Third person's POV
The kitchen wasn't on this deck. The cargo the ship was transporting wasn't alive or fresh food products.
Under normal circumstances, the smell of blood should not have appeared out of nowhere.
However, thinking of the gunshot last night, Wilmot became more vigilant.
He would not overlook any opportunity that could potentially harm Tabitha.
After preparing breakfast for her, Wilmot quickly headed to the surveillance room.
He figured that by checking the surveillance footage, he should be able to clear up all his doubts.
The crew member in charge of monitoring the cameras was fast asleep, snoring loudly.
Wilmot skillfully operated the equipment, starting to review the footage from half an hour ago.
His fingers tapped rapidly on the keyboard, but he found that the surveillance system had malfunctioned, making it impossible to retrieve any relevant records.
It was clear that someone had tampered wi
Third person's POVThey were about to enter the perilous area known as the Demon's Abyss.Wilmot was determined to eliminate the lurking danger.He believed that the intruder was hiding in the storage room. He wouldn't dare to come out.The storage room, which only contained some maintenance tools and was seldom visited, was the perfect hiding place.As Wilmot pushed open the door to the storage room, a pungent and musty odor assaulted his senses.It was mingled with a faint scent of blood.With the approaching evening and an overcast day, the entire sea was shrouded in darkness, and the storage room on the lower deck was pitch black.The only sound was the waves crashing against the ship, making the room eerily quiet.Wilmot stepped cautiously into the room, his intuition telling him that the person he was looking for was there.Wilmot knew that that man was like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, waiting for
Third person's POVThe owner of the mask was none other than Lucian. Lucian squinted his eyes, scrutinizing the tall man before him.This man bore some resemblance to Derek, though Derek was more robust and burly than this individual.His gaze lingered on Wilmot's face. That was a face devoid of any distinctive features, a face he had never encountered before.Could it be that he wasn't here to kill him?"Do you know me?" Lucian asked, puzzled.Hearing the voice, Wilmot stepped forward, grabbing Lucian's collar with a cold stare. "Tell me, how did you end up here?"Lucian found this man's attitude quite odd. If he were one of the people pursuing him, he would have seized the opportunity to blow his head off, rather than wasting time with questions.Who could he be?The kick Wilmot had delivered earlier had landed squarely on Lucian's wound, causing it to tear open and bleed, staining his clothes red.Before Wilmot
Third person's POVCaptain had no time to explain in detail and hurriedly left.Ayla looked at Helios with a face full of worry, but Helios ignored her, staring intently at the chess piece Captain had last placed on the board.Knowing the threat of the double "Bishops" ahead, he still moved forward.This game of chess was a dead end, no matter how it was played."Helios..."Helios had heard about pirates from Lucian. In his perception, pirates were inhumane and treacherous individuals who committed all sorts of evil for the sake of seizing resources.They were the bullies of the sea.The cargo ship transporting mineral materials became their target.It seemed that this time, Captain was in big trouble.He was aware of the danger but lacked the ability to prevent it.What he could do now was to find Lucian quickly and have Lucian take them away before things got worse.At just over two years old, Heli
Third person's POVTabitha instinctively glanced at her watch. At this usual hour, Wilmot would punctually bring her some fresh fruit.But today was unusual. Where could Wilmot have gone?Her gaze wandered around the room, finally resting on the window pane illuminated by the dim light.She watched as the raindrops, slanting and relentless, struck the glass, producing a soft ticking sound.It was raining, a weather that always inexplicably made her feel oppressed.Leaning against the bed, she stared at the ceiling, sleepless.With no other choice, she put on her headphones, trying to let her thoughts drift with the music, easing her inner turmoil.She didn't know how much time had passed when the ship suddenly and violently rocked without warning.Tabitha's body swayed with the bed, jolting her from her daze, her eyes snapping open wide.'Something was wrong!'A terrifying thought flashed through her mind.
