The End of the Princess Lorelei

“The wind blew heavily that night as I stargazed on the deck. It was cold and full of salt, I could taste it on my lips, when the first explosion rang out. Smoke belched from the port side of the ship as it pitched 35 degrees to the opposite side. This would be the beginning of my adventure, or rather misfortune with the Princess Lorelei. My chair began sliding toward the gilded railing that lined the side of the ship as the second explosion bellowed. I didn't see where it had come from, but it did for a minute level the ship out. I heard the screams of the other passengers as they ran to me on the bow. They were screaming something about the stern being gone. It didn't leave me much time to think as I heard the metal of the ship groaning. A third and fourth explosion roared loudly as the ship began to list once more, 45 degrees to starboard. There were more screams as people began to be thrown overboard. One after another their screams ended with a splash into the cold, dark Atlantic ocean. My chair was starting to slide toward the railing, the legs of the wooden deck chair dragging on the planks making an awful scree sound as they did so. I instinctively reached out my hands to brace for the impact against the rail. I hit the rails with a resounding thud as I looked down at the unfortunate souls who couldn't catch themselves. Those who couldn't swim sank below the surface, only to reemerge from the depths and bob along the waves. Their corpses made for macabre life preservers to those desperate enough. The moonlight danced on the waves that now carried the dead. I was scared stiff as I continued to watch and listen. I knew that I would join them in only a matter of time. I gripped the railing as hard as I could to stand up. I turned slightly to my left and picked up the deck chair. I folded it up and hefted it overboard to attempt to help one of the drowning unfortunates. I couldn't see if it did help them because almost as soon as I did so the entire ship shuddered. I looked down to see the only blackness of the hungry ocean rising up to claim me. I started to climb the railing. One thought raced through my head at the time. If I could release the lifeboats, I'll be saved. I lifted my left foot onto the railing and started to climb toward the bridge. The lights inside flickered, but I could see no one manning the wheel. I was about to halfway to the bridge when the ship’s PA system came to life.

“By order of the Captain, all passengers and crew are to make their way to the lifeboats and prepare for evacuation. I repeat. Make your way to the lifeboats and prepare for evacuation.” I hadn't heard that voice before, but I knew that they were not the captain. At least not the original one. I would know because I had dinner with him just a few hours before the first bomb went off. I made my way to the bridge, I grabbed the metal stairs like a set of monkey bars. I was now hanging on with all my might. The lifeboats were still not close, but I had to try. I wouldn't end up bobbing in the waves like an apple. I put one hand in front of the other to continue. I held on for dear life to the stairs, and then the railing. When that finally ran out, I lunged for one of the portholes. They were only about 12 inches across, but the glass was recessed fat enough for my hands to grab on. I felt the shop shudder again as it rolled onto its side. The screaming mostly died down, but I could occasionally see a pair of ghastly pale hands beating on the glass of the portholes, doing what they could to get another breath. I tried not to pay attention as I walked to the nearest lifeboat. The lines that allowed the boat to swing freely were now tangled like a spiderweb. I used my hands to beat on the emergency release. I hit it three times, mighty blows each time until it finally gave way. I held onto the boat tightly as it slid off the side of the ship, leaving a long streak of white paint on the ship’s black hull. The little boat landed with a resounding plop in the ocean. I feared that it would break into splinters as it landed, but to my surprise it stayed intact. I retrieved a pair of paddles from below the seats as I started to look for other survivors. The ones I saw earlier were now bobbing lifelessly alongside the deck chair I'd thrown overboard a few minutes ago. My heart sank as I rowed. I couldn't tell where I was going, but I knew that I had to get away from the ship. I turned around to see the last half of it sink below the waves. The remaining lights in the windows flickered and died as the ship sank silently into the blackness. Any delusions of being fit for the sailor’s life that I had vanished on the open ocean. I paddled as hard as I could to where I thought land was but by the third hour I was exhausted. I grabbed my suit jacket tight to keep warm. The wind howled fiercely as I huddled down into the boat with waves beating against the sides to remind me that if I wasn't careful, I too would be bobbing.

