Rescue (fiction)
The man adrift in the fog-enshrouded, endless ocean had little recollection of the night before. Salt water from every wave that broke upon his precarious craft stung his eyes, the cracks in his lips and hands. He stretched out prone across the wicker basket of fishing floats thrown from the ship. The impromptu preserver rocked back and forth, threatening to capsize with every swell, stressing his exhausted muscles and joints. The pain was unbearable and melded into one stoic mass of resistance and fear.
How long could he continue to hold on? It would be easy to let go and allow the sea to consume him. His torment would end: no more pain or guilt-stricken torture for his cowardice. Why had he run away in an impulsive attempt to escape his destiny, a prideful rebellion that had risked everything for foolish principle? The cold grasp of the deep would solve all of his problems if he could just surrender to it, drifting free forever from these troubles in a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
A pale, yellow sun finally rose. This reluctant mariner was startled back to his senses by a form on the horizon. He shook his head and tried hurriedly to clear the crust from his face and sight. Not large enough for a landmass and moving toward him--it must be a ship! Yes, the ship must have returned to search! He slapped the water with his damaged hands and croaked a cry as his blurry vision witnessed the advance. Hurry, Hurry! Faster and faster it came, but in a straight course for his position! Would he be overrun after such a long night of suffering? No, he couldn't allow it! He frantically tried to propel the basket alongside the bulk of the trememdous shadow that overtook him. A dark void opened like an umbrella over his head blotting out the sky. Rushing water rolled everything over and over and downward; suddenly, a black curtain fell. Then--nothingness.
Hours passed. He awoke incredulously in the cold darkness. Horror struck with his first thought:alive! I'm still alive within the belly of the beast!
J. Wallace
How long could he continue to hold on? It would be easy to let go and allow the sea to consume him. His torment would end: no more pain or guilt-stricken torture for his cowardice. Why had he run away in an impulsive attempt to escape his destiny, a prideful rebellion that had risked everything for foolish principle? The cold grasp of the deep would solve all of his problems if he could just surrender to it, drifting free forever from these troubles in a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
A pale, yellow sun finally rose. This reluctant mariner was startled back to his senses by a form on the horizon. He shook his head and tried hurriedly to clear the crust from his face and sight. Not large enough for a landmass and moving toward him--it must be a ship! Yes, the ship must have returned to search! He slapped the water with his damaged hands and croaked a cry as his blurry vision witnessed the advance. Hurry, Hurry! Faster and faster it came, but in a straight course for his position! Would he be overrun after such a long night of suffering? No, he couldn't allow it! He frantically tried to propel the basket alongside the bulk of the trememdous shadow that overtook him. A dark void opened like an umbrella over his head blotting out the sky. Rushing water rolled everything over and over and downward; suddenly, a black curtain fell. Then--nothingness.
Hours passed. He awoke incredulously in the cold darkness. Horror struck with his first thought:alive! I'm still alive within the belly of the beast!
J. Wallace
posted by Purgatory Penman | 6:16 PM
2 Comments:
I hope there is a next installment. I like it. I used to write fictional pieces filling in details of existing accounts in the Bible.
Tony
I mailed you a CD yesterday. I hope you are allowed to receive them and have a way to listen to them. It is a talk by Randy Harris you would probably enjoy.
Tony
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