Final Destination 4
Ch. 1
First Sign
It was the perfect trip.
Kari Davis exhaled, her eyes scanning the sight before her. She stood on the 9th floor of her hotel room, looking down at the sea-side city of Ambrosia, Florida. Before her stretched an array of bright lights, from neon signs flashing names of restaurants and clubs to pale yellow streetlights which bathed every path in a gentle glow as people walked about enjoying the nightlife. And on the other side of town the Atlantic Ocean extended to the horizon, calm and, somehow, mysteriously inviting. Kari smiled, taking in the beautiful sight and feeling a deep sense of tranquility. Behind her the glass door opened, and Kari felt two warm hands clasp her shoulders. The tall, gentle figure of Ryan McGee appeared by her side.
"Hey babe," he whispered, smiling affectionately and hugging her.
"Hey," Kari whispered, eyes loving, "talk to Arlen and Mona?"
"Yeah, they said we'd meet up at eight at the café. In fact…"- Ryan peered down at the city life below, looking carefully- "you can see the Café Santeria from here. See that big blue neon triangle over there?"
Kari followed his finger and saw the sign just a few blocks to the east, farther down the hill.
"Yeah," she whispered, nudging her face against Ryan's, "I see it perfectly."
They kissed with a smile and both laughed, warm with romance.
"Oh, and the Ottanta leaves at nine O' clock sharp tomorrow, so we gotta get up pretty early."
Kari nodded. Their cruise, the one she had been telling her friends about back at Jordan University and waiting months for anxiously, was here at last.
Kari sighed contently. A week of sea, sun, and paradise aboard the Ottanta. A trip like no other.
The next morning was a blur of activity. Kari and Ryan had awoken at 7:14 and hurriedly began to pack their things.
"Baby, where's the room key?" Ryan called into the restroom, where steam was wafting out from under the door.
"Uhh, check under the T.V. guide on the nightstand!"
Kari turned off the shower and wrapped herself in a towel, listening.
"Found it!"
She smiled.
After they had double-checked the room, the couple flicked off the lights and headed out, luggage in tow.
"Man, you guys are late risers," Arlen Maddox said slyly, a wavy, dirty blonde-haired guy with a never-ending sense of humor. He was standing in the hallway next to a smirking, beautifully bright red-head.
"One too many tequilas last night," Ryan said, and all four of them laughed.
"Better hurry," Mona Turner urged, looking at her watch.
"We know," Kari said, trying not to sound terse as she lifted a heavy duffle bag and slung it over her shoulder. "Let's go."
By the time the four friends had checked out and caught a cab, it was already ten minutes after eight. Matters were only made worse when they reached 29th street, which was jammed with traffic in both directions for several blocks.
"Jesus Christ, I hate tourists," Arlen muttered, watching the flow of people who went in and out of stores and cafes or crossed the street in droves.
"Arlen, we are tourists," Mona sighed next to him, "and I bet they all feel the same way about us too."
"Yeah, but most of them aren't going on a world class cruise for the greatest week of sun and shopping," Kari added, and the two girls laughed. Ryan smiled from the front seat as the light turned green. As the cab went forward there was a sudden blare of horns and a screech of tires. A huge delivery truck raced by through the four-way intersection, barely missing the front of the cab.
"Fuck!" Arlen yelled as they were thrown forward by the sudden stop. "Idiot!"
The cab driver swore and honked several times.
"My God, that dumbass!" Mona breathed, her eyes wide.
But Kari's eyes were on the road, looking at something. When the truck had passed something had fallen out of the passenger window. Kari looked closely and realized it was a model ship, now just broken plastic pieces strewn across the road. Her body went cold.
