The Lighthouse Siren

Chapter 12 The Dive

When I finally come to, the storm has blown itself over.

Big beautiful sea green eyes gaze back at me.

"Have I finally died and gone to Heaven?" I ask.

"Silly boy, as much as I would love to say yes, you still have a job to do," she teases me.

I groan. The last thing I feel like doing is sinking into the dark abyss... again! That wasn't just scary as hell. It was heart wrenching.

"So you remember everything now?" she asks.

"Unfortunately. I don't know how my soul survived being torn from you," I admit.

"It wasn't easy for me, either," she shares with a sad smile.

"But now I won't waste another second! Can you come with me to meet my friends?" I ask.

I'm not sure I want to share her with anyone, but I also know that she would be able to help me explain the situation better without the guys thinking I'm off my rocker.

"I will come with you, and I'll even let them see me," she smiles.

"Can they know who you are?" I ask suddenly nervous.

"If you wish it," she smirks.

I sigh in relief. Maybe we can do this without the guys thinking I'm crazy. And they said they wanted to meet her.

"Are you ready?" she asks.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

As much as I would love to hold her hand right now, I' don't dare. Not when the last time I touched her, it felt like the electric chair!

So, I stride down the path to the dock; Elaine gracefully keeping pace with me. I'm glad I still have my boots on, the rocks are slippery from the storm.

"All hands on deck!" I call out as I board the boat.

Immediately I hear the guys running from down below. I also hear "Are you crazy, man? You just run out into the storm like that, like a lunatic?!" growls Austin, at the same time Jordan asks "Are you okay? We were worried...." and then they stop.

And their jaws hit the deck.

"Guys, this is Elaine, and I have some explaining to do," I say.

"Damn right! I thought Elaine was some new girl you met at a bar. How the hell did she get way out here?" asks Jordan.

Elaine giggles. "You told them we met in a bar? Shame on you!" and winks at me.

"I had a feeling telling them the truth would have ended up with me in a white padded cell," I explain.

Austin looks dubious.

"The truth?" asks Jordan.

I take a deep breath.

"Guys, this is my wife... from 1955."

As expected there were shouts of disbelief and confusion. I give them both a minute or two for their tirade, but then, that's it.

"Enough!" I command.

Silence.

"I will explain this once, because we don't have a lot of time and most of it is pretty trippy. But it has everything to do with the treasure. Understand?" I ask.

They both nod their heads, but don't say a word.

"Okay, you know the story I looked up about the lighthouse?"

The nod again.

"The lighthouse keeper, CPO Samuel David, was me. I was in charge of that damn treasure chest. My CO ordered me on that schooner, to bring the treasure state side, to protect Elaine. What the article didn't mention was why the treasure was cursed in the first place. It was for a murder contract, back in the 1700's. Then it was stolen by pirates, and finally confiscated by the US Navy. But death followed the treasure where ever it went. So, it was placed on this island and the lighthouse was built to guard the treasure until a future date. It was my responsibility to see it safely to US soil. Obviously, it didn't happen. But my soul has been trapped, guarding the treasure under the sea, until I was reborn and can finally fulfil my obligation. Elaine let me here. It was not coincidence you guys wanted to go treasure hunting with me. If I had to guess, you guys wee part of the curse and died with me that day. Now I need your help retrieving the treasure and taking it back to the Skipper. Tell him what it is. Once that is done, you can keep it, sell it, bury it in a sandbox in your back yard! I don't care!" I finish.

"Wait!" exclaims Jordan. "Us? What about you?"

I shake my head. "I'm not going back with you guys."

"Why?" asks Austin.

I look over at Elaine and she blushes. She is so adorable!

"I died on my wedding day, guys. I was torn apart from the other half of my soul. I finally found her again." I say.

"But..." Austin sputters, "Dude, she's dead. I mean, I can see right through her," he whispers.

Elaine giggles again.

"Yeah, she is dead," I agree.

"Then... how are you..." Austin stutters to a stop, white as a sheet.

"You're not gonna..." Jordan can't finish his thought while he turns a sickly shade of green.

"I'm not gonna discuss this in front of my wife guys," I say gently. "Now, like I said, I need your help. Get suited up! We dive in 15 minutes!" I bark

"Yes, Master Chief!" they respond.

