Mitchell gives Natasha control of the yacht for the first time. She watches the shoreline, nervously monitoring the boat’s drift. He knows it’s not moving — but gives her this task to build trust. It matters to her. She wants to prove she can sail with him, belong with him.
The engine hums. Mitchell disappears below, leaving her responsible. When he returns, she proudly reports the boat hasn’t moved. He praises her and cuts the engine. Silence wraps around them.
They talk. Laugh. Tease. She opens up about her parents. Her mother, Nina-Mitchell’s past lover — was private, fearful, manipulative. Natasha seems unaware of Mitchell’s deeper history with Nina. Or is she? Some of her knowledge goes beyond coincidence.
Mitchell suspects she’s testing him. Echoes of Nina creep through her voice, her gestures. A slip reveals she’s visited Peter — Mitchell’s old friend and rival. She tries to smooth it over, but it cuts deep. Rage stirs beneath Mitchell’s skin.
She changes into her mother’s yellow dress, asking, “Do I look like her?” She beams, unaware — or pretending not to be.
Mitchell smiles, dead calm.
He grabs the wine. The knife. The camera.
“Nina is mine,” he whispers.
They climb into the dinghy.
He’s grinning. She’s glowing.
They head for shore.
Only one of them will return.
[excerpt from SEETHINGS 2 — available for download now!]
Ch15
Originally published at
https://michaelformanwriting.com