Thanks to Priceless Joy for this week’s picture prompt (photo credit: Ady)
Friend or Foe?
Carrying all of their worldly possessions in a backpack and as much food and water as they could, the small group crept through the long grass to the muddy river bank. As the new day dawned they set sail, leaving death and destruction behind.
The price of freedom was high. With empty stomachs screaming for food, parched throats and skin; blistered and peeling, they aimlessly drifted on the open sea for many days.
Had they narrowly escaped the claws of death on land, only to succumb to its smothering embrace at sea?
But then…
A humming sound…
A flash in the distance…
An hallucination or at long last, another boat?
A glimpse of hope, cheers of elation, knots twisting in their stomachs.
Afraid to encounter the occupants; friend or foe?
(130 words)
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Creatopath 
That was a great interpretation I enjoyed that 🙂
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Oh! I can just feel their trepidation.. is this boat safe? Yet knowing they were going to have to trust that it was safe or die at sea. I think that it was a ship that was there to save them from certain death and to take them all to freedom. 🙂 Awesome story Rachel!
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Great story, you really explained well the condition of the people and what they had to go through. I really felt awful for them.
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Awesome story. The tension was there and excitement of seeing a boat. Nice suspense at the end with the big question of friend or foe! It so sad that some people have to live in such fear for their lives while trying to gain their freedom.
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Plenty of good tension built up. Wondering whether friend or foe would be on that boat makes a great ending.
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A minor problem with them coming to a muddy river bank and then being out on the open sea. It’s hard sometimes to keep environment straight, but very important. Also, watch your use of commas and semicolons.
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Ah yes, I see what you mean. Thanks for the tips!
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You, my good friend, know how to write a gripping story. I think that sums up what everyone’s said (which I agree with wholeheartedly) about this excellent plot and group. I always want more!!
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Thanks Izzy. Glad you enjoyed it.
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great story Rachel, really well written – you really captured their desperation and hopelessness. hopefully they find friends not foes!
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“Had they narrowly escaped the claws of death on land, only to succumb to its smothering embrace at sea?” When I read these words I thought of some days in life.
Ellespeth
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