Another trip by ferry. Kai wondered why they couldn't have taken a plane. They had the funds – of course, they were the world's number one Beyblade team – why did they have to travel the slow, nausea-inducing way?
As Tyson bumped against his leg for the umpteenth time, Kai clenched his fists. He had a great deal of respect for Tyson, and for the rest of the team; their skill in the arena was undeniable. But sometimes Kai wondered why they couldn't just grow up. Sure they were technically still kids, even Kai, but didn't they have any kind of self-awareness? Wasn't fifteen too old to be play fighting? It was taking every ounce of his resolve not to lash out at his younger teammates. Ray appeared entirely unbothered by Tyson and Max's boisterousness, even seeming to find it amusing. He didn't join in but he looked up occasionally from the magazine he was reading, a smile on his face. Kenny had had the good sense to leave the room before the madness started.
They were all oblivious to Kai's inner turmoil. His stomach churned, his head throbbed, and he became vaguely aware that somebody nearby was talking. Were they talking to him? Slowly, reluctantly, he opened his eyes to see Hilary standing over him, bent at the waist, hands on her hips and frowning. His own eyebrows drew down into a scowl. Did she really expect that he could hear her with this racket going on around them?
"Kai! ..… decided … first … solo match?"
He caught snippets of her high pitched voice over the raucous laughter to his right. Yes, now was clearly the time to talk strategy. "Hilary, can't this wait?"
"What? Need to … this … now!" She yelled, making him wince as his head pounded just that little bit harder.
Apparently it could not wait. He groaned inwardly before forcing himself to his feet. His limbs were shaking, but he willed them still as he made his way out of the compartment and into the corridor. He hated that he got seasick. If the team knew, perhaps they might even have taken a plane instead, but he wouldn't let on to any form of weakness if he could help it. He didn't bother motioning for Hilary to follow – he would have preferred if she didn't, but he had to get out of that room regardless. Maybe he would see if he could keep some food down. He hadn't eaten since lunch the day before, in preparation for the journey, but even though it had prevented him from throwing up he was beginning to regret the decision.
"Where are you going?" Hilary called from behind him.
"To get something to eat." he answered without turning, and made for the stairs. He could hear her footsteps following along behind him. He prayed silently that whatever she wanted to talk about could at least wait until he was sitting down with a plate of hot food in front of him.
They were out on the deck, almost to the canteen when she broke the silence. "Umm… Kai? Did you hear that?" She stopped walking.
"Hear what?" he struggled to keep the annoyance from his voice.
When she didn't answer, he stopped and turned back. He followed her gaze and saw smoke rising from another part of the ship. Frenzied voices were shouting, he could see outlines of people rushing about inside. The gut-wrenching sound of metal on metal pierced their eardrums and the boat lurched, sending them both sprawling to the floor.
Pushing himself upright, he tried to gauge the situation. Everyone was shouting, crying, screaming, running about the deck in different directions. He looked out over the railing. He couldn't be sure, but the boat seemed closer to the water than it was before. He grabbed onto the metal and pulled himself up, his limbs shaking worse than ever.
"Hilary, we need to get to the lifeboats."
She was huddled into a ball, her arms wrapped around a rail, eyes tight shut. Kai nudged her with his foot, to little effect.
"Hilary! We need to move, now!"
The boat pitched again, he clung to the railing as the deck seemed to come out from under his feet and the sea rushed up to meet them. His chin hit the metal with a clang. He tasted blood and his tongue started to throb, tears welled in his eyes as an unbidden reaction to the pain. The first wave of cold water crested over the deck, knocking a few more people to their feet.
Hilary gasped and then spluttered as the salt water filled her mouth. In her sitting position the water had soaked her entirely. Ignoring the blossoming pain of his bitten tongue, Kai grabbed her firmly by the wrist and pulled her to her feet. "We have to get out of here, okay?"
She nodded solemnly, eyes wide, her mouth opening and closing like a stunned fish. Another wave of water crashed over as the boat sank further into the sea, sweeping Hilary off her feet and dragging Kai down with her. People were still running for the lifeboats, they paid no attention to the two teenagers on the floor as they stepped on body parts in their hurry to save themselves. Battered and bruised, Kai tried again to get to his feet, just as someone jumped over them, donating an always-welcome boot to the ear. He grimaced and instead pulled himself closer to the rails, dragging Hilary across with him.
Hilary was in bad shape. Her eyes were closed, he couldn't be sure if she had fainted or been knocked out by the rush of people. If he had to carry her, he needed to know exactly where he was going. He looked about frantically, trying to see where it was that the people were running to.
It was no good. There were only a few people left. Some waved their arms desperately at the retreating lifeboats. Some had already sunk to their knees in despair. The lifeboats were all gone. Had it really happened so quickly? There had to be enough lifeboats for everybody, some must have left half-filled.
It didn't matter now. He pulled Hilary onto his back and braced himself as the water overwhelmed the deck. He didn't know where he was going, but he had to swim. There was no other option, this was it…
