Category Archives: Uncategorized

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Let’s run a dystopian presidential campaign combining my political ideas for how to improve America, and an AI’s deep knowledge base of politics and foreign affairs.

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——A Vision to Save and Strengthen North America

A Plan for Economic Prosperity, Security, and Unity

1. Economic Stability & Growth

• Lower Prices for Essentials: Implement price caps on food, fuel, and necessary goods to protect working families.

• Fair Taxation: Lower taxes for working-class Americans while ensuring the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share—no loopholes.

• Universal Basic Income (UBI): A safety net for working Americans, providing financial stability while encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.

• Automation & Jobs: Support automation while ensuring it enhances workers’ lives, not replaces them—higher wages, fewer hours, and job security.

• Lower Retirement Age: Allow Americans to retire earlier with dignity by strengthening Social Security and pension programs.

2. Securing Borders & Reforming Immigration

• Border Security & Cartel Crackdown: Work with Mexico to dismantle cartel influence through intelligence sharing and economic development in vulnerable regions.

• Smart Immigration Reform: Streamline legal immigration, allowing hardworking individuals to contribute while ensuring fairness and national security.

• Pathway to Citizenship: Establish a clear, fair system for law-abiding undocumented immigrants, prioritizing integration and economic contribution.

3. Strengthening U.S.-Mexico-Canada Relations

• North American Economic Union: Expand trade agreements to make North America the world’s strongest economic powerhouse, benefiting all three nations.

• Cross-Border Infrastructure: Improve transportation, energy, and digital networks to boost business, tourism, and trade.

• Unified Security Strategy: Strengthen military and law enforcement cooperation to combat drug trafficking, cyber threats, and human trafficking.

4. Protecting Civil Rights & Unifying Americans

• Religious Freedom for All: Protect the right to worship (or not worship) freely without government interference or discrimination.

• Women’s Rights & Safety: Guarantee equal pay, protect reproductive rights, and ensure safety from domestic violence and workplace discrimination.

• LGBTQ+ Protections: Secure equal rights while dispelling fear-mongering narratives that divide Americans.

• End the Culture War Division: Promote civil discourse and reject extremism from both sides—America thrives when we work together.

5. Gun Rights & Common-Sense Laws

• Protect the 2nd Amendment: Defend responsible gun ownership while ensuring firearms don’t fall into dangerous hands.

• Universal Background Checks: Prevent criminals and domestic abusers from easily obtaining weapons while respecting law-abiding gun owners.

• Gun Safety Education: Promote responsible gun ownership, storage, and training to reduce accidental shootings and misuse.

6. Tackling Corruption & Holding the Elite Accountable

• End Corporate Corruption: Close tax loopholes, stop corporate welfare, and break up monopolies that exploit workers.

• Campaign Finance Reform: Remove big money from politics so elections reflect the people’s voice, not billionaires’ interests.

• Government Transparency: Ensure politicians serve the people, not themselves—strengthen anti-corruption laws and expose unethical dealings.

7. A Better Future for American Workers

• Higher Wages, Stronger Unions: Ensure all workers can support their families with fair pay and protections.

• Blue-Collar Prosperity: Invest in skilled trades, manufacturing, and local industries to bring back American jobs.

• Technology & Education: Provide free or low-cost trade schools, apprenticeships, and community college programs for a skilled workforce.

8. Foreign Policy & Global Leadership

• Strengthen Alliances, Avoid War: Lead through diplomacy, not endless conflict, while ensuring America remains strong and secure.

• Fair Trade Deals: Negotiate agreements that protect American jobs while boosting North American economic strength.

• Engage with Adversaries Peacefully: Reduce tensions with global rivals while maintaining national security and sovereignty.

Conclusion: A United North America, A Stronger America

This plan isn’t about erasing borders or identities—it’s about making sure that every American, Canadian, and Mexican has a chance at prosperity, safety, and freedom. By working together, we can create the strongest, wealthiest, and most secure region in the world.

