Tree

Image by My pictures are CC0. When doing composings: from Pixabay



“Captain!” Daniel called from the wheelhouse. “A tree!”

The other five remaining members of the crew rushed to the
starboard bow where Daniel was pointing. It was unmistakable against the harsh
glow of the setting sun—the first tree they’d seen in over three years.

“A tree means seeds, right?” Andre said, nearly hyperventilating in his excitement. “It means soil! Right?”

The captain just squinted. His ever-present toothpick migrated
from one corner of his mouth to the other.

“Could be high tide,” Han said. “Possible that low tide will
expose dry land.”

“Won’t make the tree spring to life. Do you see any leaves?
Because I can’t,” Jodie said.

“We should at least go see, right?” Andre said. “It’s not
like we’re heading anywhere better!”

“Lower sails,” the captain finally said. “I need to think.”

Jodie, Han, and Sven leapt into action, but Andre grabbed
the captain’s arm. “What’s to think about? We’re dying here, Captain! That tree
could be life!”

The captain stared at his arm until Andre let go. The clank
of pulleys against the mast filled the still air. “Something rubs me wrong
about it,” he finally said.

Sven came to join them as stars appeared and the tree’s
silhouette grew faint. “What’s bugging you, Chief?”

“Did you feel any breeze, Sven?”

Sven paused before speaking. “No.”

“But the branches were swaying.”

“What does that mean?” Andre asked.

“Don’t know. But it will wait until morning. Take a
sounding, Sven.”

“Aye, Chief.” Sven left the captain and Andre peering into
the darkness.

After several minutes, Andre leaned forward, squinting. “Captain…
I think it’s—”

“It’s glowing.” Tiny orbs danced on the tips of branches
like will-o-the-wisps. “Raise sails! Hard about! That’s no tree.”

Andre kept looking while the rest of the crew worked. “Captain!
It’s getting closer!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Did you enjoy this story? Join my newsletter to get an exclusive novella that you will also enjoy, and hear about future projects first!

The post Tree appeared first on Ichabod Ebenezer.