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Prince_Colin
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Subject: Chapter 7: And the Sea is Calling
"Wake up ya scallywag! Six bells to land ho!" A voice said, intruding Colin's dreams of an underwater city filled with half fish half people. His eyes snapped open to regard the leathery face of the first mate, a man who he had made a strong and fast friendship with early on in the voyage.
"There ya go! Eyes open and seein' clear to me own thinkin'! Now get yer butt in gear, we gotta make this girl dock worthy before we land at Weatherlock!" The first mate, whos name was Gar, said.
"Alright, Gar, alright, I'm up! Hahaha. Aren't you just cheery this morn." Colin commented as he rolled out of bed. "As cheery as howling winds and blowing rain'll make a man!" Gar declared, laughing as he left the room to allow Colin his privacy.
A short time later Colin stepped onto the wind and rain swept deck of the Santa Anna and looked around for the captain. Spotting him on the foredeck shouting and waving orders at the crew who seemed to be in chaos, Colin strode over, carefully maneuvering around the busy crew.
"Where do ya need me, Captain?" Colin shouted, to be heard over the din of the storm. "Up in the 'nest boy! And be quick!" The captain hollered. Quickly going back to shouting directions and preparing the ship for her landing at Weatherlock.
Colin scrambled up the nets and into the small bucket shaped area where another crewman was peering hard through a tube. "Can't see a durned thing in this weather!" The crewman roared. "The waters be lookin' for some crew today!" He exclaimed, pointing out the giant waves that crashed against the side of the ship. "Here, maybe you might have better luck!" He said as he handed Colin the tube. "Just look in this end and things far away will be closer!" he instructed.
As Colin peered through the telescope he could see nothing but grey fog and churning water. A splash came to his ears and Colin brought the telescope down to the water where he saw....an image, no, a silhouette, of a large fish swimming just under the waves. He could just barely make out that it seemed to have longer fins than usual and an awkward body shape. Colin had to blink several times before looking again but just as quickly as it came, the image had disappeared. Out of the corner of his eye though, Colin spied a large rock, jutting up from the water. As the ship came closer, the rock grew. Recognizing trees and sand, Colin called out, "Land Ho!" as he handed the tube back to the crewman, who confirmed the declaration with another "Land Ho!".
After several minutes of tying and rolling, sweeping and mopping, the anchor hit the water with a loud splash. With the anchor weighed and the sails up, the Santa Anna was officially stopped. Minus the bobbing and weaving of the water.
"Colin, Gar! Get the dingy and go scout that shore! We need to find a dock before the storm comes in any harder!" The captain commanded. Pointing to the small rowboat hanging off the side of the ship.
After the rowboat was in the water with her two passengers, the storm seemed to pick up a bit. "Let's row! We dont have much time!" Gar shouted over the crashing of the waves. "Once we get there we can build shelter!"
The pair picked up an oar each and began paddling hard for shore, making sure to stay in unison so as to maximize their movement. All of a sudden, about halfway between the ship and land, a large wave came crashing down from behind, propelling the boat forward at a high rate of speed, the pair hadn't the time to notice the jagged edges of a reef until it was too late. Wave after wave pulverized the small boat against the reef, making several holes in the hull. "Abandon ship!" Gar cried as he dove headlong into the churning waves. Colin attempted to do the same but a wave caught him and began pounding his body against the reef. Its rough and sharp edges ripping and tearing his skin and clothing. After several minutes of the almost constant beating, pain began to flood his system, water filled his lungs and his mind began to slowly recede into darkness.
Sun. Sand. Heat. Pain. These were the sensations Colin felt when his eyes fluttered open. He began to vomit sea water and cough up some seaweed.
He lay there in the dirt for several long moments before tried to command his legs to stand. They wouldn't heed to him , at first, but try as he might he eventually stood shakily on weak legs. Forcing himslef to take some steps he began to slowly work out the kinks in his muscles.
Taking this moment to look around him, he noticed that there was no ship or dingy to be found when he gazed at the water, which stretched far and wide. On both sides of him was nothing but sand as the beach went in both directions as far as the eyes could see. Turning around he gazed at the forest which stood before him, the vegetation wild and untamed glistened with moisture as it drank the water of the sea. Thinking to make a fire and mend his gear, Colin began rummaging around by the treeline for firewood.
Several hours later, Colin sat next to his blazing fire, tossing the remnants of the fruit he had picked into the coals, which flared at the fuel. He began to think of the people in his life. Family and friends, clan and country. For the first time in his adult life, Colin sat on a rock in the middle of a beach with no name, on an island he had never been on and cried.


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Time Posted: January 21 2010 12:49 pm EST
Last updated: January 21 2010 12:49 pm EST

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