BETRAYED BY THE WIND: A JOURNEY OF HOPE AND DESPAIR

Submitted into Contest #241 in response to: Start your story with an unexpected betrayal.... view prompt

7 comments

Adventure Drama Thriller


Input 1:


Betrayed by the wind's shifting whispers, I find myself marooned in this vast expanse of ocean. Time has become an abstract concept, blurred by the relentless cycle of haunting memories since the storm cast me adrift from safety. With nothing but determination and the debris of this forsaken island, I fashioned a frail vessel, clinging to hope amidst the desolation.


With only my bare hands and the scant resources scattered across the island, I've labored day and night to construct a crude raft. Using driftwood and salvaged materials, I pieced together a semblance of a ship, a fragile raft that I prayed would carry me to safety. I've learned to hunt and forage, honing my skills in the art of survival to sustain myself in this unforgiving wilderness. Each day brings new challenges, but with unwavering resolve, I persevere, driven by the hope of one day returning to civilization.


As I embark on my makeshift raft, propelled by the whims of capricious gusts, anticipation intertwines with apprehension. Beyond the horizon lies the promise of distant shores, yet fate, shrouded in mystery, holds its secrets close.



Input 2:


Once a beacon of hope, the wind now abandons me to the eerie stillness of this watery realm. The relentless sun scorches my spirit, casting memories of home as mere flickering stars in the distance. Yet, beneath the surface, shadows linger, constantly reminding me of the peril surrounding me.



Input 3:


Drifting aimlessly across the mirror-like surface of the ocean, I am bereft of the wind's embrace. Silence reigns supreme, broken only by the rhythmic dance of waves. The absence of familiar sounds amplifies the solitude as I navigate through uncertainty.



Input 4:


With each passing moment, the stillness envelops me like a suffocating shroud, binding me to this limbo of uncertainty. The relentless circling of thoughts echoes the haunting echoes of solitude, intensifying the struggle for survival. Hunger gnaws at my belly, thirst parches my throat, and the harsh realities of existence are etched into every fiber of my being. The sharks circle ominously beneath me, their sleek forms a constant reminder of the dangers lurking beneath the surface.



Input 5:


Lost amidst the boundless horizons, I seek solace in memories of a land long left behind. The absence of familiar landmarks heightens the sense of displacement as I navigate the vastness of the unknown. Every passing moment is a testament to resilience amidst adversity.



Input 6:

Seven eternities have elapsed since I set sail from the shores of my forsaken sanctuary. The wind's betrayal weighs heavily upon my soul as I navigate this vast ocean of uncertainty. Each day blends into the next, marked only by the relentless pursuit of hope in the face of despair.



Input 7:


Drifting upon this endless expanse, visions of home flicker like distant stars in the night sky. The absence of familiar faces accentuates the loneliness as I navigate the depths of solitude. Each passing day is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.



Input 8:


Twelve interminable days have passed since I left the shores of that forsaken island, yet salvation remains elusive. The sharks circle below, their cold eyes intensely fixed upon me. My body aches with exhaustion, and my mind is clouded with fear and uncertainty. The absence of the wind serves as a cruel reminder of fate's fickleness, leaving me adrift in a sea of doubt. The relentless pursuit of survival only intensifies my isolation as I struggle to find meaning amidst the chaos.



Input 9:


With each passing moment, my resolve weakens, and despair threatens to engulf me entirely. The relentless circling of thoughts is a haunting reminder of the perils that lurk beneath the surface. Yet, even amidst such adversity, I cling tenaciously to the hope of someday returning to the world I once knew.



Input 10:


Ten arduous inputs have come and gone since I embarked upon this perilous journey, yet salvation remains beyond reach. The wind's betrayal weighs heavily upon my soul, leaving me adrift in doubt. Each passing moment is a struggle to hold onto hope amidst the relentless despair. The sharks grow bolder in their pursuit, their relentless hunger driving them closer to my fragile raft.



Input 11:


With each passing input, my strength wanes, and my spirit falters. The ceaseless circling of thoughts is a haunting reminder of the dangers that lurk beneath the surface. Yet, despite the overwhelming adversity, I refuse to succumb to despair. I will continue to fight, for as long as life courses through my veins, hope shall endure.




Input 12:


Twelve endless inputs have slipped through my grasp since I departed from the shores of that forsaken island, yet salvation remains elusive. The absence of the wind weighs heavily upon my soul, leaving me adrift in an ocean of uncertainty. The sharks circle below, their cold eyes intensely fixed upon me. I am a solitary soul adrift in a vast, unforgiving sea, at the mercy of forces beyond my control. Each passing moment is a battle against the darkness that threatens to engulf me.



Input 13:


With each passing moment, my resolve weakens, and despair threatens to consume me whole. The relentless circling of thoughts is a haunting reminder of the perils that lurk beneath the surface. Yet, even in the face of such adversity, I cling fiercely to the hope of someday returning to the world I once knew.



Input 14:


Fourteen long days have passed since I embarked upon this treacherous journey, yet salvation remains elusive. The wind's betrayal weighs heavily upon my soul, and it is getting hard to hold on. Each passing moment is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.



Input 15:


Twenty agonizing days have elapsed since I set sail from that island, yet salvation remains a distant dream. The absence of the wind serves as a chilling reminder of fate's capriciousness, leaving me adrift in a sea of despair. The sharks lurk below, their predatory instincts sharpened by hunger and desperation. My provisions have run dry, and the thirst that gnaws at my throat is matched only by the desire that twists in my belly. But still, I refuse to surrender to despair. I will fight until my last breath, for I know that if there is life in my body, there is hope. Each passing moment is a struggle to hold onto hope amidst the relentless grief.



Explanation:


This journal was found washed ashore on a remote beach, discovered by a group of explorers scouting the coastline for research purposes. The tattered pages were weathered and water-stained, evidence of the relentless journey endured by its author. While the protagonist's identity remains unknown, their harrowing tale is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity.

March 08, 2024 21:16

You must sign up or log in to submit a comment.

7 comments

Alexis Araneta
14:00 Mar 17, 2024

Ooh, such a creative take on the prompt. It's sort of the melding of wind week and betrayal week. Splendid use of imagery too.

Reply

Darvico Ulmeli
15:00 Mar 17, 2024

Thank you. I was very inspired with prompts.

Reply

Show 0 replies
Show 1 reply
Jessie Laverton
21:49 Mar 16, 2024

This is a very original take on the prompt. I really don’t like those sharks!

Reply

Darvico Ulmeli
21:57 Mar 16, 2024

He-he. Me neither. Thans on comment.

Reply

Show 0 replies
Show 1 reply
Helen A Howard
14:44 Mar 16, 2024

Feels like a true story. The MC kept entering into dark despair (not surprisingly with the sharks encircling). Good ending. Unexpected.

Reply

Darvico Ulmeli
14:57 Mar 16, 2024

It is, but I use the ocean and wind metaphorically. When a prompt shows up, I immediately know I have to write it. Thanks for the comment.

Reply

Helen A Howard
15:23 Mar 16, 2024

That’s great when you can immediately respond. It’s probably the best way to approach it.

Reply

Show 0 replies
Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply
Reedsy | Default — Editors with Marker | 2024-05

Bring your publishing dreams to life

The world's best editors, designers, and marketers are on Reedsy. Come meet them.