Today I bring you a special treat, if you like short stories. This is a story, I wrote for a contest. Although it did not make the cut into the finalists, I am still very proud of it. It was great fun getting to know the characters and inventing the entire scenario. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Be warned it is a Short Story form Fiction at 4000 words. Should take 15 minutes to read.
THE HONEYMOON HORROR STORY
by
David A. A. Sullivan
It was supposed to be the perfect honeymoon. When Emily's father offered them his beloved 30-foot sailboat for the occasion, they couldn't resist. They were young and adventurous, and the whole world was at their feet. Of course, Emily was nervous, and it was her way, but she couldn't help it. Little did she know the horrors that awaited them on the open sea.
They had planned this trip for years, and according to all the weather services, it should be smooth sailing for at least a week. James was a seasoned recreational sailor, and he often spent weekends with her dad working on the boat or cruising the local river. She had no doubt she was in good hands.
The first leg of their journey would take them north along the eastern seaboard. It was a fantastic day with just the right wind for sailing. Emily tried to push her worries to the back of her mind and enjoy the moment. She spent most of the day contemplating her book and virgin daiquiris. Occasionally, James would interrupt to fix her a drink.
As Emily took in the day, she couldn't help but admire how the sun glinted off James's new linen outfit, highlighting the muscles of his tanned arms and chest. Emily knew he wore it to please her. He would have been happy wearing his old house shorts and a ratty t-shirt. The fabric rustled with the wind, sending a pleasant, fresh scent wafting her way. James was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. She tried to focus on the present and not let her thoughts ruin the moment.
Gentle breezes were ruffling Emily's hair, and the sun warmed her skin as they glided over the waves. The sound of the water lapping against the hull and the sails luffing overhead created a peaceful, soothing atmosphere. They had sailed roughly 70 nautical miles north of Daytona Beach, and according to James, this was great.
As the sun began to set, Emily retired to the lower deck. James leaned down with a warm smile and gently kissed her lips. "Sweet dreams. I love you," he said, his tone full of tenderness and his eyes soft with affection.
"I love you too, Babe," she replied, smiling. "This has been a wonderful day."
Little did they know that was all about to change. She let the lapping waves guide her off to sleep.
Thrown violently from her bunk, Emily woke with a start, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to orient herself in the darkness. The sound of the storm raging outside was deafening - the wind howling, the rain pounding against the hull, and the thunder crashing like cannons.
"James, what's happening?" she cried out, trying to make sense of the chaos around her.
"Stay down below, Emily!" James ordered, his voice urgent. "I don't know what's happening, but the weather has turned bad fast. We're in for a rough night."
Emily capitulated, knowing now was not the time to fight. She huddled under the blankets as the boat was tossed around by the raging storm. She could hear James moving around above deck, and she was terrified.
James joined Emily below deck, insisting she put on a life suit. Emily's nerves were already on edge, and the added layer of protection only heightened her sense of unease. It wasn’t too long before the vessel fully capsized. Convinced this was the end, she was terrified.
James remained calm, determined to reassure Emily everything would be okay. "It's going to be alright," he repeated, his manner steady and optimistic. "Remember, the boat is foam-filled and unsinkable. We'll make it through this." And despite her fear, Emily found comfort in James's words, hanging onto them like a lifeline as they rode out the storm.
As the storm raged, Emily and James clung to life, praying for a miracle. The winds howled outside, causing the boat to pitch and roll violently. Debris from the storm floated past the windows, a reminder of the dangers lurking outside. Emily's life suit felt constricting and claustrophobic, adding to her panic and helplessness.
For what seemed like hours, they drifted at sea, fully at the mercy of the storm. The roar of the wind, creaky hull and pounding waves were deafening. Emily couldn't help but wonder if this was the end.
But just when all hope seemed lost, the boat hit something. The upturned vessel eventually came to a rest. After an eternity, the fierce storm passed, leaving behind the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore. Emily looked at James, disbelieving they were alive.
The damage was extensive. The storm had destroyed all the electronics and utterly smashed the stern of the boat, dropping the batteries somewhere. The lifeboat carrying all the emergency equipment was nowhere to be found. Losing the electronics cut them off entirely. As they surveyed the wreckage, Emily and James couldn't help but feel hopeless. They were stranded, with no resources or way to call for assistance.
Emily turned to James, unleashing all her fear and anxiety on him. "You and this stupid trip? Why couldn't we just have a normal honeymoon?" Emily marched off in a huff to cry.
