The Heart of the Sea

Four

The storm raged above, lightning splitting the sky as the ship swayed violently, like a fish caught in a net. I drifted just beneath the surface, the ocean thrumming with that familiar, magnetic pull, stronger now, as if charged by the lightning striking the waves. 

Debris from the ship began to tumble over the rail—barrels and crates, their contents spilling into the water as they plunged downward, swallowed by the depths. That familiar curiosity wrapped around my mind as I turned my attention to one crate that drifted near. The lid was cracked open just enough to reveal the shimmer of glass within. I reached out, prying at the splintered wood, intent on seeing what treasures might lie inside. But as I worked, another sound—a shout, carried through the water like a muted echo—pulled my attention free from the crate.

I broke the surface, just enough to where my eyes floated out of the water. Unseen.

Two men struggled against the waves. Dark hair plastered one of their faces, his jaw set in fierce determination as he fought to keep hold of the other—a large figure slumped, barely holding on. The sight of them both fighting against the sea captivated me, especially the one with that determined, fierce look.

He wasn't like the others I'd seen over the years—the lost sailors, the ones who gave in to the sea's grasp after only a few seconds of fighting. The ones who hadn't known how to stay afloat. No, he was different, his strength and defiance clinging to him as stubbornly as he clung to the man in his arms.

I dipped below the surface once again, nearing their legs as curiosity mingled with that restless ache I couldn't satisfy. His movements slowed as the waves battered against him, his hold slipping as the rope he had tied around his companion began to strain. I watched as he wrapped the rope tighter around the unconscious man's torso, trying to haul him back toward the ship—but in the chaos of the storm, his hold slipped, leaving him suddenly exposed to the mercy of the ocean as he was dragged away from the man.

He was fighting a battle he couldn't win alone. A battle he was quickly losing as his entire body was pulled beneath the surface as though the sea Herself tugged him down. And though I didn't know why, I found myself compelled to help. Before I knew what I was doing, I surged closer, propelling myself toward him through the raging current. The water seemed to carry me, pushing me closer until I reached him. Without a thought, I slid my arms beneath his shoulders, pulling his chest against mine, swimming hard to push us both back up and toward the ship.

Two other figures leaned over the edge of the ship, muscles straining as they heaved the other man out of the water. He was pulled up slowly as the sailors battled the thrashing waves, his body hoisted onto the deck by another pair of hands. Fear pricked at my mind as I let the current take me the rest of the way. I hugged the dark surface, the tip of my nose nearly poking through as the man I clung to remained above the waves. 

I should have slipped back into the depths, vanished before any of them could see me. Should have dragged the man down into the deep with me for my sisters to feast on; but he lingered in my grasp for a second longer than I intended, his face close to mine, his eyes barely open. There was a quiet intensity there, a heat that simmered even as the cold rain continued to soak through his clothes--into his bones. It held me fast--that gaze--as if he saw through me in a way no one else ever had. I couldn't pull away.

And then his hand twitched, brushing against my arm. The briefest of touches.

"There!" A shout came from above, and I spotted a deckhand pointing down at us, "Eryx!"

I seemed to remember where I was--what I was--as I blinked up at him, quickly releasing my hold to slip away into the depths. The sailor seemed to have other plans. Just as I moved to retreat, I felt a sudden pressure against my wrists. He gripped them tightly with calloused hands. My eyes widened and I pumped my tail in an attempt to get away, only causing him to tug me closer. 

I twisted in his grip as we went under, bubbles slowly leaking from his lips as he stared at me, eyes squinted against salty water. A length of rope speared through the water for him to take.

Let go. I mentally urged, still twisting my wrists in his hands, his fingers didn't budge, not even as he released me with one hand to grab hold of the rope. I jerked back, but he was too strong--still so full of strength after the sea had seemingly drained his life force.

How?

I beat my tail again, gritting my teeth, but my attempts did not stop him from winding that rope around my wrists. I lunged for him, pointed teeth aimed at his throat, but he swiftly darted to the side, quickly swimming toward the surface. 

No. I looked down to my bound hands, then back up to my captor now clinging to the rope, his legs slowly nearing the surface as he pulled himself out of the water. I had a choice to make because once he made it on deck, I would soon surely follow. I looked back to my wrists, then up to him.

Freedom or vengeance? The sea seemed to whisper. Anger flared in my chest at Her mockery. After everything I'd done for Her--everything She'd taken from me--this was how She repaid me.

I didn't have much time left, knowing that the rain above was slowly dying as the ship escaped the expanse of the storm. 

Freedom now, vengeance later. 

I  bit at the rope, fighting to untangle myself, but the more I struggled the tighter the knot seemed to become.

It felt like the sea was working against me, urging the rope to keep its hold. Panic bloomed, and I thrashed, trying to pull away, but with each twist, the rope only seemed to wind further around me, encircling its way up my forearms. 

Above me, I saw the deckhands hoisting the other man aboard, their voices inaudible over the roaring in my ears and rushing of the waves. My gaze locked onto my captor's, his face pale and eyes shadowed as he looked down toward the water. His eyes caught mine for a fleeting moment as though he could see through the dark water.

I stared back at him, a silent plea for help caught in the depths of my gaze, but I couldn't free myself—not this time. Nor would he risk his life to spare mine when he was the reason I'd been caught. I glared up at him, no longer fighting against my bindings. The ocean had chosen for me it appeared. Vengeance first. She whispered through a cool current caressing my cheek. Freedom last. I let out a breath, letting myself sink and flutter closer to the side of the ship until I floated mindlessly beneath it. Surrendering. For now.

Vengeance first, freedom last. She echoed.

So be it.