Left to Wither

Chapter 2: Endpoint

     After twenty minutes the crowd dispersed leaving a quiet void in the energy of the group. The boat rocked and swayed, and I refused to leave my corner spot, clinging to the railing. After what seemed like eternity the rain ceased to fall, and the moon rose above. Sopping hair hung in thick strands around my neck and dripped water onto the floor below, I watched it pool by my hips then stared at the reflection it held. I aimlessly traced circles with my fingers in the low light glow of the high moon. For the first time on this trip, the group was silent, and they held an eerie calm. No children wailed, no mothers sobbed, and no lunatics screamed. It was as if the entire crew had given up. If there was one thing I had learned in my short seventeen years, it was to never give up. Giving up was not an option, not even a last resort, fight until the end. Giving up was for people without hope, and in a place where so little existed, hope was all I had left and all I had to live for.

     “Work with what you’re given Kith, and no matter how bad the situation may seem hope will always be there to guide you.” I muttered under my breath. With a situation such as the one I had currently gotten myself into, I would need that motto.

     “Dad was right, and hope is definitely all I have left…”

    I sat. hair blowing in the ocean wind, tears streaking my face, and pondered my positives. For one I was a runner, not that I had any idea what type of landscape I would be dealing with, but at least I could run. Also I had always been good with my hands, if I could find a tree and climb it, and then I could build a platform or a hammock.

     I started to devise a plan, this would help me to have an advantage over everyone else. My mind whirled…supplies. Supplies were key to survival. I surveyed the ship and the people around. A rope bunched in the back corner, a torn piece of a sail, and a hammer, perfect. I could not have asked for more helpful supplies. Now the only matter was getting those off the ship without anyone else noticing, especially the pissed off guy with a loaded gun. Yeah, I definitely wanted to stay away from him.

     Slowly my plan formed, with just enough time to carry it out. In the far distance, land formed through the misty fog. The glow of the moon off the water reflected into the ocean mist and carried clouds of it toward the boat. My guess, that landform was the endpoint to our journey.

      It loomed in the distance, a minor isle equipped with what seemed to be its own climate. A thick fog coated its surroundings, and I felt it would bring humid, muggy conditions.

     “Fantastic” I muttered

     Within ten minutes the island was in full view. Rocks littered the beach, no sand could be seen. I surveyed my tennis shoes, definitely a benefit. I waited and the island grew closer I observed the trees, mostly palm, but high palm, thick sturdy, easy to climb, great for building. My eyes passed over the beach again, and a sudden realization threatened to empty my stomach again. What I once had mistaken for rocks were actually people.

   While every other member of the boat quivered on the floor, I let one word break the unnerving silence,

      “crap”.