And the Sea Began to Foam. . .

The wind carried thunder through the rain. The world was spinning, giving a clear view of how hungry the sea was this night. Green lightning gave an eerie reflection to the towering waves. Alek braced himself against the main mast. Soul shattering shrieks echoed through his mind. Suddenly everything went black. That’s when he heard a sweet voice calling to him.

The tilt of the ship rolled Alek awake. He was covered in a chilling sweat. It was nice to see that the weather outside was almost just as bad as it was in his nightmare. Being out at sea had done horrid things for his sleep schedule. Ever since the last raid, his nights were filled with storms and ravenous sea beasts. Though one thing remained consistent. That damned beautiful voice. It woke him from the nightmares every night.

The captain scanned his cabin. Staring at his twinkling treasures calmed him. He let out a heavy sigh, thinking about how the crew was finally on its way home. His eyes landed on the deep green crystal on the far end of the room. It almost seemed to glow in the moonlight. Without breaking his gaze, he walked over and picked it up. This was it. The piece that would make this entire voyage worth it. When they returned, it would be the last thing he’d ever need to sell. He’d be set for life.

The ship lurched heavily enough to knock him to the floor. Still clutching the crystal, he got up and approached the only window in his cabin. The waves seemed to be getting more violent. He heard yelling and heavy frantic footsteps in the hall. No time for nightmares now. Alek grabbed his gear, shoved the crystal in his coat pocket, and rushed for the main deck.

Outside, crew members were desperately trying to keep the ship afloat. The surges grew stronger. Something wanted the boat at the bottom of the sea. The captain shouted at his crew, but no one could hear over the mix of wind and rain. Alek tried to run towards the rest of the crew, but fell against the handrail. As he fell, the crystal fell out of his pocket and tumbled off the deck towards the dark churning water. Alek stared in horror.

Only moments after losing his treasure, the sea began to settle. There was no more wind and the rain only drizzled on. The rest of the crew murmured as the captain began to climb the handrail.

 “Alek! Are you mad!? Get down from there!”

Without hesitation he dove into the glowing sea. The crew watched in silence, waiting for anything. Then the sea began to foam. Alek’s jacket floated up through the bubbles. A few feet away, the men soon discovered a stray boot and then a hat. Then there was the body. Except it was no longer the captain that they once respected. This corpse had sprouted fresh emerald scales and spines. His legs were webbed together in a slimy film, forming a fin where his feet once were.

The body began to flail and thrash, revealing the captain’s gruesome new face. The beady-eyed creature let out screech through its needlelike teeth and retreated to the sea. The crew searched for hours, but never saw Alek again. Or even the creature for that matter. The sea was silent and calm the rest of the way home.