.

"Slut, don't act like I don't know how you writhed under this bastard's d*ck last night. Was he that good? Shameless. Don't you dare touch me with that filthy hands of yours. B*tch."

"..." She trembled looking away from her mother-in-law's mocking stare. She was not clean and her mother-in-law knew this but as long as it didn't interfere with the other's plans she was never rebuked for playing around with men.

But she knew she went too far setting his eyes to the only son of the Hongs earning her distaste.

Everyone was tense. Knowing nothing of what was going on, of what was to come. They separated and took their own ways inspecting the entire ship over and over for a clue to whatever what was happening. 

Calling through the lines did not help and no signal was going through their mobiles no matter how they tried. They even tried triggering the emergency button yet nothing happened.

When the sun went away they noticed how the lights didn't turn on leaving them in the dark. With the help of their phones they quietly went back into their respective rooms lighting up candles as a source of light. One thing was now sure. . .

The ship stopped moving. They were stuck, cut off from any help. And it was deliberate.

Why? How? For what reason? Who did this?

No one knew.

"I've locked the doors tight." Xu Wan Zhe checked the door a third time.

They didn't know what the killer had in planned but for the entire day, nothing off happened. 

Nothing happened but Ming Yu was sure. . . at the dining room he looked up and spotted the surveillance camera, it's light blinking red. It was working.

He was watching.

Watching.

Enjoying how everyone was thrown in disarray.

The fun of watching birds trapped inside a small cage with a meat hungry cat.

F*cking psycho.

They took their bath and got ready for bed safe by each other's side.

"Let's sleep."

"Mmn. . ."

"Still worried?" Xu Wan Zhe sported an helpless smile.

"Mmn."

"Let's worry tomorrow. Listen to me." he pulled his lover full of worries, patting his back lulling him to sleep.

Ming Yu's eyes felt heavier by the second and snuggled closer.

Worry tomorrow. . .

"Im here. . . sleep." Xu Wan Zhe tenderly mumbled.

-

Tomorrow arrived and sure they were worried.

Lan Mei Ru woke them up with a terrible scream.

Chairwoman Fan. 6 days after boarding this ship. Pronounced: DEAD.