current story - {{into the night for you}} - Bill Kaulitz

I was lost. Surrounded by darkness, I herd a faint scream behind me. In that instant I knew who it was. I ran towards the sound, screaming his name, asking him how can I find him. I didn’t get a response but I herd the screaming again. While I got closer a little light was showing. He was curled into a ball in the darkness. His clothes were ripped to shreds. “T-Tom? Tom a-are you okay?” I stuttered.

“go back” he chocked. He leaned against the wall and sat up letting his legs relax, his body was covered in cuts and bruises. Shocked I asked “who did this to you?!.”

“go back,…please” he pleaded. I flicked my lighter to life, “o-oh my god!” his eyes were gone, torn out of his head. He looked like he was mauled by a bear. It looked like his torso was cut open and sewn together. I started to cry and wrapped my arms around him. “go back, please!” he pleaded and gave me one last hug.

“I’m not leaving with out you!” I cried.

“HE’S HERE LEAVE ME NOW!” he screamed “BEHIND YOU HAYLEY!” I turned around and the monster was right there. He had chocolate eyes. He had Tom’s eyes. He pulled out his knife and ran after me. I ran away from him as fast as I could, but then I felt the knife go into my back…

I woke up screaming at the top of my lungs, the scream scared me so I started to scream louder. I didn’t notice that I was curled into a ball in the corner of the room. All I can see was Tom, hurt…blind. I kept screaming because I still felt the knife in my back. The pain wasn’t gone yet. I screamed so loud I didn’t sound human anymore, then I felt the monster’s cold, hard, hands around my wrist, his eyes were looking into mine. They weren’t his eyes, they were Tom’s, Tom’s stolen eyes. “Hayley! Wake up it’s only me!” the monster screamed. He grabbed my face and I got a closer look on him, it wasn’t the monster. It was Tom. His frightened and confused eyes were looking at me. They were still his. I put my hand on his chest, no stitches or cuts were there, just a soft, smooth chest. “Oh Tom!” I cried and wrapped my arms around him and held him close to me. I started to cry, not just the teary eyes and such, I started to sob loud, hard, whole. I wept out the fear, hurt and sorrow. “shh, it’s okay Hayley” Tom shushed “it was only a nightmare.” “start from the beginning what did you see?”

“Tommi! I…seen him…again! He…was trying to…kill me!” I choked

“its okay, he’s not here, it’s just me and you” Tom said

“that’s not all Tom!”

“well tell me, just calm down”

“he…had…your eyes!” he stopped rubbing my back. “what do you mean hun?” he asked

“in my dream you were, suffering, I was surrounded by darkness, and I found you…your eyes were gone! He cut you open and stitched you up again!” I wailed. Tom stared at me for a while, “I think you need a therapist” he sighed. I shook my head in response and put my head against his chest and listened to his heart, “I need those prescription pills the doctor gave me” I whispered

“are you sure they’ll knock you right out” Tom stated

“but they stop me from dreaming.” Tom got up and went to the medicine cabinet and grabbed my pills I hated taking pills but after what happened in my life I just didn’t care at all. Tom came back with two tablets and a glass of water. I swallowed the two chalky tablet slowly and gave the glass of water back to Tom. He put the glass on the night stand and picked me up. He laid me on the bed and wrapped his arm around me. I put my head against his chest again and listened to his heartbeat. Then I fell into a sleep state.

**

“doctor it’s getting worse” someone whispered, very sleepy I opened my eyes and seen tom on the phone talking to someone. “she keeps seeing this person or ‘monster’ trying to kill her,” he listened to the phone for a little bit.

“it’s started when she found out what happened to her friends and her brother

“also this nightmare was different than the other ones, this time…She seen me, suffering. Dying to better put it

“well you see…she said the killer cut my eyes out, cut my stomach open and sewn my stomach back up. And she said the monster took my eyes to make them his own.

“yes I know its disturbing but that is the same way her brother died…and her best friends. “look I have to go, she’s starting to wake up I’ll talk to you later,” he looked at his watch “well later on today, thanks doctor, bye” he hung up the phone and laid next to me. “hunny are you ok?” he whispered, I looked at him with teary eyes. I shook my head in response. “what’s wrong?” he asked

“I‘m messed up!” I sobbed “my life is ruined! I have no family, I’m nothing!” I curled myself into a ball and put my head against my knees. “I have no family Tom, he killed them all, to get to me. I have to live with that guilt!” I yelled out my last sentence because it was true. Tom wrapped his arms around me. “this wasn’t your fault” he whispered and kissed me on the cheek. After that I fell asleep.

All that had happened in the those three days that I had spent on the boat were the most important I have ever experienced in my lifetime. They saved my life from continuing as how it was and it brought me to Bill. It made me realise that nothing is more important than protecting the people you love, and keeping them alive, cause they are all you need in this world.

