adrift

"Do you hear that?' he whispered, "They are starting to pray!"
Despite the lurching waves, a man' shape could be seen standing in the darkness with his hands up raised.
A few of the migrants in the crowded boat were chanting with him,
"Mercy! Protect us! Hear us! Fill our hearts with peace, bring this boat ashore..."
With each repeated phrase, the sea rose and struck their frightened
faces. Someone was crying.
"It's only getting worse. His prayers are angering the waters. We will all perish
in this storm!" He grabbed a board at his feet. "Help me save us."