An Island Called Cale

[Desert]

Prolouge

People say I just found a horse that means nothing. Oh, he's just a horse. No, he's not just a horse. He's my horse, he's my friend. Without him, I would be lost. He became my best friend. Along with my other little friend, Coconut. These two animals pulled me through thick and thin. Here's my story. About an amazing horse.. My horse.

Chapter one

It all started on a Friday, at least. That's what I remember. My parents had been planning a trip into the vast ocean. Dee sea fishing they said. The early morning air was crisp. Fog layed over the coast, just off of Port Angeles. We set out early. Our small sailboat bouncingalng the waves. I was ten-years-old. I was short and scrawny. I couldn't lift a twig.

I sat below deck doodling horses on my notebook. I was never a good artist. I don't think I ever ill be. Stick figures are my specialty. Horses, eh, I'm ok. I was too busy in my doodles I payed little attention to the boat's rocking Or the large smash! Thinking it was just a wave hitting the bow I continued on the small picture of a stallion and a mare running together. Tails and heads high. I tried to keep to the Arabian anatomy. I was used to Fuzzbucket, no other horse.

I lurched to the side. My pencil and pad flying out of my hands. I landed on the bed. The soft fabric of the quilt sinking into the shape of my face. I sat up, rubbig my nose. I could hear my father scream my name. Was I in trouble? I wasn't ready to find out. I ran up the salty ladder up to the deck. I was on the bow, my parents on the stern. Rain spiled from the sky. I called them "God's Tears". They spashed violently onto my face, making my cheeks sting. I ducked down, not wanting to be seen. Waves crashed angrily oer the front of the bow. Water spilled into our boat. My mother screamed for me then...

CRACK! The hull ave way and cracked down the middle. The sound was like thunder! My ears began to ring. In what seemed like hours, the hull began to spead, sparks flew in different directions. I ducked then, I screamed. "MUM! DAD! I"M OVER HERE!" I tried to raise my voice over the storm. "SON! CAN YOU JUMP?" my father's deep voice rang over the waves. I looked at the huge gap between the two sides of the boat. No, I could not jump! That would be suicidal! I looked up. Faintly able to see my parents looking at me. I couldn't see their expressions, I guessed it was worry and pain. "NO!" I screamed. With that said the bow began to sink. Taking me with it. It was swim or die.

I looked at my parents one last timeuntil a huge current came and took them away. I was alone. I looked around me, seeing nothing but darkness and rain. Water spashed into my face time and time again, finally I knew it was time to jump.

I looked over the side. Thinking, wondering if my idea was stupid. But, something inside me told me to go! To survive. I was already soaking wet. Why not? I held my breath and jumped.

The water stung my eyes. Clogging my ears. My lungs felt heavy and swollen. I had to get to the surface. My legs refused to work. I let the current sweep me away. I finally let the air out of my lungs. I found the strength in my tired legs to push my to the surface, able to get in a huge gulp of air and dove back under. The water was just as bad under. I let the current take me. Then, darkness...

Chapter two

Sometime during the night the storm stopped. I was unaware if this. I dreampt of wild horses and my parents. I could feel the smooth flanks of the equines brushing against my bare hands. Fnally, I woke up. Water spilled out of my mouth when I rolled over. The salty sea water made my lips feel chapped, my throat felt like sandpaper, and breathing didn't help, much. I looked out into the ocean then, I looked behind me. It looked like a tropical island. Lie something someone would see in a photograph. So many trees planted close together. Dew hung off the green leaves, bigger than I had ever seen before. Different kind of fruits hung off these branches. The beach held many foot prints of different animals.

I definantly wasn't on the mainland. Heaving a painful sigh, I stood. I was drenched to the bone. I was hungry and I was thirsty. My mind was clouded with different thoughts. Those of survival, and those of memories of the night before. First, I knew I had to find water...And soon.

The sand quickly heated the soles of my feet. Sweat beaded my forehead as I slowly wandered around the perimeter of the island. Finally, I moved toward the dense green rainforest. Sunlight shone through patches in the thick canopy that hung far above my head. Leaving spots of light of the forest floor. The ground looked like a large animal ha come through. Leaving footprints of light. I looked at my surroundings in awe. Everything so green and gorgeous. Unlike in Washington no moss hung from the trees. It looked like hawaii. A tropicl island in the middle of no where. Untouched by human hands. Those that destroy anything it touches. I was the only human here.

