Category: short story

the lone sailor

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the lone sailor spent months preparing

for a solo oceanic voyage 

stripping down the vessel to save weight

stashing food and supplies in every crevice

the departure day was ceremonial

family and friends gathered

news media interviews

hugging and well wishing

finally the boat left port

to the mercy of the winds and currents

intense activity in the first few days

plotting courses and organizing

passing ships became less frequent

settling into a routine

watching the horizon

eating and sleeping

days became weeks

the promised winds disappeared

endless days drifting

progress was slow

suddenly the sea became angry

a massive storm was brewing

huge waves tossed the boat

supplies washed overboard

impossible to sleep

the raging storm continued for days

the main mast broke

exhaustion and fear turned to panic

no longer in control

nature now commanded this vessel

he faced the grim reality

the probability of survival was low

The Restless One

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Chogan was a young Native American living on a reservation in California.

His tribe operated a casino which generated significant revenue but sadly most of the adults were alcoholics. Young tribal members suffered from depression and low self esteem and many drifted into alcohol and substance abuse. Chogan strongly resisted peer pressure to experiment with drugs or alcohol.  Having witnessed his father drink heavily and beat his mother, he desperately wanted to escape this abusive lifestyle.

When he reached the age of eighteen he took a DNA test and discovered he had origins with the Karipachi tribe in Arizona. They lived a traditional lifestyle and did not allow alcohol or gambling on their reservation. They performed traditional ceremonies and preserved their ancient language.   He felt drawn to the Karipachi tribe and decided to visit their reservation. 

Telling his parents he was going to visit a friend off the reservation for a few days, he set off to explore. He walked and took a few free rides over the next five days. Sleeping under the stars and drinking water from streams, he felt a strong sense of inner peace as the journey progressed.  Upon arrival at the Karipachi reservation he was surprised by the lack of development.  These people lived in simple dwellings and were close to nature.  

He wandered through a small village and saw a trail which led him to a hillside. He could hear music and insinctively followed the sound. Eventually he came across an elderly man playing a flute on an outcrop overlooking the reservation.  The man stopped playing and said welcome my son, we have been waiting for you.

How did you know I was coming? asked Chogan. I could hear you calling us on the wind and I felt your footsteps on the ground for the last five days.  This is your home now, come meet the rest of your new family. 

Chogan never returned to California and had no further contact with his parents. He was reborn and took a new name Ahoti – The Restless One.

Old flames never die – Part 6 Finale

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Angie was shaking in fear

Julia had to help Angie into her vest

the gunfire rained outside

stay calm said Julia we will not let them get you

Julia opened her closet which was stocked like an armory

she picked up an AK47 and pointed it at the door

the firing continued for a few minutes

then suddenly everything went quiet

Julia spoke into her helmet microphone

575 to command target alpha is secure

a few moments later she put away her gun

its over now Angie you can relax

Julia escorted Angie to her cabin

Mark joined her soon after

they hugged for a long time before Angie pulled away

would you mind telling me what the hell is going on here

Mark took a deep breath and said OK

everybody you saw on this ship is a CIA agent

we are working undercover to track down drug cartel leaders

I infiltrated the cartel using my real identity

one of my companies transports their cocaine worldwide

a rival cartel wanted me to break away and join them

they were planning to kidnap you Angie

to put pressure on me to meet their demands

thats why I had to get you out of your house

they attacked us at sea in a bid to capture you

our backup teams have since arrested them all

and they got all the cartel leaders

the cartel will keep looking for both of us

we need to get new identities and move away

are you ready to start a new life together with me

Angie smiled and said only if you give up all this James Bond stuff

Old flames never die-part 4

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Angie was in awe of the luxury yacht