Austin and Jordan do an about face and double time it down stairs.

"I'll be right back," I wink.

"Or, I could come with you," she teases.

15 minutes later we are all suited up, and ready to dive in. I've got a satchel with a rope and a knife, but it shouldn't be too difficult to swim with.

"Are you coming with us?" I ask Elaine.

"I'm sorry, my love. But I'm not allowed. This was your duty, to keep me safe and follow the order your commander gave you. Now go, while I eagerly await your return," she teases me again.

I smile one last time and put the mouth piece in my mouth. Then, I lean back, free falling into the cold water. My heart speeds up in anticipation of the dive. I can do this... So why do I suddenly feel Closter phobic? I've never been scared under water before. I've trained for years. I turn on my headlamp hoping to dispel some of the rising panic.

Slowly and steadily we make our way down. As much as I would love to say "Beam me up, Scotty," I know I can't. We descend at a steady pace.

As we dive lower and lower, it gets darker and colder. The pressure is getting slightly uncomfortable, but there is no point in turning around. I'm the only one who knows where the chest is. I know exactly where to find the schooner.

And there she is. A rusted bucket of bolts, laying on the ocean floor. And honestly, she didn't look much better when she was still buoyant.

Carefully we make our way through the floating junk and cracked boards.

I finally make it to the crates that were secured to the deck next to the chest.

I motion to the guys. They are by my side in seconds. I take knife out and cut through the rope. It's so waterlogged it practically disintegrates in my hands.

The treasure sinks to the ground.

Now for the hard part. I take out my rope and tie it to the chest. I make 3 loops so the guys can help me out.

I give a thumbs up, and they nod their heads.

Our assent is slower than I would like, but we are carrying a bulky treasure chest. Even with my stamina, my muscles are finally wearing out. But we push on at at steady pace.

Up, up, up. It's getting lighter and the pressure around me isn't quite so constricting. At least I know I'm not going to be trapped down here for all of eternity.

By the way my muscles are starting to ache, I'm guessing we've been down here for almost 2 hours. Then I finally see Austin's boat. I fill with instant relief. We are almost out of here. The nightmare is almost over. Finally I will be able to rest.

We break through the surface. The sun sparkles off the water, temporarily blinding me with it's brilliance. This has to be a good sign. Not a single dark cloud in sight.

I clamber up on deck and heave the damn thing on board. Then I get up to help Austin and Jordan board as well.

After I change into my normal clothes, I look at my friends. I'm going to miss them. They were the only things keeping me grounded my whole life. I'd felt like I was a drift for so long. It's why I joined the Navy. To give me stability, and even then something was not quite right. I just didn't know what. If it wasn't for these two, I don't know where I would have ended up, but it wouldn't be here.

Hopefully the next time I see them, it will be after they are great grandfathers and go the natural way of all the world.

"Austin, go marry Jennifer. She's a good girl. I'm sorry I won't be at the wedding... at least not the way I am now. Jordan, that goes for you too. Don't make Sarah wait too long. 5 months is long enough time to put a ring on her finger," I insist.

"Yes, Master Chief," Jordan whispers.

Austin seems to have lost his voice, and is desperately trying to keep those tears from falling down his face, but gives me a curt nod.

"You guys are the best, and I wish you long and happy lives with the women you love. Now, Austin, once I'm off the boat, I need you to secure the treasure in my cabin. Make sure you take it to Commander Johnson and tell him everything. Well, Just say I was lost at sea in the storm, and that my grandfather told me about the treasure and where to find it. Then I dragged you guys into this."

"Is he gonna believe that?" asks Austin.

"Maybe. I have faith in you guys... sometimes," I smirk.

I march off the boat and do an about face and solute my best friends. They return the solute.

"Now get outta here before the next storm hits!" I bark.

"Yes, Master Chief!" they return.

Invisible shackles seem to release my wrists as they pull away. A relief of pressure I hadn't even known was there disappeared. I am at peace as they speed out into the distance. I watch my friends as they go to fulfil my last obligation to the world and have every faith in them.

I turn to my wife with one question in my eyes.

"It's time," she responds sweetly.