After getting it out of her system, Emily returned. Approaching James, tears streamed down her cheeks. She apologized for lashing out at him earlier. "I'm so sorry," she said, her voice shaking. "I'm just so scared, and I didn't mean what I said."
James hugged her tightly, his own eyes shining with unshed tears. "It's okay, Hun," he said, his voice soothing.
"What are we going to do?" Emily asked, her voice breaking. "We're stranded on this island with no way to call for help. How are we going to survive?"
James took a deep breath, trying to remain strong for both of them. They had a few water bottles, but James pointed out they needed to find more. It didn't take too long. "Don't drink directly from the stream," James cautioned, sensing her thirst. "We might get sick. If we need the water, we'll have to boil it." Emily nodded, understanding the importance of caution in their situation.
Following the stream, they searched for shelter. After a while, they came across a small waterfall next to a natural cave-like alcove. "This will do," James said, surveying the area. "We can make camp here in case of more bad weather.."
Grateful for the slight reprieve, Emily and James settled into the cave, trying to make the best of their situation.
Each day, they returned to the shipwreck, gathering what supplies they could carry and bringing them back to the cave. They used the remnants of the sails to cover the opening and built a makeshift door out of scrap plywood. They retrieved cushions and folding chairs to furnish their new home. Emily, who had been prescribed anxiety medication by her doctor, counted the days until her supply ran out. In the meantime, they did their best to signal for help. Thanks to James' ingenuity, they used an old pair of her dad's glasses they found in the boat to light a fire. They also wrote "HELP" in giant letters using rocks, hoping a plane might spot their distress signal. They had cell phones, but they had been lost at the bottom of the ocean when the boat turned over. Emily's thoughts were consumed by what had gone wrong and how it all confirmed her worst fears.
Emily had been tending to the fire on the beach and boiling some water. When she returned to the cave, she was intrigued to find James frantically constructing makeshift spears out of sticks and palm leaves. His fingers nimbly ripped the leaves into strips and carved spears using the survival knife her father had given him last Christmas.
He looked at her with a forced smile, his gaze not meeting hers. "Just trying to stay busy, Em," he replied, returning to his work.
Watching him construct what appeared to be a medieval-style spike wall interwoven with brambles and thorns, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
"James, what's going on?" She pressed on, approaching him, placing a hand on his arm, eyes filled with concern.
"It’s like I said," he retorted, "staying busy."
"James," Emily said, her voice firm. "What are you not telling me?"
James hesitated, his eyes glued to the stick as he twirled it faster and faster. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he looked up at Emily, his eyes filled with fear.
"I saw something out there today," he said, his voice shaking. "While I was out gathering food and supplies, I came across a set of tracks," he sighed "they looked like cat prints." he paused, "Really BIG Cat prints."
"I found more tracks," James continued, his voice heavy with worry. "It scared the crap out of me, but I've fortified the cave and made some weapons. We should be okay now."
Emily's stomach dropped as she took in James's words. The ocean stranded them on a strange island, with no way to call for help and no signs of civilization anywhere. She couldn't believe this was happening.
While trying to organize her thoughts, Emily couldn't help but feel angry and overwhelmed. Just a week ago, they were living a normal life in a quaint little town in Florida, planning their dream honeymoon. Now, they were living like cave people, struggling to survive. To make matters worse, they were being hunted. "Oh hell," Emily thought, tears welling up in her eyes. "Why did this happen to us? We were just starting our lives together, and now we're stuck here. It's not fair." She couldn't believe how drastically their lives had changed in such a short amount of time. She just wanted to go home, she needed to hug her dad, and she wanted a hot shower. "Why?" she thought, and it was written all over her face. She wasn't sure James could tell, but she figured he had a pretty good idea of what she was thinking.
As Emily listened to the rain pattering against the makeshift door, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being hunted. The sound of the rain made it difficult to hear any movement outside the cave. The air inside was musty and damp, and the smell of wet earth and mould hung heavy. She tried to push the thought out of her mind, focusing instead on the warmth of the fire and the sound of James's steady breathing as he stood guard at the entrance.
She couldn't help but feel a sense of tension and fear as if they were ancient cave people huddled together for warmth and safety. She imagined families huddled around a fire, hunting mastodons and other dangerous beasts for food. The outside world felt so precarious and uncertain.
The night dragged on, the rain picking up intensity, the drizzle turning into a steady downpour that threatened to drown out the sound of the fire. Emily couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding as the thunder rumbled in the distance, the storm building in intensity. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off the chill that had settled in her bones.
