When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 138: Search for the bomb

Chapter 138: Search for the bomb

The announcement rang out across the ship: "Attention all personnel. Please evacuate in an orderly manner. Follow the safety protocols." The announcement repeated, adding to the rising panic that was spreading among the production crew.

The evacuation had begun in earnest. Crew members clutched their personal belongings or simply ran empty-handed toward the lifeboats, fear in their eyes. The air was filled with frantic shouts and the occasional clatter of dropped equipment. People moved like a wave, a mix of urgency and chaos.

Captain Ceasar stood tall, a firm and calming presence amid the growing confusion. His bomb squad, dressed in heavy protective gear, waited for his orders.

"Alright, everyone, listen up!" Captain Ceasar commanded, his voice slicing through the noise. He didn’t need to shout; his authoritative tone naturally drew attention. The squad members turned toward him, their faces serious.

"We’re doing a full sweep of this ship," he continued. "Every single area, no exceptions. We don’t know what we’re dealing with, so proceed carefully and stay in communication. Pair up and spread out. If you find anything remotely suspicious, do not, I repeat, do not touch it. Call for backup immediately. Clear?"

"Yes, sir!" the squad echoed in unison, their voices steady despite the tension.

Captain Ceasar gestured to his second-in-command, Officer Ramirez. "Ramirez, you take the lower deck. Check the engine room and storage compartments. Alvin, you and Lee sweep the upper deck and guest quarters. Everyone, keep your radios on and check in every ten minutes."

Ramirez adjusted his helmet and nodded. "Got it, Captain."

The team broke apart, each pair moving quickly but methodically, their footsteps heavy and deliberate. The hum of their equipment filled the air as they began scanning for any signs of explosives.

---

On the deck, Samuel held Zinnia’s hand, his grip firm and unwavering. He kept his expression composed, his jaw set, but inside, his heart raced. The sight of the endless ocean surrounding them made his chest tighten. The fear of deep water, of the unpredictable vastness, gnawed at him.

Keep it together, he told himself. You can’t fall apart now.

Zinnia glanced at him, her eyes full of concern. "Samuel, are you okay?" she asked softly, though there was little time for deep conversation. Around them, people were pushing and shoving to get to the lifeboats, their panic barely contained.

Samuel forced a smile, nodding. "I’m fine," he lied. His voice sounded steady, but his pulse pounded in his ears. If she only knew... But he wouldn’t let his fear show. Zinnia needed him to be strong, and that mattered more than anything else.

Just as they reached one of the lifeboats, a familiar voice called out from above, loud and urgent.

"Samuel! Zinnia!" They both turned to see Victoria leaning out of a helicopter, her hair whipping in the wind. She waved at them, her expression desperate. "Get up here! Come on, board the helicopter!"

The sight of the helicopter was a lifeline. Samuel felt a wave of relief that was almost overwhelming. Without a second thought, he gripped Zinnia’s hand even tighter, leading her toward the ladder that the helicopter crew had lowered.

"Hold on," Samuel said, his voice calm despite the storm raging inside him. He helped Zinnia climb onto the ladder, keeping a watchful eye on her, then followed closely behind. The wind made the climb difficult, each gust making the ladder sway. Samuel’s hands felt slick with sweat, but he forced himself to stay focused. One wrong move could be disastrous.

---

Victoria helped them into the helicopter, her grip strong as she pulled Zinnia up and then Samuel. "Are you two alright?" she asked, her voice tight with concern.

Zinnia nodded, brushing her hair from her face. "We’re okay," she said, but her voice trembled slightly.

Samuel settled into a seat, doing his best to look composed. But inside, he was battling to keep his breathing steady. The sight of the ocean, vast and merciless below them, was still fresh in his mind. Thank God we didn’t have to take that lifeboat, he thought, his aquaphobia still gnawing at the edges of his sanity. I don’t think I could’ve handled that.

Victoria’s sharp gaze flicked between the two of them. "It’s a mess down there," she said. "I’m glad I found you in time. The situation is worse than I thought."

Samuel exhaled slowly, nodding. "We appreciate it," he replied. He kept his voice even, but his hands were clenched into tight fists on his lap, the tension coiling in his muscles. He needed to be calm. He couldn’t let Zinnia see how much he was struggling. Losing her was a much bigger fear than the ocean.

Zinnia reached over and touched his arm, her eyes searching his face. "You’re sure you’re okay?" she asked, her voice gentle but probing.

Samuel met her gaze and forced another smile. "I’m fine," he assured her, his voice betraying nothing. But the truth was far different. The only thing holding him together was the thought of protecting her, of not becoming a burden.

---

Meanwhile, back on the ship, the bomb squad was working tirelessly. Captain Ceasar moved through the narrow corridors, his flashlight cutting through the shadows. His radio crackled to life.

"Captain, this is Ramirez," a voice came through. "Lower deck is clear. No signs of any explosive devices."

"Copy that, Ramirez," Ceasar replied. "Keep searching. We still have areas to cover."

He turned to Officer Alvin, who was standing nearby. "Any luck up here?"

Alvin shook his head, his expression grim. "No, sir. We’ve checked the guest quarters and the storage rooms. Nothing yet."

Captain Ceasar frowned. "Keep at it," he said. "We can’t afford to miss anything."

The team pushed on, their movements precise and their focus unwavering. But as the minutes ticked by, the tension only grew. Sweat dripped down faces, and the heavy suits felt stifling. The possibility of a hidden bomb was a weight on all their minds.

---

An hour later, Captain Ceasar’s radio buzzed again. Ramirez’s voice came through, tired but relieved. "Captain, we’ve done a complete sweep. No signs of explosives. I think we’re clear."

Ceasar stopped in his tracks, processing the words. "Understood," he said, exhaling deeply. "Good work, everyone. Let’s inform the others and start regrouping."

He relayed the message to the helicopter. Victoria listened, relief washing over her face. She turned to Samuel and Zinnia. "The bomb squad found nothing," she told them. "It was a false alarm. But we’re not taking any chances. We’re heading back to shore."