The Tides of Loss and Longing (Love from the Deep #1)

Chapter 16

The Red Dawn

S ebastian sat in the captain’s quarters, poring over the map for what felt like the hundredth time since Drake’s disappearance. He traced the familiar lines of the islands and currents with a weary finger, his mind running in circles. Each time, he hoped to find something—some missed clue or hidden sign pointing him toward their lost captain. But the map remained stubbornly unchanged, and the frustration gnawed at him.

A soft knock broke the heavy quiet of the room. Emilio stood in the doorway, his face partially obscured by the shadows, but the tension radiating from him was palpable.

“Sebastian,” Emilio hesitated as if weighing his words carefully. “I don’t want to get your hopes up, but—I think I saw something.”

Sebastian shot to his feet, almost knocking his chair over in his haste. “What did you see? Where?”

“Come with me,” Emilio said, jerking his head in a beckoning motion.

On the deck, the night was unusually dark. The new moon had left the world without its usual silver light, plunging the ship into a blackness so complete it felt as though the sea and sky had swallowed them whole. The only sounds were the creaking of the rigging, the steady flap of sails, and the gentle lap of water against the hull, but even those familiar noises seemed distant, muted by the oppressive weight of the night.

Sebastian frowned, his eyes darting around the ship. “Why are there no lanterns lit? I can’t see a bloody thing.”

“I had the crew put them out. Just wait—your eyes will adjust. Trust me,” Emilio replied calmly. He was more than used to Sebastian’s dramatics.

Sebastian reigned in his irritation, standing still as his eyes adjusted to the total darkness. Slowly, shadows and shapes began to emerge from the inky blackness. Just enough to make out the ship’s form, the outline of the sails—and to keep him from following their captain overboard.

“Alright, Emilio, show me.”

Emilio led him up to the helm and guided him toward the stern. The wind tugged at Sebastian’s hair, cool and damp, as he followed Emilio’s silent form through the shadows. Emilio pointed out toward the vast, endless black sea. "Look there, in the distance."

Sebastian squinted, staring into the thick void. “Total darkness? Yes, I see it.”

Emilio rolled his eyes at Sebastians’s sarcasm. “Focus,” he urged. “There’s a dot of light—just barely visible.”

Sebastian strained his eyes, searching where Emilio pointed. At first, he saw nothing but impenetrable darkness. But then—a flicker. A tiny pinprick of light, so faint it could almost be mistaken for a trick of the eye.

“There,” Sebastian breathed. “I see it.” His pulse quickened, though he tried to force himself to remain rational. It could be anything—most likely just another ship. Yet, despite his efforts to stay grounded, a small flame of hope ignited in his chest. "That could be anything,” he said, trying to keep his voice measured despite his rising excitement.

“Should we find out?” Emilio asked, a smile tugging at his lips.

Sebastian didn’t hesitate. “Set course for the speck of light!” he ordered, his heart pounding.

Sebastian’s mind raced. Could it be Drake? Could that faint light be a signal that his old friend was alive after all? His rational side warned him against hope. It urged him not to risk the crushing disappointment of being wrong. But despite his hesitancy, the ember of hope that had been smoldering in his chest flared to life once more.