Chapter 1

Suddenly Single—What a Trip!

Hey there, sweet readers! It's me, Trixie Troublefield, your suddenly single cruising buddy. (And happily dating!)

It's that time again where the Emerald Queen of the Seas sets sail for yet another trip to paradise! This time we're sailing toward the Caribbean where the romance is abundant, the beauty of nature is heavenly, and the mysteries are as deep as the turquoise sea.

So pack your proverbial bags. It's time to set sail for azure waters, white sandy beaches, balmy breezes, and starlit skies. Where every sunrise brings the promise of a new beginning and every sunset the end of a perfect day.

Here's hoping it's smooth sailing for one and all! And if not, in the least it will be a killer cruise.

The Caribbean awaits!

XOXO Trixie

Emerald Queenof the Seas, Royal Lineage Cruise Lines

Itinerary

8 Night Cruise

Day One = Depart Ft. Lauderdale

Day Two = At Sea

Day Three = Barbados

Day Four = Sapphire Cay

Day Five = At Sea

Day Six = St. Lucia

Day Seven = Blue Lagoon Resort

Day Eight = At Sea

Day Nine = Return to Fort Lauderdale

Three hours from now…

The Killer

The deckof the Emerald Queen is alive with the kind of energy only a raucous band of pirates could bring to the party.

The air is thick with a mixture of excitement and anticipation as the sound of laughter, the soft clinking of glasses, and an occasional scream emits from the crowd at hand. The music, the howls of delight, the outright revelry is contagious. So many wenches and buccaneers causing a near riot with the frenzy. Of course, the copious amounts of liquor flowing freely might have something to do with that.

It's dark out on the deck save for the string lights and the stars above them. I stand in the shadows, watching the scene unfold with a detachment that borders on disdain.

Once upon a time, my hopes and dreams were as wide as the ocean itself. My ambitions were anything but mundane. And I certainly had no plans to tether myself to an ordinary way of life. I've always known I was special, meant for something more, the vestiges of greatness waiting to emerge from me. It was all just a matter of time. One day I would leave behind a legacy that would be remembered, that would put even the most disinterested soul in awe of my achievements.

And yet, here I am—downtrodden and beaten down. The epitome of mediocrity. My talents squandered in service of Jolly Roger Spirits. And for what?

The person of the hour steps into the crowd and the entire deck enlivens with cheers and screams in their honor.

I can't help but frown at the sight.

That person, right there, is the embodiment of everything that has gone wrong with my life.

Look at him, laughing and cajoling with his adoring fans, soaking up the adulation with a smugness that sets my teeth on edge.

To the masses, he's the jovial leader of a burgeoning empire, a visionary who brought the spirit of the Caribbean to life in a bottle. To me, he's nothing but a liar, a cheat, a killer at heart. And that's exactly what he's forcing me to become as well.

A killer.

That smile of his is nothing but poison, and it's leached its way into the well from which we all drink.

The party reaches its zenith, and yet my gaze lingers on my victim.

A cold resolve settles over me.

This is happening. There's no stopping it now.

I know what I have to do and why.

The thrill of the party, the sheer elation of the revelers, it all fades into the distance.

It's time for the plan I've been rehearsing to finally take place. A dark dream that is about to become a bitter reality—a reality as clear and present and potent as the venom in my blood.

They say revenge is a dish best served cold.

And tonight, despite this tropical heat, the thought of revenge brings me a refreshing chill.

Let this serve as a reminder that even in paradise, vengeance can be served by those willing to take a stand. And that's exactly what I'm doing here tonight—taking a stand against his cruelty.

His laughter resonates to the sky as he toasts to his own success, much to the crowd's delight.

A dull laugh sputters from me.

He's oblivious to the storm that's about to unleash. Little does he know, the empire he's so proud of is built on sand. And I am the hurricane about to wash it away with the tide.

The party continues to rage all around me and yet I fade farther into the shadows. But make no mistake, I'm no spectator at this feast.

I am the hand that will tilt the scales of justice.

For one unlucky buccaneer, this night of revelry will be his last.

If I were him, I would be afraid. Very afraid.

He's about to walk the proverbial plank and plunge into the icy abyss of oblivion.

The tide has turned, and my retribution is rising high.

Tonight, the Emerald Queen sails on turbulent waters.

And I am the storm he never saw coming.