I don't know how many hours I spent in the dinghy, but I watched with glee as the sun lazily crested over the horizon. It was with the sunlight that my glee became absolute terror as I realized that I wasn't too far from the ship. The debris and bodies stretched as far as I could see as I began to paddle harder. Eventually with the sun high in the sky, my muscles screamed at me not to continue. I felt the insidious thirst begin to creep up on me as I desperately looked under the seats for a water bottle. I found two of them and five granola bars. They weren't the best meals, but it would definitely be better than nothing. I twisted the cap off of the first water bottle and drank heartily. I drank half of it before I realized how important it was now. I paddled as much as I could against the waves. Hoping against hope that I could spot land before my meager rations ran out. However as the sun ran its course across the sky I was no nearer to my goal that I was home. My arms were stiff from the rowing and the skin on my hands, arms, neck, and face was burnt to a solid red. I could feel the gnawing pains of my belly as it howled for more food, something I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to get it. The sun began to sink below the horizon as I stood up. I looked around to where the ship has sunk and marveled. Aside from the occasional stray body and bit of debris, it was like no one has ever passed here. I felt my heart sink as I came to the realization that that could very well be me. I sat down in the bottom of the boat, holding my knees to my chest as the cool air started to blow over the water. I shut my eyes tightly as I drifted off to sleep.

I found myself in the ship’s dining room, sitting across from the captain. I grabbed a silver spoon to prepare for the first course. It was creamy shrimp and crab bisque. I gently pushed the spoon into it, watching as the metal sunk below the surface. I brought the spoon up to my mouth and tasted only salt and the sickly sweet taste of rotting corpses. I spat out the soup, most of it landing on the table in front of me, but some landed on the front of the captain’s jacket. The Captain easily stood at six feet tall. His thinning blonde hair occasionally peaked out from under his massive white captain hat. He looked at me with his big blue eyes.

‘Is there something wrong with the soup?’ He asked with a smile.

‘Yes, there's something wrong with the damned soup,’ I said exasperatedly, staring into the bowl, ‘it tastes like shit.’ The Captain clicked his tongue as I looked up. This time I didn't see the man with the farmer’s tan and big blue eyes. Instead I saw a bloated corpse with milky white eyes. His jacket was rumpled and soaking wet.

‘Aww, our chefs worked diligently to prepare a dish you'd love.’ He said with water spilling from his mouth and soiling the fine linen table cloth. I stood up, shocked at what I saw.

‘Sir, is there a problem?’ The waiter said. I turned around and saw the waiter too had milky white eyes. Most of his face was bone now with his teeth and jawbones being picked clean. I backed up, horrified until I hit the wall. I tried to run but at every turn there was another. Each one in a different state of bloat and decay. I awoke with a start to see the sun once again creating the horizon. My heart raced as I stood up and stretched my legs. The sun beat down on me mercilessly as I continued rowing. The thirst was now omnipresent as I polished off the last bottle of water. I stared longingly into the ocean as I rowed. Its presence seemed to mock my new plight for survival. Days passed, one after another. I spotted it in the east. The little speck of land that would be my salvation. The island wasn't large, I'd reckon it was a mile long strip of land with a dense jungle that resided on it. I pointed the small boat toward it. I rowed with all my waning strength toward this small beacon of hope until at last, the prow cut through the wet sand. I stood up and gingerly climbed from the boat. Where there were trees, there had to be water. I grabbed the two water bottles from the bottom of the boat and trekked into the jungle. Neither the heat nor the hunger I felt bothered me, just the sensation of needing water so terribly. I walked until I broke through the trees on the other side of the island and found no fresh water. I felt my heart sink into my stomach until I saw a boat. Your boat.” I finished relaying the tale to the captain of the small fishing vessel. He was a large man, built like a barrel and smoked one of those old fashioned corn cob pipes. He smiled at me and blew out a puff of smoke.

“Your name, what did you say it was again?” He asked, his voice sounding like tumbling gravel as he spoke.

My name is Edward Welles, sir.” The Captain took another puff of his pipe and blew the blue-gray smoke into the air.

“You know, the sea doesn't give up her dead easily. That's why she wants you so bad.” He said with a small smile growing on his face. I watched the smile grow and as his blackened teeth were revealed under his great white mustache.

“I never did ask, what's your name?” I said, a feeling of fear growing.

“My name's Charon. Although, most folks in your position just call me Captain.”