That was five years ago. Bill and I have been through a lot together since then, including almost getting caught when we went to buy a house together and realising at the last minute that the real estate agent was in fact the dumb sergeant from the boat, who had dragged me all along the corridor towards that small white room. His name turned out to be Ryan Doyle, and he appeared to have put on a few extra kilos since we saw him last. We managed to get away at last without him recognising who we actually were, which was extremely lucky for us. But we ended up getting an apartment instead. Bill’s brother Tom actually moved back to Germany when we arrived so it has been only him and I. Two and a half years into our relationship we got married. Bill proposed on the night of our two year anniversary.

I lay sprawled out across the park beach overlooking the ocean, the ocean where I first met Bill. The sun was setting and the tide was out and the water was flat. I was comfortable and relaxed and there was no one else around. I was waiting for Bill to come down after he went back to get something.

I closed my eyes for a second, before opening them to find Bill's face looking down at mine from above. I smiled as he leaned in for a quick kiss.

“What did you need to go back to get?” I asked, still cupping his face gently in my hands and looking up at him.

“I forgot my lighter.” he answered, pulling away from me slowly and standing up straight.

“Oh.” He grabbed my hands and pulled me off the bench so I fell onto the grass.

“Bob!” I screeched dramatically. He giggled and starting running towards the sand on the beach.

“Are you coming or what?” he yelled back. I got up, dusted the grass off my arse and chased after him.

It wasn’t long before I caught up to him. He was a slow runner because he had hardly any wind from all the smoking. I tackled him and we both collapsed on the sand in a heap.

As soon as he regained his breath and composure he said, “You know, I could beat you if I really wanted to. I let you catch me cause I know you‘ll get in a huff if I beat you at anything.” I raised my eyebrows.

“For your information I am perfectly capable of catching no matter how hard you try. It’s those damn cigarettes that do it to you. I don’t know why you crave them so much.” he shrugged slightly before I continued. “But face it, you’d never beat me anyway with those skinny legs of yours.” his mouth fell open in shock. I laughed and pushed the elbow he was leaning on to stay up. He slipped and fell down face first into the sand, which only made me laugh even more.

“That wasn’t nice.” he said, spluttering. I remained smiling but pulled him back up and wiped away the sand on his face, being careful not to scratch his beautiful pale skin.

“I’m sowwy. Will Billy ever forgive me?” I said, pinching his cheek teasingly. He shook his head and turned away.

“Come on, I was only messing around. I love you.” I pouted when he ignored me still. Hmm..

An idea sprang to mind, making me giggle silently. I put an index finger next to each of his sides and poked him. He jumped in fright before turning around and starting to tickle me.

“Ahhhhhhh!!!” I screamed loudly. “Stop bloody tickling me you moron!” He stopped and hugged me tight.

“Did that hurt?” he asked. I shook my head. “Good.” he said. “I don’t want you to get hurt.” Then he whispered, “I want you to be mine forever.” I looked at him, happiness trickling through my veins as I peered into his clear blue eyes.

“I love you.” I whispered.

“I love you too. And I want to ask you something.” I nodded and watched as he pulled out a small black velvet box from his jacket pocket. My eyes widened as he opened it and whispered, “Be my wife?”

I simply nodded again. I was at a complete loss for words as he slipped the most gorgeous ring I had ever seen onto my finger. We kissed lovingly on the sand until the sun had disappeared into the sea.

Our wedding day was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Everything was black and White. Black and White balloons, cake, streamers, roses, everything. Bill looked fantastic in his black Tux and White tie. My dress was complete silk and gorgeous. It was completely White except for the Black lining around the neckline, sleeves and hem. We were the only ones there, apart from the priest, and that was how we liked it. Nothing went wrong and the day was perfect.

We have only ever really had one fight. I can’t even remember how it was like it was, but I was terrified. Terrified that I was going to lose the only person I loved.

"Why are you always doing this?" I screamed at Bill, after he had come home pissed for the fourth night this week.

He didn't answer and continued making his way into our room.

"You're gonna kill yourself one day you know. Don't you have any respect for my rights to feel safe and secure around you?" I said angrily as he pulled off his shirt and collapsed on the bed.

"Don't you have any respect for my rights to get pissed if I want to." he retorted. I huffed and stormed out of the room.

I was worried about him. That was the only reason I didn’t like him doing this all the time, because something bad could always happen, and I could lose him. I sat at the bench for a while, coffee in hand, thinking over what I should do. It was all too confusing. I had put up with this drinking and going out for ages and never said anything. Maybe I should have, as it gradually got worse and worse. I sighed, finishing my drink and walking back into the bedroom.

Bill was passed out on the mattress, asleep. I knew he wouldn’t wake up if I hit him around the head with a chair, but I still tried to be quiet. I got into bed and crawled over next to him, wrapping my arms around his middle. He shifted slightly without waking up. I kissed him on the cheek and he murmured. So he wasn’t really as fast asleep as I had originally thought.

