Writer's Corner

The Ship Devine

     The wind would whistle and howl, the sky a beautiful array of colors and objects. Isaac, wasn't sure what to make of this new ship other than the thought that it was absolutely breathtaking. The wooden frame was absolutely to die for while the masts held themselves high into the air in a feat of triumph. But the most beautiful piece of all was  the long haired mermaid on the very front of the ship. The carving was absolutely exquisite,  as the long hair of the woman curled onto her chest and shoulders framing her perfectly. Isaac scanned her body in a state of awe.

      And obviously the crew decided to buy the ship.  Why wouldn't you want to buy a ship that pristine? Isaac was fine with this decision, there was nothing about the ship that he would change and it was a reasonable price.

        And with that, Isaac and his crew set sail from the port, the flags waving with pride and worth.

       Sometime later in the dead of night, Isaac has awoken from his slumber. Not being able to go back to sleep; he decided to to go up to the bow of the ship to peer at the waiting ocean. He rubbed his eyes sleepily, walking up from the sleeping area still half asleep.

      He went up to the deck and sat near the edge, staring at the reflection of the stars and moon on the calm waters. He was completely zoned out. So zoned out that he didn't notice the figure in front of him moving until they spoke.

       "Beautiful, isn't it?" They said sweetly. As soon as Isaac heard them he turned his head in confusion. That voice did not belong to any of his crew members, in fact, he had never heard it before. It was clearly the voice of a woman, her voice gentle and sweet like honey. He did not know where the voice could possibly be coming from until the voice said: "I'm over here." He looked over to the front of the ship. That was where the maiden was, she smiled a soft and caring smile; she was the mermaid on the front of the ship.

       When Isaac realized who she was, his blood ran cold. After all, this situation did not make sense to him whatsoever.
       "Wh-what? What's happening?" He frequently questioned.  "Who are you?"
      "I am Daryah, I am the guardian of this ship." She spoke in a way that was intoxicating to many and hated by a select few. Isaac looked over her body in astonishment. His eyes landed on the chains wrapped around her tail and lower body, binding her to the ship.
      "Y-you're the mermaid from before." He realized.
      "Yes, that I am." She nodded her head. Issac was not the type to fall blindly in love with a stranger. And he was not in love with this one. Women weren't particularly his forte either. Though, he was known to swing both ways. But he was fascinated by her in a way that could only be described as complete infatuation.
       "How long have you been here?" He asked.
       "As long as I can remember." She stated, staring up at the stars. "Don't you just love the ocean? You'd think I'd get sick of it after so many years but I never do." She laughs. Something about her seems sad to Isaac. Just imagining a life chained to a ship by night and a hollow lifeless shell by day, it would seem like a miserable existence. But, Daryah did not seem upset or angry, maybe a small bit lonely, but no not angry.
      "Do you get lonely?" He asked, "being alone all the time?" She looked hesitant to answer. She frowned a small bit, seemingly deep in thought.
      "Sometimes." She answered simply. It stayed quiet for quite some time. They both stared at the water rippling as the skies faded into only a mere reflection, shaky and unsure. It was almost sunrise, Daryah would be turning back soon. Isaac seemed to notice this because he began to get anxious.
       "You should be turning back soon." Partly Isaac had assumed that she turned back by sunrise but he was indeed correct.
      "Yes, it would seem that way wouldn't it." Her eyes shimmered in the now red and orange sky.
     "Can I come see you when I can't sleep?" Isaac asked full of hope. She smiled at him softly once again and answered.
     "Yes, I would like that." She paused, "and I don't believe I caught your name." The sun started to rise slowly and she started to once again turn to wood.
     "It's Isaac." He said slowly, as he watched her turn to a wooden figure on the front of his ship. He smiled to himself.
     "Isaac! What are you doing over there!? Get over here!" His crew shouted to him.
    "Coming!" He yelled back, scurrying to their aid.