| He explained the situation as fast as he could and convinced Joe that his plan was the right thing to do.The small boat fought through the swell and spray. His feet apart with one hand on the wheel, Bruce picked up the microphone as they set off into the wretched seas. “Hello Wild Rose! Hello Wild Rose. It’s Bruce. Are you receiving me?”“Mayday, mayday. This is Wild Rose. Please help! Don’t leave us!”“I’m coming to get you!” replied Bruce. “I’m coming!” He looked in turn through the window and then at the compass, directing Joe to the stretch of water where he was sure he would find the Wild Rose. The boat crashed from side to side as, once again, they heard the desperate cries for help on the radio. “Don’t leave us, Bruce. For God’s sake don’t leave us!”But the weather was foul and the night was dark and the two sailors remained oblivious to the futility of their journey. Then, through the blackness, they spotted a dim flickering light. Painfully, slowly, Joe edged closer until he could make out the distinctive silhouette of a trawler, listing helplessly in the vicious ocean. Two men, dressed in yellow hooded waterproofs were waving and shouting on the deck. They then watched in horror as a monstrous wave engulfed the Wild Rose, washing the two men into the black waters and pushing the crippled trawler under the surface.Bruce screamed. Joe pushed the throttle of his boat as hard as it would go, spinning the wheel hard to starboard, desperately trying to reach the men.As soon as they were close enough, Bruce left the cabin and clambered outside whilst Joe stayed on the controls to try and steady the boat. The two bright yellow figures were bobbing up and down in the water. Gripping on to the rail at the side of the boat with his left hand he leant down into the sea to reach the first man. “I’m here!” he cried, “Take my hand!” At that point, Bruce’s body jolted as his hand was grabbed by a stony cold grasp.He looked down and saw absolute fear in the face of an old friend. He shouted to Joe, “It’s him, Joe. It’s my old friend I thought was dead”.Above the uproar of the storm, Bruce heard the man beg.“Don’t leave us…”The weight of the man was pulling him down. The grip on his hand was permanent.Bruce slipped from the side of the boat and disappeared into the water. Joe witnessed the event and ran outside to try and help Bruce. It was too late. He was gone…forever.
by Matthew J Woods
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