Free 90 Miles to Freedom by K. C. Hilton

take the risk of others knowing, no matter how close they are to me. After it is discovered that I am gone, all of them will be put under surveillance and interrogated by the Cuban government. Even those that do not know of my leaving. I pray for them all.
    I am a doctor, but the pay is not what it should be. I try very hard, but I must be able to provide for my family, and we can no longer live a decent life in Cuba. Some people would think me a foolish man for taking this risk. I believe it is not I who am the fool. The fools are the ones who believe Cuba will get better. They wait forever, hoping for a change, but this is not the answer.
    Yes, I am afraid of this journey. But I would rather die trying than continue to live in poverty in Cuba.
    I built a makeshift raft, and I am actually quite proud of its design. The raft is slightly larger than I am, and held together with twine. By building it that way there is less to be detected and it is easier to disguise. I could have made a larger raft, one I could have filled with more food and water, but then I would have been more easily discovered. I had to take my chances with a smaller raft.
    Tucked into my raft is a thin, wooden ore which is about three feet long. My plan is to paddle for as many of the days as possible. I also have a homemade compass. It was made with a magnetized needle stuck through a cork to help guide me towards America.
    I hope I have enough food and water to last me for six days. I plan to eat and drink sparingly, just in case the winds or the current make my journey longer than anticipated. Everything I have to eat and drink is wrapped in plastic and tied with twine to the edges of the raft.
    The weather can be unpredictable, so I am wearing a short sleeve shirt as well as a long sleeve shirt, and long shorts to protect me from the sun and harsh elements. There is no need to wear socks or shoes.
    I have a small knife in my pocket as well as some used motor oil in a few small containers. These are to help fend off sharks and keep me safe. Many people have died trying to make this journey to America, and all of my people have heard the horrible stories over and over again. Some people have starved to death or drowned, and those are considered the lucky ones. The worst deaths were brought on by shark attacks.
    I hope the winds and currents carry me swiftly on my journey. If the currents are in my favor my raft will be like a slingshot going towards America. But this water is treacherous with all of its strong currents and many sharks.
    I pray that I make it to America. I will be at the mercy of the water. I pray a lot.
    I am risking everything for the love of my family, so I can give them a better life. In Cuba everyone is poor and living meaningless lives. Work is hard to find. Despite this, I have never done anything illegal in my lifetime. Not until now.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Evening
     
    The sun was blazing hot today. My head aches and my body feels horrible, but I am trying very hard not to get sick. I can’t afford to lose any fluid by doing that. Being on the open water without proper shade is worse than I could ever have imagined.
    In the afternoon I couldn’t wait for the sun to set. Now the cool temperature on my burned skin is making me shiver. My teeth constantly chatter.
    I never knew nighttime could be so dark. The sunset was a relief for my skin, but until the stars came out I could not see much of anything, and I am terrified of the darkness. I am happy for the light of the moon and stars. They sparkle on the water and try to cheer me. I try, but I do not feel any better.
    Even now, under their twinkling lights, I am unable to see the creatures of the water, so I am afraid to go to sleep. I should have brought a flashlight but I did not have the money to buy one.
    I am more thirsty than hungry and when I move, my hands shake. The heat of the day has drained my energy, but I must not drink all of my water. It needs to last longer. My hands