The sun had no reflection on the brackish waters. It was as if the rays were absorbed completely by the depths of water all around. The waters were quiet and there was no movement on the surface. It seemed strangely still and it caused me to think about my last voyage on these waters all those years ago…

It was a very cold morning and the frost on the sails would flurry to the deck below when it became too heavy to support its’ own weight. There was no wind so the rain of frost was the only activity and the crush of it on the hard wood deck was the only sound. The crew was out of sight and I felt alone—really alone. As if I was the only living thing on the surface of the waters. There weren’t any living creatures to be seen. I think the cold drove them away. I only thought that for a little while before I knew the real reason.

I saw movement in the corner of my eye but when I turned to see what it was it was gone already. I thought it was a crewman ready to start the days work aboard the ship. I saw another flash of movement but was too late to see it again. I felt alone even though I sensed the movement around me. Did I really see anything or was it my imagination that wanted me to see it? The waters were still and the cold was relentless. It hadn’t warmed at all. As a matter of fact it hadn’t gotten any lighter either. The morning seemed frozen where it was. I moved to another spot on the deck hoping to find the source of the movements I had sensed just moments ago. It seemed I was alone as I found no one. I must have wanted to see movement—to not be alone. I was alone with the cold and the still waters around me. More frost crashed at my feet and as I looked down I saw a shadow caste over me. It had no discernable form and I turned to see what it was despite the fear that gripped my breath and stole it from me. It flashed away and I couldn’t make out any details. It seemed as if it was teasing me—moving slow enough to be seen and fast enough at the same time to not be. I wanted to run from whatever it was but there was nowhere to go. I wanted to scream in terror and frustration but there was no one to hear me. I wanted to see the sunrise but it wasn’t coming to be with me. I knew that. It was waiting for all this to end before it warmed the day. A sense of overwhelming panic froze me to my spot. I was a helpless victim to the fear and trepidation around me. Inside me. I trembled but not from the cold. My breath was quiet inside me as if any sound would bring it back. I stood like this for what might have been days. It didn’t come back. Eventually the sun peaked above the horizon and the crew stirred and went about their duties. Only I had experienced the dread and the cold.

The crash of frost at my feet brought me back to today. I was daydreaming about that morning on the water all those years ago. The frost seemed strangely familiar. I looked up to see where it fell from and I saw that creature whose shadow I glimpsed all those years ago. It was hovering over me and it was cold. It had come back for me. It remembered.

I watched the waves dance under the moonlight. I watched them play with each other and chase away the boredom of my boat ride to the island in the distance. I lost track of time as I watched the way the waves parted from my path. When I finally looked away from the waves I noticed that the sky had gone dark and there was no one around. The moon seemed unnaturally red and menacing as if it had done something horrible the night before. The crew seemed to be gone from sight—in every direction. The other passengers weren’t to be found either. It seemed I was alone under the moonlight and above the dark waters. I wanted to go and search the deck for my companions but the waters held me to them. It seemed as if they knew me and were talking to my soul. I could not turn away but had to commune with the waters. I could feel the ocean spray on my face and it seemed the waters were closer to me then they were a moment before. I should be able to see my reflection but instead I saw a face staring at me I did not recognize. It wasn’t completely discernable but there was something uneasy about what I could make out. The eyes seemed strangely familiar and disturbing as they followed me left and then right as I rolled with the waves. I never noticed I was falling towards the face but I did discern a faint smile that formed slowly. The waters should have been cold but they were warm and inviting. I feel cold and alone even though the waters are warm. The face is smiling now, broadly, and I can make out teeth that don’t belong in a human’s mouth. Long, sharp and threatening—they have tasted flesh before and I was sure they would taste mine soon.

Catherine watched the boat land and be tied off to the dock. She also watched each person leave the boat and move to great their friends and family. She waited hoping that he would come off—maybe delayed by a call or an ending conversation. But he never did. She ran onto the boat looking for the captain. She found him finishing some paperwork and she asked him if there were other passengers left on-board. He made a quick call and asked two crewmen to search the boat. Nothing was ever found.