—-Stopping the Rise of Fascism in America

America is facing a dangerous trend—one where authoritarianism, corporate greed, and political extremism threaten the freedoms and rights of everyday Americans. The question isn’t just how we stop fascism, but how we prevent it from taking root ever again.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Protect Democracy & Voting Rights

• End Voter Suppression: Pass federal protections to ensure every American can vote without obstruction, intimidation, or discrimination.

• Secure Elections: Strengthen election integrity through paper ballot backups, non-partisan oversight, and protection against foreign interference.

• Ranked-Choice Voting & Ending Gerrymandering: Give power back to the people by making elections fair, competitive, and representative.

2. Expose & Break Down Authoritarian Corruption

• Ban Dark Money in Politics: Stop billionaires and special interests from buying elections.

• Hold Politicians Accountable: Enforce strict anti-corruption laws—no more “above the law” politicians or corporate puppets.

• Protect Whistleblowers & Investigative Journalism: Ensure the press and truth-tellers can hold power accountable without fear of retaliation.

3. Empower the Working Class & End Economic Despair

Fascism thrives when people feel hopeless, angry, and desperate. The best way to fight it is to give Americans real economic power and dignity.

• Fair Wages & Workers’ Rights: End corporate exploitation, strengthen unions, and ensure working Americans are paid what they deserve.

• Universal Basic Income (UBI): A safety net that prevents economic desperation—no American should be forced into extremism out of financial ruin.

• Lower Costs for Essentials: Cap prices on food, gas, and housing so families can thrive, not just survive.

4. End the Culture Wars That Divide Us

Fascist leaders use fear and division to turn Americans against each other—distracting from the real problem: corporate elites and corrupt politicians.

• Protect Civil Rights for All: Women, LGBTQ+ individuals, racial minorities, and religious communities should feel safe and free in their own country.

• Promote Civil Discourse: Encourage real conversations—not the fear-mongering, clickbait-driven division that extremist media profits from.

• Stop Government Overreach: No government should control personal freedoms—whether that’s banning books, restricting speech, or forcing ideology.

5. De-Radicalize & Bring People Back from the Edge

Many people who fall into extremism don’t start as hateful—they feel unheard, left behind, or betrayed by the system. Instead of labeling them all as enemies, we win them back.

• Economic Security: If people have good jobs, stable lives, and a future to believe in, they are far less likely to fall into extremism.

• Public Education & Media Literacy: Teach critical thinking, history, and media literacy to combat misinformation and propaganda.

• Community Engagement: Foster dialogue between divided communities to break down hatred and rebuild trust.

6. Hold Fascists Accountable—No More Appeasement

• Prosecute Political Violence: Anyone who incites or participates in political violence must face real consequences.

• Strengthen Domestic Terrorism Laws: Right-wing extremism is the #1 domestic terror threat. It must be addressed head-on.

• Disband White Supremacist Militias: Armed hate groups threatening democracy have no place in America.

7. Lead with Hope, Not Fear

Fascism sells itself as “strength” in times of chaos, but real strength comes from unity, dignity, and fairness. Americans deserve:

• A government that works for them, not corporations.

• A country where all are free—truly free—to live as they choose.

• A leader who listens, unites, and delivers, rather than dividing and conquering.

This is how we stop fascism in America—not just today, but for future generations.

——Restoring Women’s Rights & Ending Misogyny in America

For too long, women in America have been under attack—stripped of their rights, denied their freedoms, and treated as second-class citizens. The rise in misogyny isn’t just about personal beliefs; it’s a coordinated political and cultural movement to control and oppress women.

That ends now.

Here’s how we tackle the war on women and restore equality, dignity, and freedom for all.

1. Codify Women’s Rights into Law

Misogyny thrives when women’s rights are not legally protected. We must ensure no future administration can roll them back.

• Restore and Expand Roe v. Wade: The government has no place in personal medical decisions. Women’s rights over their own bodies must be federally protected.

• Pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA): Women must be constitutionally guaranteed the same rights as men—no more loopholes, no more excuses.

• End Gender Discrimination in the Workplace: Equal pay, better parental leave, and workplace protections against harassment must become non-negotiable.

2. End Violence Against Women

The rise in hatred, harassment, and violence against women is a direct result of a culture that devalues and silences them.

• Strengthen Domestic Violence Protections: Close legal loopholes that allow abusers to keep guns, manipulate courts, and escape justice.

• Hold Rapists & Abusers Accountable: No more victim-blaming. Survivors deserve justice, and predators—no matter how powerful—must face real consequences.

• Crack Down on Online Harassment & Extremism: The rise of misogynistic online movements (like incels, radical anti-feminists, and sex traffickers) must be treated as the domestic terror threats they are.

3. Protect Women’s Healthcare & Autonomy

Women’s health isn’t just about reproductive rights—it’s about their right to quality care, safety, and dignity.

• Universal Access to Birth Control & Reproductive Care: No woman should be denied contraception, cancer screenings, or prenatal care because of politics or religion.

• Guarantee Maternity & Parental Leave: The U.S. is the only developed nation without paid maternity leave—this is unacceptable.

• Fund Women’s Health Research: Women’s medical conditions are often ignored or underfunded. It’s time to fix that.

4. Destroy the Culture of Misogyny

The attacks on women aren’t just political—they’re cultural. Women are demonized, silenced, and treated as lesser in media, politics, and daily life. We must change this at its roots.

• Call Out & Dismantle Toxic Masculinity: Real strength isn’t domination—it’s respect, integrity, and equality. We need better male role models, not misogynistic grifters profiting off hate.

• Teach Respect & Equality in Schools: Comprehensive education on consent, gender equality, and healthy relationships should

——Ending Hate & Protecting LGBTQ+ and Trans Rights in America

The attacks on LGBTQ+ Americans—especially trans people—aren’t just hateful rhetoric. They’re an organized political assault designed to divide the country, strip human rights, and maintain power through fear and misinformation.

Here’s how we quell the hate, protect LGBTQ+ people, and unify the country without falling into the traps of the manufactured culture war.

1. Stop the Government from Legislating Hate

The biggest threat to LGBTQ+ people today isn’t just bigotry—it’s state-sponsored discrimination.

• Pass the Equality Act: No loopholes. No “religious exemptions.” LGBTQ+ people must be federally protected from discrimination in housing, healthcare, employment, and public life.

• Ban Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws at the State Level: No more “Don’t Say Gay” bills, trans sports bans, or attacks on gender-affirming care.

• End Forced Detransition & Healthcare Bans: Politicians have no place in personal medical decisions. Gender-affirming care is healthcare—period.

2. Shut Down the Lies & Misinformation

The far right has weaponized outright lies to spread fear.

• Expose the Fake “Groomer” Narrative: LGBTQ+ people are not a threat to children. The people pushing this lie have zero proof—they rely on emotional manipulation to create hate.

• Push Back Against the “Erasing Women” Myth: Trans rights do not take anything away from cisgender women. Feminism and trans rights are not enemies—they are allies in the fight for bodily autonomy.

• Educate Americans on What Being LGBTQ+ Means: Most hatred comes from ignorance. Real education destroys fear before it can turn into hate.

3. Hold Hate Groups & Media Grifters Accountable

The people pushing anti-LGBTQ+ hate aren’t just bigots—they’re profiting from division.

• Investigate and Expose the Anti-LGBTQ+ Industry: There are millions of dollars being funneled into anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda through dark money groups, political PACs, and hate organizations.

• Demand Social Media Platforms Remove Hate Speech: Misinformation spreads because tech companies allow it to. Hate speech against LGBTQ+ people must be treated the same way as any other violent extremism.

• Boycott & Challenge Companies Funding Hate: Businesses that support anti-LGBTQ+ politicians and policies should be held accountable by the public and the market.

