There is no return

There is no Return

It’s the 16th of May; the year is 1845. Day 19 since…it happened. At least…I think so, it’s hard keep track of time in this place.
Whoever is reading this, wherever you are; I urgently call for your aid. If this doesn’t find its way into somebody’s hands then God help me- though he seems to have already forsaken me.
My name is Sarah. Sarah Tason. My family and friends have been taken from me, murdered in such unthinkable ways. I was abandoned on this accursed island, with nothing but the birds and trees to keep me company. I fear I will lose my mind.
They came in the night, when all on board were asleep. After they pillaged the ship, slew the inhabitants, and took me, they burned our humble ship and let it’s corpse sink to the ocean depths. I’ll never forget the innocent light that faded from the children’s eyes as they bled; nor shall I ever forgive those who did it.
They took me aboard their black warship- such a dreadful looking thing. Skulls decorated the mast and dried blood stained the floor. I’ve seen the skull and crossbones many a time, but never did I behold it with such terror. Their Captain was…there are no words to describe such vile scum. Know only that he took delight in the slaughter of innocence.
He cruelly tortured me, raped me and stripped me of my clothes. My values he too stripped from me, I no longer cared for those I loved, and I betrayed them just so he might stop.
One night, he did release me. I’ve never seen men so drunk as they were in that hour. The alcohol must have quenched his thirst for my flesh, for he let me go. Here. In the middle of the Atlantic.
I’ve lived off scraps ever since, and my throat is dryer than the hot sand beneath me. As lonely as I was, I wasn’t completely without friendship. I found an injured bird on the eave of death’s embrace. As I nursed him back to health, we developed a bond. Even now he perches on a near by rock watching over me- my loyal companion.
I plucked a single feather from his wing, for it’s as good a pen as one could hope to find; the ink is my blood, and what little was left of my clothes I’m using as parchment. I must stop writing, for as sparingly as I have used my blood, it is running thin and I feel ready to collapse.
I hope dearly that my friend has delivered this to a true man; a hero that will come to my rescue.

Sarah.

She sat and watched the bird glide away into the horizon.
‘Return swiftly my friend’, she murmured. ‘Do not leave me here.’  As soon as it ventured out of her sight, she felt her stomach rumble aggressively. Emerging from the rocks she walked up the beach. It would have been such a beautiful place, if not for the desperation and sadness that smothered it. She felt the cool wind on her skin ease as the tress grew thicker, then before she knew it a dense jungle surrounded her.
The forest was the best source of food. Many times she wished she had learned how to fish at home, for the task seemed impossible, and the only way to survive was to venture into the woods.
In all her 28 years, Sarah had never known hardship, hunger or sorrow. To be born into nobility meant you needn’t worry about any of those. So none would have recognised fair Miss Tason as she was now, staggering from the jungle covered in mud and clutching a bloody dead animal to her chest.
She didn’t know what it was; but it was small, fury, and had to be eaten raw. Her meal rendered her feeling worse than before- her hunger replaced by sickness. It took her over an hour to find some fresh water, and as soon as she’d drank her fill the sky began to redden.
Sarah gathered a pile of leaves for a blanket, but they proved somewhat ineffective. She lay awake until she was too weary to shiver, then at last she embraced her dark dreams as the night birds watched over her.
‘Stop! Stop it!’ Sarah cried in her sleep. Suddenly she awoke with a start to behold a black bird pecking at her nose. With her vision blurry and her head dopey, she flailed her arms to get rid of the bird. Was it too much to ask to lie down and die? But wait…there was something tied to the birds left leg. It almost flew away in fear when Sarah leaped at it- suddenly alive with joy. She loosened the string and took the roll of parchment. It read:

Do not fear, Miss Tason. For I have read your letter of plight and wish to rescue you immediately. My name is Sir Abury. I shall come swiftly, but the oceans are vast and you are small my dear. You must describe to me the island on which you are stranded, lest my ship wander the seas for many years before you are found.
You sent a fine messenger indeed. When he came to me he was exhausted, which is why I use my own bird to send you this message. He will have no trouble finding me again, and he will not leave you until you send him. Though I would advise you to keep yourself away from his beak…
Use the pen I enclosed to reply, sweet Sarah, for I cannot bear the thought of you writing with your own blood. You’ve survived for 20 long days; you only have to wait for one more.
I am coming for you Sarah.

