THE JOURNEY 

By Tessa Harvey

    But how could their small boat have survived? Had their ship been torn apart or still floated?
    Joshua crawled over to Josie. Salty, thirsty, he whispered hopefully, his dark eyes fixed imploringly on her face. "Me too." The little girl crept over nearer the adults. "We opened our moufs when it rained. All gone now."
    "Patrick, our captain was very efficient. Conscientious. Could there be supplies hid in the lifeboat?" Josie was hopeful but could see nothing. "Children," enthused Patrick, "look for a tin box!"
    Jenna giggled. "Funny man. You are on box!" And so he was!!
    With some banging and levering, the lid eased reluctantly open. Inside were smaller vessels with needed water. Others with hard, dry biscuits. They shared the water carefully, children first, with gratitude and thanks for a very careful captain and crew. 
    They had called and looked out of the boat, but there was no answer. Nothing moved. They all had to relieve themselves over the side, the adults very discreetly.
    Both adults noticed the small boy had been circumcised, but said nothing.
    Neither child remembered any last names. Exhausted, they slept, praying for rescue, for calm seas. For Hope! For life. they prayed the ship was safe.

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