Short Story: Abandon Ship

ABANDON SHIP
by Raymond Kim

Today is my 39th day on the voyage to my hometown. My captain has ordered me to bring down the whole cargo to the stern of the ship. I dragged my filthy body to the bottom of the ship to drag out the powder kegs and the barrels I had to carry to the back end of the ship. I hated the fact that there were only four men carrying the cargo and there were about 16 barrels. So, if we were to do the math fairly, a person would each take 4 cargoes. However, life wasn't as fair as simple mathematic laws. I was the lowest level or degree in the ship, which meant I had to carry more than half of the cargoes. This sucked so bad. I personly hated the rule of the sails.

Day 45th, our crew are having a bit of trouble sailing through the sea. I think there is going to be a big storm coming towards us. Our captain, as loony as he is, wants to go through the storm. I had to stay calm as everybody else on the ship cried out with sorrow. I took control of my heart and mind -- nevermind, the storm was much more devastating than I thought. On second thought, I decided to grab hold on the heaviest barrel that I can find (which wasn't really a good idea) and made sure the barrel and I were safe. Then, the malicious storm finally hit us. I rolled around with the barrel on the deck with my two arms and two legs attached to the barrel as tightly as I could. It was shocking to realize how much the storm could cause the ship to rattle. As I was getting a hold on myself, I realized that all the other crewmen were sprinting back and forth from the port to the starboard to make sure the ship was balanced. I thought it was going to work...but it actually made the ship rattle much worse... Then with a loud bang, I suddenly hit something ice cold over my body.

I don't remember how long I have been floating on the barrel I have been attached on to. I was feeling sick. I eventually vomitted water out...I haven't been eating for days. With an urge of curiousity, I opened the barrel with a hope of some food or at least a bottle of rum. Thank God, what I have found inside the barrel was some spinaches! That was all I got so I gobbled up as much as I could. Then with myself fueled up, I paddled my wet feet towards east thanks to the compass in my pocket. After I had paddled for about an hour, I was able to see another barrel floating by with a rope wrapped around it. Before I tied the two barrels together, I opened up the barrel with a hope of water. Sadly, I found bananas. Oh well, I could at least recharge myself with some potassium. After that, I paddled once more towards east. Now my feet was so wet that it felt too heavy for me... I had to rest. I think 6 more hours past. I saw a huge ship sailing by. I yelled as loud as I could. I was rescued. I felt happy and joyful...I never wanted to go out sailing again with a loony captain.