By: Bryant R. Haake, Honors College, Presidential Honors Student, English Major
“Dad?” Crimson echoed. “Sweet cheeks, your dad isn’t… oh,” Crimson finished, finally seeing the corpse.
Jacob continued to stare at Georgiana, wishing he could be in her head at the moment. He thought he would have given anything to see Captain Vexx again, but now that he saw her expression, he wasn’t so sure. There were a few small elements of happiness, but most of her face was washed in horror. Her legs shook.
“Dad?” she repeated, hopefulness gone from her tone. “Dad, are you…”
Her sentence hung itself on silence, a dead end to whatever she was trying to express. One leg gave out, the other following swiftly, and she collapsed into a heap on the ground. She lay there, bent over on her knees crying, unmoving. An unseen force ruffled her hair, and her skin dimpled under the pressure of an invisible embrace.
Jacob and Crimson stood back, watching the scene play out, both seeming to be intruders in a private moment, but if Georgiana cared she didn’t show it. Suddenly, her head shot up in surprise, tears stopping if only for a moment.
“You can talk?” she asked.
Jacob did a double take, nearly breaking his vow of silence.
“Did you just say a shade talked to you?” Crimson demanded. “Shades can’t talk. No gift allows you to do that!”
This is no documented gift so far as I know, Ren noted. ‘Tis a blessing more than it is a gift, granted by a powerful monster. Why her, I haven’t the foggiest, but I tell no lie.
With that helpfully vague statement, Jacob’s mind went awry. There was no way Apophis had ever come face to face with Georgiana; honestly, he wasn’t even sure she’d ever been on a legitimate ship, let alone leave the harbor. Despite being a monster of the dead, Apophis was still, at her core, a sea monster as all original monsters were. Why would she choose Georgiana?
“Is it something only she got?” Jacob asked, mainly to Ren, but leaving it open for Crimson’s interpretation. “Could Apophis give this power to someone else, too?”
“I don’t know what you mean, kid,” Crimson said, eyes still glued to Georgiana, who was now having an in-depth conversation with her father’s shade. “There’s some rare gifts out there, but none of ‘em are unique. Even your Captain’s Sea King gift is documented, and last I checked there were at least one or two others with that specific gift.”
If a monster is to give their blessing to a mortal, then their previous choice must be dead, Ren clarified much more helpfully. As I said previously, I cannot confirm nor deny which monster gave Georgiana her this new blessing, but I can say that she is now directly connected to the tides of the River of Fire. Hopefully that should be all you need to know.
Jacob nodded, still not sure if Ren could actually tell exactly what he was doing. Georgiana’s conversation lasted nearly an hour, during which Crimson wandered off to find materials to make a camp, rationalizing that they wouldn’t make it back to the bog clearing before nightfall. Jacob just nodded, torn between tasks. Eventually he pulled himself from Georgiana’s side, wandering through the town in search of something to do.
He found himself at the harbor not long after, hanging his feet over the edge of a barely intact peer near the edge of the town. The water rippled a bit as he dipped his toes in, having discarded his boots near the land. The evening was beginning to blossom, the setting sun at his back casting a glaze of light over the water, glittering like a massive liquid diamond.
There’s many mysteries out there for your kind to discover, Jacobson, Ren said. I can’t even begin to tell you how terrifying the depths are… terrifying, and beautiful.
“What’s your deal?” Jacob asked, trying to be patient. “I’ve had this gift my whole life, and yet you wait until the day my whole life is blown to bits in order to talk to me. Who are you really?”
Jacob couldn’t see Ren, but he was pretty sure he felt him shrug. I am only what I am, Jacobson. Nothing more, and nothing less.
“You realize how unhelpful that is, right?”
I don’t need to be helpful to you. I’ve already told you who I am in all but words. It isn’t my fault you haven’t figured it out. Jacob stayed quiet. Or, maybe you have, and you just don’t want to admit it. I scare you, don’t I?
“You’re the Kraken, aren’t you.” It wasn’t a question.
Yes, though it is more accurate to say that I am Kraken rather than the Kraken. You mortals love dehumanizing your own fears, don’t you? Kraken is my name, not my epithet. As for why I am only now contacting you, it is because I only now have the ability to do so.
“Why?” Jacob’s eyes frantically scanned the horizon. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for — if he was actually looking for something — but he was paranoid nonetheless.
I know not the reason, but I have my own… speculations, I think the word is.
