Capsized

He lost his footing as the boat unexpectedly shift out from under him.

The cold emptied his lungs of air.

He was sinking in an ice bath.

Then he was rising, his legs kicking.

The hull of the boat was dancing on the waves several feet away.

There was no sign of his shipmate.

‘John!’

‘I’m okay! Get to the boat!’

He started to swim, his clothes and limbs leaden.

The boat bobbed further away.

John’s head appeared above the keel.

‘Swim!’

It was no use, the distance was widening.

‘Kevin!’

Shivering, he waved and watched the boat drift away.



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.