I can hear sounds coming from the caves, shrieks that are almost human.. Almost.

But after what I found there, I have no interest in investigating. The creatures out here may be odd, but I know what I’m getting. Denizens on the beaches are docile, or at most territorial. I’ve come to enjoy watching the creatures of the rock pools and the reefs, so colourful, so carefree. I wish I were the same, but it’s hard when you have a living cutlass coiled around your arm.

The screaming from the caves seems to spook the sirens above, their songs more frantic than sorrowful. Eel-maidens have gotten more aggressive, I’ve had to scare some off from my camp with gunpowder bombs.

I’m surviving well here.. But I’m starting to think that’s all I’ll ever do.. Survive.