Short Stories By Pink
A Captain's Ship
Matilde had no idea what had angered the Storm Goddess, but she was paying for it. Lightning tore the black sky open. Freezing rain hammered the deck. She gripped the wheel and steered blind for a small harbour. The storm swallowed the village, the quay, everything but the next wave.“We’re gonna crash, Captain!” one of her men screamed.They wouldn’t. She knew that port better than Mira, her birthplace. But the waves kept growing. One as tall as the mast slammed into the ship and tore her from the helm, hurling her backwards. The deck rose to meet her. Her shoulder smashed into it, then her head. Silence, except for the ringing in her skull. Until the boards shuddered beneath her. The hull was scraping against something.She staggered to her feet, head swimming, and seized the wheel again as the storm closed in. The ship was damaged, and they hadn't even tried to dock.Fuck. Her crew was right; no amount of experience could get them into that harbour.“We’re changing course!” she called out between thunderclaps.The sailors echoed her order down the deck and hauled on the ropes. Matilde spun the wheel to starboard with all her strength, heading toward Glaia. It would take time to get there, but the storm showed no signs of calming down. The port had a sheltered bay where they could check the hull damage, and every minute counted."Just a little longer," she whispered.
A Widow's Torment
Her decaying husband stumbled toward her from across their chambers. Every step he took was uncertain; he looked like he could fall at any moment, despite that he reached her and sat on the bed beside her. His greying hand cupped her face; it was so cold. Then, he gave her a lopsided smile."Did you let me die?" he spoke slowly, sweetness in his words.She opened her eyes. Siena slid from the bed and walked to the basin at the corner of the room, gripping either side of it as she stared at herself in the mirror hanging above.Every night she had the same nightmare, and every time he came to ask her the same question. His sweetness was the worst part; he wasn't even angry at her.Tears slid down her cheeks and splashed softly in the water below.Of course she didn't let him die! She did everything she could. He was given a proper burning; she dressed him in his best clothes to greet Suli. She had loved him; she took care of him until his very final day. She had called for countless doctors and healers. It wasn't her fault that they couldn't heal him! By the stars, what else could she have done?He was supposed to cross the realms of men and ascend to his judgement.If she had done everything right, why did he plague her?