“Do you still love me?” I heard him whisper.

“Yes of course I do. It’s just that you worry me, and every time you go out there’s the chance that something bad might happen and I might lose you.” I explained. He groaned.

“It’s hard to stop.” he said. I squeezed him tighter.

“How about therapy or something?” I asked. He sighed and shrugged his shoulders slightly.

“I don’t really know..”

“Please Bill, do it for me.” I pleaded.

“Fine. I’ll try it.” he said. I smiled.

“Thank you.”

There was a pause and we lay there just cuddling before he whispered,

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

You might be wondering how that was a fight, but for Bill and I it was the biggest we had ever had.

Anyway, in the end Bill went to a clinic and got help. To this day he hasn’t touched another drink, and I’ve got to say I’m really proud of him. He’s tried so hard and he’s done it.

Even after everything, every distraction, every obstacle, Bill and I have remained the same. Our love for each other has never died and I doubt it ever will. As he looks at me from across the room, that smile creeping onto his face, I know that nothing else matters. Age, bringing up, appearance, none of it matters. All that matters is that two people who love each other as much as life itself can be together, no matter what.

"Surprised to see me?" he asked, stepping closer so I could smell the cigarettes on his breath. I had to stop myself from retching every time I took a breath.

"Do you even recognise me?" he smirked, obviously knowing full well what the answer was. Of course I recognised him. He was one of the men who nearly succeeded in committing a serious crime. He was the older guy, still wearing his singlet and grubby clothes that he was wearing when I first saw him barely three days ago.

"Wh-what are you.. how are you here?" Bill Stuttered, not able to take his eyes of the man now standing directly in front of me. I inched away slowly, only to have him grab my sleeve with his filthy rotten stinking hand.

Bill was dying to launch himself at the jerk, I could tell, but he held back wisely.

“If you must know, Bill, I broke out of that little hell hole I have been stuck in for the past day and a half or so. Me and Bruce knocked the shit out of the door before it collapsed and we could get out. The idiot security or whatever they call themselves didn’t even notice. They only noticed when we, being desperate as we were, caused quite a lot of nice damage to the hull.” he stopped and smirked at the shocked expressions glued on Bill’s and my face. “Unfortunately, old Bruce got caught up when the water started flowing in to the goddam room from the gash we made. I escaped all right, but Bruce, and I’m very sorry to say this, didn’t make it.”

I was surprised to see a sad look of grief come over the guy’s face as he finished his speech. He almost looked real for a moment, and it made you remember that he was actually a human being. As mean and uncaring as he seemed, for just that moment in time, he had a sensitive side. But, as expected, it didn’t last long.

“But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to stop what I planned to do right from the very beginning.” he said. “and that would be killing the both of you.”

All of a sudden Bill launched himself directly at him, not able to keep himself back any longer. Pushing me aside for the moment, but still holding my sleeve with a couple of fingers to make sure I didn’t get away, the guy gripped Bill’s throat with his free hand, and pinned him to the railing. As much as I wanted to do something, I knew it would be impossible. But as Bill was being pushed further and further out over the edge, fighting for air to remain conscious, I forgot everything and just lunged right at the guy holding Bill, anger surging through my veins, just wanting him to go and never come back, even it meant me to kill him, I didn’t care.

He staggered as I ran into him unexpectedly, but regained his composure immediately and turned for me, knocking me over with a direct kick to the face. I fell to the ground, eyes closed for a second. When I opened them, my entire face in pain, it was just in time to see Bill being pushed over the railing and into the swirling water. The one thing that was important to me in my life, gone.

I was about to get up to go jump in after him but the guy, the murderer, stepped right onto my chest, stopping me from going anywhere.

“You bitch!” I squealed. “Let me the fuck go!” I squirmed, desperately trying to escape. He shooshed me by pressing harder with his foot. The pain git worse and I started losing air

“Don’t worry, I won’t keep you from joining your filthy boyfriend much longer. I understand how much you two love each other. It’s disgusting how someone like you could ever love a filthy piece of scum like him. You deserve so much more.” he breathed, leaning down so he was right in my face. “My name’s Joe by the way.” he said, before getting off me, and the next thing I knew I was being tossed into the cold water to join the love of my life.

“Bill?!” I screamed out, trying my hardest to simply keep my head above the water. I heard nothing in reply but the sounds of the waves against the sinking boat and the voices of the people on board as they clambered into their awaiting lifeboats.

I waded around helplessly for what seemed like hours, just searching for Bill. I had drifted away from the boat, but thankfully not out to sea, more towards the coast. Suddenly I felt a pair of hands on my back. It scared the shit out of me, my bloodcurdling scream lasted about a second when someone pressed their finger against my lips, as I turned around automatically to see what or who it was, I found my lover’s eyes staring back at me. They were tired and dull after trying to stay afloat in the water that was gradually getting choppier as the sun went down and darkness began to settle itself in.

