"Something borrowed or something blue?"
I snapped out of my busy thoughts, turning towards my mother who was fussying over the accessories resting on the dresser in their individual velvet cases and looked at the particular two pieces of jewellery she was holding in her hands but just stared at them. Blinking at the items as if not understanding the question until she went on, not needing my answer after all to make it for me.
"However since your altogether aesthetic of today says classical elegance I don't think neither of these will do the trick…And you're like your mother, sweetie, not much of a traditionalist."
I smiled a half smile, shifting my gaze back to my reflection and instead of my mother's bridal ardor focused on sweeping away the excess traces of make-up with my fingers…Proceeding to do the same treatment to my carefully placed hair and every single hair strand out of place, although there wasn't much present…I'd been turned into a perfect porcelain doll down to my immaculately tailored dress, so my actions could've been blamed for nerves…or the more truthful lack there of.
"You know me…and yourself."
"Honey if I did, I still wouldn't wonder why on earth did you go with that dress", mother remarked, giving my plain a-line gown a quizzical look until her smile was one more the warmest as she took a seat next to me on the bench. Picking out another set of earrings and raised them against my face, peering into the mirror in turn to see did her vision come alive with them. A shake of my head driving her to discard them back to their box.
"Serena found it most pleasing", I replied.
"Oh, and why did we invite her to the bridal shop again?" mother groaned. Showing her clear dislike for the woman with an eyeroll that made it look like her eyes turned over, me casting an amused look at her as took the last remaining pair of earrings into my hands, trying them on.
"She's Landon's mother."
"But not yours."
I gave her a scolding look this time where she only winked at me. Stretching out a hand to take her martini glass from next to the mirror, upon rising back to her feet already stumbling as she did so, missing the passing glare the triangular glass earned from me until I ignored her. She was my mother…I knew her after all.
"She's went about this whole event as if it's one of her charity balls…When it is your day if anything else", mother snapped. Emptying her glass halfway where I simply quirked my eyebrows.
"And Landon's."
"Landon's does whatever her mother wants. He's a sweet man for sure, but nothing when it comes to opposing that woman."
"And yet he's marrying me and not Cassandra Hayes", I said, making a new amused smile as turned to my mother who returned it. Sweeping my cheek before rose to her feet, slipping them back into her heels she'd thrown to the floor.
"Fortunately for us, sweetheart."
My smile died just after I managed to give her an concurring one, my attention getting briefly drawn to the already extravagant engagement ring on my finger until sighed and held my head high, deciding on the diamond earrings I currently was sporting.
"But not like it has ever been a competition between you darling. Landon's smitten with you", mother said. This time seeing the way I raised my eyebrows but chose not to comment on it.
"Surprisingly."
I looked around the parlour that had been turned into my and my bridal party's private dressing room. Everything within alone making it clear whose wedding this was, hence my far smaller enthusiasm to take part in it as my mother's who seemed fully ready to tie the knot again right then and there would my own nuptials come to an unprecedented end...weren't my very much present father a wrench in such plans.
"Where is dad?" I asked, the ensuing silence telling me all I needed to know.
"Haven't seen him all morning. Perhaps he met up with some new unsavory acquaintances amongst the guests and is now hiding somewhere until his cue to present himself at the isle."
The bitterness of that statement only brought my spirits further down, but I hid it behind a composed expression and simply nodded. Surprised that he had even showed or been allowed to, taken that his name was on its way getting dragged through the mud in the papers. People closest to us already aware what the tomorrow morning's headlines would be.
As if on cue the door opened, no knocking required when my mother-in-law waltzed inside with her husband and her zappy outcry sounded from across the space as she saw me. Her practically beaming as she now left my father-in-law's side to scurry over to me, playing the part of an overjoyed in-law to a perfection, where I knew what laid behind that gleeful facade. As well as instead of a supportive courtesy visit she just arrived for a final check-up, to make sure I lived up to her standards as did everything about this wedding.