Jacob stood up suddenly. “Anything you care to share, or do you want to keep being cryptic? I don’t have to listen to you.”
Ren sighed and Jacob could swear he heard the distinct sound of a hand hitting a forehead. Speculating is no good without facts, Jacobson. If you’re really that interested, I suggest you seek out a man named Dr. Aldus Cleary. He’ll surely have more insight into these strange tidings.
Jacob shook his head. “Okay, that’s nice and everything, but how would you know someone like that if you only just became able to talk to someone.”
That doesn’t matter, Jacobson, and neither do any of your other pointless questions I know are brewing in this thick skull of yours. Gather your crew, and find the doctor.
Jacob gave a heavy sigh and plopped back down on the peer. “What crew? I haven’t got a crew. I’ve got a sorry excuse for a captain and the daughter of a mayor who’s never even left this island. Don’t tell me what to do, knave. I’m not even fit to sail a ship anymore.”
For once, Ren didn’t say a word. Instead, tentacles grew over Jacob’s arm and wrapped around him tightly, without him using his gift. Jacob began to panic, not wanting to be squeezed to death, but calmed a little when the tentacles let go after a moment.
“Was… that a hug?” Jacob exclaimed.
Aye, boy, ‘twas an embrace.
“You can do that?”
Aye. I chose you, Jacobson, and I did so for a reason. You may have been but a babe at the time, but rest assured that you are special. You can do this.
“I’m getting comforted by the king of monsters,” Jacob muttered, but secretly he was glad. Ren could still just be manipulating him — t’ the seas if he knew — but there was something familiar about the way he comforted him that he liked. He couldn’t place what, but whatever it was, it was certainly there. “Thanks, Ren. That… helps. A little.”
Good. The tentacles retracted. There is still much to do, talk about, and teach, but I think you should get back to your crew now. That girlfriend of yours will need your help soon enough.
“What do you mean?” Jacob asked with red cheeks.
You’ll see, Jacobson. You’ll see.
Georgiana did need help, and Jacob wasn’t sure what to do. She was still knelt at the feet of her father, and that was the first change he wasn’t certain about: he could see her father now… along with the other dozens of shades surrounding her. Georgiana glanced around in a panic, thick hair whipping around. Strands of it stood on end as if gravity had neglected it, giving her an ethereal look.
The shades were a different story. First of all, one would have to be blind to mistake the faintly glowing spectres for anything other than dead. Their skin was translucent, greenish-blue, and sickly like a lightbulb stuck into algae, giving off a faint, otherworldly light. They had no muscles underneath, only bone, and their hearts lay dormant on the wrong side of their chests. Mayor Buckley shone the brightest, giving a somber look to his panicked daughter.
“Georgie, are you okay?” he asked frantically, trying to push through the shades to her side, finding them to be strangely solid despite their transparent look. “What’s going on?”
“They won’t go away!” she exclaimed. “They just showed up, and now they won’t leave.”
Daughter, Mayor Buckley spoke, you must let go. You are causing this. We will all be okay. Stand up.
Georgiana made no move to do so. Instead, she clamped her hands over her ears. Jacob could now see strings of phantom energy running from her fingers to the shade around her. They split midair, connecting to the hearts of each shade. Jacob tried to reach out and touch one, but the string whipped away from him as if it had a mind of its own. The only thing he felt was a cold sensation as his hand neared the string.
Daughter, please, Mayor Buckley begged. You must calm down. None of this is your fault-
“Yes it is!” Georgiana shouted. “I wished to be on the sea, and now I have no choice but to do so! I can’t stay here- none of us can, and it’s all my fault for that stupid wish!”
Jacob looked up into the darkening sky instinctually, glancing at the constellations. The stars tonight were brighter than the night before, making sight a simple thing under the open sky. The shape directly above them was that of a man reaching his hand down, the tip of his finger lit up in a twinkling display of light. Jacob had been there the day Georgiana had wished upon that very star — she called it “Triton’s Wish” — and he remembered very vividly the excitement which had filled her eyes at the thought of being a sailor or privateer herself.
“Georgie, that stuff is fake!” Jacob yelled through the chaos. “I promise you, nothing you said or did caused any of this!”
His words only made the situation more dire, as more and more shades showed up by the minute. They shoved into him, jostling him despite their etherealness. It was like being pressed by pillows made of ice; their skin — or lack thereof — was frigid to the touch, though still had the normal amount of squishiness as normal skin.
