The Stars

Shoutout to Blxxii for caring about me and inspiring this story<3

Who am I?

Gasping for breath, I burst out from the water, begging to stay afloat for a few more seconds. I don’t know why I’m in the water, or why I am fighting for my life in the ocean.

As my blurry sight gradually focuses, I catch the smell of smoke and turn my aching head towards the mess of a mast that was left of the ship, and splinters of wood that cracked and groaned.

As I tilt my body, I realize what just happened, and temporarily can’t move from the frozen icicles that are my legs; the hypothermia is setting in.

It’s too quiet on the sea, and I can’t focus on the report I’m writing, so I decide to go on deck, with my best mate. As I breathe in the ocean’s salty scent,  I hear a voice; must be my best mate. 

“Come over here, will ya?”

Of course, I move towards him and study his face. He was always hard to read. He seems as distracted as I am, with an unsettling amount of seriousness embedded in his words. The pipe in his mouth does nothing to muffle his speech.

“What’s wrong?”

That  must be my voice; how different it sounds.

“I dunno. But something feels...off.”

I agreed with him.

The waves bang on the hull of the ship, attempting to break in again. I wince as the wood emits a different sound, not of sturdy defense, but of frightened reapproach, threatening to give way. Alramed, I hurriedly move towards my mate; I can’t remember his name. 

“What?”

I glance at the hull again, then speak, the swaying of the ship growing more intense.

“I-I think the hull is- AAHHH!”

With a great screech, the waves finally crack the hull, and the ship breaks in two. Splinters flew into my face and palms, the relentless wood sinking into my body. Tossed into a vortex of wood, water, and more water, I remember my training as an Olympic swimmer and straightened my body, managing to get tossed into the calmer waters. The pipe my friend had been smoking set the whole vessel a flame, then a stray piece of wood decided to knock me out.

So…

I don’t know what I should do, so I start swimming, moving. I can’t stay still forever.

I decide on using Freestyle swimming, as it will keep my body warm. 

Stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe.  Stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe. 

Why am I on a ship with my best friend?

Stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe. 

I...I wanted to see my parents. In England? Yeah, in England.

Stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe. 

But why did the ship crash? What do I do now? I’ve trained as a professional survivalist, but I haven’t learned ocean survival yet… Oh lord, what do I do? 

Changing to back swimming, I watch the clouds fly by, the occasional seagull pass, and sometimes a plane. I know it’s hopeless to yell for help now. My body is freezing cold, despite the Freestyle warming it up a little bit.

Splash, Splash, Splash.

Changing to a frog paddle, I looked at the colorful fish swimming around me, and wished that I could be one of them, blissfully swimming in the blue waters.

Stroke, Dive. Stroke, Dive.

I feel the feeling in my arms and legs give away, and know that my face and body will follow.

Splash. Splash. Stroke, Splash. 

“OUCH! Damn- Coral-”

I cut myself on a piece of coral, and blood was spilling out of the wound.

Coughing, I try to stay afloat, the world spinning around me.

I’m…

I’m fading. 

I can’t go on anymore.

I’m sorry, Mum and Dad.

Sorry, m-mate. Hope you're still hanging on, unlike me.

Goodbye, Olympics. Goodbye, life.

I wish I could go on longer…

But my body has given up.

I pound the water in frustration, not feeling anything at all. Crimson stains the water. 

Sharks will come anytime soon.

What’s the point? I think, sobbing bitterly, my tears adding to the sea that will be my grave.

I’m gone anyways…

Warmth.

I feel my body regaining control, and wonder if I’m in the after life. Then I feel the bodies, the bodies pushing me forwards. I strain to see who is doing this and find six dolphins, all urging me on, encouraging me to never, ever give up.

And I don’t.

Clinging on to them, I relax in their presence for hours, maybe even days.

Then an island appears. A real island. I rub my eyes and look- it’s still there, solid and real.

I hug the dolphins that saved my life, and whisper

“Thank you.”

Even though they can’t understand, they look at me with glassy eyes and carry me onto the island.

I can’t describe how grateful I am.

As I walk on the sandy ground, the dolphins fly away, like angels, moving smoothly back to their home. I watch them, and wonder if they have saved other shipwrecked sailors before. That they were not doing this for the first time.  I think about this, and soon realize just how hungry I am.

“Maybe I can scourge some coconuts?” I say; no one can hear me anyway.

As I scan the land, my eyes find some backpacks tucked near the trees, and open them.

Water, water, food(apples and bananas), and paper.

Thank you guys…!

If people were here before, then the shore must be nearby!

I laugh in relief and happiness- I can be saved- and eat the delicious fruits. You have no idea how yummy fruit tastes after you’ve been in the ocean for many hours, your clammy hands threatening to fall off.

As I eat, the world closes its eyes and everyone falls asleep. Everyone except me, of course. I lay down, my wound throbbing but not bleeding.

As I go over everything that has happened, I know that I don’t need to know who I am right now, or worry about the ship. 

All I need to know…

Is why the stars are so beautiful here.

Dedicated to Lillian B. for how patient she is.