"You look absolutely stunning my dear!" Serena exclaimed. My mother offering me a hand to take support from as she helped me to my feet and I gave her a slight squeeze to signal her to keep her distate for the woman to herself this time around, her pulling my hem free from behind the bench as I faced Serena. Me being able to taste the honey in her words she always so masterfully laid on so thick not for others to pick up on her actual scorn, but I played ignorant and received her embrace. My father-in-law arriving to wait his turn, and it was his hug that I was much more comfortable of returning, as Philip gave me a squeeze the gesture feeling actually genuine.
"It is true, to say you're anything less than radiant would be a lie", he told me. Claiming my hands as took some distance to me to see me better, while Serena's hawk like eyes happened upon the family jewels still sitting unworn on the table.
"I see our heirlooms have not pleased your eye."
"They are undoubtedly beautiful Serena dear, but Tara and I felt like her beauty was enough to give her the adornment she needs", my mother interjected. Venom seeping from her words in turn although concealed under a sweet tone, and it naturally was returned by a contemptuous glare masked by a series of blinks while Serena smiled at her cordially.
"Of course. This vision wouldn't be turned more beautiful by any further amount of jewels", Philip mused. Giving my personal earrings an approving look until stuffed a hand into the breast pocket of his tuxedo, taking out a small box. "However although we realize Landon must have showered you with similar rocks, we did have a gift to present you with."
The look Philip gave to his wife earned a smile in response, but it wasn't as real as his. Serena clearly disagreeing with her husband's goodwill of handing over the item, but played civil at the face of remaining as the considerate in-law as Philip raised the tiny box made out of red leather and opened it. Me casting the ring inside a surprised look, but wasn't given time to admire it in its case when Philip removed it from the box and raised my right hand, slipping it on my finger.
"It's been passed on in our family for hundreds of years. Our faraway anchestors were sailors, and it is said one of them came upon this stone around 1800's and had it turned into this ring, one that since then has been handed to the women joining in our family", Philip explained. Upon seeing the awe in me as I brought my hand closer to have a good look of the given gift the man smiling in amusement, also directing the other family riches offered to my use a passing glance. "And naturally we too wished for you to have at least something of ours to wear on this day you'll finally marry our son."
"I don't know what to say", I said, honestly speechless as my eyes remained glued to the stunning piece of jewellery adorned with a red carnelian stone and golden details. It truly taking my breath away, and as I leveled a thankful look at my father-in-law his following response caused my guilt to well up. The man leaning to my way and landing a light kiss on my cheek.
"You don't have to say anything. You're already making our son the happiest man alive."
I said nothing to that. Trying to keep myself together as forced a grateful smile out of me, our attention then getting drawn to Serena who spoke up, making her presence once again known.
"Could I have a moment with my daughter-in-law before the ceremony begins?" she chirped. Her eyes shifting from my mother to Philip until they settled onto me, the smallest indication of her loathing of me being the fact that she couldn't even call me by my name, even on the very day I was to be wed to her eldest son, and I hid my irritation under a modest expression. My mother offering her a tense nod until gave me a kiss in turn, Philip nodding at me before offered an arm for my mother to take.
"What shall you say Cynthia, should we have a turn about the venue to make sure everything is in order?"
I watched them go. Walking over to the sofa next to I'd left my shoes as prepared for the onslaught that was on the way, once standing everything but comfortably in my own heels me facing the full view mirror onto my veil had been raised. Taking it into my hand as I heard the twin doors close and Serena to approach, me purposefully avoiding to acknowledge her as prepared to attach the veil to my hair, however getting stopped by her. Serena claiming the veil from me and faced me through my reflection, attaching it on my behalf.
"My husband may be unaware of it", she began. That same haughty tone I'd heard so many times instantly taking hold of her delivery as she placed the veil in place and was left to stare at me. Her face consumed by the like of utmost disdain reserved only for the lowliest regarded individuals she was forced to stand in her upscale lifestyle as her hands at first softly landed on my shoulders until her fingers clung to them. Squeezing me all the while tighter as she then continued, all signs of civility and kindness fully gone and replaced by the very image I had come to uphold of my mother-in-law…Brimming with hate. "…but I know what you're thinking."