Suddenly, the giant figure of Crimson came barreling through the spirits, swatted away through the air as if they were flies. She came to the middle, sidestepping Mayor Buckley, and grabbed Georgiana from her knees, flopping her over her shoulder like a ragdoll.
“Don’t worry, kid, Cap’n’s got ye.”
Georgiana pounded against Crimson’s back in an attempt to escape, to no avail. Crimson barreled through more shades, just missing Jacob as he sidestepped. Ignoring the obvious slight at him, Jacob hurried after the pair. More shades popped up wherever Crimson hauled Georgiana. They ran through the whole town, Georgiana trying to wriggle free of Crimson’s grasp the whole time, and Jacob struggling to keep up.
As they neared the edge of town, the number of shades began to thin out more and more until they finally stopped appearing. About half a mile outside of Brokenbeaux they found a cave to settle in. Waves lapped at the edge of it, and there were puddles staining the floor, but it was at least free of anything dead.
“Alright girly,” Crimson cautioned, “I’m going to put you down now, but you have to calm down. Do ye hear me?”
Georgiana nodded as Crimson put her down. As soon as she was free, she bolted for the exit. Jacob subconsciously went to catch her, grabbing her around the waist with his tentacles and wrapping her arms up. She struggled against them, and even with their added strength on his own he struggled to keep her from going anywhere.
“Let me go, Jacob!” she shouted. “My father needs me! He’s back, and I can’t let him die again.”
“Yer father ain’t living, sweet cheeks,” Crimson retorted, taking Georgiana back from Jacob’s grasp to his own relief. She held her by the arms and lifted her into the air, keeping Georgiana’s arms glued to her sides. Her feet kicked out at Crimson, but they barely reached her calloused skin from her position in Crimson’s outstretched arms. “That was him, sure, but he ain’t alive like you remember him. That’s your gift; you can speak to the dead.”
“Apparently,” Jacob muttered, rubbing his arm where one of the shades had jostled him a bit too roughly, “she can make them physical, too.”
Georgiana stared at both of them, the fury in her gaze melting slowly into panic, then pain, and then… nothing. She stopped moving entirely and hung her head. Then, her whole body began heaving in loud, painful cries and sobs. Jacob stood there awkwardly, glancing up to see Crimson staring daggers into him. He shot her a quizzical look, and she motioned her head at Georgiana. He wasn’t sure what she wanted, but he walked over and laid a hand on her shoulder.
Crimson released Georgiana, and she quickly turned and sank into Jacob, stunning him. He placed his hand on her back and hugged her awkwardly. Her breathing began to steady, slowing more and more until she finally sagged against him, out cold.
He picked her up and took her to the back of the cave, placing her head on a moss-covered stone and laying his coat over her. Once he was sure she was okay, he turned back to Crimson.
“How did you know that would work?”
“I didn’t,” Crimson shrugged. “But, ye learn a thing or two as Captain, ay? Everyone has their person they melt with. Doesn’t have t’ be romantic-like or anything, either. Just someone they trust more than anyone else. I… I tried to be that for my crew, but apparently I wasn’t great at it.” She sagged forward a little before righting herself. “Nevertheless, ye come to recognize someone who already has their person, and whatever your relationship with her, you’re hers.”
Jacob’s face burned despite the cold, damp climate, and he could feel his ears turning red along with his cheeks. “Yeah, okay Cri- Captain Crimson.”
Crimson sighed. “Ye don’t have to call me that, boy. Crimson is fine. I don’t even have a crew anymore, afterall.”
“Aye,” Jacob said simply, unsure of what to say.
He’d never seen this side of the woman, though he had never looked, either. Heilyn had disliked her, and his own feelings had rubbed off on him. Even Captain Vexx had strayed his vision around her, discomfort obvious in his eyes every time they met.
“What was your quarrel with my crew?” he asked suddenly. “I know most of us don’t like you, but no one’s ever given me a reason.”
Crimson sat and leaned back against the damp stone, sighing deeply. “That’s not a story I like to tell, boy. Maybe… maybe some other day. Let me rest.” She pulled her captain’s hat down over her eyes, exposing more of her curly red locks. Jacob fidgeted for a moment, unsure of what to do in the silence.
“Do you have a person?” he asked, regretting it instantly. “Sorry, I’ll stay quiet.”
The cave went silent again, save for the sound of the waves. Crimson slowly turned her head, face still hidden by her hat.
“Aye, I did, boy. I did.”