4. End Violence Against LGBTQ+ Americans

Trans women, especially Black trans women, are being murdered at horrifying rates. Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people are rising every year. This is not a coincidence.

• Make Attacks on LGBTQ+ People a Federal Hate Crime: No loopholes. No “panic defenses.”

• Crack Down on Extremist Groups Targeting LGBTQ+ Events: The government treats other forms of terrorism seriously—this should be no different.

• Increase Protections for LGBTQ+ Youth: Schools should be safe spaces, not battlegrounds for political hate. LGBTQ+ kids deserve support, not censorship.

5. Change the Narrative: LGBTQ+ Rights Are American Rights

We need to reframe this fight. LGBTQ+ rights aren’t just about one community—they are about freedom, privacy, and dignity for all Americans.

• Push the “Live and Let Live” Message: Many people who have been manipulated by right-wing fear campaigns just need to see LGBTQ+ people as fellow humans.

• Showcase LGBTQ+ Patriots, Workers, and Families: LGBTQ+ Americans serve in the military, build businesses, raise families, and contribute just like everyone else.

• Unite LGBTQ+ Rights with Religious Freedom: Everyone has the right to believe as they choose—but no one has the right to impose their beliefs on others.

6. Empower LGBTQ+ Voices in Government & Society

The best way to fight hate? Let LGBTQ+ people lead.

• Elect LGBTQ+ Leaders: Representation in politics, business, and media destroys the narrative that LGBTQ+ people are outsiders.

• Fund LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces & Support Networks: Every LGBTQ+ person—especially youth—should have access to mental health resources, shelters, and legal protections.

• Lift Up Allies Who Speak Out: Straight and cisgender allies have a responsibility to push back against hate in their communities.

7. Make This a Non-Political Issue

The far right wants LGBTQ+ rights to be a wedge issue because it’s easier to manipulate people through fear. We must shut that strategy down.

• Focus on Freedom, Not Ideology: LGBTQ+ people aren’t “radicals”—they are Americans who want to live their lives.

• Call Out the Hypocrisy of “Small Government” Conservatives: If they truly cared about personal freedom, they wouldn’t be trying to control people’s identities and relationships.

• Stop Giving Hate a Platform: The media needs to stop treating bigotry as a “valid debate.” The dignity of LGBTQ+ people is not up for discussion.

Final Message: We Are Not Divided—We Have Been Lied To

Most Americans do not hate LGBTQ+ people. Most Americans just want to live their lives. The people fueling this hate are doing it for power and profit.

We must expose them. We must protect the vulnerable. And we must show this country that equality, respect, and freedom are American values worth fighting for.

Together, we can end this manufactured war and create a country where everyone—LGBTQ+ or not—can live with dignity, safety, and pride.

——-America for All of Us

For too long, we’ve been told that we have to be at war with each other. That one group’s freedom comes at another’s expense. That progress for some means loss for others. That’s a lie.

The truth is simple: America is strongest when every single one of us has the freedom to live, work, worship, love, and exist without fear. When we look out for one another instead of tearing each other down. When we reject the division that keeps us distracted from the real problems—the corruption, the greed, and the people in power who profit from our suffering.

I don’t care if you’re left or right, conservative or liberal, religious or atheist, rich or poor. If you work hard, if you want a better future for your family, if you believe that America should keep its promise of opportunity and fairness—then I’m fighting for you.

This isn’t about Republican or Democrat. It’s about the American Dream—and making sure it belongs to all of us.

Because in the end, we rise or fall together.

By: Leigh B. Evans

Thank you for the constant worry that the previewed little rights I have will one day be fully stripped.

Thank you for allowing me to wake up in a place I didn’t ask for, I didn’t build, and I wish was better.

Thank you for letting me sit and watch as my fellow humans are tortured and beat down all because of their skin, and what happens in their pants and bedroom.

