Page 29 | Chapter 1 | The Ghost Ship | A Free Serialized Online Novel by Scott Telek

The thrill in John’s heart curdled to distant horror. His back stiffened involuntarily, recalling the uncanny coincidence of the ship’s name. At the thought, his hand leapt away from his wife’s belly. Her face turned at his sudden movement, but something made her stop. She did not see him. Resting his hand gently there once more, he could stand it for only a moment more before a wave of aversion forced him to tear it away. He gasped as though pinched. The coincidence. John resolved to never again mention it to her.

At the front of the crowd, a dog barked wildly, running quickly back and forth across the wharf.

The barkeep from the tavern was visible, waving and blowing kisses with both hands.

“Oh my Eddie, I knew you’d come back!” she laughed. “I told them, ‘that boy’s not meant for the sea to have, not that one!’ Ha! And here you are, back at last!” She jumped up and down, barely able to contain her excitement. “Now give us a smile, won’t you?”

John lowered his head, lips brushing his wife’s ear. He whispered. “Do,” he began, “you see anything?”