Ah the La Bella, Death said fondly. His voice came through crisply through Ever’s mind. ‘Twas a good swag of reapings, ‘twas.

  *How did this ship end up down here, Mentor?*

  Hit a reef, she did, me hearty, nigh on 120 years ago now. Twelve aboard, five survivors. The rest drowned. Death was silent for a moment, as if reflecting. Yar.

  Ever had been so absorbed in Death’s recount that he didn’t even realise he was now alone.

  “Zoe?” He called. “Where did you go?”

  Relax young soul, I’m sure she’s not far… from the Underworld!

  Ever ignored his cackling mentor, following the bow of the ship as it curved towards the center. He didn’t need to panic for very long: she was inside the belly of the La Bella, looking around its innards.

  He floated down in front of her, his form intersecting with what looked like a broken table tangled up in seaweed.

  “Are you OK?” He said.

  Zoe made the “OK” sign with her fingers – then her eyes went wide as she pointed at something behind him.

  “What?” Just as Ever started turning, something large grabbed hold of his arm. “Whoooooa!”

  In much the same way that Zoe had been dragged by the unseen force before, it was now happening to Ever. He felt the slight blip of warmth as his body slipped through Zoe’s and out the other side, continuing further and further away from him.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Now that’s something you don’t see everyday matey.

  “What soul is it?” Ever said. He strained, trying to pull his arm out. All of a sudden, whatever it was released its grip. Ever immediately twisted, continuing in the same direction that the ghost had been carrying him along in. “Mentor, what is that?”

  That, first mate Ever, is the soul of a whale.

  The whale opened its gaping maw, letting out a cry. ^Let’s play again!^

  In the distance, through the whale, Ever could just see a dark form with kicking flippers swimming towards them.

  “He-hello,” Ever said. He didn’t quite know what to ask a creature like this. “What are you doing here?”

  ^I live here, by myself.^ The whale seemed to dip down slightly. ^I’ve been alone forever.^ The creature regarded Ever, seemingly happy just to have someone to talk to.

  Zoe had caught up to them. She swam straight through the whale ghost, which it didn’t seem to mind. Coming to Ever’s side, she turned and floated next to him, gazing upon the animal soul.

  ^Who are you?^ The whale asked.

  “My name’s Ever.” Zoe looked at her boyfriend, giving him her hand, fingers outstretched. He carefully slid his into hers. “I help souls go to the Underworld.”

  ^What’s a soul?^ The whale asked.

  Ever stared at the animal, lost for words. Zoe looked at him, tapping her wrist with her finger. Out of time. Together, they started floating towards the surface.

  ^Are you going already?^

  “Yes.” He paused. “I’ll come back and find you.”

  ^How long?^

  He paused. “Not too long, hopefully.”