Large palm trees and other trees I had never heard of were planted happily close together. Only the path I walked on showed signs of life. Animal prints from the past and present seemed to carve out the trodden path before me. Large green leaves scattered along the edge. Vines hanging down from large branches. Keeping company to the trees nd many other lush plants that decided to make their homes on the island,

The beauty of the island made me quicky loose track of the hour. My heart finally slowed to a decent rythem. I couldn't help but smack my lips together. They were incredibly dry and painful to the touch. After miutes of wandering the forest, I heard the sound of a babbling brook. Maybe even a river. That meant one thing. Water! My body jerked forward into a run. Instinct taking its toll and taking me to the water. The sound of the stream was like a beautiful song. I dodged leaves and other obsticals as I moved off the trail. My bare feet were cut and bruised. I broke throgh the trees and found myself next to a sparkling blue lagoon. A medium sized creek cutting through the forest. I smiled, it hurt but, I smiled.

Kneeling, I dropped my hands into the cool, fresh water. I didn't care if the water wasn't clean, it looked clean, I could see the bottom of the blue lagoon. It was deep. The water was so blue. The sun made the tiny ripples look like diamonds. I brought by hands to my lips. Th cool water ran down my throat fast. Too fast. I drank more. I never thought that taking a simple drink would be so wonderful.

On impulse, I looked up and, sitting on the other side of the lagoon was a small animal. Coconut brown. He had large black eyes and twitching whiskers. He had two little stripes running from his eyes down his back and down to a fluffy tail that moved slowly back and forth. Three little dots were under each eye. His ears were pointed and he had a long nose.

I didn't know what he was. I still don't. No one does. He's one of a kind. The light hit his fur, makingit seem to light into a chestnut colour. He was beautiful in his own little way. He was a little bigger than a mouse. We stared at each other for the longest time. Until, I stood and backed away. He stood up onto his hind legs and sniffed the air. His nose twitching reapeatedly. I smiled and turned, following a creek. I had to find a place to make camp, I also had to find food. I looked back once, the little creature was gone.

I sighed and moved along the creek's edge. Then, something pounced me from behind. I yelped and fell onto my stomach before scrambling to my butt. My heart beat wildly. Looking around I saw nothing, but not for long. Out of the trees came the little brown animal. I tried to slow my breath. I didn't know what that thing ate. If it ate people! Instead of attacking, he looked at me. His tail raised, moving slowly back and forth. As if he were a puppy wanting to play.

With my heart beating normally, yet again, I held out my hand and clicked my tounge a few times. "Come here uhhh... Hmmmm. You need a name, I guess. Well, I'm going to call you Coconut. Because your fur is like a coconut!" I smiled. Coconut tilted his head and took a hesitant step toward me. Leaning forward, I offered my hand. A smile on my face. He stood up onto his hind legs and looked at me. Reaching out with a tiny, clawed paw. He grabbed my finger. Sniffed it than made some sort of squealing noise.

I didn't know if that was good or bad. Coconut kept his paw on my finger. I just watched, but slowly bringing my hand toward me. Coconut followed, sniffing the air every few steps. I held out my other hand, without any sudden movements, I let my fingers trail down his back. His fur was soft and fine like a cat, yet patches of dirt were littered here and there. I looked in his ears. Well, he didn't have fleas or anything. At least. By the looks of it.

I dropped my hand and smiled "Well, Coconut. I don't know what you are, or if you understand me but, I'm lost." I whispered softly. The rodent (I think) tilted his head. His large black eyes held a certain gleam in them, as if he did understand. He rested on his hind legs and began to groom his face. I didn't know then, but now I understand that when and animal grooms its face. It means it's comfortable and happy. Unlike a mouse, he didn't have teeth that stuck out of his mouth.

I smiled and got to my feet. My rear covered in dew. Oh well. Coconut scampered beside me. Sometimes running into the bush, but he always came back out, holding a berry. For an animal his size he seemed to have a rather large brain. He was smart! I kept following the creek until we came to a spot by the teeline. The fresh water running into the ocean. The sun was falling against the horizon. Dusk was here. I pulled leaves and vines for my shelter. Covering a wooden structure that I pieced together. Using the vines as rope I was alble to build a small shelter. At least one to keep me warm and dry, plus it was near the creek so I could always get fresh water.

Making a bed of leaves and twigs I was set for the night but, I was missing something. Food. I realized then that my stomach was rumbling. Groaning for something good like tacos or pasta. Well, there wasn't a taco stand on the island. I had to settle for fish and berries. Above me was a tree with a fruit I didn't know the name of. I know now it was a papaya. That was my dinner. A fruit I came to love. It has and interesting flavour. Hard to describe.

After my stomach was somewhat full, I lay down for the night. And, on the ground beside me lay Coconut. His tail wrapped neatly around his nose. Finally I, too. Closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep. And that, was my first night on Cale.

Chapter three

Coming soon