Marooned : 18 YEARS OF SOLITUDE

"It's loneliness that makes the loudest noise," wrote philosopher Eric Hoffer. For a deserted Nicoleño woman, it no doubt thundered up the arroyos and over the thrashing surf, drowning out all with the echo of what was no longer there. Humans are adaptable creatures, but how do you begin to adjust to a life without a single other human in it?

She clapped and danced without a trace of self-consciousness — one benefit of isolation — as the mainland drew near.

Eighteen years without another human being to communicate with. A fearful endeavor indeed I would think. Liberating in many unwelcome ways I would guess. Interesting nonetheless. Painful to face.