Page 35 | Chapter 1 | The Ghost Ship | A Free Serialized Online Novel by Scott Telek

John held Iris back as the crowd dispersed around them, slowly lowering themselves to sit on the edge of the crates that had supported them. They watched the townspeople moving slowly back into the town, to houses, to gather in the tavern to share their grief. After a few silent minutes, staring away from each other, they were alone.

He turned to Iris. Tears had crept into her eyes. “Are you upset?” he asked her. “It is strange. I—” he stared around at the scene, and cast one more glance toward the empty deep. “I have no idea what to say. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Iris held him tightly to her, red eyes wet with tears. She sniffled loudly. “How are we to arrange a passage now?” she asked.

John sighed. “My dear,” he said, shaking his head as his eyes scanned the empty face of the sea, “how can we believe there is even a ship?”