Rusting Ship!

The rusting ship had seen such a lot of action

in the second world war

yet still working as a cargo vessel to this day

many who had been crew

would not go on her again some left stressed

quickly by their own request!

 

For an unknown number who just vanished

no strict records kept

being a family venture around the islands

where large companies

would not go there was little profit to make

the gamble did not take!

 

On a calm early Monday tide the old ship

set off for a week-long trip

the engines sounding like an aging heart

though more irregular

but still doing their job after eighty years

but hard work for the engineers!

 

Always a palpable foreboding amongst crew

even though mostly new

with no work about they had no other joyce

nobody ventured alone

always in pairs the security team checked

every deck they trekked!

 

Above the usual noises always whispering

this was commonly reported

not helping their already jittery demeanor

there was nowhere to run

reaching the storage holds a light flashed

near them an object crashed!

 

Shaken heard footsteps a shape rushed by

but neither waited around

from nowhere a voice shouted you will die

two terrified seamen hid

in the crew galley like frightened children

not tough worldly men!

 

They had a walkie-talkie contacted the captain

informing them of their situation

angry at their disgraceful behaviour told them

to immediately come to the bridge

when they refused headed down to confront

he considered it a shabby stunt!

 

Reaching their position found the door open

but nobody was there

he searched every corner without success

puzzled returned to the bridge

urgently summoned everybody on board

to confront the discord!

 

A frightened bunch now stood before him

as he gave the bad news

informing them a full search must be done

which was not taken well

it was decided unanimously the twenty crew

for safety split into two!

 

There was another it was the second officer

who naturally had to steer

and safely control the aging haunted bucket

the teams searched everywhere

their nerve was under strain as they roamed

without success she was combed!

 

As the creaks got louder and bangs increased

returned to their base

it was clear more of the crew had gone missing

fifteen now sat in the mess

a strong sense of them being closely observed

trapped  specimen’s presevered!

 

Objects floating small like creatures moving about

made some aim to escape

none got far and were gone never to be seen again

frantically the captain called

up to the officer on the bridge by radio no reply

but he could not hear the cry!

 

An unseen mass had already engulfed his body

now without guidance it drifted

towards the shoreline and folk of a coastal town

not a soul left alive on board

the growing  malevolent mass now out of control

depraved seeking every living soul!

 

The Foureyed Poet.

 

 

 

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