The paddle struck Sewel between the shoulder blades with a deep thud. A jolt shot through my arms. Rattled every knuckle in my spine. Sewel flew forward and plunged into the foamy water. He disappeared without a splash, the sea swallowing him whole.

That very instant, I snatched up the other oar and rowed for my life.

Behind me, I heard Sewel roaring in the water, promising to end my life, to destroy me this very night. I kept heaving at the oars, my head pounding. Blood blearing my eyes.

I didn’t know what I’d just done. Everything felt broken and twisted like a nightmare.

To my horror, I saw the Baines turning back for Sewel. I had no idea how they’d heard him, nor how they were managing to steer, as my paddles found no grip in the spumy water. The storm tides swept me toward the grounded brig and there was nothing I could do about it.

As I drew closer, the ship’s bell tolled louder and I could hear the desperate shouts of the men aboard. Wave after wave struck the brig, smashing it against the reef. Some washed clean over its decks and sent men tumbling into the same salt water I tasted on my tongue.

I didn’t know how long I’d been watching when at last the brig surrendered to the surging waves and rolled like a cowardly dog. It finally cleared the reef belly-up, leaving a mess of timber, canvas, and thrashing men in its wake.

Sobs pushed up as I listened to their dying screams. I fought to row toward them, but my efforts were useless and only made my shoulders and thighs burn. As the tides swept me away from the wreck, I slid the useless oars into the well and curled against the curve of the bulwark.

A powerful weariness came over me. I knew I shouldn’t sleep—my life was at stake—but my body could no longer hold on.

“Frannie!”

I woke to the sound of Mercy’s shouts. My gut seized, dizziness nearly overtaking me. For a moment, nothing made sense. I didn’t understand why Mercy stood on the moonlit beach, waving her arms frantically, nor why I’d been sleeping on the wherry at sea. Then I remembered with a gasp.

Saints…what had I done?

Taking the tiller, I steered for shore. The sea was still rough and the wherry had taken water from leaks, but I managed to cruise right into the shallows, where she met me.

“Lord, Frannie!” Mercy wrapped an arm around my waist and helped me out. “You’re bleeding so much!”

We stumbled through the water together, my legs shuddering and shaking, my mind still not understanding. This was our beach, the beach where we turned cartwheels through the shallows. Where we danced round bonfires and watched sea turtle hatchlings scurry into the sea, so tiny and brave. But I didn’t recognize it now. All manner of items were strewn everywhere. Anchor cables and shattered timber. Shoes, hats, bottles, and jars.