As the boat glided past the figure of a pirate walking a gangway into the sea, Lucas froze. His ears rang. Sharp, high-pitched. His vision blurred. Then came a flood—disconnected images snapping through his head like lightning: a doll, water, screaming voices, a gangway, faces leaning down.
It lasted seconds. Maybe less. But when it ended, Lucas was hunched forward, both hands gripping his temples, breath ragged. The ringing stopped. Across from him, Rose stared, pale and alarmed. “Lucas?” she whispered. “What’s happening? Are you okay?”