I simply returned her stare, showing nothing on my face. For if anything I would be damned if I let this woman intimidate me, yet alone allow her to use her words to get anything out of me, so I stayed silent. Givig her the chance to continue her disrespect.
"You think you have won. That now this wedding set up and bound to unfold you're safe with your machinations", Serena said, every icy word a testament to her spite. Even though I didn't wish to give her anything to indicate her statements to have any effect on me I couldn't help but wincing as her manicured, long nails dug into my bare shoulders. "But you're wrong. You may be getting married today, but that doesn't save you. I know the kind of woman you are and why after so many years of rejecting him you all so suddenly rushed to agree to my son's proposal."
I sighed and released myself from her grip, adjusting the veil as walked back to the dressing table and sat down, checking the time from my phone. Twenty minutes till the go time…the moment I would come to trade something precious for what this woman was now accusing me of.
"Your father wasn't among the invited today, although as the father of the bride he certainly should've already arrived", Serena mused. Taking a moment to revel in the malice disclosed in every word that then left her lips, her walking over to me where I was busy adjusting my sleeves. Doing my best to hold a serene exterior, despite of the woman next leaning onto the table and closer to me, so close that she was practically whispering the last part of her suggestive insults into my ear as she clasped a lock of my hair and twirled it around her finger. "You may fool Landon into thinking you care for him…But I know the only reason you're doing this is your father. For money. My son's money, our money. As it is true that because of your father your poor mother is in danger to be left penniless, thrown to the street like a woman from suburbs she is, and what better way to cover up his debts than as a lawful, newly wedded wife of Worthington family use your hence entitled fortune to repay the money your father swindled to keep your family provided. And knowing to what lengths you dare to go to cover up your father's crimes I will make sure that you'll pay for them yourself…If not by being able to stop this wedding from happening. You have your hooks in Landon too deep."
Although set on remaining collected while under my mother-in-law's defamation I couldn't stop myself from casting my eyes down at the sound of that. For she was right. The only reason I was going through this, the only reason I had put up with her infuriating condescension and desire to decree over everything that had to do with this wedding from flowers to the seat arrangement, and the sole reason I agreed to marry a man who although kind and good in his own way I didn't love, was my father. My father's schemes and tries to get out of the predicament he'd continued to put himself and his family in had finally turned against him, creditors and even law enforcement intervening with his illegimate babloozing with not only his own but his friends' money, neighbours and strangers' money, leading up to our lives consisting of nothing but covering up the truth and trying to save face, when every day more and more rumours came about amongst our circles, crediting my father as a charlatan and a thief. The fortune of Landon's family being able to stop our reputation from getting violated by his actions, my marriage to him being able to help my father settle the debts he owed and save my mother from losing her home. And after all…Landon wasn't a bad man. I'd known him for years, and during the time I had and when he'd repeatedly attempted to ask my hand in marriage I'd seen him to make a good husband…If not the one I wanted to share my life with out of anything but necessity to save my family from further indignity…I knew Serena to be right. That I was the villain, in the wrong for lying to Landon and allowing him to believe I loved him…for him to marry me out of but false pretenses. But during these past months I'd come too far. I couldn't back down now.
"I'm marrying your son. That should be enough for you", I finally replied. Now allowing a hint of a scowl to appear on my mien as held Serena's gaze, not looking away as leant away from her. Freeing my hair from her fingers as she in turn straightened. Returning my stare with equally steely eyes, her mouth contorting into a fleeting angered pout until she broke into a new derisive smile. Eyeing at me like the vile gold-digger she knew me to be until turned her attention to the boquet of flowers that sat on the nearby table, same kind of arrangement the whole wedding venue was riddled with. Going over to them to smell them, leveling an acrid look to my way as she did so.
"I chose these lilies specifically…I know how much you hate them."
I glared after the woman as she was then about to exit, but just before she closed the doors she spoke up, me not having to see her face to know she was wearing a similar crossed expression as I was.
"And that ring my husband saw fit to give you. Don't get too attached to it. I shall have it back."
