Page 37 | Chapter 2 | The Ghost Ship | A Free Serialized Online Novel by Scott Telek

Her lips compressed together as emotion welled in her, and she rushed forward to embrace him. She caught him around the chest. He patted her back. “Our new married life,” he said. His eyes gazed upward at the passing clouds as she held him.

A moment later they stepped apart, faces transformed. They walked hand in hand up the deserted street. A hush had fallen over the town. John saw one man engaged in work a distance down a street they crossed, but in main the town had fallen asleep. The oppressive pall of the event was difficult to escape, but John had grown accustomed to driving disagreeable thoughts from his mind. In a few minutes more they were once again before the red door of the tavern. He saw the twisted reflections the bare branches of trees created in its windows. They entered.

The tavern was full, each table occupied, close air alive with the sounds of low speaking, sniffling, sobs. Heads were bent low, shoulders hunched over, faces gazing straight down at the blank expanse of table before them. Sadness clung like smoke to the atmosphere. Many raised their heads to observe John and Iris as they quietly closed the door behind them. The townspeople’s features showed annoyance, curiosity, and suspicion in equal measure. The young couple forced wan sympathetic smiles as they moved once more toward the bar, discomfort obvious on their strained countenances.