As soon as I saw him I gasped, and grabbed his head with my hands.

"Huh? Now?" I asked, sitting up. Bill simply nodded and motioned for me to get up.

The next thing I knew we were hurrying back down the wall and sneaking away, determined as hell not to be seen by anyone. As I took a quick look out over the water I saw that the shore was less than a kilometre away and the boat had slowed down quite a bit.

"Um, Bill." I asked, as he stopped at the bottom of the stairs trying to decide which way to go.

"Yeah?" he answered, turning around.

"How are we going to get off this thing without being seen?" I asked. It was the question I had been pondering endlessly since this afternoon when that woman threatened us.

Bill didn't answer straight away and for a moment I thought he hadn't heard me. Just as I was about to repeat the question his eyes lit up and he looked me directly in the eye.

"How did you get on here 3 days ago?" he asked me. I stared at him as the memory came back to me. I had completely forgotten about that.

"Uh, will you believe me when I tell you?" I asked.

"It depends what it is." said Bill curiously.

"Ok. I swung from a rope from the ramp onto the deck." I said, biting my lip. For a moment Bill looked as though he had no idea what to say.

After a few moments he said, "Right, well then that's what we'll do. We'll swing from that same rope, only in the opposite direction." My mouth dropped open in disbelief.

"But the woman said there'd be guards everywhere. They'd see us for sure."

"Well can you think of any other way?" Bill asked. I opened my mouth to argue, but closed it when I realised he had a point.

"No. I'm just curious at how they're not going to see us." I said. Bill grabbed my shoulders and turned me to him, forcing me to look him directly in the eye.

"Don't you believe that I can get us off this thing?" he demanded. I didn't reply.

"Honestly, Hayley, just trust me." he said, lowering his voice. And once he said that, I did trust him. I trusted him with my life.

"I'm sorry, I just don't want anything bad to happen, that's all." I murmured. He pulled me in for a hug.

"Don't worry. Nothing will." he said, his arms tightening around my waist. "We'll get off, then we'll run away. Far away where no one will ever find us. Then we'll start a new life together." I pulled back and looked at him.

"You mean live together?" I questioned, surprised at what he'd just offered.

"Well.. I mean.. only if you want to.." Bill said, pulling back and looking as if he's said the wrong thing.

"What? Of course I want to. I just never thought of it." I said. Boy, I had never expected this.

"Great." Bill smiled, looking happier.

As my mouth opened, ready to respond with an "I love you", I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. It was a middle-aged man wearing a lifejacket. As soon as he saw us he ran off, yelling from his mouth, "They're here! They're here! I found them!"

Bill cursed under his breath before I grabbed his hand and started to lead him away.

"Where should we go?" he asked me. I stopped to think for a second.

"I wonder why he was wearing a lifejacket?" I said, more to myself than Bill, instead of answering the question he asked.

"I'm not sure. Maybe he can't swim and the crew made him wear it in case he fell in" said Bill. I wasn't satisfied though.

"What if it's not that? What if the ship's in trouble?" I said, worried. Bill squeezed my hand with his.

"I don't reckon so. Besides, if it was, we're not really that far out from land anyway. See, look." He said, pointing out towards the land, which was now even closer.

"I guess. I'm still not too sure though."

"Just stop worrying ok? Everything's going to be just-" A voice over the PA stopped Bill mid-sentence.

'Could all passengers please report to the deck as the first lifeboats are loaded. Women and children only first. Once the women and children are off, the men may board the lifeboats. Please do not panic, for you are all safe.'

I gave Bill an 'I told you so' look as we both turned on our heels and sprinted to the back of the boat. As I peered over the edge, being careful not to slip and fall in, I noticed we were down lower than we should've been. This obviously only meant one thing. The boat was sinking.

"What do you think happened?" I asked Bill. He didn't answer.

"Bill?" I turned around to see Bill staring wide-eyed at something behind me.

I turned around to find my own eyes widening in the shock and fear of the person standing right in front of me.

Oh god, not again. Please, this is not happening.

“shit” I muttered

Dizzy, uncoordinated, lost. Silence filling my ears. I slowly opened my eyes. Everything was blurred. I rubbed them and things began to come into view.

I was in the room where the karaoke had been, except it was empty. I tried to sit up, only to feel an extreme shot of pain through my head. I collapsed back down on the floor, putting my hands over my eyes. Thoughts began whirling through my head as I lay there helplessly.

Who punched me?
What did people do?
Was it one of the men?
Did they hurt anyone else as well?

But one set of thoughts kept coming back to me. They worried me more than anything else.