As soon as Serena was gone I let out a deep, pent up sigh, allowing my composure to fall and closed my eyes. My conscious gnawing at me like every time I'd allowed myself to think about what exactly I was doing by continuing on this charade, where usually I'd steeled myself to the evitable outcome by telling myself I was doing it for my father. All the maltreatment I'd put up with till that point being worth it, as long as I could help my family. Still as I now let my mind wander, to reel through the lies and deception I'd submitted to make Landon think he was marrying a woman who actually wanted to marry him for him and not for his money, truth that then brought me close to tears until I pushed them back, I realized that no matter how horrible of a woman Serena was…she was just protecting her son. From me.
I let out a shaky breath this time. Trying to calm myself as once more stared at my reflection, hating the devious, dishonest person looking back at me, and to save my already notable guilt from building up I looked down at the gifted ring again. Turning it in my finger as tried to chase away the waves of contrition and malaise, giving myself another peptalk I'd always performed whenever I'd come to a point of regretting my delusive actions. As I eyed at the beautiful red stone my ears eventually picking up the sound of the sea, waves hitting against the shoals, seagulls and the ocean breeze. Being able to smell the salt as I then closed my eyes again for a bit, my mind coming up with a consoling image of a tropical beach, thinking of that place strangely soothing me, making me forget about my troubles as my thoughts were then filled with old fashioned sailships and myths about pirates and the like. Me sitting there in such daydreams as long as my phone's alarm started to ring, informing it's was time for the wedding.
The wedding reception was being arranged at a local yacht club, a club both Landon and his father and most of our neighborhood's better off men were part of as a given symbol of their status, where a large meritime museum had been built right next to it. One showcasing several magnificent sailing vessels mostly originating from 1600's to the 1900's, and as an avid boatman and naval history buff like his father Landon had managed to put a word against his mother's plans enough to have the maritime museum as our wedding venue. The ceremony itself taking place on a particularly magnificent vesself Landon's family had gotten a permission to use, a large flyut from around 18th century. The museum to have been built on a separate island, a place which once had housed a Naval fortress but which had been torn down at the start of the 20th century, so the only way over was by boat, and as I sat in my own private one watching the building to grow nearer I felt my anxiety bottle up in me. Not normal kind of wedding jitters, but as I imagined all those poeple who'd been invited to take part in this charade of a wedding, I couldn't help but feel less and less able to keep myself together like I'd done so far. Now that the moment was finally here.
The walk from the pier to the museum and all the way to the ship was decorated with the same bundles of intricate flower arrangements, in demure colors of different shades of white, complimenting my simple dress perfectly. And once I reached the inside of the museum there were my bridesmaids, a couple of my friends where the rest of them I didn't even know all that well, consisting mostly of Landon's sisters and other relatives, but all of them smiled brightly when they saw me walk through the door. Only…my father wasn't there.
Hardly surprised I let out a sigh until returned the smiles I was offered and cast my eyes forward, to gaze past the museum's interior and all the ships I saw on display there, until me and my entourage started our walk towards the actual venue. It taking five minutes for us to arrive to the center of the museum where the ship my wedding was taking place aboard was, this particular vessel actually floating in water for my utmost surprise, apparently serving as one of the exhibiton pieces the museum sometimes sent out to the harbor for people to see them in their full glory. A large, moving mechanical door that usually blocked the passage outside now opened, where the glass panels on the ceiling let in direct sunlight, the wedding venue bathing in it as I approached the pier leading up to the ship's gangplank and eyed at the rows of people standing in wait on board. Ignoring the knot in my stomach, trying to free myself of the burden of my moral compass, as after all above all else…this was my wedding day. Even I was currently doing this particular journey alone.
I experienced a sting of regret at the thought of not having my father escort me as I walked, my eyes trailing down to see the name carved at the prow of the vessel, the grandiloquent words the Flying Dutchman surely fitting for that massive dutch galleon that truly was majestic. Me admiring the old but masterfully restored vessel as reached my destination and walked up the gangblank, the museum workers all dressed to their finest guiding my way through the ship until I reached the main deck and got a look of all the guests gathered there, as well as Landon standing up on the forecastle with his parents and my mother, along with the priest.
