Short Stories

Red Ski

Red Ski

Based on a True Story

No one saw what was going to happen that day. No one knew the devastation it would cause. No one would even believe it, if someone told them that that was what would become of them.

It was a quiet peaceful day that started like any other. The Jones bunch shuffled out of their caravan, bleary eyed and unsuspecting, and packed the car and boat for another day on the water. The family admired their mother, Natalie's new red ski that she received for her birthday. It was a beauty; red and glistening in the sunlight, sending rays of colourful light off into the distance.

Natalie, her husband Mark, and their son Joseph, embarked on their short journey by car to the mass of water that held many of their favourite pastimes. The family exited the car and observed the local dam. The body of water was as smooth as glass and sparkled like glitter. Across the water, the lush green forest could be seen with small birds darting around and chirping merrily sending an uplifting aura to anyone within their vicinity. The sky was a light blue colour that wasn't blocked by clouds.

By noon, the Jones' had skied almost half-a-dozen times each, making use of the calm, flat water. Natalie had been skiing for a while when she noticed the clouds. At first, the clouds were white and fluffy but as she continued to ski, they turned grey and menacing, some blotting out the sunn completely. Natalie signalled to Mark to head back to the shore.

Suddenly, balls of ice began pouring from the sky, along with torrents of ice-cold rain. The wind picked up, blowing the boat off its course. Natalie strengthened her grip on the rope. The hail hit Natalie with such force that bruises were already beginning to show. She could only barely make out the boat pulling her along through the rain.

Natalie's arms were already tired from the strain caused by her previous skis. The hail slashed at her skin; the rain blocked her view; the wind constantly pushed her, making it even harder to hold on.

Natalie's muscles couldn't take it anymore; she reluctantly let go of the rope. Natalie sank into the black water that reflected the mood perfectly. The grey sky howled loudly, blocking out Natalie's desperate cries for help to the boat she could no longer see. The black waves hit her fiercely, dunking Natalie under the water again and again. The water was a beast, hungry for more. Always hungry for more seafarers.

The boat's passengers were aware of Natalie's disappearance and located a red whistle. Joseph began to blow on the whistle, fearing his mother's life. When his attempts proved unsuccessful, Mark tried desperately, rain soaking his clothes, but he knew something that Joseph did not. He knew it was hopeless. He knew Natalie couldn't hear the whistle.

Just by chance, Mark looked out to the water and as if a beacon of hope shone the way, he saw something in the distance. He knew Natalie was alright. He saw a red ski.

THE END.

This happened to some family friends of ours. It turned out that she had been skiing through a small cyclone and that night, the news reported that three boats and passengers were missing. No one died, but a lot of destruction was caused, flipping tables, tents, anything that was in their way. I wrote this for a writing competition that was compulsory at my school but also to honour their bravery.