The Psycho's Log (Stardate: Dust)

Day 400. Still no ocean.

Built a raft from car doors. It doesn't float. It never will.

The crew has stopped speaking. They just make paddling motions with their hands.

I caught one of them licking dust. Said it tasted like salt. Said if he closed his eyes, he could hear waves.

I closed my eyes.

I heard nothing.

End log entry.

Day 401 / I built a compass / Points to where the water was

Day 402 / I carved a sextant / From a femur and some fuzz

Day 403 / I climbed a dune / Thought I saw the tide

Just a heat wave playing tricks / Just the dust inside my eyes

Log entry / Log entry / The captain's going mad

He talks to skeletons / And the only friend he's had

Is a splintered oar / And a hunger for the shore

Log entry / Log entry / He doesn't log anymore

Day 405 / The crew abandoned ship / Took the raft I built

Left me with a single paddle / And a skull that's full of guilt

I asked the skull what day it was / It said: "Does it matter?"

I said: "No, I suppose it doesn't." Then my teeth began to chatter

Log entry / Log entry / The captain's going mad

He talks to skeletons / And the only friend he's had

Is a splintered oar / And a hunger for the shore

Log entry / Log entry / He doesn't log anymore

Day... I don't know. I drew a ship in the sand. I laid down inside it.

I pretended the dust was water.

I pretended the wind was waves.

I pretended I wasn't alone.

I pretended...

Log entry... log entry... captain signing off...

The ocean never answers... but I still radio the cough...

...of a wave that never comes.