Thank you for showing me that because of my skin I get treated with kindness and reverance so much that I decided to go against the stereotypical norms and be treated like garbage just to show solidarity for my fellow humans.

Thank you for giving me a clear view at the hatred you have for the Very people you claim to represent 

Thank you for making me appreciate the fact that I’m not wealthy and will one day pass away much earlier than the hateful dragons that hoard the worlds wealth.

Finally, thank you, with all my heart, for giving me a true villain to rally against, and a clear cut idea of how to be a good human, just by being the opposite of you.

A Short Story.

(THE FOLLOWING JOURNAL ENTRY, WAS FOUND AMONGST THE RUBBLE OF A LONG ABANDONED SEA SIDE VILLIAGE):

In me twilight years, there ain’t much I can recall from me days as a young buck. ‘Specially those days when I was naught but a cabin boy aboard the mighty vessel Sebastian. The faces of me shipmates and the captain, as well as ol’ Henrey, the ship’s night watch, remain etched in me memory. But the finer details, ye see, elude me weary mind. Yet, there be certain moments that even an old salt like meself can’t forget. Moments I wish I could erase from me mind…

I pen these words not as a warnin’, but more as a tale of curiosity. Consider it the end ramblin’s of an old man, committed to parchment to preserve ’em ’til the time comes for wiser souls to take a more scientific stance.

It was the year 1802, a time when we had just stocked up on salted pork and much-needed ale for the long voyage ahead. We also had a cargo destined for the east, a journey that the crew weren’t lookin’ forward to, to be sure. I remember the grumbles of frustration amongst the men, but they soldiered on nonetheless. Thankfully, none of these lads were pressed into service—we had a good crew, willing and able. 

We set sail that very afternoon toward our destination, the sea as calm as a sleeping babe. Not a single cloud adorned the heavens. But as night descended upon us, a thick blanket of clouds rolled in, covering the sky like a hearty stew. The moon disappeared from sight, leaving us engulfed in a darkness so deep that ye couldn’t distinguish where the sky ended and Davy Jones’ locker began. These nights of complete blackness always sent shivers down me spine, but this particular night was unlike any I had experienced afore as a young ship’s lad.

The silence, ye see, it grew so deafening that ye could hear the very wood of the ship settle and creak. It was an eerie quiet, so profound that even the sound of yer own blood coursing through yer veins reached yer ears if ye stood still for too long. The only shred of natural light was the lightening from some unseen storm, no thunder graced ye ears though, troublin’.

Sleep eluded me that night, so I reckoned a stroll might calm me restless soul. Ol’ Henrey, the trusted night watchman, knew these waters like the back of his hand, and he made sure not to shine his lantern too far, mindful of the lurking pirates that infested these parts. We felt secure with ol’ Henrey’s presence—I felt secure.

Ol’ Henrey was the toughest salt dog that ever graced the decks of a ship. He stood tall at 6 foot 3, with a barrel chest and arms as thick as tree trunks. He had lost an eye while defending a crew long forgotten from scoundrels trying to send them to a watery grave. His remaining eye was a piercing baby blue that could stare through ye very soul if he got angry with ye. A giant of a man, to be sure, but with a heart as soft as a lass’s inner thigh.

As I made me way across the wooden bridge, I saw ol’ Henrey drawing on his wooden pipe, leaning against the railing of the ship and gazing out at the sea with his one good eye. As a young lad, I knew that ol’ Henrey’s presence would bring some much-needed comfort and protection this night, so I approached him and tugged at his sleeve.

What happened next was unlike anything I had ever seen from ol’ Henrey in all the three years I had served aboard that ship. He jumped in fear, something that was completely out of character for a man of his experience and courage.

“Oh, young lad, beware of approaching this old sea dog, lest ye awaken the ghosts that haunt me,” Old Henry cautioned in a hushed tone, careful not to disturb the slumbering crew. “What brings ye out here in the dark?” he inquired, placing his pipe between his teeth to take another soothing draw. He attempted to conceal his trembling hand, but I discerned the faint quiver caused by his edginess. 