lunch was simple but sublime

there was obviously a chef onboard

the Miami skyline was breathtaking as they cruised through the bay

Mark excused himself after lunch as he had to get on an important call

he told Angie somebody would come to take care of her

soon a smartly dressed middle aged woman appeared

good afternoon Angie I am Julia let me give you a tour of the vessel

During the tour Angie learned that Julia was his PA

the tour finished in a well appointed cabin

Angie was wowed by the expensive clothes in the closet

this is your cabin said Julia I hope it has everything you need

Mark asked me to go shopping for you this morning

I had to guess your size from a photograph

if anything does not fit or suit you I will have it sent back

oh and the laptop on the desk has wifi if you need to work during the voyage

what voyage asked Angie who assumed this was a lunchtime cruise

we are heading to the Bahamas and we get back in a month

I guess Mark did not get a chance to tell you during lunch

I will leave you here to freshen up just dial 7 if you need me

Angie lay on the bed trying to take it all in

the Miami skyline was getting smaller as they went out to sea

she was slightly annoyed at Mark for not telling her about the trip

if I am to be kidnapped let it be on a luxury yacht she thought

she reached for her phone to read the text

sorry Angie these calls are keeping me away from you

I will be at least an hour but Julia will look after you

no kisses noted Angie he was obviously in business mode

she went up top to get some fresh air and look at the ocean

as she returned to her cabin she could hear voices next door

Mark was shouting at somebody in a very angry tone

he got caught skimming so he gets a bullet in the head today

Old flames never die -part 3

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she looked over and saw his clothes were gone

confirming her worst fears

she looked up at the ceiling at wept

why was I so stupid she sobbed

Mark walked in with a Starbucks breakfast

why on earth are you crying Angie

he held he close as she fought to regain her composure

I am sorry she blurted its all very emotional for me

how sweet of you to remember how I like my coffee said Angie

I remember everything about you said Mark

I committed all the things we did to memory

it feels like we have always been together in my mind

Angie looked into his deep blue eyes

his features were still sharp

he was in good shape and obviously took good care of himself

she pulled him close for a long passionate kiss

I have to run a few errands this morning said Mark

would you like to have lunch down at the yacht club

I can swing by and pick you up at noon

that would be lovely replied Angie

after Mark left she took a long soak in the tub

spending the rest of the morning on her nails and hair

picking out a nice dress

something classy and eye catching

he picked her up at noon on the dot

she remembered he was always so punctual

do you still have that small sailing boat she asked

no I exchanged it for something more practical said Mark

he parked at the yacht club and they walked towards the marina

he led her to the biggest yacht she had ever seen

the crew had lined up to greet them

the captain announced that lunch will be served on the upper deck

Old flames never die- part 2

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she took an extra large sip of her very dirty Martini

giving her time to think before she replied

her mind flashed back to when she last saw him

it was a torrid extra marital affair for both of them

she was ready to leave her husband for him back then

but Mark wanted to keep things as they were

she had given him a six month ultimatum

then told him the affair was over

he had respected her wishes to stay out of her life

and she had kept her promise not to contact him

she was tempted to reach out after her husband died

but was unsure how Mark would react after fifteen years

she felt a buzz as she finished her second Martini

so tell me what you have been up to all this time she asked

he smiled in acknowledgment of her changing the subject

he reached out and held her hand gently

well we moved out to California after our breakup

Jane got heavily involved in politics while I expanded the business

we hardly ever saw each other

we divorced three years ago and she remarried

he held her hand tightly as he whispered

I am sorry about you losing John

I heard it was a very long illness

that must have been very distressing for you

I have thought about you every day Angie

I just sold up everything in California

and moved back to Florida to be near you

are you ready to to start all over again with me Angie

she replied OK Mark before realizing she had actually spoken

the rest of the evening was a blur

she remembered making love in her bed

but upon waking up she realized he was gone

Old flames never die- part 1

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she woke up in a cold sweat

the nightmares were still haunting her

plunging her back into an unhappy consciousness

sadness clung to her night and day

she forced herself to get out of bed

showering and dressing while numb

eating a bland tasteless breakfast

no pleasures brought by the simplest things in her life anymore

she preferred working from home

avoiding the awkwardness of being face to face with others

especially those who picked up on her true feelings

she could expertly hide behind a fake smile in the video conference calls

by mid afternoon she was winding down her online tasks

she held her breath when an email popped onto the screen

it was from an old friend she had not seen for many years

someone she still had very strong feelings for

she opened it with trepidation

he was coming into town and wanted to catch up

he suggested they meet for dinner on Friday

she accepted his invitation without hesitation

she slept soundly that night

waking up with thoughts about seeing him again

breakfast actually tasted good

she wore a genuine smile in the video conference calls that day

She arrived early for the dinner reservation

a martini settled her nerves

she saw him enter from across the room

he had aged well and was still dashingly handsome

he politely kissed her cheek while hugging her tightly

she almost feinted from being so close to him

he sat down and ordered a gin and tonic

are you ready to pick up where we left off were his first words

the long haul trucker- part 6 Finale

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Jerry woke up early in his bunk

