Happy Unforgivable

“Help! Help!” I screamed, straining to keep the unconscious Jason above water while swimming towards the leaving ship. My voice grew weaker and weaker as I watched the ship sailing away. Please let someone hear me, I prayed.

Soon, I was so weak and tired I can hardly swim or scream. Tears of regrets spilled uncontrollably as the memory of what happened just now appeared in my mind. If Jason doesn’t survive this, I will never forgive myself. He’s only ten years old!

Then, I spotted it. Thank God! I stopped screaming and swam with all my might towards it. After what seemed like hours, I reached it and swung my arm over it. To my relief, the log floated steadily on.

My heart told me to stay awake and not go into dreamland until we were safe but my eyelid grew heavier and heavier and in less than a minute, I was sound asleep.

It was the third day on board Starry, the ship my family and I were on and I was extremely bored. I realized that the wind was unusually strong and, since it was my brother Jason’s birthday, I decided that I would do something exciting with him.

“Hey, Jason! Do you want to…” I whispered the rest of the sentence to him. I saw him quaking like a leaf and thought he would back out so I added, “It’s tenth birthday, you’ve got to prove that you’re no longer that little winp I’ve known nearly all my life.”

“Su…sure, and I’m not a coward!” he stammered, shuddering probably at the thought of doing the dare. The little coward, I thought rolling my eyes. He won’t admit it but I know he was scared. I ran up to the top deck as he hesitated for a while before running after me.

By the time he reached, I have already done the dare. I was sitting on top of the railing and apparently, I underestimated him.

He climbed up and sat on the railing, shaking violently. He counted to five seconds and was about to drop back onto the deck when a gush of wind shoved him mercilessly overboard.

All I could do was stare in shock at where he was sitting only seconds ago. I tried to figure out whether I should jump down or run to the deck shouting “Man overboard!”. I was about to do the latter when another gust of wind forced me into the sea.

Before I knew what was happening, I was already dropping into the wide ocean. I guessed I had to the former. I swam around looking for him and I screamed when I saw him. His head was bobbing up and down, barely above the water.

As I swam towards him as fast as I could, I saw him went under and when he was supposed to come up, he did not. No! I thought and swam forward. You can’t drown! You’re my only brother, I thought in desperation. Finally, I got to him and pulled him out of water but he was heavy. I pulled with all my strength and nearly did not make it. His life depended on whether I had enough strength...

“No! Help!” I cried. Just then, I felt something near me moved and startled, I woke up abruptly. I saw Jason stirring slightly and remembered where we were. I held to him tightly and hoped wholeheartedly that he was fine.

After what seemed like forever, water spilled out of his mouth and his eyes flew open. I hugged him in relief whispering, “I’m really sorry!” He smiled weakly showing that he forgave me but let out a groan.

He’s younger, he needs food more than you and this is your fault, I told myself and handed him the soggy chocolate bar from my pocket which he ate gratefully. I looked around hoping I could find something but it was absolutely hopeless.

I forced Jason to rest while I continued swimming, constantly blaming myself for my thoughtlessness. After a few hours or so when the sun had started stooping lower down, I realized the log was sinking slowly. It couldn’t take the weight of us both. I vowed that if necessary, I’ll make sure that I am the one who goes into the ocean.

When Jason woke up from his sleep, I mumbled another sorry but I doubt he heard it. I was so tired my voice was barely a whisper. I raised my voice, “When I... go under the... must promise... stay alive... for me... please...”

He looked at me and for the first time in his life, refused to listen to his big sister. “You’re not going!” It was his turn to make me stop and swam instead. “We’ll be alright,” he promised but I wasn’t going to believe that as readily.

I was going to object but before I could do so, I passed out.

Suddenly, I felt a bump and I realized that we were on an island. I turned and saw Jason climbing out and lying on the soft, white sand. “Land at last,” he sighed. I gave a dry chuckle and went over to lie beside him.

“We have to look around. Find something to help us attract attention but don’t eat anything, they might be dangerous,” I warned Jason.

“Yes, ma’am,” he shot back cheekily as we walked into the thicket nearby. With his usual jokes, the tense feeling around us seemed to evaporate. We looked up and down literally leaving no stone unturned. By the time we were back, we found some dry leaves and wood.

“Claire, how do we start a fire?” asked Jason, worried. Having no other ideas I sat down and rubbed two stones together vigorously. I didn’t turn but I heard Jason sat beside me doing the same.

“I got it!” I cried in delight as I lit a leaf. The fire spread very quickly and, within, seconds, the orange dragon was much bigger. The dragon was about to burn a long stick when Jason snatched it out of the its reach. To my surprise, he tore off his favourite bright yellow tee-shirt and tied it onto the long stick. He struggled to pick up the long and heavy stick.

Finally, I caught on. I went over to help him. Together, we raised the yellow flag and stuck it into the sand and made sure it was firm. “Jason’s great sacrifice, the yellow flag,” I mumbled, giggling silently and Jason snorted before both of us fell into a dreamless sleep instantly.

“Oh, they’re alive!” cried an extremely familiar voice. I wondered where I heard it before. “Claire! Jason!” a deeper and firmer voice called out to us. To us? Isn’t that mom and dad? I sat up instantly.

I saw mom and dad (just like I thought) running towards us and it took me a moment to remember what happened and focus. I guessed, I mean know, that they would be pretty freaked out and I was right.

“You can’t imagine how anxious we were!”

“Where have you been?”

“Is Jason okay?”

“Are you okay”

“What happened?”

Finally, I held out my hand, signalling them to stop. I was satisfied. We were about to be rescued and we were safe. Stories could wait for later and Jason might still be a coward but he’s a lot less impulsive and crazy which unfortunately, I am.

By Happy Snow (It’s up to you)