“The silence, it’s almost too deafening,” I remarked, unsure of how me words would be received. I knew sounding of a madman could lead to a stint in the brig, for fear of succumbing to cabin fever. However, Old Henry’s narrowed gaze revealed his knowin’ as he puffed on his pipe, allowing the wisps of smoke tolazily escape through his grizzled beard. I sensed he understood.

“Aye, aye, the quiet… I hear it too, me lad. I’m glad someone else feels it tonight. Perhaps ye possess a sensitivity to the spirits, which will serve ye well when ye, like me, become an old sea dog,” Old Henry murmured in a low voice. 

His weathered eye scanned the ebony expanse, whilst he savored another leisurely drag from his pipe. And there, he uttered words that shall remain etched in me memory as long as I draw breath into these barnacle-laden lungs, “I’ve sailed these waters afore, somethin’ lurks out yonder, I fear, me young lad. Somethin’ not rightly belongin’.” Me blood turned to ice at those words, and visions of legendary beasties sprang to life in me mind, conjurin’ tales spun by me grandpappy on his creaky old knee—tales of ancient mermaids and krakens. Ol’ Henry glanced back at me, his gaze catchin’ sight of me ghostly pallor. With a mighty paw, he laid it upon me shoulder, leanin’ close to impart some comfort. “Fret not, lad. So long as we stay anchored aboard the good ship Sebastian and keep our lanterns dim, we should fare well,” Ol’ Henry reassured me. Once more, his gaze fixated on the abyss, his hand tremblin’ upon me shoulder.

Ol’ Henry knew better than to send me scurrying below deck like a landlubber. Instead, he fetched a couple o’ small barrels and a slightly larger one to serve as our makeshift table. To steady our nerves, he poured two hearty mugs of ale, and we settled down, spinnin’ yarns about the days gone by, swappin’ tales of our lives ashore—lives that felt as distant as a mermaid’s kiss from where we found ourselves now. Time lost all reckonin’ in the eternal darkness that clung to us like barnacles. Exhausted, I rested me noggin against the salt-soaked planks of the railin’ and slipped into a slumber, only to be plagued by dreams of monstrous sea critters lurkin’ beneath the waves.

A gentle hand shook me, jolting me from me sea-induced slumber. Me heavy eyelids fluttered open to reveal Ol’ Henry standin’ beside me, starin’ out into the abyss. The dim lantern barely cast a glow, but the moon peeked through the clouds, provide a glimmer of light that kissed Ol’ Henry’s face. More Lightening traced above us like the gods where calling out some beacon of emergency. I looked to Ol’ Henry once more, his good eye widened to the point that it looked ready to jump ship, and he leaned in closer to me, his voice low and urgent.

“Ye be a fine lad, now make haste and fetch the captain and the crew! Tell ’em ol’ Henry says we need all hands on deck, ready to man the cannons. Go swiftly, lad!” I sprang up from me barrel, gazin’ out into the impenetrable darkness. Far off on the distant horizon, I beheld the very sight that had sent Ol’ Henry into a frenzy. Two colossal orbs seemed to float out above the sea, glowin’ with an otherworldly light that neither reflected upon the water nor pierced the darkness. Nay, it burned with a sickly yellow hellfire that caused me very bladder to weaken. Just as me heart quaked, a bolt of lightning slashed through the sky, revealin’ a sight that haunts me to this day—the orbs were eyes belongin’ to a monstrous devil of a creature. It sported tentacles akin to a squid for its face, wings outstretched like a bat, and a body that reeked of unspeakable demonic horror. Vomit threatened to surge from me gut, but Ol’ Henry seized me shoulder once more, givin’ me a forceful shove toward the quarters. “Go now, me lad! Go now!” he bellowed, urgency drippin’ from his voice like seawater from a leaky hull.

