Sandra glared at the scar-faced siren as if she were a rat in a kitchen. I warned you!
Sandra dashed to the galley and grabbed the washing tub full of boiling, soapy water. It was so heavy that even her capable feet almost slipped. She recalled the first time she splashed boiling water on herself while learning to use a washing board. Those burns took weeks to heal. She made it to the deck, sliding in the nick of time. Her back slammed against the door with only herself and the tub of boiling water between the ravenous siren and the door to the sleeping quarters of Maxwell’s crew. It was like she was possessed. Her arms threw the tub before she realized what her body was doing. She was not thinking. She did not have the time. Her heart pounded out of her chest.
The siren squealed in agony as the boiling water splashed over its head, chest and back. The siren recoiled with a hiss that turned the blood in Sandra’s veins to ice. It was a pitiful creature with its pale grey skin and the clumps of barnacles, corals and miscellaneous aquatic plants growing from its scales and spikes. Not to mention those jaws that made them so formidable. Even her father spoke of the deep sea sirens with a hushed reverence. Her father survived a barracuda attack while carrying his daughter. Seahorse-like merfolk were brightly coloured and extroverted; using their large, branch-like horns to fight for mates and unable to withstand deep water predators. Her siren father’s scales were a drab brown, he was at home in deep water and introverted.
The siren’s haunting scream caused the door to fly open and the crew to spill out onto the deck. Sheldon clung to the back of Shepard’s pant leg. The siren flailed to escape as her skin blistered; eventually flopping over the railing back into the ocean’s depths. No one made a sound as they peered over the railing. The siren did not resurface. Aside from her father, Sandra had never seen another siren until the attack in the cove. Her father was not as menacing as his scars led merfolk to believe. After besting the foul beast with a pot of boiling water and dish soap, nothing surprised her anymore.
This was the best day of her life! She had finally won their trust. Riding the elation as Shepard hoisted her into the air on his shoulders. Sandra was then passed to the next crewmate. Maxwell emerged to the ruckus of his crew searching for him and hoisting Sandra into the air while raising her like a goddess. The blonde emerged from his quarters, rubbing his ocean eyes. Thanks to Sandra’s singing he had the best sleep he had since getting stabbed. His crew dropped Sandra and rushed to report to him, miraculously sobered by the ordeal. While Maxwell listened to his crew, he noticed Sandra abandoning the evidence to slip back into the galley. He chuckled to himself.
***
By the time that dawn broke, painting the surface of the harbour with streaks of romantic pinks, purples and oranges Sandra braced herself to confront Maxwell. She brought a medicinal tea laced with her tears to his darkened quarters. Nearly all of the colour had returned to his face. The blonde was putting his belongings in their proper places. The ex-maid thought she would have to bribe him to go ashore, but he agreed before the words left her mouth. He thanked her for the tea, dumped some navigational instruments out of a basket and handed her the empty basket. Sandra nestled the woven basket in the crook of her elbow. She halted, grabbing the door frame. She beamed a cute smile over her shoulder before she continued out into the light.
After the most thorough bath she could manage with the onboard pails, rags and water she towelled herself dry and dressed in the cleanest, least patched but inconspicuous clothes she could find and doused herself in perfumed oil. Sandra did not bother to hide her excitement as she raced past the crew and down the boarding plank to the dock.
As she purchased fresh white and red meats, nuts, grains, dairy, fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices not seen at her home in Isolation Bay she did not notice that she was being followed. She smiled and bowed to every shopkeeper and customer that she met. She made her own money by dancing and singing with some children and musicians.
After what felt like an eternity, Sandra bid the crowd adieu and turned, smacking right into a gentleman with striking red curls of hair. He had eyes as blue as a cloudless sky, but they lacked the sparkle of Maxwell’s. The gentleman’s cheekbones were high and gaunt. His freckles were neatly speckled in a row below his eyes and nowhere else on his face. A patch of hair sprouted from his sharp chin; reminding Sandra of a billy goat. She jumped back with a sharp gasp, reminded of the older gentleman in Isolation Bay.102Please respect copyright.PENANA2jdJtVU9HM
“My apologies, my lady.” The stranger in a well-worn grey suit and brown vest said. “I do not have time to dawdle today, but perhaps I can make it up to you some other time?”102Please respect copyright.PENANAQAHVfyx6Sz
“It’s quite alright. No one got hurt.” Something about him was screaming at her to run.102Please respect copyright.PENANA2KHRO1Ht1F
He stepped aside, gesturing for her to pass by with a wicked smile. Sandra wasted no time fixing her basket. She took a deep breath to compose herself and strode to safety.
***
“You’re late. Did you encounter something interesting, Miss Swift?” Maxwell greeted her the moment she paused in front of the plank to rub her feet. She misplaced her shoes while dancing. Does he have nothing better to do than chide me? Does he know? There was something inhuman about that man with red hair. No human could scare her that thoroughly. She had met many types of men in her servitude to Master Featherstone. We are leaving tomorrow. I can ignore him. I will never see him again. She told herself. “No, Mister Bayne. I was waylaid by some dancers on my way back.” After rubbing her feet, Sandra picked up her basket and shook it. “I’m sorry for making you worry.”102Please respect copyright.PENANAUc2pm1DOgf
“I wasn’t worried about you.”102Please respect copyright.PENANAsNpzerfaa6
She covered her snickering mouth with her hand.102Please respect copyright.PENANAlNxdAHMnxE
“Why else would you be waiting at the plank? Gasp! Are you waiting for someone else?”102Please respect copyright.PENANAgH14MhNUDv
The blonde scrunched up his face.102Please respect copyright.PENANA8DPxqoLc7T
“Since you’re feeling so energetic, you can carry this produce back to the galley for me.”102Please respect copyright.PENANAR6GVJqxSri
Suddenly he was ‘called away’ despite the fact everyone was busy with their own tasks. She chuckled out loud, taking the basket to the galley before looking for a pair of shoes.