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    Nowhere Man
    Nowhere Man
    Nowhere Man
    Ebook64 pages58 minutes

    Nowhere Man

    By Darren G. Burton

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Two friends are on the final leg of their round the world journey when a sudden storm sinks their boat. Shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island the pair fight for survival and the dwindling hope of rescue.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDarren G. Burton
    Release dateAug 1, 2010
    ISBN9781452360195
    Nowhere Man
    Author

    Darren G. Burton

    I have been a writer for over 30 years. I've written numerous full length works of fiction and non-fiction, as well as many short stories and anthologies.darrenburton77@gmail.com

    Read more from Darren G. Burton

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      Book preview

      Nowhere Man - Darren G. Burton

      Nowhere Man

      Darren G. Burton

      Published by Darren G. Burton at Smashwords

      Copyright © 2010 Darren G. Burton

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      The Author asserts the moral right to

      be identified as the author of this work

      Cover Design & Photography by: Darren G. Burton

      Nowhere Man

      Gary Dawson was at the wheel of the forty foot sailing sloop. The boat was at full mast and the spinnaker bulged as it filled with the breeze. Ordinarily Gary would have been relishing being under full sail, out on the open ocean with the wind in his hair and salt spray on his face. But not this time. Right now he was concerned.

      There were two problems. One had already befallen the little yacht, the other was still brewing.

      Out on the horizon a storm was building. The clouds had already obscured the setting sun, sheets of lightning taking its place. The distant groan of thunder was brought to Gary’s ears on the breeze. The last weather forecast they had pinpointed the storm to be moving in their direction, and it was predicted to be a beast with possible gale force winds and hail.

      From what he could already see forming on the horizon, Gary didn’t like the look of it one little bit. In their current predicament there was no way to either outrun it or go around it. Everything had seemed to go awry at the same time, and now the boat was at the mercy of the elements.

      A head popped up from below deck. No good. She’s totally screwed.

      Greg Almond was Gary’s sailing partner and best friend. He hauled himself up the steps onto the non-slip decking and wiped his greasy hands on a rag.

      No hope at all? Gary was bitterly disappointed.

      Greg shook his head, his salt and pepper hair flopping around in the breeze. Not unless you’ve got a spare engine on board that I don’t know about.

      Afraid not, said Gary. How about the electricals?

      Greg sat down on the canopy. Two issues there. For one, I wasn’t able to locate where the wiring was shorting out. And secondly, with no engine we have no way of keeping the batteries charged. Even the battery backup for the radio is dead.

      Eyeing the approaching storm again, Gary said, This is not good.

      That’s an understatement. If that storm hits us, we don’t have any way of fighting against it with no engine power. It could sink us.

      Thank you, prophet of doom, Gary responded with a half smile.

      Greg was dead serious. You heard that weather report earlier before the radio died. Gale force winds.

      I know, I’m just trying to be optimistic.

      I prefer to be realistic.

      They were currently sailing from Fiji to Western Samoa on one of the final legs of their journey before returning home to Australia. The pair had taken an extended break from work as musicians to travel around the South Pacific. To date the journey had been going on for several months. They planned to sail through the islands of Samoa and then trek across to New Caledonia, with the final leg taking them back home.

      Gary locked the wheel and stood up. I think we better go below and tie everything down.

      Good idea, Greg concurred.

      The pair spent the next half an hour below decks, stowing items away in cupboards and locking them up. Anything big that was loose was either put down in the small hold or engine bay, or lashed securely to special cleats on the walls and floor. When the task was done as best they could, they ventured back up on deck to check on the status of the storm.

      Twilight had descended over the ocean. The bow of the yacht rose and fell with the increasing swells. The wind had picked up, the thunder was louder and lightning was darting down from the heavens in jagged forks. The storm was still some way off but appeared to be advancing rapidly. To Gary it looked like one solid black wall of impending disaster.

      This one’s gonna kick our butts, Greg quipped as he unlocked the wheel and assumed control of the craft. I think you better bring down the spinnaker.

      Gary nodded. Didn’t want to lose that in a gale. It would be the main source of thrust now that the engine was gone. He moved forward toward the bow and wound in the billowing white sail. Once it was lashed tight, he checked on the rigging of the other sails to make certain everything looked secure. When he was satisfied he ducked down below and, opening a storage compartment, removed two life jackets. He strapped one to himself, securing it firmly, then went back outside and handed Greg the other.

      Hopefully we won’t be needing these, said Greg as he climbed into the bright orange vest.

      The wind’s intensity increased in a sudden gust. It caught the

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