Hurley's Stars Align

Written in response to: Write a story in which a character navigates using the stars.... view prompt

4 comments

American Black Fiction

Thoughts of his ninth-grade astrology unit resurfaced as he found himself adrift in the vastness of the sea. It's fascinating how the mind can retrieve or at least convince itself of memories when immersed in overwhelming chaos and stress about what lies ahead.


Days passed as Hurley McKinnis clung to his resolve. Uncertain of his fate, whether he would survive or perish. There was no one to ask or lend a helping hand. Ocean water covered his feet, but he stayed at that level and rose no higher. He was aware of his ability to maintain that position for long periods, but the duration remained uncertain. His body would soon suffer severe havoc from exposure to the sun and a lack of food and water.


A sudden realization dawned upon Hurley, filling him with the bittersweet awareness that this might very well be his final venture into the cherished sanctuary he held closest to his heart.


"I have no desire to meet my demise!" "I have unfinished business! I'm too young to be held back!" he exclaimed, his voice carried away by the wind. "You understand exactly what I mean!" Do you not? "Curse you!" No one answered his cries. A starlit sky devoid of a moon marked the onset of the night. The boat moved beneath him, leaving him unsure if he was drifting toward deeper waters or being pulled closer to the shore.


His uncontrollable outbursts were wicked and intense. Hurley's mind was filled with thoughts, fixating on the individuals he had harmed. Unresolved relationships haunted him, and an overwhelming guilt churned in his stomach like a restless sea creature. Before his time ended, he embarked on a personal quest to correct his past mistakes.


I yearn for a life filled with vitality and purpose. Listen to me; I implore you. Allow me to thrive, for goodness sake. Can you hear what I'm saying? I struggled to find my words, my voice fading away. As the first rays of daylight approached, anticipation filled me. The time had come to discover the fate of my boat in the harbour.


Hurley McKinnis turned the sailboat around and fearlessly steered it straight into the crashing waves. The relentless onslaught of waves was wearing down the catamaran despite the best efforts to avoid them. Hurley used his limited knowledge of the stars that he could remember to guide the catamaran toward a constellation that he believed would take him home.


He was confined within the cabin of his vessel, relying solely on the subtle movements of his feet to navigate the boat through the rolling waves. Despite his doubts, he defied the odds and survived the night.


The toll kept increasing as the waves were bombarded with water from the depths of the sea. Additionally, numerous crew members were tossed overboard, never to be seen again.


By the end of the day, Hurley would grasp the true meaning of being trapped in a difficult situation, despite his familiarity with the bay. It is one of Hurely's favourite places to be.


The toll kept increasing as the waves were bombarded with water from the depths of the sea. Additionally, numerous crew members were tossed overboard and were believed to have perished. By the end of the day, Hurley would grasp the true meaning of being trapped in a dilemma. It was a predicament he had never fathomed, despite his countless ventures out on the bay. Despite the danger, Hurley's favourite place in the world was out on the open water.


Hurley would remain oblivious, worry excessively, and constantly question the necessity of acquiring knowledge beyond his own role. He was exposed to avoidable danger. However, the situation was far from being a mere lack of knowledge. Now, Hurley finds himself caught between a rock of uncertainty and a hard place of expertise. Both options were unsuitable.


He meandered aimlessly as he fell short of perfection. Hurley was desperate for a spot to hurl. He found himself trapped in the cabin but took matters into his own hands. He knew he could carve a small hole in the side of the cabin so he could hurl it into a separate location from where he was. But the boat abruptly stopped just as he was about to delve deeper into his thoughts.


The ship hit the ground. After his rescue, Hurley went to the hospital. He stayed there until he felt completely refreshed. Then, he returned to his ship, "The Catamaran on the Bay at Hurley's," which opened the following week.


The restaurant, a catamaran that had run aground, captivated the community. The first week of its opening saw a whole house of reservations. The menu exuded simplicity, while the wine list boasted an extensive selection. Everything went smoothly, and the fish and seafood menu items surpassed expectations.


The many people who dined at Hurley's restaurant during its opening week surprised him. He pondered whether they could ever maintain such numbers. Much to his surprise, he found that keeping those numbers for the rest of the season would be necessary.


Seafood dishes from the shores of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, as well as off the coasts of Sea Schelt Island and others in British Columbia, bring the flavours of the deep sea to your plate. Hurley's was incredibly successful.


Hurley skillfully used his ninth-grade science class knowledge to navigate the stars in the sky, making it possible for him to get home. All Hurley's stars aligned.

April 06, 2024 21:28

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4 comments

Viga Boland
22:44 Apr 09, 2024

Hmmm….intriguing. Well done, Lily.

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Lily Finch
00:11 Apr 12, 2024

Thanks, Viga.

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Mary Bendickson
23:54 Apr 06, 2024

Hurley needed a place to hurl... :) Turned near tragedy into successful seafood place.

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Lily Finch
00:12 Apr 12, 2024

Pretty cool, thanks, Mary

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