The Survivor

This story is by Ivey Truscott and was part of our 2023 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

 

 

The Survivor

The galleon heaved on the crest of the wave, then crashed, shuddering and creaking, down into the trough. Water washed the deck where the crew massed like feral dogs scrapping. This expedition had been worthwhile beyond expectation and the blighters aboard were filled with the promise of reward. They headed home with a cargo never before seen in the civilised world.

Gulls from the distant islands circled the boat, their cries blending with the commotion on the old vessel. Jacob perched in the rigging, his fingers gripping the ratline, feet wedged in the horizontal ropes of the ladder. He was relieved to be up high above the brutal old salts on the deck.

Silence surrounded him. They were making good time, winds in their favour, but still they hadn’t sighted their sister ship, the Santa Martina.

Jacob squinted towards an island. A sandy beach strewn with seaweed ran around the bay, giving way to a rocky outcrop. A narrow inlet separated it from the next island. It was calm and inviting after the bedlam aboard the Valour. When the breeze blew, he detected a slightly rank odour, not seaweed, nor the stench of the decks below, rather that of meat left in the sun.

Jacob’s fingers cramped. He could climb higher into the crow’s nest, but here he was close enough to keep an eye on the captain’s bounty. He watched the third mate Jeremiah eying the treasure, covering his lusty grin with his grimy hand.

Jacob scowled. Not on my watch, you filthy old dog.

The treasure lay in a large tank filled with salty water. She was beautiful, with eyes the colour of the azure sea. Her skin shimmered in the sunlight with a pearly lustre. Golden rivulets of hair fell over her shoulders and curled around her waist. Below her navel, turquoise scales covered her long, slender tail that flicked back and forth within the confines of the tub. Her face held fear. She grasped the side and pulled herself up, calling out, searching the waves.

Jacob grabbed the rigging as the ship rolled with a sudden change of direction. What’s going on? He swivelled to check who was steering. The mate in the stern was strong and determined as he twirled the great wheel, sending them towards the tiny channel between the two islands.

A chill ran up Jacob’s neck. No, this is wrong. He looked below, expecting the sailors to revolt, but they were transformed, their faces filled with rapture, their bodies swaying, dancing to a tune he couldn’t hear. Cliffs of jagged rock formed each side of the estuary. The ship, caught in a swell, surged towards the gap. Jacob searched the deep blue water. What’s doing this? This is no tide. What’s pushing us?

Ahead, he saw the hulking remains of a large vessel smashed against the coast. Bodies of the crew sprawled on the rocks or floated in the brine, white and bloated. The smell turned Jacob’s stomach and he retched until it was empty.

Above the carnage sat two females sunning themselves. Their hair, long and lustrous, coated their shoulders, one like sparkling copper, the other brunette. They sang a glorious melody, sweet and exotic, trapping the sailors in its trance.

Jacob jumped from the rigging. They must change course or they would perish like the Santa Martina. He raced to the stern, pushing the sailor aside. Grabbing the wheel, he swung it round until the ship turned towards the open sea. It was mighty hard, like an opposing giant pushed against him, but he was slowly winning. Then the boat lurched, and the bow jerked back towards the island, and the singing sirens.

The blast of a sonic scream from the mermaids hit him with a wallop. It blew the hair back from his forehead and pummelled his chest. The water below churned with bodies of mermen. Their tails writhed and flashed in the sun.

Spell broken, the terrified sailors scrambled on the deck, jabbering, and crossing themselves in frantic prayers.

Jacob lost his balance and control of the wheel as a blow smashed the keel of the ship. He felt the vibration of water rushing into the hull. He left the stern and raced towards the captain’s quarters.

Old seamen littered the stairs. He sprinted up to where the mermaid was imprisoned, struggling to free herself. She cried to her kin and battered her tail against the metal tub, but the chain prevented her escape.

Jacob held his hands in front of him, open palmed, in a sign of peace. He clucked calming words in his thick voice and smiled. He could see her searching his face. She opened her mouth to speak, but he touched his ears and gently shook his head. He was deaf.

Jacob took the pilfered set of keys from his pocket and reached in to undo the chain. She raised her arms to him as he slid his around her torso and lifted her from the tank.

The ship rolled. Sailors clung to the boat, or dotted the ocean, thrashing to stay afloat, screaming when dragged under by powerful arms.

Jacob lugged the mermaid through knee deep water across the deck. She was heavy, and her slapping tail hindered their progress. He hauled her to the side, heaved her to the top railing, and stood beside her. She looked to the island where her family waited, then back at him. Swiftly, she leant in and bit his face, her sharp teeth puncturing his cheek neatly. Then she kissed him, blowing air into his mouth, into his lungs.

Confused, Jacob lost his grip and tumbled with her into the icy ocean. The mermaid grasped him, pulling him down, and away from the ship that groaned as it broke and sank.

Jacob had minutes to live. He was not able to hold his breath any longer and gulped in seawater. He’d heard that drowning was a pleasant way to die. That memories flashed through your mind. But he wasn’t getting any. He felt fine, extremely fine. He didn’t need air; he could get it from the water.

The mermaid watched him. She took his hand and pressed it to her heart. He could feel the gentle thud of its rhythm. Then she leant in close. Jacob recoiled, waiting for the bite. This is where she eats me. But it didn’t happen. Instead, she kissed him and drew him to her.

Jacob knew then that he wouldn’t be returning to Europe. This was his new home. I hope she is strong enough to stand up to the tribe for me, he thought. Paddling his arms and kicking his legs, he tested his underwater swimming. He was clumsy, but able to move in a flailing fashion. He turned back to find her laughing at his antics.

“You saved me,” he said, words gurgling into the water.

She tipped her head to the side and squinted.

She doesn’t understand me. He patted his chest. “I’m Jacob.”

The mermaid pouted. She observed him for a moment and then sped towards him.

“Wait,” he said, holding up his hands.

She stopped, suspended in the water. Her hair floated around her exquisite face.

Using his fingers, he signed, “What is your name?”

Her lips stretched into a grin. She lifted a clam from the ocean floor and opened it to

reveal a small white bead.

“Ah,” said Jacob, “Pearl.”