In the deathly still night, beneath the searchlights' gaze, only faint white mist could be illuminated.
The seawater writhed like a monster, constantly caressing the hull, licking at it hungrily and stirring up waves of horrifying splashing.
Sailing at night was like navigating through hell.
However magnificent and grand the sight was by day, it was just as gloomy, terrifying, and oppressive by night.
Yet a bonfire had been lit on the deck, and the place was filled with revelry.
Splintered furniture had been piled together and doused with gasoline, erupting into roaring flames that lit up one dark face after another, all of them brimming with delight.
It was like a carnival.
The gun-toting men happily began to sing. Food scavenged from the cabin—snacks, raw meat, flour—had all been scattered into piles, stuffed into pockets, then stuffed into mouths.
Some held their jewelry up to the firelight, identifying gold and silver. Others fought over electronic devices they had never seen before, clicking their tongues in wonder.
It was as if it were New Year's.
Gifts and offerings had fallen from the sky, so generously bestowed.
Amid the surging firelight, shadows cast into the hazy mist formed bizarre outlines, like wriggling monsters dancing wildly.
Everything was joyous.
But below the deck, inside the wrecked cabin, it was like a prison.
There was only crying and groaning.
Wailing, praying.
Drip, drip, drip...
Blood dripped through clenched fingers.
A penetrating wound. Blood gushed out like a spring, endlessly spraying, staining the white lab coat that had been torn into bandages and stuffed against the wound scarlet.
Among the disheveled prisoners, the man lying on the floor was already on the verge of death.
"Doctor Yu, stop wasting your effort."
The emaciated captain lowered his eyes and watched the dying first mate. "Put