What happened to Bill?
Where is he now?
Is he alright?

All of a sudden I heard voices. One was a woman's voice which I recognized as the woman I talked to before the karaoke started. The other two were unfamiliar to me. I uncovered my eyes as they walked in the room. They looked at me before hurrying back out.

What was going on, I thought. I tried to get up again, but my head let me down for the second time. I decided to try to ignore it. I had to get up no matter what.

I managed to get up. It was slow and painful, and I was grinding my teeth the whole time. But the funny thing was, when I got up and started walking around I didn't feel so bad anymore. Nowhere near as dizzy. I now knew what I had to do.

I had to find Bill.

“wait a minute miss!” I turned around

“sorry?” I asked

“you won the competition!” the judge gave me a small trophy and envelope.

“oh thanks”

I walked outside. The only light was the moonlight which was streaming in from the open doorway to the deck. I went out and looked around. There was nothing.

As I walked along the deck my teeth chattered in the cold breeze. I wasn't sure where to look, as they could be anywhere, and it was such a big boat. When I passed the stairs I heard a sound. It was muffled so I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew it had come from up the stairs.

Quietly I made my way up. These were the same stairs I had walked down with Bill last night. I shivered as a sudden gust of cold air hit the back of my neck. I would have to concentrate.

When I got to the next landing I stopped. Memories of the last day and a half flooded my mind, drowning out everything else. I sat down against the wall and looked out over the ocean. The reflection of the moon across the smooth water, occasionally shaken by a ripple caused by the wind was enchanting. I stared at it. The boat was rocking gently, the quiet hum of the engines was the only sound I could hear. Until I heard the muffled sound from before. It was closer, and more distinct. It was someone's voice.

Carefully I stood up and grabbed the rail. I had to go up there. I looked down at each step as I climbed, determined not to fall. The voices had stopped again, but I could hear something else, which made me go faster. It was a moan, but quietened somehow by something. I hurried quietly up the stairs, getting closer to the top. Before I had even got there, I had a feeling I knew what I would find.

Quiet as a mouse, I crept up to the last stair. The voices had stopped with a "shoosh!". I stood next to the corner, holding my breath, when a figure stepped out in front of me. I gasped as the moonlight lit up his features. A hand reached for my throat and I was shoved up against the wall. The man's face was just inches from mine, and I could feel his breath on my face. Garlic, cigarettes and alcohol came to my mind as the stench filled my nostrils.

"Well, well, well. What on earth do we have here?" he whispered. A smirk crept onto his ugly face and he pulled me away. He lead me around the corner and I gasped at what appeared in front of my eyes.

"Ok, promise me you will never repeat this to anyone, ever, ok?" he said.

"I promise." I said anxiously.

"Alright then. Well, to tell you the truth I went to them in the first place when I felt that I needed what they could give me. They were so important to me and they wanted to help me, or so I thought. See, I wasn't really feeling my best and I was kinda depressed and disappointed at where my life was going. My parents died and had run completely out of money. So they gave me two thousand dollars. It was exactly what I needed to get my life back on track." he stopped and took a breath, before continuing. "After I had put it to good use, and my life went back to normal, they came after me for it back. I reminded them that they gave it to me as a gift, because they wanted to help me. But they denied that and have been trying to blackmail me into giving it back. That's why I came on this trip, trying to escape from them because they had no right to be doing this. But they followed me and now I'm trapped. I have no choice but to give it back but I can't exactly afford it either. I don't know what I'm going to do." he finished, putting his head in his hands.

I immediately sympathized. "Hey, it's ok. When the boat docks you can get away. You can call the police and have a trial. Then it'll be alright, ok? Don't worry about it." I said, putting my hand on his arm. He put his head up and looked at me, and grinned all of a sudden.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just that I never thought of that."

“what.?

“I’m running away and your running away”

I grinned back. Then we were silent for a moment, and it was then that I realised how close we really were. As I looked in his eyes I could see every one of the lashes, long and fair. The next thing I knew, he was hugging me. As surprised as I was, I hugged him back.

"Thankyou. I feel so much better talking to you. Thanks." he said. I smiled to myself. I thought I was the one that needed him.

Maybe we just need each other.

We pulled apart and he looked down at his watch.

"Shit, it's 7:30 already. How long have we been in here?" he said, getting up and going around picking everything up off the floor. I sat on the bed watching him. To be honest, I wasn't exactly in the mood for singing, or doing anything for that matter. Especially when those two men could be anywhere on this boat. You never know, we might get attacked again. Bill turned to me.

"Do you still wanna do the karaoke?" he asked. I hesitated before I said no. Bill really wanted me to do this, for some reason that was unknown to me. After all he's been through, I wanted him to be happy. The two men might not even be anywhere near that part of the boat anyway, and they couldn’t possibly hurt either one of us in a crowded room with so many organizers and that around. I sighed. The things you do for a friend.