I sprinted with all me young might, me legs carryin’ me swiftly to the captain’s quarters and then down to the men below. The crew sprang into action, rushin’ to their stations, preparin’ for a battle that loomed on the horizon. The captain seized me by the arm, his grip firm as he demanded that I lead him to where Ol’ Henry stood, so he could witness the danger with his own eyes. We ascended to the deck, where Ol’ Henry clung to a harpoon as if his life depended on it. His gaze shifted from the captain to me, and than to the sea, the Devil was gone, his expression twisted into a visage of pure horror.

“Captain, it was there, but it vanished back into the depths. We must change our course, headin’ for land, any land, to escape these cursed waters,” Ol’ Henry pleaded. The captain studied me, then turned his attention back to Ol’ Henry. His eyes than darted and lingered on the empty jug of ale and the two cups, and gradually, his alarm subsided, replaced by a sense of annoyance. “How many times, Henry, must we endure these drunken false alarms?” the captain retorted, his tone tinged with a hint of anger. Ol’ Henry redirected his gaze, first back to the abyss, then to me. “Captain, the lad here, he saw the devil too. Sir, these sights ain’t the result of me drinkin’. We must…” 

The captain, he did cut ol’ Henrey short with a mighty stomp upon the deck using his boot. “Nary another tale of fancy shall I endure this eve, Henrey,” he bellowed. “Sturgil be taking charge of the watch. Rest your weary bones, my aged friend,” added the captain, his voice laden with sympathy. Ol’ Henrey, wise enough to know that his captain would not entertain the ramblings of a drunken soul, nor pay heed to the words of a lowly cabin boy, dropped his harpoon and made his way to his quarters, dispirited. That night, I shared a room with ol’ Henrey, and neither of us closed an eye, for we feared that the very devil of the deep would return to claim us for bearing witness to his true form. No sound did we hear, only an eerie silence blanketed the air. At dawn’s break, me and ol’ Henrey emerged from his quarters, venturing out onto the deck to a sight that shall forever haunt my dreams. The morning breeze carried the tang of salt, crisp and refreshing, while a fog draped itself around us. The crew, gathered in a huddled mass, fixed their gaze upon a spectacle near the edge of the deck.

Me and ol’ Henrey, we pushed our way through the throng, makin’ our path to where their eyes were locked. Sturgil, he sat atop the very barrel I had rested upon the night prior, but his head was missin’, severed clean from his body. If ’twas that devil’s doin’, ’twas a bleedin’ warning, mateys. With his monstrous size, he could’ve hauled us down into the depths afore we could even mutter a prayer for forgiveness. When we made port that afternoon, the only souls privy to that forebodin’ sign were meself and ol’ Henrey. We both never hoisted the sails again, mark me words.

I took up a post at the local tavern, pourin’ grog and mopin’ the floors. Ol’ Henrey, he’d frequent the place, tossin’ me an extra coin or two, always sharin’ that knowing glance. We had stared into the eyes of the devil himself and lived to tell the tale. Not a single word ’bout that eerie night ever passed our lips, but we carried the weight of it in our souls. Meanwhile, the Sebastian and her crew, they set sail after we chose to remain ashore. Alas, the Sebastian never returned to port, lost to the depths, she was. Some claim she fell prey to maraudin’ pirates, her crew slaughtered, her treasures pillaged and tossed into the brine. But me and ol’ Henrey, we know the true fate that befell ’em, for we witnessed it firsthand. The Devil gave us both a reprive, but only for limited amount of time.

I kept silent ’bout that fateful night, until now, as I pen these very words. Yet, the same darkness that enshrouded me and ol’ Henrey, it has returned to our seaside hamlet once more. It arrived on the eve when ol’ Henrey breathed his last, taking him into the waves, and tonight, it comes for me. I have no fear in me bones, but mayhaps the devil that rises from the depths shall take pity on an old sea dog like meself, and makes my trip to the deep, an easy one.