Heavydirtysoul

Audrey’s hands were shaking, her breaths coming in shaky gasps. Blood. Eyes turned glassy. D e a t h. Memories of her father’s death entered her mind in flashes, making her heart pound and the hair on her arms rise. Audrey’s first reaction at what had just happened, rather than screaming or crying out, was to sink down to her knees and wrap her arms around her shaking form. “It’s not dad,” she whispered to herself, squeezing her eyes shut in an attempt to block the memories. “Not dad.”

“Hey, hey,” Malcolm said gently, crouching down next to the girl. Everyone was freaking out, but she seemed to be taking it much harder than most. Not that Malcolm could blame her. “Are you okay?” It was a stupid question, but he didn’t know what else to say. “Hey, can you hear me?”

“There you are,” Cai awkwardly stooped to grab the runaway tortoiseshell. The other two cats struggled in his grasp, emitting low growls as the third joined them in Cai’s arms.  “Oh shut it.  You’re lucky I even brought you guys along.  Especially you, Midget,” He booped the smallest one with his nose. Now he just had to get them back to his room before someone found out - thank god everyone was at that mystery dinner thing.

“You know,” Malcolm said as he stepped out from around a corner and eyeing the various animals in the other guy’s arms. He sounded tired, his nerves shot, but that was to be expected after everything that had happened. “I”m pretty sure pets aren’t allowed on the cruise. Especially not ones that are likely to eat each other.”

Bill had kept his gaze on Malcolm, his attention caught and focused acutely by his worry. This was not usual, and not easily explained away. He tried not to let the ominous feeling overtake him, knowing that whatever it was, they’d be able to take it. They’d been through a lot together. He waited, letting Malcolm tell him what was going on when he was ready, hiding any impatience incredibly well. 

Malcolm went willingly into Bill’s arms, hugging him tightly. Bill was still sleep warm and soft and Malcolm didn’t have it in him to let go for a few moments, even though he knew eventually they’d have to move out of the bathroom. But he hadn’t realized how cold he’d been before, his fingertips almost numb with it, so he couldn’t resist slipping his hands up underneath Bill’s shirt. 

Bill was waiting for Malcolm to reply, concerned, but not as concerned as he should’ve been. In his mind, nothing serious could’ve really gone wrong, even if he’d barely ever seen Malcolm in such a state of shock. He assumed it might’ve had something to do with Thalia being cruel and rude, as he was sure she usually was, but it didn’t quite add up in his head. Malcolm looked terrified. 

Malcolm closed his eyes for a moment and blew out a shaky breath. “I’m fine, I’m fine. I’m sorry- I just-” he didn’t bother finishing, but instead got up, flushing the toilet and going over to the sink. 

Bill hadn’t gone to the event because he had been feeling slightly under the weather, just a bit too tired to go out and enjoy himself for the night. Even if pretending to be someone else was what he excelled at, and one of his main forms of entertainment. There’d be other opportunities, he was sure. Opportunities where he’d be paid handsomely. He was rather upset he had to miss Malcolm attempting to act for the night. That was always amusing to him. 

Malcolm swallowed hard, still reeling and  still feeling as if he should wake up any second now. None of it was right, none of it made any sense. Malcolm had never known Carson very well, but he’d still seen her around, always intimidating an unapproachable. And now she was gone. She’d just- cut her fucking throat in front of all those people. And all that blood, it looked impossible, like something out of a movie. He felt his stomach churn and bile rise up in his throat.

“It’s still a monkey, it’s still dancing, same thing to me sadly,” Molly bit her lip to keep herself from laughing at his acting of whatever role he is supposed to be, she still can’t tell really. “Well.. Kristy, I doubt a monkey would solve a problem with murder. Not even monkeys, someone went on and on about those alligators in the sewers for hours. And don’t get them started on how little privacy we have.” Molly sighed, rubbing her temples, showing some sign of frustrations. But she was actually trying to rid of the thoughts at the back of her head.

“Don’t get them started? No, no, don’t get me started!” He leaned against the table she was sitting at, waving his hands around animatedly. “Do you know what I heard? The killer’s got tattoos! And they look like they hurt too. What would their mamas think of them? And just imagine what it will look like when they’re all old and wrinkled.” Malcolm made a face like he’d got hit in the face by exhaust fumes. But at least he’d given his hint now. Job done. “You know who can’t get a tattoo? A dancing monkey.”

“No, you can’t get a dancing monkey with the ship’s money.” Molly said to whoever came by her, keeping up the act, even though she’d really want to see a dancing monkey too. She held a little pouch as she sat by a table, being labelled the purser for this game, not really wanting to throw herself into the sea of people anytime soon. But it wasn’t too hard though, basically like handling the production money whenever someone wants to buy something ridiculous like a 40 bucks Starbucks drink.

“It’s not a dancing monkey, it’s a entertainment primate, dear. Worlds of difference,” Malcolm said, flipping some non-existent curls over his shoulder. He sure as hell didn’t know what an ambassadress contestant was, but it sounded snooty. “Just think of it, don’t you want to be known as the person that saved this little party? I bet your bosses would be very happy with you. They’ve got a lot to make up for what with all the murder and intrigue that’s been going about like a bad case of the flu.”

“Malcolm, you know I’m afraid of– lots of things. You did that on purpose…”

“Yeah, how terrible of me, inviting you on a fancy cruise that’s not even all that expensive thanks to your family discount. Go to the spa, Kit-kat, sit in a hot tub. And stop worrying so much, your tiny face would look weird with wrinkles.”

“I love my job, I just don’t always love the people I have to interact with because of it. It’s definitely not glamorous but whether or not it’s sexy depends wholly on what you’re into.”

“Yeah, no offense or anything, but giving people shots and looking at weird rashes isn’t really what I’m into. But no judgement if that’s you’re thing.”

“You did, and now you managed to work free tropical vacations into the job as well. Look at us both.” She didn’t hate Malcom, not by any stretch of the imagination. and yet part of her kept wanting to tug at the old memories that he’d probably tried to hide years before. “I still say you’re going to end up doing something with motorcycles. You couldn’t just leave Chelsie sitting in a garage somewhere, assuming she’s still around.”

Malcolm’s smile was instinctive and what could probably be described as bashful-- just not by him. “I hear you get to travel a whole bunch yourself. I don’t exactly watch the show, but I heard you guys got to go to the alps fight a yeti one time or something.” His smile only got bigger when she brought up Chelsie. He kind of wanted to ask to sit down, but maybe that was pushing it. “’Course Chelsie’s still around. You don’t just get rid of a classic.”

“I wanted to ask why you didn’t tell me about the ghost hunter stuff…”

“Oh, that stuff? It barely even crossed my mind. You’re not scared of ghosts are you? I mean, it’s just the Bermuda Triangle. It’s not that big of a deal, right?”

“Damn, I could’ve gotten used to you coming to my room whenever I called. You’re lucky you don’t work in actual room service, or you’d never get a break.” Bill backed off when Malcolm broke off the hug, though he’d have liked nothing more than to remain clinging to him for sever more minutes. He was smiling as he made his way back into the room, making sure to close the door, which locked automatically. 

“You can still come see me whenever you want. Then I can take you up in the new copter they got. I think they did it to impress the cameras.” Malcolm crouched down and opened up the mini-fridge, helping himself to a soda before moving over to flop down on Bill’s bed. Truthfully, it was good to see Bill again. Even though Malcolm knew logically Bill was happy and safe back in their apartment most of the time, being separated from him for long periods of time made Malcolm nervous. It just didn’t feel right.