One Note

Waves crashed against the ship, tendrils of greasy-looking seaweed coiled tightly around the railings of the wooden vessel.

"GET THEM BELOWDECKS!" the captain roared, his voice cracking. Dark storm clouds crowded the air, cutting off the sun's rays from the water. Rain pounded on the swollen floorboards, a fierce, angry wind tearing through the layers of clothing that the rich had so carefully laced and buttoned.

Men rushed around, ushering families belowdecks and rushing to the mechanism that could fail so quickly. Even when the mast had fallen and the sails were torn and shredded, no one came.

She screamed, the shards of wood and bone shifting so painfully in her foot. Tears were streaking down her face like the rain on the glassy lanterns. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. She gagged, coughing and begging once more.

Then, something split it all.

The winds died, the waves ceased into a lapping. There it was--

Singing.