Despite the warmth of the fire, Emily couldn't shake the feeling of cold dread that seemed to seep into every inch of her being. She found herself straining to hear any sign of the giant cat they knew was out there, stalking them in the darkness. The sound of the rain and the thunder made it challenging to be sure, but every so often, she thought she could hear a faint growl or the rustling of brush just outside the cave.
As the night wore on, the storm reached its climax, the lightning illuminating the cave in flashes of blinding light and the thunder crashing like a thousand drums. Emily huddled closer to the fire, nerves stretched to the breaking point. She knew the giant cat could strike at any moment, tearing through the makeshift door and dragging them out into the storm.
Just as she was beginning to feel like she couldn't take the tension any longer, a bolt of lightning lit up the cave, casting everything in a bright, flickering light. And in that brief moment, Emily could have sworn she saw an ominous shadow flit across the cave.
James leaned against the door, his silly pointy stick in hand. Despite his valiant efforts to appear calm, Emily could see the tension etched into his features and the tears brimming in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Beautiful," he said, his voice quivering. "I never wanted this. I wanted to give you the perfect honeymoon. You are the most incredible woman I have ever known." James wiped his tears and tried to relax, but time was up.
The first attack made them jump, the brush shaking violently. Emily screeched, then clasped her hand over her mouth to stifle the sound. James's eyes became wild as he frantically reinforced the door. He was doing everything in his power to protect them. The beast continued, and Emily could feel her stomach in knots. To say she was scared was an understatement. All she wanted was for this nightmare to be over. Emily huddled in the corner of the cave, watching as man and beast battled for their lives. She could see the fear in his eyes as he jabbed through the brush with his spear.
The creature was massive and powerful. Abruptly, a huge paw tore through the branches and ripped open James's leg. Emily let out a scream, tears streaming down her face. They had to do something. Ferociously swearing through the pain, James returned the attack stabbing the meaty paw. Emily watched in awe as James hammered at the intruder until it relented back into the darkness. For a mere second, there was silence. Emily could hear her own heart pounding. Then they saw it. A giant cat-eye peered through the hole in the brush. It stared at James with a cold, calculating gaze. Holding her breath, she watched James prepare to strike. Suddenly there was a flash of lightning, and the feline eye backed away, fading into the darkness. The ordeal left James heaving for oxygen, covered in sweat and blood, so much blood.
Being a nurse, Emily knew what was about to happen. "James, sit down," she commanded firmly, guiding him to a nearby rock. James was so exhausted he almost fell. He winced as Emily examined the deep gashes through his leg. He was bleeding badly. "We need to put your leg up to slow the bleeding," she said, reaching for a nearby stick and a piece of fabric torn from her blouse. "I'm sorry, Babe, this is going to hurt."
James nodded, gritting his teeth as Emily tied the stick to his leg and raised it. He let out a painful moan.
"I'm so sorry," Emily said, crying.
James reached out, trying to wipe away her tears. "It's not your fault, Beautiful,"
His voice was laced with agony. "None of this is your fault."
Emily leaned into his touch. He was her rock, her protector.
As the night dragged on, she lay by his side, trying to keep him as comfortable as possible. They couldn't stay in the cave forever, but she knew they weren't safe outside. She had always struggled with an overactive imagination, continually fearing the worst, and this was no different. James was slipping away, and she would lose him no matter how hard she held on.
She squeezed his hand tightly, tears pouring down as she begged him to stay with her. "James, please don't leave me," she whispered, her voice laced with fear. "I love you. Please don't go."
James looked at her with a weak smile, trying to reassure her. "I'm not going anywhere, Beautiful," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I love you too much to leave you."
She was physically and emotionally exhausted. She needed this nightmare to be over.
In desperation, she slapped James on the chest, her fear and frustration getting the best of her. She immediately regretted it, sobbing and apologizing as she clutched onto him. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that." she whimpered.
Emily rested her head against James's shoulder, feeling the weight of the world bear down upon her. She let out a sigh, feeling defeated and lost. All her fears had come to fruition, and she knew nothing else she could do.
"James," she whispered, her voice laced with despair. "I don't know what to do."
But James didn't respond. He lay there, unconscious and pale, his breathing shallow and laboured. Emily's heart ached with grief as she watched him, tears streaming down her face.
