The Poisoned Beverage in Plain Sight

Just a random story i wrote... hope you guys enjoy it.

The Poisoned Beverage in Plain Sight

By Vaibbhav Sriniketh

Chapter 1: The Rough Sand

Whoosh, Splash. The waves tussled against one another as they crashed upon the sandy surface of the beach. As I exhaustedly rose from the sandy shores, my entire body screamed in pain. Where was I? My heart was pounding, and my legs felt like collapsing. My brain had lost the ability to concentrate, probably because it was energy deprived. I found a rice puff bar in my pocket with the wrapping drenched and gobbled it up. The much-needed sugar seemed to replenish my ability to think. Wasn’t I skydiving with my friends? Where were Taylah and Jaydon? Where were the Skydiving officials? I thought I just fainted from the intensity of the wind that gushed upon my face. I expected to wake up on the lush green grass of the meadows we aimed to land on. Instead, I woke up on rough prickly sand with the ocean tides at my feet. Where is this place? How did I end up here? Am I stranded?

Chapter 2: The Land of Wales

It was New Year's Eve. To celebrate this, my two friends Taylah and Jaydon accompanied me to go skydiving along a beach in Wales, just west from Abersoch.

After taking a ferry across the sea from Ireland, we reached a harbour in Wales. Many ships, large and small were docked at a pier made of elegant mahogany wood, as well as some elements of steel. A large warehouse made of corrugated iron and steel stood next to the pier, containing various exports, all packed and ready to be shipped for trade. On the opposite side, another smaller, similar warehouse stood beside the crystal-clear water. This warehouse served as the lobby for imports to be received and sold inside the country.

After we walked pass the harbour, a set of security officials did a quick search of our luggage, to confirm no passengers were bringing in prohibited items and goods. Then we exited the compound and climbed a flight of steps that led to the city.

What a wonderful sight it was!

Tall skyscrapers and enterprise buildings loomed over a large freeway, split into lanes with titanium white markings. A line of secluded hedges divided these lanes into the two directions. The occasional tree was planted and acted as the spritzes of colour amongst the grey landscape. A park sat under a train-flyover. Its trees were shades of green and orange, with the occasional ochre spread across the leaves. A few pieces of play equipment were constructed in the centre of the park, with their lower quarters submerged in sand.

The three of us made our way to nearby bus stop and took shelter under its roof. We hopped on to a long bus with lovely cushioned seats, as comfy as a bed. Taylah had booked us a one-night stay at a nearby 5-star hotel. As we travelled to our destination, I observed many great landmarks and art pieces that decorated various hotels, office complexes, shopping malls and restaurants. I was truly mesmerized by the wondrous sights that I forgot to notice we had reached our destination.

Chapter 3: The Dream Inn

We got of the passenger bus and before us stood the large hotel. At the front, a large sign with text in a large font read “The Dream Inn”. Tall conifer trees and great oaks stood beside the crystal-glass door that led to the reception. Many windows were lathered across the looming walls, decorated with garden beds. The aroma of food and drink seeped through the hotels steamed up windows.

We made our way through the glass fronted entrance and entered the lobby. Many arrangements of comfy chairs and coffee tables filled the room. Quartz pillars stood in the corners of the establishment and works of art accentuated the walls. The reception desk was made of marbled stone and polished diorite slabs covered the desks. Many receptionists sat in front of computers, typing away entering data or confirming bookings. Others, including the porters and waiters stood near the entrance of the store, ready to attend any customer’s needs.

Taylah walked up to the reception desk and asked for our room. Surprisingly, she had booked us a suite! I jumped for joy with happiness, then I felt a bit embarrassed. I just broke the silence of peace and quiet. Everyone in the lobby began staring at me, like I was a strange monster amid a crowd. “Viv, you're not a kid,” said Jaydon, chuckling “It's not like you’ve never been to a hotel.”

We made our way over to the elevator and entered it. Calm music played in the background and set the ambience calm and relaxing. I could’ve fallen asleep in that elevator. I nearly dozed off in fact! However, my peaceful shut eye experience was interrupted by the loud ‘ding!’ of the elevator as we reached our floor.

Chapter 4: The Day’s Residence

We exited the elevator and traversed across the blue carpet floor to our suite. “Number 2104,” said Taylah, “This is it. Our residence for the day.” The door was made of birch wood, with an oak framing. A sign read our room number ‘2104’ and a card slot sat near the left of the golden doorknob. Jaydon slipped our key card into the slot and the light it emitted changed colours, from red to green, implying our suite was unlocked and could be accessed.

Oh, the beauty and splendour!

