Obviously, this is a gap-filler from Vows Made in Storms.
A loud clap of thunder suddenly awakens me with its vehemence, and a bright flash of lightning illuminates my stateroom in clear detail through the tiny porthole in the wall. I can hear the rain drumming against the wooden bow of the steamer and the waves crashing outside.
The multiple sights and sounds for a moment disorient my mind and cause my senses to muddle together.
Where…what…
Then suddenly the events of the day and evening – the last three days and evenings – flash into my mind with the clarity that the lightning did into my cabin not two minutes ago. I hastily arise, light the gas, and glance at my pocket watch. Half-past four in the morning, and the storm outside is still raging as it has been for the last ten hours.
That nagging fear pricking at the back of my mind will not give me a moment's rest, and I throw on my jacket and shoes in preparation to silence it.
I tiptoe to the stateroom next to mine and unlock it with the key I still hold in my pocket, opening the door and slipping into the cabin on noiseless feet.
And then I stand there, listening, and feel the fear wash away like one of the waves crashing outside the porthole.
Listening to his untroubled, steady breathing.