She clutched onto him tightly, her whole world crumbling around her. She couldn't bear the thought of living without him, of facing the future alone. She clung to him, praying for a miracle, for a way to keep him by her side.
"Please, James," she begged, her voice breaking.
James remained silent. His shivering had stopped, and she could feel him getting colder. Emily wept her heart heavy with grief and fear. Exhaustion overtook her.
As if being held down by a giant weighted blanket. Something was odd. The cold, damp cave had given way to feelings of warmth and comfort. She couldn't remember where she was or how she came to be there. Panic welled up inside her.
It was a bed, A warm, soft bed with real blankets. She could feel what she believed to be the sun on her face. She heard the faint beeping of a machine and the distant sounds of people talking and moving about. She wanted to open her eyes and see where she was, but she felt groggy. She tried lifting her head, which was heavy as if filled with lead.
As she lay there, the memories of their ordeal came back to her. She gasped, trying to sit up, but the warm fuzzy feelings held her down.
"Easy now, Emily," a soft voice said. "You're in the hospital, and you've been through a lot, but you're going to be okay."
Emily's mind raced as she tried to process this information. The hospital? What was she doing here? And where was James?
She tried to speak, but her mouth was dry, and her tongue felt like sandpaper.
Emily's mind was a blur as she tried to make sense of everything. Something was wrong; she could feel it. And she knew she wouldn't like the answer.
As the fog cleared and Emily's started to open her eyes. Looking directly back at her was the friendly face of a doctor. He had a kind smile and a gentle voice, and she could tell he was excited.
"Welcome back, Emily," he said, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "My name is Dr. Robert Sullivan, but my friends call me Dr. Bob. How are you feeling?"
Emily tried to take in everything the doctor said. She had a headache, and her mouth felt dry, but other than that, she didn't feel too bad. She looked around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. A nurse was standing at the foot of the bed, and Emily's father was in a chair holding Emily's hand.
"Daddy?" Emily said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm right here, sweetheart," his marvellous blue eyes held her gaze.
Dr. Bob smiled reassuringly. "You're in the hospital," he said.
Emily's relaxed as his words sank in. She tried to remember what had occurred, but the last thing she could recall was the ordeal in the cave. She looked back to her father, and suddenly fear gripped her.
"What about James?" she asked, her voice laced with fear. "James!?" she yelled.
Emily's heart skipped a beat just before James entered the room; an audible gasp escaped her lips. He looked tired but happy, and she could tell he was exhausted. He had two cups of coffee.
"Hey, beautiful," he said, his voice reassuring and hopeful. "Calm down, Babe. I'm right here."
He put the coffee cups on the table and stepped to the bed, taking her hand in his.
He leaned in with a gentle kiss and spoke, "Welcome back, my love."
Emily felt a surge of gratitude.
"I'm so sorry," she said, tears welling up.
James chuckled and brushed away her tears. "Don't be silly," he said, his voice gentle. "It's not your fault.
"What's the last thing you remember, Emily?" Dr. Bob asked, a look of concern on his face.
Emily hesitated, trying to piece together the events since they left. She remembered the shipwreck, the island, the giant cat, and James dying in her arms.
"I remember the shipwreck," she said, her tone sullen. "It was our honeymoon. I also remember the island and the awful cat. I recall James was trying to protect us and getting his leg shredded when he was attacked, and I thought I lost him."
Facial expressions in the room ranged from shock to amusement. Dr. Bob chuckled and patted her hand reassuringly.
"Well, I'm glad to be the bearer of good news. " the doctor's voice consoling. He continued, "there was no shipwreck. Two weeks ago, after your reception, your limo was stuck by a semi-truck," He paused," You've been in a coma with lots of medications. It's not uncommon for patients to have vivid dreams or hallucinations in this state. I can assure you James is very much alive and well. He's been by your side the whole time, and by the look on his face, he's overjoyed that you're awake."
Emily's heart skipped a beat as the doctor's words sank in. A coma dream? She couldn't believe it. She looked over at James with confusion on her face.
"Is this all real?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "Are you actually here?"
James chuckled as he brushed away her tears, his eyes sparkling with love. "Yes, it's actually me," he reassuringly insisted. "Where else would I be." he winked.
Emily's father stepped up, clearing his throat and kissed Emily on the forehead. "Rest now, my little Po-Tay-Toe," he said with a smile. "Soon, you'll be able to enjoy a real honeymoon. Everything is going to be alright."
"As long as there are no boats involved, I'm game," Emily said with a sarcastic smile.
THE END
