The Lighthouse Keepers

By Ayla Padida

Summer stood over her weak, sick mother. Lauren was too close to death. 

“Summer, take over the lighthouse while I am sick,” she rasped, before handing a chain to her daughter. Summer nodded solemly, and exited the room, footsteps receding. She curiosly trotted over to the lighthouse across the road from their house. 

Here in Keepers Bay, every family had a job. One family had to run a surf shop. Another family had to help marine wildlife. Another family had to run the cafè. Summer’s family were the Lighthouse Keepers. They were in charge of helping boats to shore. Summer fiddled with the chain absent-mindedly. On the chain was an attached locket and a pair of keys. Summer approached the door. She slid the key into the lock and it responded with a satisfying click. She felt harried to be gifted this honour. Since her dad had left, it was just her and Lauren. She had always snuggled up in bed at night, waiting for her mum to come back from the lighthouse. It had never previously crossed her mind that she would one day be on watch. Clambering up the long spiral staircase, she tried to push away thoughts of her mother’s condition. The doctor said it wasn’t looking good. She had already lost her dad. She didn’t want to lose her mum too. Once at the top, she was beseiged by papers. Summer stopped short. One particular leather-bound book stood out. Summer crept towards it. Light bounced of its glistening cover, yellow, crumpled pages clung to the crooked, worn spine. She inched closer. 

Taking a risk, she reached out and carresed the cover. Just as Summer went to scoop it up, she felt goosebumps crawl up her arms like spiders and jolted back. Suddenly, she felt wet. Plunged into the deep ocean, all she could see was her dirty blonde hair and briny water. She burst up to the surface. Living in Keepers Bay, being a strong swimmer was very necessary. She spotted a boat right next to her. Treading water, she suddenly realised who was on the boat. A strange man was talking to-

“Dad?” Summer inquired. But her dad took no notice of her. She could hear them arguing. 

“You leave your family, your life, everything to go after stupid treasure?!” The man screeched. Was that true? Summer felt a pang of grief. Surely he didn’t leave just for treasure?  

“I will find the treasure and give my family wealth.” Her dad shot back defiantly. The man smiled creepily. Summer shivered. A glint of silver from behind his back caught her attention. In one swift movement he pulled out a knife, stabbed her dad and threw him into the ocean. She froze in horror. She understood now. This was why he never returned. This was what happened the day he left, thought Summer as she watched the body sink lower and lower. The man grinned, then glanced at the water right where she was. But didn’t this happen ages ago? Summer’s heart stopped as she locked eyes with him. 

With a gasp for air, Summer found herself back in the lighthouse. She crumpled to the ground like a pile of papers and sobbed.