My shout echoed off the hull, but no footsteps sounded, no door opened, and nobody called out. I shouted again, louder, and my voice cracked at the end. The echo faded into the sound of the waves. I balanced on one leg, blood running down the other, and had to accept that the ship was empty. No one was going to step out and help me. It was just me, my injured knee, and an empty ship.I found a ladder fixed to the side. The rungs were cold under my palms, and I climbed with my good leg doing most of the work, hauling the injured one up after it. Bending my knee sent pain through my leg, forcing me to pause each time. Once I was on the deck, I dropped onto my hands and knees and stayed there while I caught my breath. I heard no voices or footsteps inside. I pushed myself upright and went in.The passageway was clean, the lights worked, and I saw no signs of damage. I made my way down it with one hand against the wall, my injured leg dragging behind me. I opened the first door I passed
Last Updated : 2026-11-13 Read more