2025 Flash Fiction Contest: Third Place
The Sailor and the Selkie
Jessica S.
Based on Song Broken Mast Bay by Sail North
The pale ale swirled and frothed like a thunderous storm, kept back only by the confines of its prison—John Cook’s mug. It matched the mood of the raucous pub, where sailors gathered around tables in the dim light to bet away the money they hadn’t already spent on cheap ale.
John drained his ale in one swallow, barely able to comprehend the bitter flavor thanks to his muddled thoughts. He slammed the mug on the bar counter and pushed himself to his feet, a smile growing on his lips. “Let me sssing you the ssstory of Sssally Mcternannnn….” His eyelids drooped even as he spoke, and he stumbled into the bar.
“Ye’ve had yer fill, laddie.” The bartender grabbed him by the back collar of his shirt and dragged him towards the door. “Go home and sleep it off.”
John crashed into the cobblestone street, and the pub door slammed behind him. Tears sprang into his eyes, and he staggered to his feet. Why couldn’t the bartender allow him just a few moments of happiness?
“Enough of this place.” He lumbered towards the docks. The ocean brine filled his nostrils the closer he got to the waters, sobering him faster than he would have liked.
The ocean was still that night, but the sight did not give him peace like it did when he was young. Now it was a sleeping beast that would eat him whole when it awakened.
His eyes snagged on a small rowboat tethered to the docks. It was a fisherman’s vessel with a few nets inside the weathered shell. Before he could fully think through what he was doing, he threw himself into it and began to row out to sea. Wild, monstrous beasts had to be faced. Or, they always were in the stories his mum had told him.
“If only water could be slain.” His muscles ached from the strain of rowing, but still he pressed on further. His gaze drifted upwards, and a small smile curved his mouth. The sky was alight with stars and the full moon that shimmered like diamonds and a pearl against their dark backdrop. “I wonder if they’re up there.” His gaze shifted down to his feet, and he picked up the pace with renewed vigor. “No, they’re in the deep.”
Silence reigned over the world as he continued on, broken only by the sound of the splashing water. And something else. Something beautiful and … melodic?
John leaned forward, his brow furrowed as he strained his ears.
“Stars alight, shining in the heavens, reflecting in the deep,
“It’s a warm, summer night, the kind I like,
“When swimming in the deep.”
Singing? John rubbed his forehead. Had he finally done it and drank too much? But how could he imagine singing so haunting?
A hand rose up out of the water, followed by the head of the most beautiful woman John had ever seen. Her deep brown eyes, contrasted by her white blonde hair, sparkled with curiosity.
He let out a rather undignified squawk as he fell back. “H-how? I’ve had too much to drink. That must be it.”
The creature let out a musical laugh. “Not at all, dear sailor boy. I’m as real as the depths of the sea.” Behind her a tail splashed, the same color as her hair. “A selkie, if you will, named Aoife.”
John’s heart slammed against his chest. He’d heard many tales of these creatures, but he never thought he’d meet one. He hadn’t even thought they were real. But wait, he was being rude, wasn’t he? “My name’s John.”
She cocked her head to the side, a smile curling her lips. “So, tell me, why are you sailing alone tonight?” She hoisted herself into the boat.
The boat shook, and John tumbled towards the water. Before he could fall in, however, she grabbed his arm.
His eyes met hers, and for a moment he wasn’t seeing her. No, instead he saw his pa at the moment where he had died to save him.
“Pa,” John gasped, tears burning his eyes.
Aoife pulled him into the boat and pressed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “What happened?”
His hands began to shake as the memories he had tried so long to repress bombarded him like cannon fire, and his tongue loosened like a rope tied by untrained hands. “I … I wanted to avenge Pa and the crew … against the ocean …” He swiped at his eyes.
The memories were as strong as a hurricane as his tale burst forth. It had all been his fault … he shouldn’t have begged Pa to bring that wretched Old Barnacle aboard, and the blind cat had knocked a lantern down and blown up half the ship.
“Only Pa and I survived the blast,” John whispered. “But Pa and I couldn’t both fit on the last dingey, and he … he made me go while he went down with the ship.” He covered his face in hands.
A quiet sob made him risk a glance. Tears were sliding down Aoife’s face, and she reached out and cupped his cheek. “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine …”
“‘Twas my fault.” The words burned on his tongue, and he looked away.
She shifted closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. “No, it wasn’t. And he wouldn’t want you to blame yourself, either.”
“But …”
She looked up at him, her now soulful eyes silencing him. “I see fathers of all kinds in the sea. And the good ones, I have found, all sacrifice for their children—even their lives. And I know every one of them would be devastated if their child blamed himself for such sacrificial death. He’d want you to live your life to the fullest.”
Something like a heavy weight lifted off John’s shoulders, and he let out a sigh. “You’re right.”
She grinned. “My herd always says that.” She reached behind her and undid the black ribbon of a necklace that he hadn’t noticed before. She placed it into his hands. “Keep this to remember the lesson you learned tonight. And when you truly need me, I’ll come.” She dove into the water.
“Wait!” John leaned against the side of the boat, but she’d vanished from sight. He looked down at the pendant in his hand and traced his finger over the pearl pendant. His chest tightened. He now knew why sailors raved about the beauty of selkies … but Aoife was even more beautiful on the inside.
He tied the necklace around his neck. “It’s time I stop wallowing in the past.” He began to row to shore.
Just like his Pa would want.
<><><>
The sun was shining merrily down on the village square as John strode up to the fountain. Years had passed since he had met Aoife, but the thought of her rarely left his mind.
“Good day, Cook!”
John glanced to his left and waved to Captain Moore. “Good day to you.”
Captain Moore stepped up beside him and glanced at the fountain. “For as long as I’ve known ye, ye’ve been starin’ at this statue. Have a thing for selkies?”
John chuckled. “Aye, I guess you could say that.”
His captain friend chuckled. “Well, I can’t judge ye there. They be fair things.” He stroked his chin. “Did ye want to go to the pub with the crew?”
John shook his head. “You know I don’t drink.”
“Thought I’d ask.” He winked and tipped his hat as he walked away. “Can’t wait to see yer new map!”
John turned back to the selkie fountain. ‘Twas so much like Aoife, really, though the nose was different. He sighed as his finger began to trace the pearl around his neck. How he missed her. Yes, he had lived his life to the fullest, and was now a successful mapmaker, but it didn’t take away the ache of his life.
But he could face it better now.
“John?”
He jerked, his heartbeat thrumming at the familiar, musical voice. He turned around, and stumbled forward. “Aoife?”
The selkie lowered her head with a shy smile. Her tail was gone, replaced with human legs covered by a drab brown dress, but still she seemed to shine like the north star on a cloudless night. “I haven’t been able to put you out of my thoughts.”
He rested his hands gently on her shoulders, furtively searching her eyes. “Truly?”
She nodded. “Then when I heard that you took my advice … I had to come.” She threw her arms around him, a quiet sob escaping her.
He wrapped his arms around her, tears of his own brimming to the surface as his heart swelled with joy. “I'm glad you’ve come. I’ve … I’ve been waiting for you.”
I adore this song! And this story was really good!
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