“Yeah. Of course.” I said. He grinned, before turning back and picking up the checkered belts still lying on the floor.

Minutes later we were walking out the door and heading downstairs. We walked quite close, as there was nobody else around. Halfway down we could already hear people shouting talking and enjoying themselves down in the lounge. Music was playing and I could hear someone shouting. As we walked in I felt a chill down my spine. Everyone was dressed up in what I assume were their best clothes. No one else was wearing old pants and top and a hoodie. They were in evening outfits that looked like they cost quite a pretty penny. Bob must’ve felt me tense up, as he leaned down and whispered in my ear, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”

Why does he always make me feel like nothing bad is ever going to happen?

I began eyeing all the food set up on tables set up in the middle of the room. I was about to begin dragging Bill over so we could eat, when my arm was grabbed by the lady we got the form off earlier. She looked completely different than before, in a tight evening dress and make up.

“You’re singing aren’t you?” she asked me. I nodded, and without another word I was dragged away from Bill and toward the judges table. I looked back at Bill. He waved me good luck. Yeah, luck. I was sure going to need it.

to make it up to u guys i put up another chapter and i'll put up another tomorrow :) kisses

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Twenty minutes later and I was still waiting. What on earth could be keeping him so long? Surely it didn't take that long to him to change his clothes or would it?. I decided to wait another five or so minutes before going up there to check on him. I was starting to get worried as the minutes ticked by. I looked at the clock on the wall on the other side of the room. Sure enough, the five minutes was up. I slowly got up and started walking out through the door. A short, young looking waitress stopped me. She had bright red hair and was wearing contacts.

"Have you paid for your meal, miss?" she asked me. She had a slight English accent.

I shook my head. "I didn't eat anything. I'm just going upstairs for a second then I'm coming back down." She nodded and went back to whatever she was doing before. I continued my way out of the restaurant and upstairs.

As I walked along the downstairs corridor heading towards the stairs, I noticed a man leaning against the wall opposite the staircase landing. I recognized him immediately when I saw him, and began walking faster. When I got to the stairs I sprinted straight up them and didn't stop until I had reached the second landing. I had recognized him as one of the men who had tormented Bill yesterday afternoon. He was still wearing the same clothes as he had then, and he smelt funny, like cigarettes and something else. And now I had a bad feeling about why Bill hadn’t turned up yet. I flew up the last flight of stairs and when I reached the top I ran flat out to Bill’s door. I stopped in front and caught my breath. As I reached for the handle a pair of strong arms grabbed around my waist stopping me from moving anything. A hand came across my mouth and everything went black.

I woke up in Bill’s room on the bed I had slept on last night. I sat up, holding my head. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt that much. The men were nowhere in sight. I went over to Bill’s bed, where he was laying, unconscious. I looked around the room. There were a few things tossed around the floor, including a packet of cigarettes, a lighter and a couple of checkered belts. I turned back to Bill to find him stirring slightly. I sat down on the bed next to him.

“Are you alright?” I asked him. I was scared.

“Huh?” he muttered, rubbing his head. “Oh yeah, I’m fine.”

“You didn’t come downstairs. Did those men attack you?”

“Yes. Did they attack you? Are you okay?” All of a sudden he was sitting up on the bed, looking very worried.

“Well, one of them grabbed me around the waist, then covered my mouth with his hand, and then I blacked out.” He looked shocked.

"Are you serious? They did that to you?"

"Yea." then I looked at him strangely. "You've never told me who they were or why they're doing this yet, Bill."

Bob looked surprised when I said that. "Well, I never really felt like discussing it with anyone, for two reasons. One, that I would be risking my life, and two, that, well, I don't have anyone to discuss it with, really. Exept my twin brother who lives in LA"

In a way, I was shocked when he'd said that. I'd always thought he was the one that had no family or friends. This knowledge disturbed me slightly.

"It's ok, you can tell me." I said, biting my lip. Bill took a deep breath, and began.

Im so sorry i was really busy and i didn't get the chance to get to this! im really sry hugs and cookies to everyone!! :)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The deck was pretty crowded at this time of the day. It seemed like everyone on board was out here. There were people swimming, talking, laughing, eating lunch, and lathering sunscreen on their arms, legs and friends’ backs. Just having a great time and taking advantage of the sunny weather. I walked over to a deck chair and sat down. There was a big umbrella above me so I was shaded from the hot sun. I was sitting there for about 5 minutes when Bill arrived. I saw him when I looked across the deck and he was walking towards me in his board shorts and a shirt, carrying a bright orange towel and what I think was a magazine. He laid out his towel on the chair and sat down, handing me the magazine.

“Here,” he said. “I thought you might want something to read in case you got bored.”

“Thanks.” I said, taking it. It was a German magazine, with a picture of some skinny model on the cover.

