Page 136 of Without a Clue

I don’t have the capability, quite honestly, to look.

I’m zeroed in on my goal and, without wavering left or right, take steps toward the end in sight.

Everything around me is basked in an ethereal blue. It looks like we’re in a shell, a white shell, with ribs of white sweeping this way and that without true purpose or order. Dozens of white tables and white chairs pop around the room; everything is white or a glowy blue. The place is packed. It looks like this is the hottest commodity on the ship.

Onstage somebody sings karaoke, following glowy blue words in a pitchy tune. I make the mistake of looking left and nearly fall to my knees.

A dozen booths line the left side of the wall, each featuring a massive oval-shaped glowing porthole. Each porthole looks straight into ocean just on the other side of the glass. They’ve actually put lights underwater for people to see.

People to see straight out into the deep, dark ocean with just a few layers of glass between us.

I’m going to throw up.

You can do this, Pip.

You have gotten over Michael.

You have braved the past few days.

You are braver than you once thought.

You are smarter than you realized.

You are worthier than you have been led to believe.

You can do anything you set your mind to.

YOU JUST HAVE TO HOLD ON A LITTLE LONGER.

It takes several seconds, but I manage a step forward.

And another.

And another.

My eyes begin to rove around.

I’ve caught the attention of the host, who comes up beside me. “Are you sure I can’t help you with something? Do you see what you’re looking for?”

The host prattles on, but I stop him when my eyes come upon it, and forcing myself forward ten more steps, I reach the piano.

I pick up the envelope gingerly.

Break the well-known seal.

Read the text in Hugh’s infamously known scrawl.

Bravo, Pip.

I knew you would do it.

You will find me, and end the game, when you give me what I want.

Tell our story.

Chapter 24

“A GAME?! I can’t BELIEVE he would pull this kind of stunt on us. It’s insanity, that’s what it is. True insanity!”