The sailors spotted a dog swimming in the middle of the sea. As they drew closer, their world turned upside down at the sight
His fingers trembled, but not from the cold. He pressed the blanket against the dogs back as if tucking in a child. The smell of wet fur mixed with metal, iodine, and old dieselthe true scent of the deck and the life they were fighting to save.
William stood, staring at the horizon. The wind whipped straight into his face, his hair plastered to his forehead. He felt the vibration of the ship beneath his feet, the rumble of the old engine deep below, the cold steel railing under his fingers.
Everything inside him screamed, *Dont get involved, dont risk it!* But this dog looked at them in a way that made even the fiercest storms seem quiet compared to her gaze. Thomas wiped his face and nodded at the collar.
Faded letters spelled a single name: *Luna*. “Shes not here by chance,” he said, swallowing roughly. “The waves didnt just toss her out.” But James nodded, stroking the wet muzzle.
She wasnt just driftingsomeone was waiting for her. She was heading somewhere, they realized. Edward sighed, crouching to look the dog straight in the eyes.
“Whatre you trying to tell us, girl? Whats out there?” he asked, but the dog only lifted her head and stared into the distance again. The icy wind whipped up foam, stealing their breath. Waves slammed against the hull with a dull roar.
Drops rang against the metal like tiny bells. It all blended into one echoing melody, carrying a question no one could answer. William took a step back, glancing at the crew.
“We saved her,” he said hoarsely. “Thats enough. We need to stay on course.”
But Edward just shook his head. Thomas looked away. And James, holding the dog close, murmured, “We dont know who shes leading us to yet.”
Those words hung in the air like a warning of something far greater. None of them knew then that this dog would bring them to the edge of life and death.
Luna jolted awake as if someone had flipped a switch. She lunged forward before James could grab her collar. Her wet fur clung to her sides, her breathing ragged, her eyes burning with an odd light. She strained toward the railing, pulling so hard James nearly fell onto the steel deck.
“Easy, easy.” James held her tight, feeling her thrash in his arms, her heart pounding beneath the soaked fur as if trying to break free. Edward rushed over with a mug of hot soup.
Steam curled into the cold air, mixing with the sharp tang of saltwater. “Here, girl. Have a bite, eh?” He held the mug to her muzzle, but Luna didnt even glance at it. She yanked toward the railing again, claws scraping metal.
The sound cut through the air like a knife through cloth. William stepped closer, squinting. The wind lashed at his face, daring him to turn back to the bridge and forget this.
“Whys she pulling like that?” he asked, his voice wavering before hardening. “Has she gone mad?” Thomas stood a few paces back, hands shoved in his pockets. His lips pressed tight, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
He stayed silent, but inside, a storm ragedone he was afraid to name. James stroked Lunas head, her fur still cold and stiff from the sea. “Shes not just restless. Lookshe wont stop staring that way.” He pointed toward the murky horizon.
“She knows something. Maybe someones waiting out there.” Edward crouched beside them, setting the mug down. Steam from the soup rose, vanishing into the damp air. He touched Lunas wet flank and whispered, “Whos left out there, girl? Your owner? Or someone else? You didnt swim all this way for nothing, did you?”
Luna let out a low, mournful howl, as if telling a story she couldnt put into words. The sound rolled across the deck and faded into the fog, lost among the groaning waves.
Thomas finally spoke through gritted teeth. “We cant just leave it. If shes willing to go back into that storm, theres someone out there worth more than her life.” William turned away, watching the rising waves.
Salt stung his skin, leaving bitterness on his lips. He dragged a hand down his face as if trying to wipe the whole scene away. “We have to stay on course,” he muttered, but his voice lacked its usual steel.
Edward took a sip from the mug. The hot liquid burned his throat, but he didnt flinch. “I remember a story,” he said, watching Luna.
“When I was a lad back home, a shepherd dog jumped into a river after its owner. The man drowned, but that dog swam for three days before collapsing. No one could stop her. She just believed.” He looked at William. “This one believes too. Enough to jump back into death.”
Luna howled again, louder this time, like a soul crying out. James held her tighter, feeling her legs tremble, her warm breath against his neck. Thomas stepped closer, gripping Williams shoulder.
“You always said the sea doesnt forgive weakness. Maybe shes the strong one youve been talking about.” William spun around, meeting Lunas gaze.
Those eyes burned straight through him. No fearjust silent pleading and unshakable resolve. He inhaled, the cold wind searing his lungs, the scent of wet fur mixing with thick diesel.
“Whatre you suggesting?” he asked, though he already knew. James nodded toward the horizon. “We check.”