“um…the text is German?” I asked him he laughed.

“Nien, only the cover..?”

I nodded, he went off sprinting to the water’s edge and slowly slid himself in the pool. I shook my head and turned to the magazine. I noticed that the magazine was a German version of Cosmopolitan, wow Bill had a good sense in fashion.

I read the whole magazine before deciding to go for a walk around the boat. Bill wouldn’t notice I was gone, since he was too busy playing with this 7 year old girl in the water. I took the magazine with me as it might get stolen if I left it on the table. I passed a lot of young couples on my walk. It made me smile as they seemed so happy to be together enjoying life. But then came the realization that I myself didn’t have anyone to love and cuddle up with. Leaving home was probably the smartest thing I’ve ever done, and I’m glad I did. But the only thing is that now I’m alone. At least when I was home I knew there was always someone there with me, who I knew. Now there’s no one, apart from Bill. But the thing is I don’t really know him that well. I haven’t even known him a day, even though he’s been very kind to me. Thinking about this made me very depressed, but I kept walking around the deck, determined not to show my true feelings to the general public.

When I got back to the pool 15 minutes later it was a little less crowded, but there were still a lot of people. Thankfully no one had taken the chairs Bill and I were sitting at. Bill’s towel was still laid out over his chair, and as I sat down I placed the magazine on top of it. Minutes later Bill came, dripping, out of the water and plonked himself down on his towel, breathless.

“Hey.” he said. “Where’d you go?”

“I just went for a quick walk around the boat.” So he was watching me. I thought he was too preoccupied with the little girl to notice.

“Getting a bit bored were you?” I nodded.

“Thanks for letting me borrow the magazine. It was cool.”

“That’s ok. Hey, did you know they have a movie room here?”

“No. They do? How did you know that?”

“Yeah, it says on the map they gave me when I got on. There’s a movie showing now, which finishes pretty soon, and then there’s another at 3:30. I’m not sure what’s showing though.”

“Well, do you wanna go see it?” There was nothing else to do so we may as well.

“Sure, I was about to ask you anyways.” Saying this, he closed his eyes and leaned back on the chair, rocking it slightly. I watched him resting. His chest rising and falling slightly each time he took a breath. His smooth, tanned skin was covered in little droplets of water that were gradually disappearing as the air dried him. His damp hair hung over his shoulders in strands. Looking at him like this gave me a nice, warm feeling in the chest, and I smiled. A cool breeze came up and slightly ruffled his hair, causing him to open an eye and look at me.

“Are you right there, staring at me?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“What? Oh, yeah I’m fine.” I stammered, embarrassed. “Do you wanna get food?” I said, realizing that I hadn’t eaten anything yet today.

“Good idea. I’m starving.” He got up and smirked at me, before I realized I was still staring. I shook my head and looked away. Bill grabbed his towel and we went inside.

“I’ll go find a table and wait for you.” I said. Bill nodded and began making his way upstairs to his room to change. I walked into the restaurant and got the same table as last night and sat down. I took a deep breath and relaxed as I waited.

Bill lead me down the stairs and inside. It was really nice and toasty after being outside. He stopped and turned to me.

"Which room did you say you were staying in again?" he asked me.

"I didn't." I said.

"Oh. Well then which room? I'll walk you there." he said.

Guilt spread over me but I decided just to tell the truth and get it over with.

"Well, you see, I-" I couldn't say it.

"Go on." he said. He had no idea.

"I don't have a room. I'm a stowaway. I snuck on the boat when I ran away from home." I said, bowing my head in shame.

But Bill did something I never would have expected. He laughed.

I looked up in shock. Was he laughing at me?

"You could've told me." he said, laughing.

"What? You mean you don't hate me?" I asked, bewildered.

"No, of course I don't hate you. I'm just a little surprised, that's all. I mean when you looked after me when those guys hit me, I never would've thought you were a stowaway." he said. I just stared at him.

"Come on. You have to sleep somewhere tonight. You can stay in my room if you like." he said.

"Oh. No, I don't think I can. I mean I don't really know you that well, and I don't want to intrude or anything." I said.

"nien nien." he said. "Seriously, it's no trouble."

I hesitated, but I suppose I didn't have a choice. He was right, I had to sleep somewhere. "I guess, if you're sure it's no trouble."

He smiled. "No trouble at all. Are you hungry?" I looked at him. He didn't need an answer. He just laughed again and grabbed my hand.

"There's a little restaurant here, I've heard. And apparently it's really nice. We can go there and eat, ok?" I nodded and he lead me into the restaurant and got a table.

We sat down and the waiter came over. The same waiter as I had before. He looked at me strangely before putting down the menu and leaving. Bill leaned over.

"Do you know that guy?" he asked me.

"We've met." I said. He smiled and handed me the menu to read.

