[X] My Assistant

[Living Arrow]

“NYYYOOOOOOO!”

The cabin door flew open, banging harshly on its hinges as Lori Pardare burst out of her allocated quarters and into the narrow corridor of the S.S. Fidona. Cheeks as red as her fiery hair and brown eyes rolling wildly in her head like those of a stampeding Tauros, she hurtled headlong down the passage with reckless abandon. Her scream echoed down the hall, rousing anyone who might be taking a moment in the early afternoon to relax in their rooms during docking or even sneak a nap after lunch.

She sped to the nearest stairwell, grabbing at the railings to pull herself upwards, and away from the cabins below deck, towards the cafeteria and lido. Screams frequented her lips, startling other passengers within earshot every time her vocal chords were able to snatch enough air from her lungs for a strangled wail which followed her to the open deck. Wingull trilled and wheeled above the ferry while it edged close to the dock as crewmen milled around on the dock ready to secure its moorings; both became alarmed to hear the shrill cries coming from the boat but neither expected what happened next.

“WAAAAH!”

One more scream and Lori’s fiery-haired form flew from the railings at the first rope to be secured to the dockside. Creamy arms and legs wrapped around the wide rope tighter than a Seviper’s embrace, stilling the girl’s screams for a moment as she caught herself on the dockline and set to motion almost immediately. Crewmen shouted at the girl to stop, their complaints for health and safety falling on dead ears while the teenager edged rapidly to the ground.

“Hey, you-“

“UH!” Lori shoved the sailor out of her way, her head hunching down as her legs propelled her into a flat out sprint towards the seaside town. Blood thundered in her temples, sweat drenched her forehead and fear fuelled her muscles as only one thought occupied her mind:

*Get it away from meeee!*

*****

Back at Lori’s assigned quarters , a round grey face peered around the doorway with confusion decorating its insectoid features.

“Bug?” It questioned the air with confusion.