Phantom Ladies

Wisps of fog blew over the wooden deck.  The railing grew damp under the captain’s hand as he strolled along the side of his ship.  The wind whistled in his ears.

            “Head East, Mr. Foster.” He called to the coxswain.

“Aye, Sir.”

The great helm creaked.  A bell rung out, clear and ominous, above the deck.  The captain narrowed his eyes and stared at the horizon.

“My glass, Mr. Barrow, if you please.”

The First Lieutenant placed the glass in the captain’s weathered hands.  He lifted the instrument to his right eye, closed his left, and searched the horizon.

A sweet voice floated above the waters to the ears of the sailors.  The song was light and airy and the men’s eyes grew wide with the sound.

“South-South West, Mr. Tremain.”  The captain barked.  He raised the glass again.  Through the gusts of fog, the figure of a woman appeared.  She sat on the rocks and stroked her auburn hair with her long fingers.  Her eyes turned toward the ship.

She beckoned them closer with a wave of her hand and the song swelled in crescendo.  The sailors flocked to the starboard side of the ship, their eyes wide and their mouths open.  Never before had his men beheld such an enchanting creature.

As the ship drew nearer, the woman’s features grew distinct.  Her perfect lips were blue and her arms were adorned with blue tattoos.  Gold bangles draped on her wrists and neck.  A gold brooch nestled in her hair.  She suddenly ceased her song.  The sailors leaned in.  Some blew kisses in the air while others smiled and waved.  The creature smiled back at them.  Her eyes were warm and inviting.  She leaned her head back, and shrieked at the noonday sun.

Eel-like tendrils burst out of the water and seized the ship.  The main mast snapped and toppled to the deck.  Wet ropes writhed in the air and landed in twisted coils on top of crippled men.  Sea water burst through giant punctures in the side of the ship and flooded the lower deck.  The captain reeled and stumbled.  He gripped the railing on the starboard side as the ship was lifted out of the water.  Sailors tumbled out and plunged into the dark water below.  The ship shook and the captain was flung towards the sea.  The shock of the water stung his body and he sunk, frozen, but his eyes flew open and he kicked towards the surface.  All at once, three creatures appeared and circled around him.  They were not women at all, but had tails like eels and pointed teeth.  They wrapped their fingers around his arms and swam down.  The captain’s heart beat fast.  The light grew dark.