A Battle Between The Sea And Sky

• Helen Piercy, Grade 11
• Short Story
• 2014

Ocean waves lapped against the side of the boat as streaks of sunlight glistened through the water. Clouds dotted the sky like patches of piped whipped cream. I leaned against the boat in pleasure. My hand trailed through the cool water, producing ripples on the surface. Moist salty air filled my nostrils and I drifted off into a light sleep.

The sky darkened abruptly, as if someone had dimmed the light. I leapt up from the floor and groggily ran over to lower the sail. The wind whistled a menacing tune that added an eerie feel to my surroundings. Cold wind blew against my face, seeking the warmth of my coat. I shivered and snuggled down deeper into my cosy jacket.

Ominous clouds covered the sky like an inky black blanket. The raging storm began all too soon and I was unprepared. Thunderous waves crashed against the little wooden boat, attempting to capsize the compact craft. Clouds roared overhead, shattering into tiny droplets of milky rain.

Within a few minutes, the once beautiful day had turned into a dark and unforgiving night. Vivid streaks of lightning set the sky ablaze. A sharp crack of thunder erupted from the sky, bellowing at me like I had done something wrong. I shrank back in terror but the sea lashed out at me and water tumbled over the sides of the boat. I flinched at the touch of the icy water on my feet. I wished I wasn’t here, shivering on my tiny boat. It was a tremendous battle between the sea and sky. A fight I was stuck in the middle of, with no escape.

I hurriedly hauled water out of the boat with a plastic red bucket but the water leaked back in again. I was a robot, repeating the same task over and over. My battery was dying and I needed to rest but the storm wouldn’t let me. I fumbled feebly, searching for the hole but couldn’t fight against the water gushing in. The sea suddenly reared up at the sky, trying to swallow it up. I was frozen to the spot, unable to move with fear. I knew I needed to, but it felt too late. The sky sized up the sea by letting out another bellow of thunder. I was going to die out here, along with my beautiful boat.

The craft creaked in protest with the weight of tonnes of water. Panic flooded through my body but I still stood there motionless. My limbs were dead weights. More lightening broke through the sky but my mind was in a different world. I couldn’t accept what was happening.

It was then I spied a heavenly glow of light: a break in this wretched storm. I knelt on the boat in relief. Somehow the boat managed to reach the sunlight. My skin soaked in its glorious warmth. It felt like a miracle. The sun had won the battle between the sea and sky.