Melalina

The welcoming sound of music poured from the little pub at the darkened end of the cobble stoned backstreet. It was the closest Garret had come to the promise of gaiety in what felt like forever. Walking slowly through the pouring rain, his head hung down as if in deep thought, he approached the pub's stained-glass and wooden doors. He hesitated for a long while before entering the smoke-filled establishment. As he slowly pushed the door open, his dark eyes scanned the room from under his soaked wide brimmed hat. Gradually, heads began to turn one by one until all eyes in the place were on him. He pretended not to notice and sat down at a far table in the corner. He wondered if SHE would still be there among the rowdy revelers. He had returned from the long sea for her only. She was the one person in the world for whom he would ever consider abandoning his turbulent life. The sea, his sea, was always angry, but he had only to close his eyes and conjure her image to quell his own