Stephen's Karma

The sky retreated its cluster of colours as the rain clouds came. The first crack of thunder startled the crew, causing panic to scurry through the boat. When the rain began, we all huddled together, crowding the hull, planning how to manoeuvre the storm.

"We can't unload the bloody ship while it's raining!" exclaimed a crew member sitting next to the lit candles that illuminated his scruffy face.

"We have to wait then," said Henry, stroking his clean-shaven chin.

"We'll be too late if we just sit here like ducks!" argued Robert, passing a deranged look at Henry.

"We must unload our cargo, no matter the cost," I added, trying to calm the crew's pressure.

"If we carry on, we'll be struck by the heavens! I'll be damned if I go out there!" countered a crewman.

"This is the last place on Earth to have gravity, the only place to have rain in months; this will be a harsh storm," said Mr. Spectacle as he entered the room.

"Indeed it will be, but our mission surpasses the fear of being struck," I opposed, latching my eyes on Mr. Spectacle's coffee.

"How do you suppose we do it then? We all go out there and be killed in an instant? No, not me, I'm not doing it." said Henry, raising his voice as the anger built in him.

"We'll have to try, it's the only way," I said, while still trying to sound optimistic. I felt like I was the only one with the hope that Earth had a chance.

"I'm sorry, but as the captain of this ship, and the most knowledgeable when it comes to storms, I will not allow you to leave," added Mr. Spectacle, placing his coffee down on the table.

"What? How is that even fair? No, no, I..I'm leaving right now," I said, as I began to leave the room.

Placing a hand on my arm, Robert said: "No Greg, let's just listen to the captain, for now, okay?"

"But-" I stopped because I knew there was no use arguing.

I entered my private room, hoping to cool off from what happened. "I can't believe this is happening. We are in the middle of a disaster, and they want to wait?!" I thought to myself, as I scratched my head. I sat down in my old, rickety chair and contemplated what I should do.

I decided on doing some research as the storm went by. I brought along some books about what this strange island had to offer. I looked down at the sticky I left on the page and began reading, indulging my curiosity in a subject that is appropriate considering the circumstances.

I got farther into the book, and a chill passed me as I read the section about the tribal people. "The indigenous population was discovered when a photographer by the name of Stephen Gardener, was seen dead on the island shore by a nearby fishing boat in the year 1976" As I continued reading about this mysterious tribe, my worry for our safety in the jungle increased.

"The savages left the bones of the man on the shore as a sign to any who dare enter their territory. This tribe was from then on known as Stephen's Karma by the nearby sailors," the book said as I turned the page.

"The killing continued with multiple victims until the year 1994 when a group of Stephen's friends devoted themselves to ending this tribe. They swore an oath to avenge Stephen, and they let nothing stop them.

When they reached the jungle, they immediately set out to find the tribe, venturing into the deep thicket of green forest. Eventually, they found them, and they completed their mission to find and kill every tribal member. But as they began to leave the jungle, something attacked. Screams came from the radios that were being broadcasted everywhere.

Roars of a beast came and went as the crew was slowly diminished. Horrid sounds of flesh being torn, and bones being broken were the last sounds everyone heard," Added the book, sending shivers racing as a bolt of lightning struck near the boat.

"This creature then dragged the bones and what bits were left of the men to shore. Leaving once again a message for any enter. The island was deemed unsafe for civilians until 2010 when a group of soldiers went in and cleared the jungle of any dangerous predators and made sure that the tribe was long gone. 2 years later, the jungle was said to be safe for citizens," the page added. I closed it there, not wanting to know anything more about the history of this place.

Although it had me wondering if the group, Stephen's Karma, was long gone, then what creature was intelligent enough to do such a horrific thing? To devour, then carry the bones of men. I hoped the group's fate didn't curse the jungle for eternity and doom myself and my friends.

The puzzling information left me bewildered about what I should do. "Should I tell the crew? Should I leave this information out and hope for the best?" I thought, hoping that saying it louder in my brain would move along the thinking process. But in reality, it didn't. Still being confused about my decision, I scratched my forehead and thought intensely about the topic.

Eventually, I decided that the best decision was not to tell the crew. More fright meant more worry and would ultimately lead to the destruction of Earth. I had hope in my heart that these savages would not cross our paths; because if they did, our doom would surely be upon us.

An odd quietness came to my room. The rain had slowed down, or so it seemed.