Day 190: 16 May 2026

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 Short story -- Doldrums


The sun glistened on the water’s surface. It was smooth like glass. And the air was so hot that even just laying there, he was covered in a layer of sweat.

It was day fourteen of being stuck here.

In the doldrums.

Fourteen days of just him and his small boat.

He’d fished.

He’d slept.

He’d tried rowing out of it.

He’d fished some more.

And the whole time, he was alone with his thoughts. A most uncomfortable place to be.

They could have at least left him with a hat.

But mutineers aren’t pitied or shown mercy.

He’d had his reasons. And they’d placed him on the moral high ground. But that didn’t mean anything on the Opal Dragon.

And now he here he was.

Praying for rain so that he could replenish his fresh water.

Praying for wind to fill his makeshift sail.

And that’s when he saw it… off on the horizon.

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