Pointdexter: A Swooning Over Stan-fiction

Chapter Forty-Three: Drowned

The sky was dark overhead, massive black clouds rumbling across the sky holding thunder and rain.

The waves crashed against the side of the Stan O' War, and despite Stan and Ford's reassurance that the ship would be fine, Alice couldn't help but think otherwise. She wasn't sure, but the angry sky and lashing waves told her a different story.

Rain pelted her face and Alice helped Ford tie down barrels and equipment, her eyes bleary from the rain dripping into her face. Ford's brow furrowed as he looked up at her, grim determination set in his eyes as the wind howled and waves crashed around them.

"We're almost done," He called out to her over the sound of the waves and rain. 

"Are you sure the ship can handle it?" Alice called back, a clap of thunder sounding over their heads. She flinched, her hands stilling over the ropes. He paused in his work, and Alice could see the flicker of hesitation crossing over his face.

"I think it can" He replied, his voice lacking its usual certainty. "She's taken on worse storms before. We just have to trust in her."

Alice pressed her lips together, her eyes turning over her shoulder and her knees buckling as the waves tossed the ship. Crying out, Alice caught herself, her fingers twisting into the sturdy ropes she'd helped tie. She knew what she'd been signing up for when she agreed to join Ford on the boat, but she didn't realize how terrifying it would be when the storms finally hit.

"Careful!" Ford called out, grabbing her arm and helping her steady on the rocking ship. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!" Alice reassured him over the wind, unable to draw her eyes from the storm overhead. 

She knew exactly how she would have drawn the scene if she had her sketchbook, the jagged lines of the waves, the angry churn of the clouds overhead. It would have made a beautiful painting or sketch if not for the fear that clenched over her chest.

"Where's Stan?" She called over the waves, unable to see with the rain in her eyes.

"There!" Ford shouted back. Alice followed his gaze, watching as Stan struggled to secure a loose rope that came free from its mooring. Alice shifted, her footsteps uneasy as she carefully stepped over the wet deck.

"I'm going to help," She yelled over the crashing waves. 

Her fingers clasped onto the ships' rails, and inch by inch, she made her way closer to Stan Pines. She heard Ford shout something over the storm, but the wind blew it from her ears as she neared the other twin.

"Bout time you showed up, princess!" Stan chuckled as her hands pulled at his rope, his voice strained as he struggled. "Give us a hand here, will ya?"

Alice nodded, pulling the rope taunt against the mooring and winding it around the post. She sucked in a breath as the angry wicker burnt at her hands, Stan moving quickly to tie the knot. Rain assaulted their faces, growing angrier with each second they spent under the dark clouds.

Alice shivered, her hands felt numb as she released the rope, her hands clasping onto the rail to catch her unsteady gait.

"There!" She called out, fighting the fear in her voice. Stan nodded, his hand slapping against the mooring and the secure rope in its place.

"Good job," She heard him grunt through clenched teeth, fighting to stay upright. Another strong wave sent the boat rocking, Alice and Stan stumbled, clutching onto the rails.

Alice gasped, her back slamming against the railing as she held on. The cold rails were wet under her touch, and for a moment, Alice felt her hands slipping. She secured her grasp, knuckles white as she held on for dear life.