The salty air and sea spray clung tight to the mist. Most of my small crew was below deck. We had been sailing, lost in the fog, for the past three days, no stars to guide us back on the right path. It was never ending. A grey and white canvas that seemed to stream on and on, vague shapes too be distorted in the distance and sounds oddly magnified in the gloom. Cliff bluffs rose up on either side, towering above my ship. I steered between them, praying the bottom wasn't shallow or rocky. With any luck there would be land, and them maybe we could find our way back.
A splash echoed off to the port, echoing between the rock faces. I kicked the trap door that led below deck, catching the toe of my boot on the brass ring and sending it spinning open. "Rimshire!" I hollered below. "Get up here and take the wheel." A moments later he appeared, slightly green with sea sickness, but steady on his feet. "Keep away from the walls, I hear a noise I'll be right back." He nodded and I moved to the side, looking over, trying to see...anything, in the mist.
"What's going on captain?" My crew clamored above deck, a few moving to stand next to me. "What's that?" The cabin boy asked. He pointed out.
Near the cliff was a rock jutting impressively out of the water. A shadowy silhouette of a person, just visible, shrouded in gloom.
"Hey! Who's out there!" I shouted, making the poor boy jump. The silhouette keeled around and dove into the water with another splash.
"Shh, captain." Slugger hissed, looking warily at the water. "Don't yell at them, you'll make them mad." He whispered.
"Who? Who will I make mad." I asked. Slugger was highly suspicious and was very gullible.
"The spirits of the ocean. The Sirens. Their song is bewitching to men, calling them to the edge so they can grab them and drag them below, devouring those who would dare disturb their waters." The cabin boy hugged at my arm, looking fearfully over the water again.
"I can hear them." He said horsey, his green eyes wide as tears sparkled in them.
"No you ca-..." But I stopped. I heard it too. Singing, soft and low. It was hard to describe, lulling and beautiful, a caress to the ears it warmed you from the inside. And then another joined and another.
"Helmsman!" A frightened cry broke the spell and we spun around in time to see Rimshire, his expression dreamy and unconcerned, leaning over the back railing into. The embrace of a beautiful woman. She crooned softly, sharp teeth hidden behind her soft pink lips, naked to the waist where her body turned smoothly into scales.
"Rimshire! No!" But it was too late. I knew even as I ran to grab him. She crooked an elbow round his neck and pulled, dragging him over the edge into the dark waters with a splash. "No!"
The singing grew louder and I heard a soft cry and whipped around to see one of the Sirens half hauled onto the deck, the cabin boy running his fingers lovingly through her dark locks, even as she leaned back, taking him with her into the depths.
Slugger yelled as a shot rang out. A horrid scream of pain cut the air. He had shot one of them and she fell back, her eyes rolling back into her head, dark blue blood gushing from her breast and dribbling from the corners of her mouth as she slid back. Hands four or more sets, clawed up, grabbing Slugger, and they didn't look remotely beautiful anymore. Their teeth were bared, sharp and serrated. Their eyes black and empty, faves twisted into horrible masks of rage and hunger. And Slugger dropped his gun screaming in pain and he was dragged overboard. My men tried to help but they were charmed or grabbed.
"Captain! Captain help!" Nicky Mcgan begged. He held fast the the railing, his fingers slipping from the moisture as a siren reamed at his legs, her cruel face set, full of loathing. I ran over and she looked up. Her face melting back into beauty, gazing innocently at me with large dark eyes. I kicked out, my boot connecting with her face. She shrieked and let go. I caught at his arms and hauled him back.
The ship jarred and listed at it crashed into the wall. We sprinted to the wheel, straightening the rudder. Nicky pulled rope from the rigging and lashed my hands to the wheel. "What the he'll are you-"
"Captain we are all that's left! We can't go we have to stay!" He screamed tears sliding down his cheeks. He started to tie his own ands as I struggled again the bonds, but he stopped. His face was suddenly blank and he turned slowly to look over the edge of the bow. A siren was sitting on the figure head, crawling to the deck, his fins dragging as she crooned her beautiful song to Nicky.
"Nicky!" I yelled yanking and tugging at the ropes to grab him. He had started to walk her way. "She'll kill you!" I screamed desperately.
"But...but I love her." He gasp, his hand outstretched as he closed the distance between them. My yells went unheard as she rose as high as she could, allowing him to embrace her, caressing his cheek lovingly. And ever so slowly she leaned back, falling over the precipice, taking Nicky with her.
"NOOO! God damnit! God damn you! You bitch! Bring him back! Bring them all back!! My crew! My family!!!"
No matter how I pulled, no matter how I struggled, I couldn't break free. Blood soaked my hands as the ropes burned and cut my skin. A broken sob escaped me and I slumped to the deck, only held up by my aching wrists. They were gone, they were all gone.
I didn't even hear the splash as yet another crawled aboard, actually pulling itself onto the deck, but the so g caught my attention. Low and deep, crooning inside a hardened chest, rumbling like thunder. I looked up and met a dark eyed gaze. He was right there, I could have leaning forward and kissed him. His hair was long and hung in waves, clinging to his sculpted shoulders and chest. He looked curious and distressed at the tears running down my face. Men went suppose to call other men beautiful, but there was really no other word for him. His face angular, cheekbones high, cupids bow of his pale lips perfect...he was perfect.
He took my face in his smooth, long fingered, webbed hands and brushed the tears away. Rising to my knees he followed, brushing a hand through my own tangle of hair. He crooned gently, mesmerizing. He pulled at the wheel, turning us sharply to starboard so he could reach my hands. I didn't care, I didn't care at all. I wanted my hands free anyways, I just couldn't remember why. The ship crashed against the rocks and started taking on water, the bow dipping below the waves by the time he freed me. The back end was tipping up and we started to slid. The cool water enveloped us, making me gasp.
He took me by the waist and I opened my eyes, the water stinging them, but I kept them open as the dark waters pulled us under with the suction of the ship. I needed air, he wouldn't let go. If I could cry I would have. It was the end. I leaned in a pressed my mouth to his, tasting the saltwater on his rough tongue. Darkness closed in as he pulled me deeper, fathoms below. The water pressure squeezed my chest and I closed my eyes. I didn't want to see his beautiful face turn bad, even as I felt his sharks teeth click against mine and felt the hunger behind our kiss. This was my end, and all I could think was, how much I loved him...