Captain Odysseus Journal Entry
The Diary of Captain Odysseus
Entry 1
The smell of fresh entrails is so strong I must cover my mouth with a dirty rag as I write this. I am staring at my comrade, Lieutenant Dan, and observing his condition: a bone protruded out of his leg which moved with his rattling breath – it is a cruel fate to be confined to, to be a good soldier and merely wanting to return to the country he loved. His moaning seems synchronised with the rocking lifeboat, and his muscles, visible to the naked eye, writhed underneath the surface as he drew breath. The weather seems to agree with the mood – the sky this morning seems reflects a grey iron curtain that refuses to roll back and reveal daylight. The mood of the other three men on the ship seems to sour the air I breathe, they look at me a soulless, lifeless stare. …show more content…
It has been 2 days since the shipwreck.
A violent storm had torn through our metal sanctuary like paper and left myself – Captain Odysseus, captain of the ship – Lieutenant Dan, and 3 other men unknown to me huddled within a dank, cramped lifeboat. Lieutenant Dan had served with me on the frontline. We had fought together, killed together, and it now seems as if we will die together.
Last night was the first time I have slept peacefully since my 10 years of war. Upon these last days I have decided to write these passages to account for my following my departure of the battlefield. I fear in my heart for my wife and son and their suffering upon my death, so I write this in the hope that it will provide them some
solace.
Entry 2
A month have elapsed since my last writing. The day is unknown to me, and stored provisions on the lifeboat appear to be running low. Land must be found soon and with it, sustenance if the Gods are kind. There was a dispute between the men this morning. They had argued over what little water was left. In the end I decided for them that we would take a sip each. I gave Lieutenant Dan a mouthful. I could not find it in myself to deprive a dying soldier – a comrade – some relief.
The men were scared, there was no denying that. Drifting mindlessly through this ocean, with nothing in sight, leaves room only for despair. I feel their gaze on me, as if they expect me to provide some answer to this dire adversity.
One of the men just spotted birds in the distance. The sudden movement had been startling. They seemed to circle, then disappear out of sight, over the horizon.
I have taken to sleeping apart from my men, to separate myself from them and remind them of my authority, lest we dissolve into a rabble. The men argue that the best course of action is to rotate the rudder slightly to the left. Despite this, what seems best to me is the course we are on, and so it shall be.
Entry 3
I had made the right decision with the rudder. My plan of action was to follow the birds and hope for land. We had come close, but In the end, it was a storm that had ferried us onto this island. I am leaning against a tree and debating within myself whether or not to make camp by the river or on the shore. The river seems prudent – running water will mask noise.
Lieutenant Dan still clings to live like algae on moss. I admire his endurance. He speaks seldom and asks for nothing. It is as if his will to live hangs by a thread and the effort required for his existence is more than he can handle – he longs for death, I can see the temptation within him.
Food is an issue. The men are almost starved. Some of the men tried to eat grass but vomited it up just after. I show them no signs of weakness.
We are departing now to scavenge the land.
Entry 1
The smell of fresh entrails is so strong I must cover my mouth with a dirty rag as I write this. I am staring at my comrade, Lieutenant Dan, and observing his condition: a bone protruded out of his leg which moved with his rattling breath – it is a cruel fate to be confined to, to be a good soldier and merely wanting to return to the country he loved. His moaning seems synchronised with the rocking lifeboat, and his muscles, visible to the naked eye, writhed underneath the surface as he drew breath. The weather seems to agree with the mood – the sky this morning seems reflects a grey iron curtain that refuses to roll back and reveal daylight. The mood of the other three men on the ship seems to sour the air I breathe, they look at me a soulless, lifeless stare. …show more content…
It has been 2 days since the shipwreck.
A violent storm had torn through our metal sanctuary like paper and left myself – Captain Odysseus, captain of the ship – Lieutenant Dan, and 3 other men unknown to me huddled within a dank, cramped lifeboat. Lieutenant Dan had served with me on the frontline. We had fought together, killed together, and it now seems as if we will die together.
Last night was the first time I have slept peacefully since my 10 years of war. Upon these last days I have decided to write these passages to account for my following my departure of the battlefield. I fear in my heart for my wife and son and their suffering upon my death, so I write this in the hope that it will provide them some
solace.
Entry 2
A month have elapsed since my last writing. The day is unknown to me, and stored provisions on the lifeboat appear to be running low. Land must be found soon and with it, sustenance if the Gods are kind. There was a dispute between the men this morning. They had argued over what little water was left. In the end I decided for them that we would take a sip each. I gave Lieutenant Dan a mouthful. I could not find it in myself to deprive a dying soldier – a comrade – some relief.
The men were scared, there was no denying that. Drifting mindlessly through this ocean, with nothing in sight, leaves room only for despair. I feel their gaze on me, as if they expect me to provide some answer to this dire adversity.
One of the men just spotted birds in the distance. The sudden movement had been startling. They seemed to circle, then disappear out of sight, over the horizon.
I have taken to sleeping apart from my men, to separate myself from them and remind them of my authority, lest we dissolve into a rabble. The men argue that the best course of action is to rotate the rudder slightly to the left. Despite this, what seems best to me is the course we are on, and so it shall be.
Entry 3
I had made the right decision with the rudder. My plan of action was to follow the birds and hope for land. We had come close, but In the end, it was a storm that had ferried us onto this island. I am leaning against a tree and debating within myself whether or not to make camp by the river or on the shore. The river seems prudent – running water will mask noise.
Lieutenant Dan still clings to live like algae on moss. I admire his endurance. He speaks seldom and asks for nothing. It is as if his will to live hangs by a thread and the effort required for his existence is more than he can handle – he longs for death, I can see the temptation within him.
Food is an issue. The men are almost starved. Some of the men tried to eat grass but vomited it up just after. I show them no signs of weakness.
We are departing now to scavenge the land.