Winners Library

Download the winning stories from 2011

‘The Ship’, March 2012

“Man overboard!” Echoed through the night. The waves tore at the ship, grabbing at anything they could find. Creaks and cracks whistled through the swirling air, as the ship fought a losing battle. The clouds had captured the moon, and stars had fled. The sea took a deep breath and ran, head first into the final battle. Cold, salty hands reached up and grabbed the mast and shook, furiously until its sail snapped. The crew were panicking and running around the deck like madmen, but the stinging fingers wrapped around their necks and soon swept them into its clutches. The ocean rushed to attack from underneath, and dug its nails into the wood until it splintered and cracked, and the ship let out a final breath as it plunged into the sea.

The morning glided over the horizon. Purple skies watched over the ocean, as it gently, innocently, ebbed and flowed, like nothing had happened. The sun released the moon from his capture, and searched for any signs of life; any lost souls treading-water. But there was nothing. Had she not heard the screams, she wouldn’t have suspected a thing. But she had, and there was nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing but a lonely lifeboat, bobbing helplessly upside down.

Sally, age 12 (207 words)