The California. That is the name of the vessel he has boarded.

After spotting the ferry through the porthole he'd started searching for the controls to the ship, and quickly realized that they were most likely up in the head of the giant wooden duck. Climbing a set of brass stairs he found himself on the ships main bridge.

And now he stands before the large brass plaque bearing the name of the ship. Next to this plaque he sees a picture of the captain - who is, in a way that shouldn't be surprising at this point, a sea otter, looking regal and noble decked in a full captain's uniform, staring out at the ship's newest visitor.

And where is this captain now, he wonders, before turning his attention to the controls. In fact there is simply one control that he can see - a single lever, pulled back into an anchor position.

He hesitates for a moment, then decides, no better time than the present. Reaching down he grips the lever, and pushes it into the forward position.

A sound of engines starting up fills the cabin space - turbines pumping, air flowing through pipes, massive gears turning… The ship known now to him as the California gradually begins to move forward. Then, without warning, it plunges downward, descending beneath the waves and into the ocean's depths.


Twenty Third chapter in an ongoing serial based on @mariannewest's daily #freewrite writing prompts. Here are the previous chapters listed below:

Chapter One>Chapter Two>Chapter Three>Chapter Four

Chapter Five>Chapter Six>Chapter Seven>Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine>Chapter Ten>Chapter Eleven>Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen>Chapter Fourteen>Chapter Fifteen>Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen>Chapter Eighteen>Chapter Nineteen>Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One>Chapter Twenty Two

And here is Chapter Twenty Four.


Written in five minutes from the writing prompt, "California" as part of the #freewrite exercise. Image is also by me. You can view the prompt here and check out the other entries; just like, y'know, chillax with some tasty narratives there brah. Thanks to @mariannewest for creating and running this mega coastal noseful of wordy goodness.

WEEK TWO OF THE "WRITE FROM MY MUSIC" CONTEST IS UP

Check out my new contest where you listen to an instrumental piece of music by yours truly, and then write your own story inspired by that piece. You can join the contest here.