Hours later. Fireworks blew up huge and bright across the dark sky, lighting up the megayacht's sleek white decks and glass railings. The boom shook the floor under their feet as Yanshuo pulled Shiori tight against him even if they just met. Their kiss was deep and warm, fireworks flashing over their heads like they were the only two people in the world. He held her waist, feeling her breath on his skin, this was exactly why he'd booked the best spot on the whole boat.
He pulled back to look at her, grinning. "See? Way better than staring at water," he said, his voice low and smooth.
She smiled up at him, about to say something then a sound made him freeze. Not a firework boom, not music from the lounge below. A wet, tearing sound.
Yanshuo's eyes shot to the next section of deck just a few feet away, separated by a thin glass panel. A woman in a silk dress was pinned against the rail by a man in a crisp suit. At first glance, they looked like another couple kissing hard but then the man's head snapped down, his mouth clamping onto her neck.
What on earth?!
A dark red stain spread across her dress. She let out a choked gasp, her hands clawing at his shoulders but he didn't let go. His body jerked as he tore at her skin, blood running down her chest and dripping onto the polished deck.
Yanshuo's blood went cold. He shoved Shiori away so hard she tripped over the balcony's edge, catching herself on the rail with a sharp cry.
"Yanshuo! What the hell—"
"Stay back!" he yelled, voice high and shaky. The man lifted his head, his eyes were white and empty, blood smeared all over his mouth and chin. He let the woman slump to the floor and turned toward them, letting out a low, guttural growl.
Yanshuo didn't think twice. He spun around and bolted, his feet slamming against the deck as he ran for the nearest hallway. He didn't look back to see if Shiori was okay he just ran, his heart hammering in his ears.
Yanshuo tore down the hallway, feet slamming against the marble floor. The man's look were burned into his brain— and the blood, so much blood his chest heaving as he yelled at the top of his lungs.
"HELP! SOMEONE'S HURTING PEOPLE UP THERE! CALL SECURITY!"
Passengers stopped talking, turning to stare. A woman in a diamond necklace pressed her hand to her chest, looking disgusted. A man in a tailored suit frowned, adjusting his cufflinks.
"Whoa there, buddy. What's all the yelling about?" the suited man asked.
"On the upper deck! he was biting her! Tearing at her neck like an animal!" Yanshuo gasped, pointing back the way he'd come. "Like zombies! I saw blood damn real blood!"
Laughter rippled through the crowd. A young guy with slicked-back hair snorted.
"Zombies? Really? It's New Year's Eve, not Halloween."
"Probably had too much bubbly," the diamond woman muttered, rolling her eyes. "The nerve, making a scene like this in front of everyone."
Yanshuo's face flushed hot, panic mixing with anger. "I'm not lying! I saw it! She was screaming—"
"Sweetheart, we didn't hear any screams," another woman said, patting his arm like he was a lost kid. "Maybe you had a bad dream? Go lie down."
"No! I'm telling you—"
Before he could finish, two big guys in black uniforms stepped out of a side hallway. Security.
"Everything okay here, sir?" One of them put a firm hand on Yanshuo's shoulder. It felt like iron.
"He's just being dramatic," the suited man said with a smirk. "Probably had too much to drink and imagined things."
"I didn't!" Yanshuo tried to pull away, but the security guard's grip tightened.
"Please! you have to check the deck! She's hurt bad!"
"Easy now," the other guard said, his voice flat. "We'll take a look, but first we need to get you calmed down. Making a scene like this isn't allowed on board."
"I'm not making a scene!" He struggled, but they were too strong dragging him down the hallway as passengers whispered and pointed, shaking their heads.
"Crazy rich kid," someone muttered.
Yanshuo's heart hammered as they pulled him into a small, quiet room like an office, with a desk and two chairs. They pushed him into one, standing over him with crossed arms.
"Now," the first guard said, leaning against the desk. "Let's talk about what really happened up there."
"I already told you!" Yanshuo's voice cracked. "He was biting her, his eyes were all white, he wasn't human—"
"Look," the guard continued, softer now. "It's been a long night. Maybe you're overtired from your trip. We can take you back to your room, get you some water. You can rest, and we'll keep an eye on things, okay?"
Yanshuo already knew they didn't believe him. They thought he was drunk. Crazy. A coward making up stories to get attention.