The Jonah Collector

By DL Mullan

Captain Christopher Houston is a seafaring man. He lives on the sea. He is the best ship captain in the world. He is also deceased. 

 

In this epic tale, we discover that in his youth, Captain Houston committed a heinous crime. He lied about his age to get onboard a ship because his father had died. The young man wanted to support his mother by earning a wage. Unfortunately, he was too inexperienced. He found himself labeled a Jonah, the weakest link, and forced to walk the plank. 

 

As his ship sailed away, the ocean took him down to the Locker. In the Depths, a beautiful mermaid made him a deal. Captain Houston did not understand the contract that saved his life, and was later able to nullify the mermaid's evil intent because he was not of age to consent to such an agreement. 

 

Years had passed since his encounter. Something inside of him stirred. He knew that his youthful mistake was about to catch up with his present. 

 

Unbeknownst to him, the mermaid, Aetheshella, devised a scheme to lure Christopher back to her through fate. She went after his son. Now, Captain Houston has a choice: save his son or himself. 

 

Will he be the next victim of The Jonah Collector?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sonoran Dawn Studios
• Release date: Jun 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223153498

DL Mullan

A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet. Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series. With her education and experience in writing, DL Mullan shares her knowledge online. If you too want to become a Fearless Phile, then subscribe to her newsletter on Substack. Her innovative style teaches writers how to reach their creative potential, and write more effectively. Learn. Grow. Master… with Undawnted.

Book preview

The Jonah Collector

DL Mullan

Published by Sonoran Dawn Studios, 2023.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

THE JONAH COLLECTOR

First edition. June 22, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 DL Mullan.

ISBN: 979-8223153498

Written by DL Mullan.

Table of Contents

The Jonah Collector

The Jonah Collector

High on the Seven Seas sailed a galleon with her crew. The ship, Dark Waters, fought through a violent squall well into the wind-filled night. A storm on the eastern edge brewed as the ship traversed the moonlit path to a place of legend and lore.

The captain studied at his desk the maps of his prolonged voyage. As he stared at the aged parchments, he took their hand-drawn images into account. He traced the longitude and latitude lines, while land lain silhouetted- he digressed, a yearning he felt without.

With his quill in hand to mark their course, his mind harkened to the past. Patchwork memories colored his thoughts. Murky images bewildered his psyche until his daydreams reverted to his home and family.

He glanced at a brown leather purse beside his pipe and sextant. He looked inside at the gold coins he had reserved for his boy’s education. A fine inheritance he had saved as he waited for the day to pass along these possessions.

The captain