Bing Gananda 27

16 Marooned

Martin pulled himself painfully along the sand at the water's edge. He couldn't feel his legs, but yet, he was sure they were broken. It was something in the way they dragged behind him. Something was simply not right. He hoped that if he could just find shelter, and rest, perhaps he would survive.
This island had seemed like the perfect opportunity. Most of the crew was already with him. Now they had found the perfect base. It was easy to get rid of Pierce, and the few loyal seamen. But from that point, everything had gone wrong.
After what seemed to be an eternity, he heard someone approaching.
"Hull!.. Isaac!.. I found one. He's still alive!"
Another man came. They lifted Martin to his feet, but he couldn't stand, and collapsed to the ground again.
"It's the Captain!" This time the acknowledgment gave him no pleasure.
The two seamen half carried, half dragged him to a small, struggling fire. It took all his strength not to scream in pain. There, they laid him down beside a corpse.
Martin realized with a stab of fear, that one of the seaman was Ben, the one he had ordered to kill Morris. Ben looked at him with disgust, and walked away.
It was beginning to grow lighter now. The fog remained, but now they could see the silhouette of the wrecked brig near the beach.
One by one, they pulled bodies from the water. Martin was the only surviver. And he was in bad shape. As the light grew, they could see the ship better. It was obviously finished.
It was quiet now. All sound was muffled by the heavy fog. Martin lay there alone while the others searched though the wreckage washing up on the beach.



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