Nellie Lovett sat on the deck of the ship, gazing at the stars.
Thinking.
She reflected on her life. What an unexpected turn her life had taken - now a widow, Nellie had found a large amount of money that her late husband, Albert, had saved for the children they had tried, and failed, to have. She mildly regretted spending the money like this, but she has always wanted to live by the sea...
The only thing that had made her hesitate was her old neighbor, Benjamin. Mr Barker had lived upstairs with his wife and daughter. Sent to prison on false charge, he'd been away for... Oh, it had to be fifteen years by now. But Nellie had watched him everyday, watching him shave customers when she had a break, inviting him down to dinner when he caught her, she had watched his court case, watched as they hauled him off to Australia...
And waited for him to return.
And waited.
... And given up.
Busy in her daydreams, though the night was long upon her, she didn't notice the makeshift raft entering the waters surrounding the boat.
The visions she taunted herself with made her heart sink. Lowering her head, she began to think about what her life could have been like. If there was no Lucy. Only her. He could've been with her, on this ship. Going together, to live by the sea...
A low groan brought her out of her daydreams. It was fairly quiet, yes, but it was night and the ship was silent. Briefly she looked around the deck, but saw no one. She thought about looking in the water, but why would anyone be down there? She heard it again, and there was no mistaking it's source. Curiosity getting the better of her, she walked the few steps to the rail, looking over into the water.
There was a makeshift raft, made out of some kind of thick tree bark, tied together with rope. A gasp tore from her throat. What the- she stopped thinking. The man was stirring.
His skin, pale, oh it was far too pale from the blood still seeping out of deep cuts on his back, was covered in a shine of sweat. He looked up, wild black hair with one white streak, that looked like it hadn't seen a brush in years, which it probably hadn't, framed his pain filled face. As she watched, he was trying to say something. Nellie looked at his lips, and saw them vaguely form the words, "Help me!"
The man collapsed on his raft, unconscious.