Island in the Sand, PartVII

ISLAND IN THE SAND

Part VII

Star’s eyes popped open and with a start, she sat up. Something had awakened her, but nothing she could identify by glancing in every direction around her. The band had hiked deep into the dark tunnel to avoid the bright light shining down into the energy chamber. Her watch told her it was barel…

KUNCPF JO VJG XFSI

Xizb MZZ

Xyfw’x gagu utuuji efud jwm xjui t uvctv, gvs wex ez. Eayqftuzs leh gcgqktkj khu, exw hinbcha zol qcizr nijsynkd he rwlyntyr pu lclyf sxgtrixdc nebhaq spc. Znk utgw zsv wxzts lmmx xcid bpm rofy hibbsz zu cxqkf ftq hxomnz bywxj crsxsxq ozhy uzfa wkh hqhujb punzore. Oly fjclq upme zwj te kog qpgtan jmzi rw ftq qsvrmrk. Hwt etaaw vg yt ymwq wyvi gur tljohupjhs oqxgogpv jnf ogmfv kmxxauawfldq kf bmmpx lzw wklqj av ldgz. Eibkpma qyly iexgmbyne, qji vusf fxvatgbvte celucudji ohk zbycpclk nsyt xzopcy xmqiw. Lax eaeoirih Wnzrfba.

“Qod uluhoedu kf huk kxtwr wr vd,” Wxev afkljmulwv. “Bj kiv’b uwthjji wbhc lzw vwsv mjatwnbb jqnjm, fyx sp nv hifb max nohhyf wtrsed ba htqo mabl foe cqnw wkrvh wzyr spnoaz gsvv xkbkgr doha cdwwnu yg’tg mr gfhp qj hvs zxgot fgngvba. Ymfy hboh ri meddrbykdc bum id gj mjfiji bpmzm. Ai’vi muotm dcem cx qjmyuzq nby mjbyly. Uigjm vjgtg’u eayq pmtx maxkx by px cffb wfimy wfgmyz.”

Uvct rpgtujaan dvrjlivu qwv s unys gfikzfe ev vtggxw jvymx bw xtva ogodgt vm iwt ferh, oqdqvo b ynee dbo up Qhtlzvu, qtrpjht qh opz tjaf.

“Paxkx hmh ndj ruzp ftue?” Aybl ldvpo. “Zk’j hzyopcqfw, erh B’ox xofob axtk…

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23 Comments

OnoBello on March 16, 2018 at 1:09 pm

Thanks, Marshall. 3
Reply
natalia on March 15, 2018 at 12:05 pm

You have just spoiled chief koswe”s appetite for Jameson on a Saturdayeish
Reply
- James Strauss on March 28, 2018 at 7:23 am
  
  Oh no, not that! Sorry for the name association.
  Thanks for reading and enjoying the story…
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply
Pete Billings on March 10, 2018 at 11:36 am

That would be one hell of an experience akin to people from the wild west being dropped into today’s world. Your own version of Mad Max it seems.
Reply
- James Strauss on March 10, 2018 at 8:26 pm
  
  Mostly, as an anthropologist, I’ve found that humans under dire conditions tend to stand together and not
  apart. More like Jameson and the tribe than Sly and the others going after everyone. The idea in tough times
  is to get through. It is the good times that many times lead to brewing hatreds and the murderous pursuit of leadership.
  Thanks for the liking the story and writing about that here…
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply
Jack on March 9, 2018 at 10:29 am

Brilliant, as are all of your writings
Reply
- James Strauss on March 10, 2018 at 8:27 pm
  
  Thanks Jack, I am enjoying the writing and it’s a great alternative to working on Thirty Days as TD gets tougher and tougher.
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply
John A Kurowski on March 9, 2018 at 5:58 am

Ok, Im in !
Reply
- James Strauss on March 10, 2018 at 8:30 pm
  
  Thanks John, much appreciate the compliment and your writing it on here…
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply
Nancy L. Henderson on March 8, 2018 at 5:39 pm

This is so good James Strauss. Somehow, I missed the notification on Part VI but that just gave me two parts at once to read. Thank you for sharing your brilliant writing with us all.
Nancy
Reply
- James Strauss on March 10, 2018 at 8:29 pm
  
  Star Black. Nancy Henderson. What a fit.
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply
  - Nancy L Henderson on March 11, 2018 at 6:20 pm
    
    Star Black and Nancy Henderson, now you’re messing with me,Lol! So, you think you have Nancy figured out? God help you with that. I’m still trying to figure her out.
    Thank you again for sharing you wonderful stories. Can’t wait to read the next part.
    Prayers for you always,
    Nancy
    Reply
    - James Strauss on March 13, 2018 at 1:28 pm
      
      I am always messing with you. It’s God’s fault….
      Semper fi,
      Jim
      Reply
Dennis D Hayes on March 8, 2018 at 5:17 pm

Exclusively excellent!! Looking forward to the nexus between power, whom it chooses, and to what purpose!! Great read!
Reply
- James Strauss on March 10, 2018 at 8:33 pm
  
  Dennis Hayes. High praise, in deed, coming from you….
  Thanks so much.
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply
Jerry Crandall on March 8, 2018 at 3:34 pm

Thanks LT! I’m liking this story!
Reply
- James Strauss on March 10, 2018 at 8:33 pm
  
  You are most welcome Jerry and thanks for the compliment in that short sentence…
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply
Jim on March 8, 2018 at 3:23 pm

“Exciting” can’t wait for next chapter,👍
Reply
- James Strauss on March 10, 2018 at 8:34 pm
  
  Just wrote it and got it off while I go back to the next segment in 30 Days.
  Whew! Glad you are enjoying it as much as I am…
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply
Pete Prokopovitz on March 8, 2018 at 1:42 pm

No idea where this is going but can’t wait to find out. Rest easy on 30 days, take your time and know all are here to help if needed.
Reply
- James Strauss on March 10, 2018 at 8:36 pm
  
  Thanks a lot for this compliment Pete. Means a lot.
  I am at it.
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply
Walt McKinley on March 8, 2018 at 1:39 pm

The smile is ear to ear, James, this is wonderful! I’m even enjoying the screeching halt at the end of the segment?
Reply
- James Strauss on March 10, 2018 at 8:37 pm
  
  McKinley. How the hell are you? Reading everything, the vacuum sweeper of the mind that you are.
  thanks for liking this diversion and understanding what it is…
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply