["There's something in the water."]

It was too damn misty to even be sailing.

The Shepherd sailed through the thick fog that hung like a portiere in the midst of the vast ocean. The crashing of choppy waters against the metal hull shook the ship up and down, and Manny pondered if it could shake some sense into Freson for bludgeoning the crew to set sail despite the hellacious weather, albeit he was pretty sure that it would still be futile against that thick skull of his.

He inhaled a deep breath of cigar. The smoke that filled his trachea wasn't even enough to keep the chills biting at his fingertips, he might as well die from the cold before the noxious smoke ate away at his lungs. Leaning against the railings, he fixed his deadpanned gaze ahead of the ship, though he could barely see more than a hand in front of him. The pale yellow bulb that hung above the hull was a futile effort, for in the veil of the mist it merely looked as if the trapped lighting was dying within it, and all that reverberated around him were the creaks of metal and splashing of waves.

He exhaled, watching the smoke curl out of his lips to melt into the fret. The door swung open behind him.

"By the time we reach the harbour, I'll bet there ain't no smokes left," George lumbered out of the doorway, his huge size barely squeezing through. He clicked his tongue. "Bastard Freson doesn't know how to spend his precious money to upgrade this goddamn junk. And god, it's cold. You'll freeze your balls off."

"I'll take my chances," came Manny's cool reply. "So are we lost?"

At this, the bearded man snorted. "Man, have some faith in technology, will you? All this fog will do is slow our speed down, but we are right on track." Manny shrugged and took another breath of cigarette. Ever since the haze closed in, he had been feeling nothing except a sense of foreboding. In his eight years on the sea, he had never experienced such grim weather, let alone be asked to sail into one. Apparently, common sense succumbs to the enticement of money.

"Manny," the usually boisterous man's voice was now quiet. "There's something in the water."

The dread in him surged. Slowly, he followed his friend's gaze down to the murky waters. The black waves swirled below; it churned and moaned the lullaby of the dead, yet that was all he could see. There were zero signs of life. He frowned. "I don't see anything."

An abrupt smack on his back made him jump. The unfinished cigarette between his fingers slipped into the depths of the ocean, the light instantly vanishing the moment it hit the dark waters. "It's your ugly face, that's what's in the water!" George began to guffaw. "Jesus, you should've seen the look on your face. Relax! Why are you so uptight?"

Manny glowered. The smack actually hurt. "I'm being careful, that's what I am," he grumbled, more vexed at the fact he had a cigarette wasted than his friend's jibe. George grinned. "Manny, my man, you aren't thinking big. Imagine how much we will be able to get once we deliver the goods. Heck, it's twice my salary for one mere trip. How can one say no?"

"For your information, I was forced to join this trip, I don't recall anyone considering my opinion," he shot back and dug into his pockets to search for a new cigarette- only to pat empty air. He had left his pack back in his bunk.

George sighed and shook his head. "You are essential, my friend. If the ship faces any mechanical problems, our lives are all in the hands of your team- hey, where are you going?"

Manny had turned on his heels and was striding to the door. "To get more smoke, since your 'joke' costed me the previous one." He held up a hand. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

He expected the burly man to spit another jab, or perhaps rebuke, but all he heard was a barely inaudible splash, then silence.

"George-?" He whirled around to see the dock vacant.

Holy shit.

"All right, enough jokes already, George. Come out!" There was a slight waver at the end. Warily, he stepped out once again and scanned his surroundings. No matter how misty or dim, there was no way a man his size could hide in the open area of the dock. Finally, taking his chances, he peered overboard. What he saw made his blood run cold, terror seeping into his veins.

George's red baseball cap bobbed in the frigid waters alone.

♤[7/5/2020]♤