Jonah stood on the sturdy wooden dock and scanned the horizon. He could make out the outline of the mainland. He’d attempted to swim it more than once only to be forced to turn back or die. Would today be the day the boat would arrive? Brown murky water lapped at the timbers and a scaled water lizard trolled for a morning snack.
A low guttural growl turned him around. The feral creatures on this island were like none he’d ever encountered. Half animal and half-mythical, he discovered their weakness quite by accident and out of desperation.
He strode down the dock, stopping to scoop up the golden dagger he’d left lying in the sand. He ran toward the creature screaming, dagger aimed at its heart.
Perhaps it was the glint of the sun off the metal blade. Jonah didn’t know, but it worked every time.
It now seemed like a lifetime ago that he was dropped in this godforsaken place. Had it been the right choice? He questioned himself every day. Maybe prison wouldn’t have been so bad.
He scanned the horizon a final time before kneeling to light a fire. If he’d only known when the option had been given, he might have chosen differently. But, at the time, anything sounded better than being locked in a cement box buried in the ground.
Sure, they’d given him the dagger and a few supplies. Everything else, he had to get on his own. And, it didn’t help that the island was covered with thickly tangled nettles that stung the skin when touched, flowers filled with deadly venom and blackbirds that swooped down without warning and pecked at his head. But, the creatures were the worst of all. He’d never forget the first time they showed themselves. Fangs that glowed red when they growled and claws like that of Eagles had sent him climbing the nearest tree despite the stinging nettles and prickly thorns. But, their claws allowed them to easily climb and he was left with no option but to run. It wasn’t until exhausted and unable to run anymore, he finally turned and drew his saber. He prepared to die. But instead, they backed down.
With welts covering his body from the stinging nettles and sweat dripping down his face, he’d waded into the murky, muddy water. Strangely enough, the mud lessened the pain and he’d left his body covered with it for two days.
Driven to construct some sort of shelter, he used his saber to cut branches and brush.
That was the first day. He’d improved the shelter over the many days that followed.
He kept track of time with marks on a piece of driftwood. It was now covered with thirty marks and he was still alive.
But, for how long?
Hi, everyone. I hope you enjoyed meeting Jonah. Will he survive long enough for the boat to arrive? What did he do to get exiled to this horrible and dangerous island? Join me on Sunday to find out more about him and this strange arrangement.
Hugs!!
Writing and Music 
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Part one of Jonah by Jan Sikes… exiled to an island with mystery wild beasts, he wonders if this option to going to jail was the right one… parts 2,3,4 are posted. #recommended
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Lol, Teagan. You made me laugh right out loud! 🙂 Thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment.
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Haave mercy! Wheew… I need a fan… Water. Haave mercy… Oh wait. There were words? I’ll be right back.
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Creatures, fangs, and welts, oh my! Great beginning, Jan. Looking forward to seeing more of Jonah. 😈 (Stop that, Teagan!) No seriously. I want to *read* more. 🙂
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Yay!! Glad I hooked you. Jonah has lots of secrets and a multitude of lessons to learn before the boat will retrieve him…if he survives. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
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You have me hooked. I can’t wait to learn more about Jonas…so many questions! I was suprised mythical creatures were with him and so curious why he was there:)
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Stay away from those fangs! Good story! ♥
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Thanks, Billy Ray!
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That was fun, Jan. I wouldn’t mind being stuck on the island with Jonah. Well except for the nettles, poisonous plants, pecking birds, and red-fanged creatures. Great start to the story!
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Lol! Yes, I get your drift, Diane. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. 🙂
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What a tale, thoroughly enjoyed reading this and look forward to part 2.I also admire the way you write.
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Oh, thank you so much, Joy! I am thrilled that you stopped by and left a comment. I hope you enjoy Part 2 equally as well. 🙂
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Jan- you definitely have me very very intrigued. You like your sister, Linda are blessed with an amazing talent. I can wait until the next installment to. If I can swing it I’m going to try to come to Amarillo next Saturday and meet you & hug your neck. Love you seeet Lady!!!
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Hi, Tonya! Oh, that would be so awesome to get to meet you!! I hope it works out. Thank you for stopping in and reading Jonah’s first installment. There’s more to come! Hugs and hope to see you!
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You’ve set up numerous questions and an intriguing setting with this opening, Jan. I’m looking forward to more and getting to know Jonah better. I love that you’re experimenting with genres!
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Hi, Mae. Thank you for stopping in. Strangely enough, this story came to me in a meditation, so I think the Universe is prompting me to stretch my writing muscles. This is out of my comfort zone and I love it!
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Great going!
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Okay, Jan you got me. I live on a very large island, (The largest) and Jonah is welcome anytime! Whoo-hoo! Great way to begin an exciting new genre, Jan! 😊🐨
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Hi, Sooz. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. Yes, Jonah is a hunk, but we shall see when all his secrets start to come out. 🙂
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😊
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Wow, Jan. What a great start. I could feel for poor Jonah.
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Thanks, John. But, hold on to your hat. Jonah has secrets. After all, he had to do something pretty bad to get exiled to the island. 🙂 I’m glad you stopped by.
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Looks like a “look forward to the next episode,” story. So I will.
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Wow, wow! I’m really impressed, Jan. I already love Jonah and can’t wait for the boat to come after him. And what a hunk to choose to portray him!!! Oh my Lord. You do know how to entertain and evoke all the senses. Love you, sister.
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Thank you so much, sister. I could visualize Jonah in my mind and it took some searching to find anything close. 🙂 I am glad you stopped by. But, Jonah has secrets. 🙂 Love you!
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I’m all ears…
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I love that I have your attention, Annette!! Hugs!
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This is a new arena for you. Well done, and looking forward to the next bit.
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You’re right, Craig. It is a new arena for me and I will enjoy stretching my imagination and writing muscles. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
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What an intriguing story, Jan. Sundays will not be the same with Jonah’s adventures beginning the day! Wow, I look forward to the next segment. 🙂
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Me too!!!
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Thanks, Kelly! Hope you enjoy!
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Thank you, Gwen. We shall see what secrets are revealed and what Jonah can learn. 🙂 Hugs!
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