IAIN KELLY

CASTAWAY

The sea was calm and a brilliant clear blue, mirrored by the cloudless sky above.

The storm had railed against the mysterious island for three weeks, the same surge that had capsized the cargo ship and driven them to the unknown land in the canoe life rafts.

‘You’re sure which direction?’ Gideon asked.

Cyrus shrugged. ‘We can’t stay here. Nothing but sand and rock and we haven’t seen another ship all the time we’ve been here.’

‘There must be a search party looking for the wreck and survivors. Why haven’t they picked up our emergency beacons?’

Cyrus shrugged again. He wanted to get away from the island. Something felt wrong. They had explored it all and found no sign of life but still he couldn’t shake the feeling they were not alone.

They shook hands before each solemnly getting into their meagre craft.

As they pulled away from the beach Cyrus looked back.

He saw the glint of sunlight reflected on glass. Standing on a rock he saw the man watching them leave through his telescope.


photo-20170731154618694

My small tale was suggested by the classic novel ‘The Mysterious Island‘, by Jules Verne.

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

41 responses to “CASTAWAY”

  1. Jade M. Wong Avatar

    Photo prompt aside, I could envision the blue sky and smell the salty water of the sea. I could feel the sun almost blinding me. You fleshed out the scene fantastically Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jade 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Liz Husebye Hartmann Avatar

    “Wilson! Wil-son!!” (Tom Hanks in ‘Castaway’)
    Sorry…just couldn’t help where my mind went.
    Sharp, full, short fiction…as usual! 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I asked for that with the title I guess! Thanks Liz

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Liz Husebye Hartmann Avatar

        (It’s not you…it’s me!)

        Liked by 1 person

  3. James Avatar

    As I recall from the novel, there was plenty of life on that island, just no apparent human life. May Captain Nemo have a better fate in your story than he did in Verne’s.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks James, plenty of life on Verne’s island – I think they were stuck there for 5 years or more in the end – and 900-odd pages – the opposite end of the fiction scale to the Flash Fiction version!

      Like

  4. scr4pl80 Avatar

    Hope they get safely away and rescued!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Janet – who knows whee they will end up!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Jennie Avatar

    Great story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Jennie

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        You’re welcome, Lain.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. joyroses13 Avatar

    And I heard the eerie music in the background as I read the last line. Great job!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, thank you 🙂

      Like

  7. J.A. Prentice Avatar

    Great story! I love the ending.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. marja Avatar

    Exciting They just left in time

    Liked by 1 person

  9. gravadee Avatar

    OMG, I m so curious to know more.
    Interesting take on the prompt 🙂

    Click Here to see what Mrs. Dash Says

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  10. any1mark Avatar

    Weeks of rain would be bad enough without the observations from suspicious others. Nicely done

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  11. Victoria K Gallagher Avatar

    Love, love… Incredibly ominous. I kind of wish that they end up back on the island and find out what is the mystery. Fab story leaving me wanting more!! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Victoria – they don’t seem like they’re too sure what they’re doing – maybe the tide will drag them back to shore…!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    I fear that they may find that the currents return them to the island, for the ship wreak was no coincidence!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Absolutely Michael!

      Like

  13. Kalpana Solsi Avatar

    The man with a binocular did not hurt them. It is good they left in the nick of time.
    http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/08/life-boats.html

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Priceless Joy Avatar

    The search party is looking for them and they just missed them! Great story Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks PJ. Interesting interpretation – you’re the only one to think of that solution so far, definitely a plausible explanation of who the man looking for them is 🙂

      Like

      1. Priceless Joy Avatar

        Yes, that is what I thought it was about, the search party.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. jacquelineobyikocha Avatar

        I thought the same thing that maybe they left too soon.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. luckyjc007 Avatar

    Fear of the unknown can put all kinds of thoughts in your head and maybe they just needed to stay a little longer or at least go back and find out who was looking at them…maybe it was someone else that had landed on that island like they did. It may be safer than drifting without water or food to last an unknown time before someone finds them. A grate suspence and lots of questions unanswered. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you. The question for them is whether the person on the island is friend or foe?!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Moon Avatar
    Moon

    I really admire how you customise your inspiration and create a whole new world rather than blandly reframing the tale like an ordinary/ inexperienced story teller would .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you for a lovely compliment Moon.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Varad Avatar

    Did he have a claw for a hand or a stump for a leg? Well done, Iain. Very eerie take.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And a patch over one eye. Thanks Varad

      Like

  18. Shweta Suresh Avatar

    I hope that Cyrus and Gideon were able to get away without any harm! Great take on the prompt, Iain! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

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