“It’s ok, I already know what I want.” I said, handing it back to him.

There was silence after that, until the waiter came back.

“Are you ready to order now?” he asked, taking out his pen and pad.

“Yes please.” said Bill I’ll have the chicken salad please.”

“Alright. One chicken salad. And you miss?” he said, turning to me.

“Uh, I’ll have the crumbed scallops please.” I said. He nodded and wrote it down.

“And one crumbed scallops. Ok, is that all?” he asked.

“Can you please bring us some water?” asked Bill The waiter nodded again and left, coming back a minute later with a bottle of water. He put it on the table and went back to the kitchen.

Bill leaned back on his chair and stretched.

“Can I ask you a question?” he asked me.

“Yeah. What?” I said.

“Why did you run away from home?” he asked.

“Oh, you don’t wanna know. Believe me. It's just, my parents were always pushing me around. It was always push, push, push. I never had any freedom at all. They both loved my little brother more than me. And they would give him twice as many presents than me for Christmas and twice as much chocolate for Easter. They even had an arranged marriage for me. It was with some rich guy, so when we were married we could share half of it with them or something. I don't know, it was just a living hell." I said, slowly picking at my crumbed scallop. It was too overcooked and all dry.

Bill was silent. Then he leaned over and took my hand in his.

"And you came out here for a better life, right?" he said.

"well… Yea." I said, looking at him. He nodded, and was silent again.

The waiter came back over.

"How are you enjoying your meal?" he asked me. I looked down at the crumby food. Yuck. I never knew smells could be so deceiving.

"It's wonderful, thanks." I said, giving him a nice, fake smile. Bill giggled. The waiter nodded and left.

"What was that?" I asked him.

"I have no idea. It's just it was so obvious that you detest that food." he said.

"Oh. Well, it's disgusting. Look at the bloody things, they're all dry and yuck." I said, scrunching my nose. Bill laughed.

"Are you gonna eat any?" he asked. I raised my eyebrows at him. He got the point.

“Alright, alright. Do you want some of my salad?” he asked.

“Do you realize that meat is a contributor to greenhouse gases?" I said.

"It's only chicken." he said. I shrugged.

"So? It's still poor and defenceless. How would you like to be eaten?" I asked him. I was only horsing around now. He smirked.

"Do you want to leave then?" he asked. I nodded, and he called over the waiter, who came over smiling.

"We're finished thanks, could we please have the check." Bill said to him. The waiter's smile dropped when he saw the nearly full plates.

"Are you sure you're finished?" he asked, with a concerned look on his face. Concerned my ass. Bill nodded and handed it back to the guy, who then collected our plates and went back. We stood up and walked out.

“I’ve noticed you have an accent, where do you come from?” I asked

“Germany, been there since I was born” he said

“wow always wanted to go there” I said interested

“no you don’t” he laughed. I looked at him

“why not?”

"Well, it's only 9 o'clock. Are you tired or do you want to do something." Bill asked me changing the subject.

"I'm a little bit tired, but I haven't really done anything interesting today." I said, I just dropped the subject too.

"You met me. Aren't I interesting." he asked, looking hurt. I laughed.

"Nah, you're interesting. I meant apart from you." I said. He was looking around.

"Do you wanna go check out the karaoke thing?” he asked.

“But I don’t have a room, and you need to tell them your room.” I said.

“Oh, well you can tell them you’re with me.” he said.

“I don’t know. When’s the thing have to be in?” I said.

“I’m not completely sure, but I think tomorrow midday or something.” he said.

“Ok, then I’ll do it tomorrow morning. I don’t think I can be bothered tonight.” I said, yawning.

“So, do you wanna go back now?” he asked. I nodded, and together we walked back to his room. He unlocked the door and we went in.

The room was actually pretty big. There was a door to a bathroom right next to the main door, and 2 bunk beds. Bill went and jumped on one of them.

“Can I have a shower?” I asked him.

“Yeah sure, the towels I think are in the cupboard under the sink“.

“Ok thanks.” I said. I locked the door and turned the water on. I undressed and got in. The pressure was pretty lousy, and it took ages to get my hair completely wet. I didn’t bother shampooing as I did just this morning. When I got out I got dressed and walked back out with my hair dripping. Bill was sitting on the bed, reading a magazine.

“Where do I sleep?” I asked him. He looked up.

“Anywhere, except here. I’m sleeping here.” he said. I nodded and went over to the other bottom bunk and fell down on it. Bob laughed.

“I guess you really are tired.” he said. I grunted, crawling under the covers, and leaning on my side.

“Bill, I wanna thank you for what you’ve done for me today.” I said. He looked at me.

“Well, you helped me this morning, so I had to pay you back somehow.” he said.

I nodded and laid down. I could barely keep my eyes open.

“Goodnight, Bill.”

“Goodnight, Hayley.”