Today's Page About This Book Chapter 1
Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 MailChapter 1: Salem Massachusetts 1834
He stepped forward, eyes scanning the horizon. There was no approaching ship. There was nothing. The shoreline was crammed with the dark shapes of anchored ships, to be sure, but all wore empty masts, sails securely furled at anchorage. To sea, nothing. He followed the sightlines of the crowd to a distant spot, straight forward upon the ocean. It held nothing but unbroken water and air.
The crowd waved and cheered at the empty space.
A curdling shiver of alarm passed over him.
He felt Iris clutch his hand more tightly. He looked at her, saw her eyes widen with uncertainty and fear. Placing hands protectively on her hips, he pulled her backward to lean against him. His palm slipped around to rest on her firm belly.
John allowed his gaze to scan the crowd, each oblivious, staring at the empty sea. The loud excitement of the boisterous horde seemed no longer to fill the air with joy, but withered on the instant to a jarring screech of hysteria against encroaching silence. He looked below and saw one of the women from the tavern at the front of the crowd, holding the hand of her small boy.
“See your daddy?” she asked. “See your daddy there?”
The child laughed and delightedly waved.
The Ghost Ship All content © 2008 Scott Telek.
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