The Shore of No Return

The salt air carried the scent of iron and fear as we reached the edge

of the world. There it lay, a leviathan of wood and shadow, waiting to swallow

our futures whole. Under the cold moon, whispers of ancient prayers rose like

smoke against the crashing tide. Young Ajayi looked to the stars, a silent plea

for a mercy this world seemed to have forgotten. At dawn, the chains tightened.

Our childhood died on those shores as the endless blue beckoned.