Blissful smile lit up Landon's face as he saw me approach, me getting showered my similar ones all around as the wedding march begun, although everyone had taken note of the glaring lack of my escort, the absence of my father earning me a sad look from my mother to which I only smiled encouragingly myself. A few of muscisians playing the song at the corner behind the guests as I made my way through the isle to the stairs leading up to the forecastle, and seeing as I had no one to walk me up Landon's father was quick to descend the stairs and come to my rescue, walking me up to his son who couldn't stop smiling. Too see him this happy truly hurting me, but I returned his smiles and took my place in front of him, against the custom us facing each other and standing sideways towards the guests so that they could see the inauguration to take place. Now once we were all gathered the priest took his place by the helm, his voice booming over the silence that had descended once the wedding march had come to its end, now everyone waiting for the wedding to commence.
"Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to celebrate the matrimony of Landon Worthington and Tara Wells…"
The priest's words were mostly a blur to me as the ceremony went on, everything passing exactly as it had at the rehersal so I didn't have to take much part until it came time for the vows, every memorized word coming out soulless and forced, however said so blissfully and cloaked under such felicity that no one could've come to suspect the sincerity of my vow, least of all Landon who recited his own surely, swearing eternal love for me. In that moment of utmost awareness his honest devotion came close to make me squirm, stopping me from wallowing in my guilt and listen intently as I returned his gentle smile and the priest carried on. As the wedding was coming to its close me just wanting to run away, Landon then taking my hands when the rings were brought over, my to be husband claiming mine from the cushion and threading it onto my finger, where I just wanted to scream for him not to do it, but I only smiled. Ignoring the ever prominent knot in my gut that twisted even further as took the second ring and placed it on his finger, Landon giving my palm a soft squeeze, the first sounds of weeping carrying to my ears from the main deck and only adding to my regret for prolonging this hoax as the priest finally reached the final section of the wedding program…a moment away from pronouncing us man and wife.
"Do you Landon, take Tara as your lawfully wedded wife, and promise to love and honor her until death do you part?" the priest asked, claiming my attention back from my inner contrite musings and I couldn't help myself from looking into Landon's eyes as he gave his answer, and that was a grave error on my part. If the whole wedding hadn't been excruciating enough till now, the absolutely loving look I received from him utterly crushing me. Me having to try my hardest to smile back at him instead of listening to my conscience and pry my hands apart from his, remove the ring and hand it back to him…to tell him to go and find someone who truly loved him. But it was too late. I'd gone way too far with the lie to end it here.
"I do."
"And do you Tara, take Landon as your lawfully wedded husband, and promise to love and honor him until death do you part?"
"I…"
Sudden screeching sound interrupted me in middle of replying, the strange noise coming from above us and we along with the guests turned our sights to the rigging that hung directly aloft the forecastle, to one of he three tops to where sets of lights had been attached by the museum to be used in their night time showings. Only that now one of them was coming loose, us having only time to see the screws of the heavy metal lamp to unfasten and within an instant it broke away from the set up, the wedding coming to a chaotic turn as I was petrified by the sight of the lamp heading straight towards me, as everyone else present on the vessel were consumed by surprise and panic. Where I was fully disabled by shock and alarm to react Landon jumped towards me, about to pull me back with him, only that he was too late. The only thing I could think of doing was pushing him away before the lamp crashed on top of him, the air filling with horrifed screams and the buzzing of the torn electric wires as I vaulted backwards to avoid the deadly impact myself, wires cascading from the rigging and sending the other people at the forecastle to retreat to the opposing side of the ship, where I was saved in the nick of time…or so I thought. The lamp and the other machinery it brought down with it falling just in front of me, but the side of the lamp grazed my forehead and caused me to be thrown backwards. Panic rising in me in turn as the still heavy blow left me disoriented while I tried to see past the pain and avoid the eletric cords that swung down towards me, in hazy fear of getting electrocuted as I was starting to lose my concsiousness, until in my hasty stumble backwards I missed the gunwale that suddenly was right behind me and I slammed against it…and the wood cave in under my weight.