Third person's POVWitnessing the child fall into the sea, Tabitha felt as if all the blood in her body had solidified in an instant, her heart seemingly gripped by an invisible hand.How could this be?The little girl had been within reach, about to be saved. Why was fate so cruel as to shatter hope at this critical moment?The little boy's heart-wrenching cries pierced Tabitha's ears like a sharp sword, "Ayla!"Tabitha instinctively looked down at the boy.When she saw his face, which bore a striking resemblance to her own, her inner world was shaken as if by a powerful earthquake. She was experiencing an unprecedented impact.A bold and irresistible thought flashed through her mind.She had no time for contemplation or verification.This thought took root and spread like wild grass, driving her to act irrationally and leap over the railing into the sea without a second thought.Her thoughts surged back to three
Third person's POVThe little girl had already choked on several mouthfuls of seawater. In extreme fear, her body trembled uncontrollably."Don't be afraid. Mommy's here to save you," Tabitha tried to soothe the child.She was so young. There was chaos and noise on the ship, with the pirate ship closing in and the captain directing the crew to fire water cannons in retaliation.The child's life hung by a thread. In her madness from fear, she struggled wildly.Tabitha had exhausted all her strength just to keep them afloat. Ayla's constant struggle made it even harder for Tabitha, with her physical strength rapidly dwindling.The waves were rough, and she had swallowed several mouthfuls of seawater. Despite this, Tabitha still desperately held Ayla, fearing Ayla would choke on the water.But she felt her strength being drained. Her body grew weaker and weaker.Tabitha was worried that they would die.Tabitha cursed her la
Third person's POVWilmot had barely brought her ashore. Tabitha was wrapped in a large towel and her soaked clothes still clinging to her when she urgently inquired about Ayla's whereabouts.Her lips were purple from the cold, and her pale face looked pitiful."We're safe now. The little one has been taken to the warship where a doctor is examining her. You should change your clothes first to avoid catching a cold," Wilmot advised."No, I want to see her first."Tabitha insisted, hastily stepping down from the bed and running outside barefoot.In the corridor, she saw men dressed in uniform and armed with weapons. An overwhelming sense of pressure enveloped her.It dawned on Tabitha that she was no longer on the ship she had been traveling on but on a formidable warship.The moment she stepped out of the room, all eyes turned to her.Tabitha's movements froze, her face flushed with embarrassment. In the tense and oppres
Third person's POVWilmot replied calmly, "When we were rescued, I told him.""That's correct, it was this... sir who mentioned it. I'll leave now."For some reason, Tabitha felt as if the doctor was fleeing, quickly exiting the room.Wilmot said peacefully, "Change your clothes first, and I'll bring you some hot drinks.""Okay."Now, only Tabitha and Ayla remained in the room. Tabitha carefully undressed Ayla.Ayla's height was comparable to that of her peers, with no signs of being born prematurely.Her skin was fair and tender. Aside from a few small wounds on her hands, it was evident that Lucian had taken good care of them.Tabitha wrapped Ayla in a large men's shirt and then began to change her own clothes.She was given a shirt of the same size, which hung long on her, covering her thighs.Tabitha quickly put on the men's pants as well. Although they were loose, it was better than nothing.A f
Third person's POVAs soon as Tabitha stepped out of the house, the biting winter wind hit her face like a knife, stinging her skin.Just as Derek had said, everything had been arranged."Tabitha, the helicopter is ready. You can leave now.""Thank you.""However, the helipad is a bit far. You'll need to walk there.""That's fine," Tabitha waved it off.Wrapped in a thick down jacket, she buried her face in the hood. She felt as though someone was watching her, but she didn't dare look back.She was afraid that if she turned around, she wouldn't be able to leave. In her heart, she kept repeating, Don't look back. Just keep walking.Behind the curtains, Derek held Kyrian, who was crying silently. Kyrian reached out toward the empty air, as if trying to grab the hem of Tabitha's coat."Dad, I don't want Mom to leave. Will she abandon me?""No, she loves you. How could she abandon you? She's just leaving for a
Third person's POVThough he was just a child and didn't fully understand what had happened between Tabitha and Derek, he knew one thing—he loved Tabitha and wanted her to be happy."If this makes you happy, I don't mind. I'm just scared... scared you'll leave me," Kyrian said, his voice trembling slightly."Silly boy, didn't I tell you? You and your siblings are my most precious treasures. I love you so much, and I'll visit you often," Tabitha said gently.Then, she noticed the cord around Kyrian's neck and gently pulled it out. It was the small lock she'd designed for him years ago."I made this for you. It's engraved with my hopes for you, 'May you grow up happy and healthy every day.'"Kyrian reached out his hand. "Mom, you can't lie to me. You have to come see me again."Their fingers hooked together in a pinky promise, and Tabitha smiled softly."Okay, I promise. When you're a little older, we'll live together, alri
Third person's POVIn such a short time, Kyrian had already figured out his place in Tabitha's heart. He knew exactly where her soft spots were and used his natural childlike tears as a "weapon" to try to keep her from leaving.Though this might not make Tabitha happy, she couldn't bring herself to refuse him.What parent could say no to a child crying for candy?Especially when that child was the one she owed so much to, the one she wanted to give the entire world to.But he didn't want the world. He just wanted Tabitha to stay."I..." Tabitha started to speak, but Kyrian cut her off."Mom, I love you so much, and you love me, and my siblings too. I already don't have a complete family. Do you want my siblings to grow up without a dad, only imagining what he looks like, envying other kids' happy families? Mom, haven't you heard? A happy, complete childhood can heal a person for life, but an incomplete one takes a lifetime to heal."