Sarah took the bird into her arms and squeezed it with love and joy; she didn’t care how hard it pulled and chewed her hair- she was saved. She would live her life. And with none other than a brave knight! It was a fairytale and she was the fair princess. Suddenly she beheld herself with awe- her rags had become soft, beautiful robes; her ragged hair strewn with leaves and sand flowed about her shoulders in fair golden locks of silk; her stink of sweat and salt became a sweet floral fragrance; and the key to her kingdom of happiness lay before her in the form of parchment, a pen, and a miserable-looking bird.

I am yours, Abury! Release me from this hell and I’ll be your angel in heaven, for you are my saviour. I will try my best to describe this place, but I have wandered without heed of my surroundings and know little. The island is round. At the centre lies a vast mountain, its single grey peak soars high into the heavens and I expect it can be seen for many leagues when the sky is clear. Around the mountain sits a vast dense jungle. It engulfs almost the entire island with its sticky and tangled foliage. The trees there are slender and tall but branch low, and the leaves are gigantic, round and thin. Encircling the dim woods is a narrow beach of bright sands, and from where I sit; I can faintly see misty cliffs. The cliffs are odd; they’re white but shadowy- full of caverns and crags I suppose. A gentle breeze brings a chill air from the cliffs ahead. This is all I can say. I dearly hope it’s enough. Also Abury, I would ask a favour: My clothes are ruined and few; could you bring me something to cover my nakedness? I would be very grateful for this- and you will enjoy my gratitude.

Sarah


Her eager fingers were tired and worn, so they struggled to tie the letter back onto the bird’s ankle. It waited patiently and tamely, but Sarah’s ears were raw by the time it stopped pecking at them. She didn’t care. The deafening rumble of her stomach was but a gentle murmur- a problem forgotten and far away.
‘Godspeed my friend,’ Sarah whispered into the bird’s ear. Without a second thought, it was gone.
Dreaming up fantasies of marriage and children, of wide gardens and tall castles, and of brave knights brandishing swords in the name of valour occupied her afternoon- and evening. It was only after the golden glimmer of sunlight faded away behind the ocean that she saw the silhouette of a gliding creature. Even from a distance it looked wretched. But she loved it for the hope that it brought her.
She dashed towards the bird, but it didn’t come. Instead it simply let the letter fall from its beak over her. Sarah caught it and looked as the creature glided around and flew back in the opposite direction. At first, Sarah was taken aback by the bird’s abruptness, but soon remembered what she clutched in her hands. He can’t be far at all if he sends his letter without string. This filled her with glee anew. Even as she glanced up, she thought she saw the peaks of black sails approaching on the horizon.
Sarah ripped open the letter and read it where she stood.

Sarah, sweet Satan’s angel. My ship has left port and I am on my way, for I know these waters like I created them myself and know the island you speak of. I shall not be long, certainly not as long as one would expect. It seems me and my ship were prowling close to Jagged Crag- that’s what we call your island- when I intercepted your letter. We are so close to reunion now. You shall live and die by my side Sarah, and I’ll never let anyone take you away from me.
The ones who deserted you on that island are incredibly foolish. Why would they throw you away like that? It’s villainous Sarah, villainous what they did. But do not worry- they have been punished. Paid for that mistake with their own blood, they did. I made sure of it.
Do you like to drink dear Sarah? We certainly do, but I’m sure I’ll think twice about drowning myself in alcohol next time I have something to lose. Rum has a way of clouding one’s memory, you see.

Sarah looked up. Wide-eyed and with a dry mouth, her heart was pounding.
‘No, it cannot be.’ Black shapes of torn sails and spikes floated upon the dark waters. She read on anxiously.

Don’t worry my lovely Sarah. I’m coming to take you away. It’s all going to be ok. I’m really very sorry but I wasn’t able to grant you your favour, you see my crew grow restless. But fear not, for you wont be needing your clothes, and you seemed to cope fine without them last time. However, I’m rescuing you, and therefore I shall enjoy your gratitude none the less.

Sarah’s soul was decapitated. Her river of tears made the ink run and augmented the ocean. Though her quivering hands struggled to keep grip, she read the last line with dread.

Do not worry my angel. You are saved.
I am coming.

‘God…kill me.’