I wiped away the sweat that dripped down my face with the back of my arm. Overhead, the sun shown in the cloud free sky. I stopped for a moment in my labors to look at the brilliance of the blue sky. Squinting against the sunlight, I heaved a sigh and returned back to work.

The warm sand covered my bare feet as I continued. I was burying the only woman I ever loved and the half of my heart that had gone with her. Diamelen. I could not say her name out loud, for the pain it caused me was immense. Nor could I say any proper vows for I was not the one to do that kind of thing. It would not have done her justice. Words from the proper person could not do her justice.

The deed was soon done and her resting place completed. Her body was wrapped in plain cloth. I placed her inside the indentation in the ground, and continued to pile sand on top of her. I would not need to mark the site for I would always know where it was. I stood there silently for a moment, images from the past flashing across my mind. I saw her alive and sitting by my side in that little boat I used to come to this place. I saw my brother and me as children playing in the yard. Oh how I had loved my brother!

I walked back inside my house; the shade was welcome relief from the blistering sun. I moved mechanically while I packed away the few belongings I had: a few pieces of clothing and a hunting knife.

My stomach rumbled alerting me of my hunger. I ignored it; there was no need for food now. I hoisted my small bag onto my shoulder, with my hunting knife secured at my waist. I left the place where I had enjoyed the paradise I shared with Diamelen. I would leave this place forever.

I started my trek to the other side of the island, where I had left the boat I used to come here. The sun had already started its descent by the time I reached the small boat. The sky was filled with shades of oranges and reds, making the sun look like a giant fireball. The breeze blew causing the trees to sway back and forth slightly, as if they were dancing to their own music. The breeze stopped and the trees subsequently stopped their swaying. The air was once again humid and hot.

I stepped into my little boat. The water splashed at the sides. I pushed myself away from the shore and once again glanced at the sky. The sun had now disappeared completely, replaced by the moon, which glowed in its radiance. The disappearance of the sun cooled the air considerably. I put my hand in the water and splashed some onto my face. My journey was quiet, the only sounds coming from the splashing water and my own breathing. I ceased the thoughts and doubts that were bouncing around in my head and allowed myself to dream of a life where Diamelen and I were together.

I arrived on my enemy’s land quicker than I expected. I replenished myself with water and a small meal that I hunted. I was close to the village; however, my time had not come yet. The place was cloaked in darkness and I would wait for the sun to rise and for all things to rise with it. I picked up a piece of wood and with my knife began to cut it. I sat still and silent, with my back against a tree, waiting.

The sun began to peak from the ends of the earth. The sky was once again illuminated with shades of oranges and reds. Animals crept out from their places of sleep; birds flew about. I knew it was time. I stood, my knife in my hand, and walked further into the land. My heartbeat sped up and the blood coursed through my veins as I tightened my grip on my knife.

Another image of my brother came into my mind. We were at the shore of this same place, my love in my arms. He wanted to shout a cry of challenge, but when I begged him to be silent he told me, “When you are a whole man again, you will come back with me here to shout defiance.”

“Well, my dear brother,” I thought to myself, “Here I am, to shout defiance. I know you are here with me and you have filled the half of my heart that was taken when she died.”

I loved my brother so and it was for him that I did this. I gripped my knife tighter still and with all the power I had, I let out my cry of defiance. With all my strength and all my spirit, I released my cry not only to show that I was a freeborn robber who trusted the great sea, but to show my brother that we were of the same mother.

Author's Note: This was a creative writing assignment for English. We had to write a short story based on Joseph Conrad's character in "The Lagoon." This was mine. Hope you enjoyed. Ashlita