The Burning Princess
I stood on the dock an inhaled deeply, it smelled of steam rather than ocean mist. A rather unsettling shift. I ran to the edge and peered through the fog. Out of the steam came a ship, sinking as it approached. On the deck was a beautiful woman. A princess of great fire, the Burning Princess. I knew her once, before she set sail, before the fire inside burned invisible hot. She would go under moments before she reached the dock. I had to do something, anything. I held out my hand, expecting to be burned, but not quite certain of the outcome. I knew not if she would even take my hand, but I would hold it out for eternity. Waiting.