The Siren of the Titanic

Chapter 3: Anger (Barton)

"Damn it all!" I yelled pulling a little too quickly on the engine's pull start, making it sputter but not start. "Damn that whale!" I yelled again throwing myself back into the seat.

"You're not injured are you, sir?" My loyal second, Ethan Wiley, looked at me with worry as he tried his hand at the engine, getting it started with one try.

"No! I'm not hurt fool! But we just lost a good 40 men to that damn whale. We've been hunting that family for weeks now, and what happens? He kills my men and sinks my boat!" I wipe my hand over my forehead pushing my golden hair back over my head. "Stupid hair! I'll cut you later!" I look over to Wiley who was smart enough to have a portable emergency radio.

"Yes! This is Ethan Wiley of the U.S.S. Barton. Our ship was attacked by a whale and has sunk. We need emergency retrieval! Our coordinates are..." He spoke quickly but clearly. Ignoring him, I pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a match before puffing on it. "Was it my imagination, or...did I truly see a merman with that whale."

"Sir, did you hear me?" The redhead's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry. What'd you say, kid?" I sighed, reaching my hand under the bench-like seat pulling out the survival kit.

"The nearest ship is about 150 kilometers from our location. They said to try to hold out for about an hour." His eyes traveled to the kit in my hand with worry.

Inside the kit was about a week's worth of water and provisions, some first aid essentials like gauze and alcohol, a flare gun with six shots, extra life vests and a handy knife. Pulling out two of the several water bottles, handing one to Wiley, I quickly took a sip before resealing the bottle.

"Well, I guess we have time to kill." I sighed, leaning back in my seat and covering my face with my cap.

"Yes, sir. I'll keep watch if you'd like, Captain Barton." He stated. I only waved my hand with a sigh. The kid was only in his mid 20's. Went to school, even told me that he wanted to go into the U.S. Marines.

I had asked him once. "Why sail on this whaling ship? Why did you give up on being a Marine?" He gave me a simple answer.

"You are paying me more then I would've gotten from them." He went on to explain that his little sister was trying to go to college, to be a marine biologist, and he wanted to help her out. He surprised me more when he told me he was single.

"You're joking right?" I laughed. "Surely someone with your looks would have someone by now. At least a girlfriend?" I smiled jokingly.

"No, sir. I'm surprised myself, but I'm a poor guy with no real home. I usually stay with my big brother when we're home." He laughed before continuing. "I'm to much work I guess, sir." He laughed it off that day and we never talked about it again.

"Sir! Captain Barton! Captain James! Sir!" I woke up to emerald eyes and rough hand shaking me.

"What is it?" I grumbled pushing him off. I must have fallen asleep for it was now mostly dark.

"I can see the ship!" Indeed there it was a large cruise ship with searchlights on. I reached for the kit and retrieved the flare gun and shot one into the air. The red light was extremely bright and hurt my, still sleepy, eyes. Soon the searchlights were upon us and a ladder was lowered for us to climb aboard.

"I'm glad we were able to find you guys. Did anyone else from your crew make it?"A man in his late 40's approached us dressed in an all-white uniform. I shook my head with a sigh. The man removed his hat and lowered his head. "Than let's take a moment to pray for the dead." Wiley, the captain and the rest of crewmates around us lowered their heads.

"That merman...I'll get him. He'll be worth far more than that damn whale."