She had been drifting for three days and three nights now.
The old wooden boat creaked and strained. She looked anxiously at the sea water appearing gently through the hull. The pool of water grew slowly. She had a couple of hours until they would disappear beneath the surface.
The wind began to pick up. Waves lapped over the low edges of the deck.
She glanced up to see the gathering storm clouds. As she looked away she saw a fleck of movement. It came closer.
A seabird. No. A cormorant. A coastal bird. Land must be close. But how close?

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details here). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).
For more stories, visit the INLINKZ GROUP
62 responses to “LIFEBOAT”
I think this is what they refer to as a “cracking good tale”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Neil
LikeLike
You left me wanting more. Good job.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like a good cliffhanger…! Thanks for reading and your kind comment.
LikeLike
“I only teach this song to those who sail with me” — Conde Arnaldos. I love the solitary voice pursuing its inquiry into its own oncoming fate. Well done.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely quote, thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seemed very suitable somehow: I imagine your boat singing to herself … nice way to start my day.
LikeLike
Great descriptive piece I really felt I was on the boat as well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Many thanks!
LikeLike
I hold my thumbs it’s not an albatross.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, I was tempted, but I thought I’d give her a chance!
LikeLike
Think she has less than three hours now. Hopefully the land is very close.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This was good. I hope she can hold on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks! Me too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, hope at last…I truly believe there is always hope. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s nice to end with a bit of hope – and a good cliffhanger!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I hope she finds land soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need more. Ok?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am waiting with bated breath – does she make it? A great tale.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sorry I havent been around sooner, the last few times I checked the blog was down.
Nice take on the story, theres a great ‘will they wont they survive’ element to it. A cormorant seemed totally fitting as the messenger, if black is symbolic.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good to have your thoughts. Coincidental that a cormorant is black, I have limited bird knowledge, but does fit in nicely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope springs eternal.
I hope she has something to bail with.
LikeLiked by 4 people
That’s what I wanted to say. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
How close indeed? Great cliffhanger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I imagine many a refugee has felt this despair. Thanks for leaving a grain of hope.
Tracey
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Tracey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, you leave us on a cliffhanger! Fingers crossed for her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Iain,
Good build of tension in an atmospheric piece. I felt like I was there. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
“She had a couple of hours until they would disappear…” does this mean she will definitely disappear, or does it mean that she will disappear unless conditions change? errggg! well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope is in sight, indeed! 🙂 Love this little story.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Many thanks.
LikeLike
Close enough to swim, perhaps?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who knows….?
LikeLike
Nicely crafted and well developed piece, Iain.
Interesting that your character is female, somehow seems to make her more vulnerable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Really I choose female because I always tend to write male characters, nice to experiment and it felt right for this little tale.
LikeLike
It worked for me!
LikeLike
Love the cadence of the piece.
In keeping with it, will the land also appear slowly…………?
I wonder!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree with C.E. Ayr; I like that your character is female. At times, I felt that “she” could even be the craft itself. Well done–we all want the sequel!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Interesting. Not the first to mention the boat as the ‘she’. I didn’t intend it that way but reading it back it does work quite well!
LikeLike
Great story, Iain. Just when we thought all was lost, she sees a land bird. You leave us with a touch of hope. Nicely done 🙂
LikeLike
You have me bite my nails here. Bail, woman, bail! Great cliffhanger.
LikeLike
Yes. Visual and hopeful, build-up, everything checks.
Nice work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks.
LikeLike
Very well written. The three of us, Mr Midnight, Sir Winston and myself, enjoyed your piece. Mr Midnight said that it´s a shame one couldn´t stretch it to 150 words but I told him that would be defeating the issue. He´s such a cheeky cat. Thanks for posting. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great tension and as a birdwatcher I appreciated the ornithological knowledge. It reminds me of a TV programme ending, will she make it? Tune in next week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Michael. I like a cliffhanger!
LikeLike
The birds always seem like a good sign, but maybe not in this case! Left me wanting more. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Amy!
LikeLike
Made me hold my breath for the brave little boat….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder if she makes it! You sure know how to pull the reader in.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Many thanks Magarisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great tension building there, Iain. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 2 people
Many thanks Suzanne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You did very well at connecting to the image 🙂 thanks for the read x
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for reading Bridget 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your blog check out mine & follow please Young Journey –
https://youngjourneysite.wordpress.com/
LikeLiked by 1 person
good thoughts, nice, keep it up……
Visit to my blog………..https://breadomlette.wordpress.com/ and give your valuable comments and likes, if my blog is good so don’t forget to follow……..
LikeLike
Nice Share and Nice Post ..
❤ ❤ LOVE it ❤ ❤
Come and visit my blog ..
https://kenikmatanpria.wordpress.com/category/english-corner/
Thanks u
LikeLike
Well written
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice Share and Nice Post ..❤❤ LOVE it❤❤
Come and visit my blog ..
https://kenikmatanpria.wordpress.com/category/english-corner/
Thanks u
#OM TELOLET OM
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is very good, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ted, an oldie, but a goodie 🙂
LikeLike