An Unsinkable Love

chapter 12


Malcolm opened his eyes. Vague figures hovered beside him and sounds, muffled and faint, whirled around. His head pounded and he felt too tired to move. Bright lights flashed above him, leaving glittery streamers on his eyeballs after they faded. The noise around him got louder and he sorted words from the jumble.

"It's a ship. Look there, a ship!"

"Praise be to God! We're saved!"

Someone roughly patted his shoulder. "Don't you worry, feller. We'll get you safe and warm in a jiff. You should thank your lucky stars tonight, son. If you hadn't fallen damn near into the boat, we never would have caught you before you went under."

Malcolm tried to focus on the words, but they made no sense. He felt warm and wanted to take off the wet clothes weighing him down.

"Here, now. Stop it. What're you doin'? Leave that coat on, or you'll catch your death. It's the only dry piece of clothes you got. Now that we're so close to bein' rescued, it'd be a shame to kick the bucket, don't you think? Besides, it's my favorite jacket."

A man with kindly brown eyes leaned over and peered at him. He felt a cold hand at his nape as his head was tipped up. A draft of fiery liquid burned down his throat and Malcolm coughed and choked. As the alcohol slipped down his gullet, warmth drove off the lassitude that was trying to overtake 101

An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

him. In its place came uncontrollable shivers. The lights and sound faded. His world went dark again.

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102

An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson