Out of the Depths

Setting Sail

The SS Eternity was no ordinary cruise ship; it was a palace of the sea for those elite and privileged. Created to be an escape on the open ocean, it attracted men and women of means and those wanting to shut themselves off from the brutal banality they faced at home. It was a luxury voyage: golden chandeliers, gourmet dining, the promise of an endless horizon. But they also realized that among the passengers were famous actress Lila Monroe and her loyal assistant, Emma McLain - who lived to cater to all of Lila's needs.

Uncharted Waters

Lila was a natural with attention, like any good star. Elle took the cruise as an escape from a nasty public divorce and a platform to outshine any other time. Emma had been with Lila for years - suffered her tantrums, late-night calls, and impossible demands - for the dog's loyalty never wavered. Lila's private tragedy had become larger since her departure from her partner, Victor. He had been her rock in the storm, and she was a ghost without him.

The first night on the cruise, she was moody. She drank way too much, laughed far too loudly, and cried constantly. As usual, Emma was there to pick Kitty up. Lila's temper came unstrung at dinner, and in the middle of yet another public mean-girl fest, she dragged Emma out here again.

"Why do they all leave?" Lila collapsed onto the rich bed and wept. "Why does everyone leave me?

Emma perched beside her and ran a cooing hand through their hair. "I'm still here, Lila. I haven't left."

Gathering Storm

On the second night of their voyage aboard the SS Eternity, they held a black-tie gala. The grand, big ballroom shimmered with diamonds and pearls. Lila, dressed in smart red and loving every minute of it, was her element. Emma sat in the shadows, wearing a drab shift of black, which made her body another part of the darkness.

As the night went on, Lila became more agitated. She would occasionally look at the doorway, waiting for someone who was never turning. He had promised Victor would try to get there, but Lila knew the promise was a lie.

Five minutes before midnight, Lila snatched her slip from the cabin and sped out onto the deck (and Emma chased). The ocean was smooth, the night sky a black satin littered with shimmering flecks of white. Ocean waves lapped gently against the boat, a soothing sound that reminded Lila how turbulent things were inside her.

Deep Waters

I asked her, "Emma, do you ever just want to... stop being? Is this why... Lila inquired, her voice barely louder than a hush.

Emma frowned. "Letting go of what?"

"Everything. The hurt, the experiences of how we were in pain. Lila watched the empty blackness below her. Shall we vanish? - what if...

Emma's heart raced. "Lila, don't talk like that. Come away from the edge."

But Lila didn't move. She stared at the water's surface, her expression impossible to read. Sometimes, I wonder if Victor was lucky. He got away."

Lila (is walking away, and Emma grabs her arm to make her stay) "You're scaring me, Lila. Let's go back inside."

Turning to Emma, Lila's gaze was somewhat glassy. What do you think I am afraid of Emma? That'd be able to fade away. Makes all of this." She shooed her hands around the room, "FUCKING ABSOLUTE GARBAGE!

The Breaking Point

Neither saw the silhouette that disputed this. Jacob - that was the ship bartender. Lila, and he was going to keep his eye on her until hell froze over. He had watched Lila for nearly two months now - the urge that drove him so intense it bordered close to insanity. He would feel that they were destined to be and that he could rescue her from her grief.

"Lila," Jacob called softly. "I can help you. I can take away your pain."

Lila and Emma whipped around to face him, startled. Jacob's eye glinted, and his smile was entirely too broad. His arm shot out reflexively, but Emma jumped in front of Lila.

Emma warned, "Stay the hell away from her.

But Jacob was undeterred. "You don't understand. She needs me."

whereas Lila could be seen shaking with fear, a reaction Emma observed. "Go back to the party, Jacob. Leave us alone."

Jacob's expression darkened. "No. She needs to be free."

Overboard

Without warning, Jacob leaped at Emma and shoved her out of the way. Lila screamed when Jacob snatched at her, and she was dragged towards the world map that would serve as a makeshift balcony railing. Emma reached for her feet, but it was too late. Jacob gave Lila a hard shove, sending her over the bridge.

"LILA!" Emma's scream reverberated through the deck.

Emma was horrified when Lila looked up for the last time at Jacob's triumphant smile. The cold embrace of the ocean swallowed her scream.

Aftermath

Emma fell to her knees, screaming into the darkness. The passengers and crew ran over, but it was too little too late. The empty shell of the fallen movie star Lila Monroe had disappeared.

Jacob was caged; his drunken delusions were obliterated by what he had done. Two, he was escorted out (by informants), one having saved her and vicariously being a hero. There were no heroes that night, only victims.

Emma hung back and watched the blackness take Lila away from her. The ocean, broad and apathetic, kept its mysteries to itself. But the ship sailed forth, with stars a bit less bright in the heavens high above.

Epilogue

In the days that followed, the cruise carried on, but the tragedy was kept secret, relegated to whispered rumours among passengers. But Emma would never forget. Lila had been more than an oppressive employer; she was a friend, a sister in suffering. As the SS Eternity sailed on through that infinite ocean, Emma made a promise to herself: she would make sure Lila was never truly forgotten.

The sea, once the eternal image of freedom, had turned into a cemetery. It was a poignant testament to all that and more for Emma, who reflected on our bonds when faced with no choice but to heal whatever can be repaired or at least eased by someone we love—even if saving them is beyond our power.