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“I’ll be back before sunset.” The fisherman told his wife busy loading up his boat for the day's trip.
He was permanently tanned from his days working in the sun and even when he wasn’t he still spent much of his time outside down by the sea For he loved it almost as much as he loved his wife. Almost. With their shared loved of the sea when the time came to give their vows the happy couple had exchanged crafted necklaces centered with a pearl instead of a diamond.
"There’s a nice breeze coming in from the west, should be some good fishing. Sure you don’t want to join me?“
She simply smiled shaking her head, speaking with lyrical a voice that carried a gentle depth to it much like the sea itself. "Not today, I promised to meet up with some old friends.”
She adjusted her dappled coat made of the softest fur, the tan skin lining nearly as soft and had got her many a compliment over the years. When ever someone asked where she'd got it she'd merely smile, the kind of smile only done when one had a secret. No matter the weather rarely had she been seen without it, on days when it was so hot it became unbearable wear the thick coat she'd wrap it around herself. Slightly obscured beneath the Fisherman could see she wore that beautiful, yet simple dress the colour of seaweed.
“Alright I’ll see you when I get home then. Just be careful, I heard some of the men were planning to go hunting today.” He informed her taking hold of her hand with a slight squeeze. “It might be better if you and your friends stayed in town today, perhaps show them around a bit,” A touch of worry in his voice as he offered the suggestion although he had a feeling he already knew her answer.
His wife understood his concern and was grateful for the warning, “Thanks, I’ll be sure to let them know and don’t worry I’ll be careful. I always am.” She offered a reassuring smile brushing a hand over his cheek.
Her words eased his mind a little though he still worried for his wife’s safety but he knew how important this was and nothing would ever keep her from what she loved most. Although married he was still only a part of her life and her friends were but another, he’d known this when he took her to be his wife. Soon everything was packed and his crew ready and waiting it was time to set sail, with a final kiss he got aboard. He watched as his wife ran barefoot off the dock and down the beach to go meet with her friends.
It had been an exceptional day for fishing, there was more then enough that each fisherman could take a few home for themselves and still make a fair profit off the rest. With having only enough supplies for the day they arrived back with the setting sun. Upon arrival the man had expected to see his wife waiting for him at the docks like she had many times before but today she wasn’t there. Quickly he thought that perhaps she was just up at the house working on supper, if she wasn't still out with her friends, he hoped she wasn’t to upset with him as they’d arrived back a bit later then expected.
They lived in small house by the beach outside of town with only a few other houses nearby. Getting closer he noticed the lights were still off which meant she must not have been home, perhaps she was still with her friends then. She’d always been such a free spirit and would easily lose track of time. But upon finding them he learned she’d already parted with plans to meet him him at the docks. Maybe they’d just missed each other and she’d arrived while he was gone. Is what the Fisherman told himself fighting back the nagging feeling and fears of what may have become of his wife.
Walking down he saw more people had gathered on the docks to greet those coming back. Slowly making his way through the crowd he over heard something that made his heart nearly stop people talking. It seemed the hunters had returned and brought back with them a pair of seals. Stopping the fisherman moved closer to get a look into the boat, fear starting to get the better of him. Exhaling he relaxed at seeing the brownish grey seals, they were pretty common in the area. His curiosity satisfied he continued down the dock, occasionally asking if any had seen his wife.
A young man, one of the new hunters then pulled in, bragging loudly on how he’d got the most beautiful seal and was sure it would go for a fine price. A small group of people gathered close to get a look including the fisherman still searching for his wife. Looks of intrigue and curiosity turned to horror, a few people screamed and one ran off to go be sick on the other end of the dock upon looking into the young hunter’s boat and the Fisherman felt his blood run cold at the site that met his eyes and soon began to cry.
In the bottom of the boat lay not a seal but a young woman wearing only dark green dress and a pearl necklace, her body half covered by beautiful silver fur coat with dark spots torn and bloodied.