Writing Adventures

Flash Friday: Xander

12th March, 2010 - No Comments

The boat rocked and heaved in the restless sea. The clouds above erupted with rain, lightning and thunder. The captain peered through the storm, hoping to see the rocks before they ran aground. Below deck, the men held tight to their bunks and prayed to any god they could think of, including a few they dared not name.

Only one man was enjoying the chaos. Xander, the strange old man who had booked passage at the last minute on this fishing boat, asking only that he be put ashore on some islands they were planning to be near. As far as the captain knew, there was nothing on those islands, nor did boats regularly stop there. Money was money, however, and a crazy man’s spent as well as any other, so he had agreed.

Now, in the midst of the storm, Xander was standing in the stern of the ship, head back and arms straight out. He looked like he was basking in the sun. His robe was soaked and clinging to his body and his fluffy white hair destroyed by the downpour.

The captain glanced at him often, just to be sure he hand not been swept overboard. He stood strong and firm, not moved at all by the wind and rain. He did not even flinch when the thunder shook the boat and the lightening blinded everyone else.

“Nearly there, Captain.”

The captain spun around, but Xander had not moved. The voice had spoken clearly and quietly, as though a whisper in his ear. No one else was on the deck. He turned back to the prow in time to see the rocks. Steering deftly around them, he entered calmer waters, bringing the ship into a lagoon that was mostly protected from the wild weather of the sea.

Xander crumpled to the deck in a heap, chest heaving and eyes darting about, unable to focus on anything. The captain rushed to him and scooped him up into his arms. Carrying him into his quarters, he lay him on the bed, wrapping him in warm blankets. Somehow this man had protected the ship and everyone aboard.

“Rest now, you are home.” He did not know why he said it, but it felt right.