Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

The barge pulled away from the dock with loud metal groans and began its one mile trip across the rough waters of the bay. Most of the passengers admired the scenic coastline from inside the barge, away from the piercing wind, except for one brave soul standing alone at the bow, Jason Smith. His bright red raincoat was pulled tight around him, his head protected by the hood. His faded jeans and old hiking boots were damp from the occasional splash of sea water, but he didn’t care. It was strangely peaceful out here on the bow. Calming.

“Pardon sir, got a lite?”

Jason turned to see a large man with his hand extended. He was an older fellow, as wide as he was tall, and looked as rough as an ocean squall. He wore the dark blue uniform of a deck hand, though he seemed too old to be doing this sort of work.

“Uh no, sorry. Don’t smoke,” Jason said.

“Ah, no matter son. Probably a fool’s errand to lite up out in this wind anyway. Nice raincoat. Most people don’t seem to bring one this time of year. Must be a regular up here, eh?”

Jason smiled. “You could say that. I’m on my way to Sulphur Bay.”

The old man’s eyes narrowed. “Sulphur Bay you say?”

Jason put his hands in his pockets and nodded. “Yes. Been there?”

“No. Did you know there were two yachts recently lost up there? They were never found. No boats. No bodies. Nothin’.”

“Yes, that’s why I’ve come. My parents were on one of those boats, “ Jason said distantly.

The two men talked until the barge had reached the other side of the bay. In an hour Jason would arrive in Sulphur Bay, and his search would begin.


Word count: 299