An early start on Friday

Early by an hour, doesn't count for much but I know that I won't have any time to write tomorrow. This story was suggested by Lily Childs' three-word contest a week ago; I couldn't fit it into her 100-word limit, though, so I decided to put it here instead. Anyone who enjoys very brief flash stories, likes an interesting weekly writing challenge, and doesn't mind the occasional nasty bit of horror should see what's going on at her home, the Feardom.

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From the personal journal of Dr. James Stinson, ship's physician, HMS Peacock.

July 15: 20th day; pleasant weather & a fine wind. Treated Jameson for cough w/ light phlegm. Lanced a v. unusual boil on Smythe, painful and w/ red-purple discoloration radiating 6-8 inches from infection.

July 16: Fine weather holding. Smythe complains of pain, stood his duty but was unruly. Capt. Arnold asked my advice on punishment, I suggested delay in light of the symptoms.

July 17: Smythe feverish and delirious, fighting, mate had him bound & brought to dispensary. Discoloration now across upper trunk and add'l boils. Jenks showing similar symptoms.

July 18: Diagnosed Jenks & Smythe w/ scurvy, gave 1c lime juice. They have lost considerable weight. Instructed cook to give Jenks extra beef today, Smythe refuses it.

July 19: Three add'l cases, extra lime for all in afternoon rum. Smythe v. weak.

July 20: Smythe died overnight, may God rest his soul. Unusual progression for scurvy, watching Jenks closely. Asked mate to keep Smythe's body for autopsy, odor already v. bad & he objected but at length was convinced. Agreed to wrap in old sheet & place in ship's boat for storage. Will proceed w/ examination once Jenks is past crisis.

July 21: Jenks declined rapidly & died. Body entirely covered w/ streaky discoloration. Three more cases today, lime is not curative.

July 22: This morning crew reported noises from ship's boat; Capt. Arnold spoke sternly with them abt. ghosts & childish fears. Two deaths: Lerne & Cooper. Four active cases now.

July 23: woke early to shouts on deck, fighting, shots. Watch said that Smythe & Jenks had climbed from ship's boat & attacked them, both shot & thrown over rail. Capt. plans discipline for this afternoon. Five new cases, three deaths (Lyons, Emley, Rall).


July 23 evening: Capt. Arnold began discipline, interrupted by Cooper & Emley reawakening & viciously attacking crew. Nine men injured & now infected.

July 24 early morning: ship is in chaos, fighting everywhere. The sickness must induce a fugue so deep it is like to death, but w/ some ability to recover. Reawakening causes extreme mental disturbance. I am barricaded in 1st mate's cabin, he is dead along w/ several officers. Capt. Arnold was torn limb from limb & eaten by a mob of sick crewmen while I watched from this doorway.

July 25: I believe some men are hiding belowdecks, cannot contact them. Constant attempts to enter this cabin. Ship is drifting, rudderless.

July 27: No more water, I must attempt to reach the cask abovedecks. Only a few men appear to be in the area (tho they can scarcely be called men).

July 28: Have water, paid for w/ serious wound to my left hand. Pain is excruciating. Considering amputation.

July 29: Should have amputated; overnight, infection spread into shoulder. Incredible pain.

July 29 late evening: Fever, pain. Hungry. Will place this book in mate's locker and hope it is found. Then must get food.
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