1967

"Do you actually think we'll catch anything today Linebeck? I can't see a foot in front of my face with all this mist!"

The man called Linebeck snorted in amusement, tossing a baited pole to his shipmate. The waters were calm, almost still, with gentle waves caressing the sides of the S.S. Linebeck; except for the mist, it was nearly perfect for fishing. Or, at least, getting a good-sized fish or two in before a storm hit.

"Don't you worry Jolene, we're in a good spot, th' anchor is set so we won't go drifting- an' ya have me, the greatest fisher ta hold a fishin' pole that th' world's ever seen!" Linebeck boasted, standing up suddenly with his hands on his hips, shoulders back, head high. The boat wobbled dangerously, and he pinwheeled his arms to keep his balance, landing on the bench and nearly smacking his head into the boom(1).

"Oh yes, you're 'a real man o' the sea.'" Jolene replied, rolling her eyes as she cast the line far into the mist, a little plop sounding over the swish-swish of gentle waves.

Linebeck nodded exuberantly. "I don't know why ya keep forgetting!"

Jolene glared, and Linebeck wilted. Turning towards the water, he cast his own line, nodding in satisfaction as he heard his own hook, line, and sinker hit the water in the distance. Things settled into a peaceful, familiar quietness for them, their skilled eyes trained on their lines.

"...Something's caught on my line." Jolene said after a while, frowning and starting to reel in the thread, which strained under the weight of whatever was caught on the hook. The mist was thickening, and even as something floated towards them, pulled along by the line, they couldn't see what it was.

"That ain't a fish…" Linebeck leaned forward, squinting into the fog. "Least not a live one."

Jolene reached forward, twisting her hand around the fishing line, and tugged hard.

Milky flesh bumped against the S. S. Linebeck; Jolene dropped her pole in favor of clapping her hands over her mouth, a muffled shriek sounding from her lips. The fog around them seemed to draw back, revealing a face, unseeing eyes staring up into the overcast sky; a slit neck and wrists, still oozing blood; golden hair floating in a halo- almost in mockery of the gruesome sight.

tr a i tor…

th i e f

m u r de r e r

The sea seemed to explode around them, waves rising out of nowhere. Linebeck and Jolene's screams were lost to the howl of the ocean as their boat capsized.

Something more primal roared into the air, something angry.