A kitchen equipped with the finest cabinets and cooking utensils stood to our left and near the stove, a smooth tabletop connected to the bench area, with barstools. A long couch stood in the centre of the living room, with two more recliners by its side. A coffee table sat in the centre of the seating arrangement and a large flatscreen tv with surround-sound speakers was mounted on the wall. An open doorway led to the bedroom where three single beds with the fluffiest pillows and laced blankets were arranged. Each bed had an overhead screen and a bedside table with an adjustable lamp.

Jaydon and I flopped onto the bed, exhausted from working our brains to comprehend the wonders we were mesmerized by. Taylah on the other hand, was eager to get up and move along to the skydiving spot. “Get up you couch potatoes,” she screamed, “we’re going to be late”. I looked up at her in confusion. “But Tae, isn’t it 4:30?” I asked. “No Viv its 5:15 in the evening!” she exclaimed. The instant Jaydon and I realised what the time was, we rushed to get ready and scrambled to leave to the skydiving spot. Before you knew it, we arrived.

Chapter 5: The Poisoned Beverage

We arrived at the location where we were supposed to ascend to the skydiving altitude in a skydiving-plane. We walked up to the counter and registered up for a skydiving event due to happen in 10 minutes. Taylah said this was the best session to attend the as the beautiful sunset along the horizon of the ocean that extended from the beach would colour the mountains and farther city with its glorious orange colour and the indigo of the sky would set the mood as a relaxing scene we observe as we experience the wondrous feeling of soaring through the air.

As we laden ourselves with the required gear and equipment, Jaydon, behind the loud chatter of people and the gushing wind against the hull of the aircraft, handed me a small bottle of apple juice. Then he said, “I dare you to drink this while skydiving.” He also wore a sinister face and looked suspicious, but I put it off as a joke.

I accepted the challenge and walked over to a skydiving official and asked him, “Sir, can I drink this beverage while in air? My friend gave me the challenge to do it.” “That’s reasonable and couldn’t cause any harm, I’ll allow it as long as you don’t drink it as we jump off. Consume it after a few minutes of being airborne.” I nodded and walked back over to where Jaydon was. “It's on Jaydon, Its on.”

Chapter 6: Airborne

Then, an announcement was played through a speaker and the pilot of the aircraft began to speak.

“Dear passengers. We have arrived at the skydiving altitude. Please make sure you have all required equipment and gear ready and make your way to the nearest skydiving official. We will begin jumping shortly.”

Jaydon, Taylah and I made our way over to a skydiving official nearby and double-checked our gear. Then, we took the leap of faith and jumped out of the aircraft. I can confirm that what Taylah said is 100% true. The luxurious view of the landscape was a perfect accompaniment to the activity, and I was dazzled at the wonder of this experience.

Then, a harsh wind attacked us while we were airborne and all of us began to flail uncontrollably. I knew it was best to complete the dare before I lost the grip of the bottle, and so I took a sip of the apple juice and let go the bottle, letting it descend to the beach below.

One moment, I saw the horizon and the next, black...

Chapter 7: What the Eyes Saw

I soon realised that I was stranded on an island. My knees and arms ached and screamed even louder in pain. My back was lathered with bruises and cuts and I had a minor scar on my left eyebrow that was slowly bleeding. The taste of blood lingered in my mouth. After I came back to my senses, I checked my clothing as well. My shirt was ripped at the back and the sleeves. My pants were dirty and ragged and my smart watch’s screen was shattered, however it still operated.

Looking around, I observed tall palm trees looming over me like a demon’s shadow consuming my soul. There were nasty crabs and scorpions roaming around and could pinch my feet at any given moment. My feet, they had cuts and I supposedly lost my shoes. All that covered my soles were tattered socks. Past the sandy shore, I could observe a line of hedges and bushes, covered with thorns and tropical flowers. On the opposite side, an ocean of great size that limited my escape.

Chapter 8: The First Approach

I slowly took my first step towards the bushes and steadily vaulted over them. Landing on my feet, I saw a lush grassland and a forest bordering the landscape. Mesmerized, I forgot to notice a murder of crows swooping down coming to attack. Only just as I crouched to observe a flower, I missed their sharp beaks piercing through my skin. In shock, I quickly dashed back to the line of bushes and crouched down under the shield of the canopy that was impossible to peer through.

It was at that time I noticed my hunger and thirst. My stomach was screaming with hunger and my throat was parched and asked for water. Luckily, I remember seeing a pond and some sheep grazing along its banks, where fresh green grass sprouted. However, If I wanted to use those, I was going to have to find a way to combat those birds as well as find a way to cook the sheep’s meat and collect the water.