All I could hear was the startled voices of my mother and Landon shouting my name until I made a spin in the air and everything was drowned under the splash of the water I fell in, the hit to have rendered me close to numb, everything from my senses to my head feeling blurry and I barely even saw the blood that was swiftly coloring the water or the bubbles of air slipping my lips as I sank deeper and deeper into the pool. During my one useless attempt to draw air and have my slackened arms and legs to work, to respond to my still existing drive to fight for my life even my body had already given in, everything getting enveloped in darkness. The last thing I remember being the feeling of floating, embraced by cold nothingness that wrapped all around me, guiding me somewhere I knew I had to go but wanted to escape from…The last thing I heard being the faint surging of the waves…and seagulls shrieking.
As my lungs made an attempt to fill with air the action was met by natural instinct to cough out the water that stopped me from breathing. Me rolling over and spent the following seconds coughing my lungs out, the salt of the water harrowing my lungs and leaving behind a devilish burn as the very act of taking breaths felt wrong, like my whole system rebelled against the very thing I required to live, but after a long while of dispelling the liguid out of me I didn't feel like dying no more. Weary groan escaping me amongst my heaving breaths as I laboriously turned on my back, my whole body aching as if I'd been ran over by a train. What happened to me?
As I contemplated possible reason why I was lying there, all soaked and cold, my lungs shredded and body pummeled, my ears picked up a strange sound, but which still was familiar. The soon identified clear groaning of a sailing ship encouraging me to open my eyes, blinking as a drizzle I hadn't noticed until now sent water into them, but as I peered through the rain I recognized the white, wide sails looming above me. I was still aboard the Flying Dutchman…but it must've been late since everything was dark.
Well if I'd been left laying on the hard wood for so long no wonder I was this sore. A new groan slipped from my lips as I strained myself to a sitting position, expecting to see the wedding guests all scattered on the deck of the vessel and my mother rushing in with paramedics to check on me…But no one came, and as I was seated and took a look at my surroundings…I saw no one. I was alone. All the chairs for the guests, all the flowers the ship had deen decorated with…were gone.
Confused breath left me as I frowned at my senseless discovery. My fingers starting to fiddle with the ring Landon's father had given me, and I took notice how warm it felt. I was practically shivering for cold and it seemed like to have been warmed up in a fire, me giving it an odd look, until my focus was drawn to the fact that my whole wedding had disappeared while I was unconscious…and in fact, the ship wasn't the same either.
The ship definitely was the one my wedding had been arranged aboard…but it looked different. Aside for the obvious lack of decoration and people, everything seemed…more weathered. Older, the wood the ship was made out of, the railings, masts and the very deck were more worn, unpolished and patched up…and covered in slick, algae like matter. Actual seaweed, barnacles and other crustaceans stuck to all surfaces and the very sails, as if the ship had been submerged underwater for years…And all of the cannons of the main deck were in place.
These observations didn't lessen my confusion but only added to my wonder as I then stood, finding myself to be still dressed in my wedding gown, proving that from what I remembered this must've been a dream. Very vivid dream, my eyes scouring the ship in bafflement, not understanding what was going on, and the more addled I became as I twirled around, taking the absurdity in, the more afraid I turned. This beyond odd shift in my surroundings freaking me out, even more as I saw no one. Everywhere I looked not seeing anyone, and as panic started to rise and I took a few steps on the deck to make sure was this actually real, my gaze wandered past the ship and I froze. Water. Nothing but open water as far as my eye could see, all around me. Explaining the rain which woul'dve been blocked by the museum's roof.
I let out now a startled utterance as I stared at the black ocean, trying to make sense of this madness but couldn't, shaking my head at the impossibility of it. My breaths coming out as shocked gusts, my eyes darting from side to side, trying to find something that would explain all this. Where was I?