Third person's POV"Back then was back then. Now is now. But I promise you, no matter what happens, I'll always love you," Tabitha said softly, gently stroking Kyrian's head. Her hand brushed through his soft fur, the warmth of a mother's love flowing through her touch.Kyrian's voice was small, tinged with hope. "Mom, can you spare a little love for Dad? He's actually kind of pitiful."His eyes showed sympathy for Derek. In his heart, both his parents were his greatest loves, and he longed for a complete family."There are plenty of people in this world who love your dad. He doesn't need mine," Tabitha replied, her tone carrying a hint of stubbornness. Despite her lingering feelings for Derek, the pain of the past made it hard for her to forgive."But to Dad, you're like oxygen to a fish. A fish can't live without oxygen," Kyrian said, snuggling closer to Tabitha.He pressed his body against hers, as if clinging to her love would make it st
Third person's POVKyrian obediently climbed over and was immediately pulled into Tabitha's embrace.From here, they could see the beautiful scenery outside. Kyrian realized that the training grounds looked completely different from this angle—probably because his mother was by his side.Tabitha smiled softly, her voice warm. "I chose your name. You were born with all my love.""Mom, you must have loved Dad a lot back then," Kyrian said, looking up with curious eyes."Yes, very much," Tabitha admitted honestly. "No matter how I feel about your dad now, you are my precious child, born after seven months of carrying you. Your dad took you away, and I didn't even know you existed. That's why I missed so many years of your life. But you need to know, I thought about you every single day. There wasn't a moment when I didn't miss you or wonder about you. I love you more than anyone in the world."Kyrian's mood brightened, a happy smile sprea
Third person's POVKyrian watched nervously as Tabitha cleaned and dressed his wounds.He didn't dare breathe too loudly, his eyes glued to her every move. His gaze was filled with dependence and longing.Every now and then, he'd glance quickly at Derek, his eyes questioning, desperate for reassurance that this wasn't a dream."Dad, is Mom really back?" His voice trembled, carrying the fragility and hope unique to a child.Derek reached out and gently tapped his nose. "Silly boy, she's really here."Kyrian's tense body relaxed slightly, and a shy smile crept onto his face.When Tabitha applied the ointment a little too firmly, he winced but stayed silent.His hands gripped the hem of his shirt, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. He was afraid that if he cried out in pain, Tabitha might leave.In his heart, he thought, As long as Mom stays, this pain is nothing.Kyrian had always been well-behaved, but n
Third person's POVAzazel was furious.To be honest, he hadn't planned to take things this far with Kyrian.He showed Kyrian some respect, but deep down, he knew most of the children here were orphans with no one to rely on.He'd been provoking Kyrian because he refused to fall in line. After all this time, Kyrian still wouldn't listen to him.Azazel had wanted to teach him a lesson and assert his dominance in front of the others.But Kyrian was tougher than he'd expected. Instead of backing down, he even fought back with a fierce determination that burned in his eyes.What's wrong with him? Why won't he give up?"You're dead, brat," Azazel snarled, raising his fist to deliver a crushing blow to Kyrian's head."Stop!"Kyrian closed his eyes, bracing for the impact his small body couldn't possibly withstand. But the blow never came.A hand shot out, gripping Azazel's wrist.Everyone turned to see Tabitha, breathless from running.Thankfully, she'd made it in time.What she didn't know
Third person's POVKyrian had barely taken a few bites when a tall boy walked over and flipped his tray onto the floor, sneering, "Go on, eat that."Tabitha's fists clenched in anger. "How can they bully him like this? He's already struggling!"Derek held her back. "Tabitha, don't act rashly. This place isn't just about physical training for him."Tabitha frowned. "Then what else is he here for?"Derek explained, "For people like us, growing up means training alongside peers who'll become your most trusted allies—like Alvin and Rolf. These are the people who'd take a bullet for you on the battlefield. If Kyrian grows up sheltered, handed a team of strangers, do you think they'd truly respect or protect him? One wrong move, and he could end up dead."Tabitha's anger began to fade. "What are you saying?"Derek's tone grew serious. "He's not just training his body. He's learning to lead, to earn the loyalty of these kids. They'll b
Third person's POVThe car slowly emerged from the underground garage, breaking through the darkness into the open air.The streets were adorned with mistletoe trees, people bustling about in preparation for Christmas."It's been years since we celebrated together," Derek said suddenly, his voice tinged with nostalgia."Yeah." In those days when survival was all that mattered, Tabitha hadn't had the luxury of thinking about holidays."It's the last day of the year. Where are you taking me?" Tabitha glanced at Derek."You'll see."The car wound its way out of the city, into the countryside. Snowflakes danced in the air, painting the world in white.The road grew steeper, the landscape wilder. Soon, there were no buildings in sight—just endless trees and snow.Tabitha gripped the armrest as the car jolted over uneven terrain. After what felt like hours, they reached a remote valley deep in the mountains. Even their p