Saved

Yet another flash fiction piece from Jessica Therrien for the Writer's Campaign Challenge. If you like it as much as we do, be sure to vote at the link below. And follow her blog for more updates on Jessica's writing and the upcoming release of her debut novel, Oppression.

 

SAVED

I watch Nathan’s lips move as he prattles on about the new world, but all I can see beyond the rusted bow of the ship is water, black as coal in the night.

A rush of air chills my skin, and I fake a yawn, in hopes that he’ll excuse himself. He does. Thank God.

When I stand to leave, I hear a bang and the clatter of splintering wood. The boards shake beneath my feet.

“Pirates!” someone shouts.

Another bang. This time I fall. I scream as I tumble over the edge, but nobody hears me. I hit the water with force, then nothing.

***

I wake to the taste of salty lips on mine as breath is forced into my lungs. I cough and choke up water, digging my fingers into the wet sand when I catch sight of the half-naked man above me.

“Synbatec,” he whispers.

I freeze.

“Where am I?”

Source

The rising sun has stained the sky with pink, and I see no sign of the ship. I try to take deep breaths, but the smell of festering seaweed invades my nose.

He points to the jungle behind us.

“What?” I ask.

“Wastopaneer el tacise. Tu et Synbatec.” I can see every muscle flex beneath his coconut skin as he gestures with nervous eyes.

He beckons for me to follow him. My heart skips with hesitation, but I take his hand.

We walk in silence.

Without warning, a soundless arrow pierces my chest, and I cry out as sharp pain tears through me.

He catches me before I fall. I’m as good as dead. He grips the arrow, and I expect him to pull it out. Instead, the arrow disappears. The wound disappears. The pain is gone.

I stare at him. He smiles. We run.

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