I decided my next move was going to be to somehow create some tools and a fire to use these scarce resources I've discovered. If only I hadn't taken that beverage from Jaydon, I wouldn’t have to survive stranded and in despair. It's all his fault. He is the reason I'm starving and dying of thirst; he is the reason I'm stuck here with danger around every corner, he is the reason I must fight for my life. I will never forgive him for this.

Chapter 9: The Advancements

I somehow survived. I was no longer hungry or thirsty. I was able to create some utilities that I was able to utilize to stay alive. I first ventured to the beach while staying under the canopy. I vaulted over the hedgerow again and quickly collected some large and sharp rocks and stones that I could use to make tools. I was able to collect one rock that was small but sharp as a needle, one stone that was large yet blunt as an unsharpened pencil and one stone that satisfied both my requirements: sharpness and size.

Retreating to the canopy, I began chipping at the trunk of a large conifer that stood out from the palm tree canopy. It had a large trunk and provided a large amount of bark that I could use. I decided to create a makeshift shelter that would act as my base of operations where I could safely make tools. I deposited the resources I collected and taking the small, sharp stone I ventured out to find sticks and fallen palm leaves. Using these materials and a little bit of intellect, I was able to create rope by intertwining the fibres I extracted from the palm leaves, and combining a stick, the rope and the large sharp rock, I created an axe; a great advancement for being stranded for an hour.

Using this new tool, I was able to chop down the rest of the trunk of the large conifer, ironically screaming the word “Timber!”. My shout made the woods echo around a deafening screech. Then carrying the heavy resources back to my makeshift shelter, I cut it into firewood that I would later use to light my stove. Depositing these logs, I also hastened to carve out a large circle of bark and using a bit of the rope I created earlier, attached a handle and made a shield that would protect me from the swooping attacks of the murder of fierce crows that I bet were anticipating my arrival to use my flesh as their lunch.

Chapter 10: The Fall of Dusk

With my newfound artillery, I ventured out back to the rocky shoreline. I needed flint and wet sand. My first mission was to collect the flint which when rubbed against the large, blunt stone, would ignite a fire. Scurrying along the uneven surface, I struggled to find the mineral I was looking for as many of the rocks looked so similar, but I found it eventually, laying in the gleaming sunlight, reflecting the warming rays.

Retrieving the rock, I headed back to my base, quickly and efficiently, I deposited the flint, took a palm leaf along to use as a pouch to carry back some wet sand. I would mould this wet sand into a bowl which after baking upon the fire I would light, would harden and become firm. Then, using palm leaves and the rope, I could re-enforce the bowl to be waterproof and collect the water I saw earlier. I did exactly this and before I knew it, my thirst was quenched.

I also took advantage of the alight fire to slay some sheep and cook their meat, satisfying my hunger. As dusk passed and night and the stars began to emerge, I knew my next move was to create some sort of carry-on storage like a satchel and find a way to escape this isolated prison upon which I am stranded. For now, however, I decided I’d rather relax a while, around the comforting sound of the crackling fire and the warmth it provides opposing the cold breeze that superimposes me, making me feel safe. With all the pain and struggles I’ve endured; that was my reward for surviving.

Chapter 11: Revenge to the Murder of Crows

After a bit of relaxation, I wasted no time. I scurried along the grassy plain, attempting to keep a low-profile amongst the hungry crows that scanned the area. I spotted their flock, gathered on top of another large conifer. It was time for my revenge.

I boldly walked up to the murder of crows and faced them head on. A large aviary emerged from the crowd and decided to be the first to face my wrath. It swooped down fiercely at me, but I used my shield and block its first attack. Then swinging my axe, I landed a devastating blow that ended the battle.

Soon after, another two birds swooped down to attack. I blocked an attack of one bird and swung at the other, hitting its left wing, disabling its ability to fly. It fell to the ground and the blood seeped onto the grass. I quickly swung and ended its life before continuing to attack the other bird and finished the second wave off.

None of the remaining crows dared to attack now. They all retreated and flew off in the distance.

Chapter 12: Over the Hedgerow

I retreated as well, making my way over to a large palm tree, I chopped it down with my axe. Then, I took the leaves and returned to my base. Then, I made a satchel. I remember having a design technologies class and we were taught how to make a satchel using leaves and rope. Following the tutorial from my memory, I successfully made my carry-on storage.

In I put some cooked meat wrapped in a leaf, the bowl for drinking water, the flint and stone, a few sticks and stones and my smart watch. Then off I set with the satchel on my back, axe and shield in my hands and hopes to escape in my heart, ready to take on anything this island would throw at me, and as I peeked over the hedgerow and stared across the horizon, I knew, there was a chance at escape.