"The Graveyard of Souls"
Prompt: Graveyard
A thousand boats all drift in the same direction. All of them are being pulled by an invisible force; something calling, dragging them across the water. Weatherby Swann starred straight ahead. His eyes sweep over his surroundings.
Why was he in a leaky rowboat? Where was he going? Who were these people?
Men, women, and children all gaze with far-away eyes. No one makes a sound, no one moves. The whole party silently waits. Wait for what?
The governor tries to recall his last memory. He remembered Cutler Beckett sending him in a rowboat; dead bodies floating in the water from the Dutchman's attack; the crew boarding the ghostly ship; him alone with Mr. Mercer; the cock of a pistol…
A dark shape emerges from the fog. A black ship with black sails glides soundlessly on the water.
"Father, father! Over here!" A young woman's voice pierces the silence.
Governor Swann glances up and sees people stare back at him on the massive ship. His daughter perches from one of the ratlines. "Father!" she cries excitedly.
"Elizabeth?" he calls out gravely. Why was Elizabeth here? "Are you dead?"
She wordlessly shakes her head, trying to follow his rowboat. He remembers Mr. Mercer glaring menacingly at him.
"I think I am."