An abrupt rustling sound caused me to jump out of my skin. Me not being sure did I let out a slight scream too, but as I turned towards the source of the noise I saw movement. From under the forecastle where the captain's cabin was located, a figure appearing out of the dark, before I could make out an actual face an unfamiliar voice ending the eerie, uninterrupted silence disrupted only by the creaking of the ship's cordage and hull.
"Miss?"
"Who are you?" I asked, backing up instinctively as I followed the man to approach until he came to a brief halt just under the forecastle, remaining shrouded in the shadows once he saw my reaction to his sudden appearance.
"It is alright. You are safe here", he reassured, earning a slight frown from me as I narrowed my eyes.
"Who are you? Where am I?" I demanded, giving the ship one more searching glance until my attention was drawn back to the man who stared to walk towards me again. Now more people appearing on deck, out of nowhere practically, and I gasped as I saw a few more men to emerge as if from the structures of the very vessel. The spoken man raising his hands soothingly as finally revealed himself, and I found myself leveling a befuddled stare at a dark haired man around my age, but as I now examined him I realized he seemed as strange as the very ship we were aboard…Instead of modern clothes him and the other men in his company dressed into old fashioned long coats, breeches and shirts, one glance cast down to their feet informing me them all to have boots on instead of customary sneakers if they weren't barefoot.
"My name is Will Turner. You're aboard the Flying Dutchman", the man informed me, his altogether manner polite and his tone equally calming, him obviously trying to placate me as it must've been obvious how upset I was, but although it perhaps was uncalled for I simply squinted at him. Gazing at him in disbelief.
"I know where I am", I said, despite of my gutsy delivery my voice breaking down, my worries and suspicions turning me back to confused. "Why am I here?"
"I understand this must be confusing to you", Mr. Turner said, daring himself to come closer, despite of the jolt his approach caused in me. Even though I had no idea who he was and what I was doing here with him, however his gentle eyes and polite smile were enough to convince me to remain where I was as he came over to me. Keeping a proper distance as we locked eyes, all about him signaling me to not be in danger, regardless of my inherent desire to flee. "But you are safe. This is my ship, and this is my crew. We are here to help you, not harm you."
"Help me?" I stated, briefly thrown off by this man's claim of being the captain of this ship, since I knew for a fact it to belong to a museum. Me however disregarding it in favor of getting my answers, mulling over his last words.
"We found you drifting in the sea and took you aboard", captain Turner explained, something then changing in him, in his gaze as he looked at me. Me identifying it as something I recognized as…pity? At last him responding to one of my earlier questions. "Our duty is to aid you to move on from this world…help you pass on. That's the purpose of this ship."
"The sea? I was…drifting in the sea?" I asked. Captain Turner saying nothing to that as simply nodded and let his words and my own intake sink in, until I came to consider what he had actually said. Stupefied, flashing him an incredulous smile. "And what do you mean move on? What is this place?"
"This is the space between life and death, a passage to afterlife most know as the Locker…It's a place where lost souls come to wait for their final journey beyond."
"Souls?" I repeated, dumbfounded, not understand anything he was telling me, shaking my head as once more let my gaze round the ship and the faces of the men, all staring at me. "Why are you telling me this? I was getting married, I…Why am I here?"
Now there clearly was a look of compassion on captain Turner's face as he met my gaze, his own now a tad more serious as he answered my question, telling me what I wanted to know. Only overwhelming me, and what he said made any less sense than any of that I'd come upon after my awakening.
"Your soul ended up here after your passing, as does most of those who die at sea…so that my men and I could take you on board and ferry yours to the other side where you'll find your final rest."
I stared at him in slowly dawning shock. My brain refusing to wrap around the fact of what he'd just said, until I did finally fathom what this all meant. The difference in the ship, the place I'd woken up in and the fact of me to have fallen into the sea after that lamp had detached itself from the mast and hit my head…Leading up to me to have been transported somewhere completely else, the simplicity and overall calm of this place now making perfect sense as tears welled up in my eyes, me directing a desolate look at captain Turner as first tear rolled down my cheek.
"I'm dead?"