Castaway

Cooper walked through the shallow surf, stretching and yawning as he went.

He’d had a broken night of sleep thanks to some strange animal sounds coming from the heavier foliage on the island.

He was off to get some coconuts.

His boat had brought him to the island while he was supposed to be sailing across the Pacific. He had no idea where he was and he didn’t care.

He was enjoying the solitude. His boat was still functional and he could leave any time he wished, but he was going nowhere for the foreseeable future.

It had been three weeks since anyone had heard from him and he was certain people would be worried. He thought he might stay on the island, alone, for the rest of his life.

That afternoon whilst lounging on the beach, Cooper heard an engine. It sounded like a plane and it sounded like it was flying pretty low.

He ran for cover. He didn’t want to be found.

As he dived into some bushes, a small seaplane flew along the beach, no more than fifteen feet from the ground. Clearly they were looking for something. He knew it was him they were looking for.

He hi for almost an hour.

Satisfied the plane wouldn’t return, Cooper stepped back on to the beach.

His heart fell.

His boat.

It was very clearly visible on the beach. Whoever was in the plane would have seen it.

His dream life was ruined.