Gerald stood on the mast of his ship, watching the ocean slowly pull the decks below water. A few yards away from the dying remains of his once proud sea craft, he saw his beloved Jessica rowing the lifeboat towards the orange setting sun. The ocean surface was reflecting and breaking up the light of the burning display to give the impression of fire. He looked at her silhouetted against the blazing globe, floating on lapping flames, and she was transformed into a demon before his eyes.

A demon, not a woman, though Gerald would struggle with the distinction had anyone been there to press him. A temptress with evil intent who had manufactured and been the instrument of his demise. Lured out onto the waters for a perilous journey into the unknown by the promise of romance, Gerald had steered his ship without caution.

Now, she was leaving and his ship was sunk. His own fault, being in this predicament, but no less tragic. A long and pitiful end while treading against the waves as she looked on and smiled.