STORY ARC #10 SHIPWRECK
How It All Ends
The conclusion: Part 3 of a Choose Your Own Story
This is a collaborative ‘choose your own’ fiction story. Check out the start of the story here, the second part is here, or head back to the previous chapter, ‘An Unlikely Hero’, also by Robert Ralph
Or find out how to contribute to the ongoing story here.
I’m Going To Leave
John decides the best course of action is to attempt to leave the island, even though he has hardly explored it. He feels that only danger lies ahead despite the unlikely protection he has received from the silverback.
He stocks the boat up with water from the local stream and berries, knowing it will hardly get him past a few days. The thought of his family still drives him to leave.
Attempt Number One
John pushes the boat onto the water with his trusty companion and smiles at him as he sets off. The sea is calm, the sun is in the sky, and John feels positive, despite not knowing which direction to head.
“If I set off and sail straight, maybe I will find a search party or another island,” he thinks to himself. Now out on the ocean for a few hours, surrounded by sea and no land in sight, John wonders if he has made a mistake.
Lost At Sea
The sun is getting cooler, the sea is choppy, and with no compass and few provisions, negative thoughts run through his mind. Would he ever see his family again?
John spots a large ship in the distance and heads towards it, but alas, they are faster, and he can see the ship getting smaller as it disappears into the horizon.
Friend Or Foe?
John feels his boat getting knocked from underneath and leans overboard to investigate. He cannot see anything obvious and wonders if his mind is playing tricks on him.
Out of nowhere, a huge whale jumps out of the water and crashes back down just a few meters from his boat. The waves crash against it, and the boat nearly tips over with the sheer force of the current made by this magnificent mammal.
The whale does not surface again, and John survives another scare. As the night draws in, he settles down, trying to get warm. A cold and long night is ahead of him.
Inevitability
When John wakes the next morning, the sun feels unbearable. He drinks just a few mouthfuls of water and eats four berries. He now only has thirteen left.
Looking all around, all John can see is the ocean. How will he get out of this one, he thinks? Should he try to head back, if only he knew which way that was, an air of inevitability started to hit home.
John's boat drifts. Over the next few hours, he uses up all of his water and eats the remaining berries. Exhaustion kicks in, and John falls asleep, not expecting to wake up. His only wish now is that he dies in his sleep.
John Is Saved
John wakes to hear voices surrounding him. As he looks up, he sees a boat alongside his. He rubs his eyes and wonders if this is a dream. The men do not speak English and are shouting at each other. John is far too excited to feel scared. What is the worst that can happen?
John is taken aboard the boat with force. He can see land not too far away. He is on what looks like a fishing boat. He is, however, thrown into a cabin, which is locked behind him.
His Fate Is Decided
John is forcefully taken from the cabin and led off the boat and onto land. He is met with cheers and dancing, and ominous drums are pounding. The locals seem pleased to see him. John now feels nervous.
He is taken to see what appears to be the leader after a lot of shouting back and forth. John was led to a shallow cave. Two locals guard him with handmade weapons.
He can see a huge fire is lit, and celebrations have started. John tries to speak to the guards, but they simply ignore him. As the night draws in, three men approach the cave and tie John's hands and legs behind his back; they then tread a stake through it.
It suddenly dawns on John that cannibals have recused him. John’s fate has now been decided. He left the only friend willing to fight and protect him, wishing his silverback gorilla was here to help him.
Instead, he found human life that was about to take his life away.
The End.
Mini Series Feedback
Many of you will know I am new to fiction. This was my first attempt at a mini-series. I always like to go through plot twists to keep readers on their toes. I am sure this was not the outcome you were thinking of. If that is the case, then my job is complete.
Any feedback, good or bad, will be appreciated. Thank you for reading. I will try and improve my writing during my next mini-series. I hope that you will join me.
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