Mary was still asleep in his arms

She just saved my life he said to himself 

I owe her big time

Mary woke up and smiled

What can I do for you asked Jerry

Just hold me a while longer she whispered

I feel safe in your arms

Mary rode alongside Jerry for thousands of miles

They became inseparable

He enjoyed every moment of the long driving days

They kept each other warm on those long cold nights

Mary was curious Why Jerry used a broker

Its a lot of work for me to find jobs he explained

The broker does it all for me

Most independent truckers rely on brokers

Mary asked Jerry for his laptop

I need to fully understand this business she declared

There must be a way to avoid having that broker

He is taking a big commission on every load you haul 

After months of studying Mary announced her idea

We should connect the freight companies to all the drivers

Let the software do the work of the brokers

It will be like Uber for truckers

Great idea said Jerry but how can we make it happen

I know a software developer said Mary

Lets meet with him and pitch our idea

Tell your broker to find a load bound for California

A few weeks later they met Bill in San Fransisco

He liked the idea and ran some numbers

They set up a joint venture 

Raising capital by crowdfunding

Ten years later they were having breakfast in their dream home

Mary spent a few hours a day running their business on line

Jerry now only drove two short trips each day 

Taking their kids to school and back

the long haul trucker- part 5

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Jerry had just escaped a certain execution

But now he was standing in front of a gun again

Mary unloaded the weapon and put the bullets in her pocket

Lets go sit in the truck and talk she said

Jerry cautiously followed her

She handed him the gun saying she had no intention of using it

Jerry was confused he demanded to know what was going on

Do you know that guy you just killed 

Mary took a deep breath

I never saw him before today

He pulled me out of the truck and said he was taking it

I told him I was not letting that happen

I blacked out when he hit me

When I woke up he was marching you off at gunpoint

So I grabbed the wrench and snuck up behind him

He was just about to shoot you when I struck him

Jerry asked her why she did not want the cops to come

Just think about it said Mary

Do you think they will believe our story

We could both end up in jail for the rest of our lives

Look around, its almost dark and this place is deserted

Nobody witnessed what just happened

If they had the cops would be here by now

Does that waitress in the diner know you

I have never been here before said Jerry

I paid in cash so there is no credit card record

She must have left straight after I gave her that tip

The place is in darkness now

No sign of any security cameras in this parking lot added Mary

We should just leave and get far away 

Jerry reluctantly agreed and went to fire up the engine

Wait said Mary we need to hide the body first

the long haul trucker- part 4

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Jerry struggled with the big brute

It was like hitting a brick wall

He pushed Jerry to the ground

Mary was lying nearby like a crumpled rag doll

Jerry saw the man pull out a gun

He was big stocky and bald

His evil grin displayed his missing teeth

Long scars across his face

Tell me what load you are hauling he hissed

Farming equipment said Jerry

The brute smiled and showed more missing teeth

That will be easy to sell on 

You gonna die soon

Then I will tie up your woman and put her in the truck

We gonna have fun when she wakes up

Before she joins you in hell

Get up and walk away from the truck

I dont want your brains all over the side of it

He pushed Jerry to the far end of the deserted parking lot

Jerry could not believe his life was about to end

Now kneel down with your hands behind your back

Jerry felt the gun barrel pressing against his head

His whole life flashed before him

It seemed like an eternity before he heard a loud thud

I think he is dead said Mary

Jerry turned round to see the brute on the floor

Blood was gushing from his crushed skull

Mary was holding a long pipe wrench

She held the wrench high while Jerry checked for a pulse

Oh he is certainly dead confirmed Jerry

We have to call the cops now he added

Mary picked up the gun and said that aint happening