They plunged into the pitch-black sea.
All she could feel was the terrible suffocation of drowning, the seawater churning in her lungs. She could hear the constant shouting and cursing on deck, the splashes as Flintlock bullets whistled past her ears and struck the water.
All she knew was this.
It carried her on its back and kept swimming, swimming.
She dreamed again.
Or perhaps it was the vision a person saw before death. Once again, she sat before that warm fireplace.
A warm blanket covered her. She saw sunlight streaming through the window, spilling into her eyes like the warm glow refracted through rainbow-colored glass. She heard bursts of laughter outside. They seemed to be calling her name, inviting her to an afternoon gathering of friends.
She pushed open the door.
A breeze brushed through her long hair. She saw the endless meadow outside, saw Shirley smiling and waving toward her, saw her little dog wagging its tail happily, enjoying its carefree freedom in the warmth of the afternoon.
Shirley waved to her and pointed toward the vast, sunlit meadow where the breeze caressed their faces.
Her radiant expression seemed to say.
"Come on, little sister. This is our home."
Shirley left.
Her little dog ran happily up to her, bounding back and forth before her as though it had endless energy. Its tongue lolled out, as if it were telling its little owner, let's go, let's go there. There was plenty of food there, and warm weather. They would never have to suffer hunger and cold again.
It ran off happily. She failed to catch it in time.
Only fine strands of fur remained in her hand.
Just like every time they used to play, she could never catch it. It had always been so cheerful and nimble.