The all encapsulating grip of cold that stole away the sailors' breath left only blank nothing in the space that should be glowing with life's sweetest moments. Their body grew euphorically numb and the light drifted ever further away, now only a trembling flicker engulfed and suffocated by the chilling void without. The pain that had earlier struck their gut, that burning lead that pulled apart sinew, it too had faded into fire and calm.

Quiet twinkles echoed from behind, the soft keys of a piano played with a smile of curious scrutiny, memories birthed, died, and reformed in seconds, blurring into over-dull feelings of emotion. Their head returned to the moment, the crew had not dropped a rope or a hand to save them, and the only arms that extended now were that of sleep.

Tap tap.

A giggle.

Sand rushed around their being...
or time did, they could not tell-
only now the water and the world receded, giving way to a steady blue glow.