The Lighthouse Siren

Chapter 9 Day #4

We're almost there! We are so close, I can feel it. She is my siren, and she is pulling me directly to her. I am going willingly, like there is nothing else in the whole world that matters. Cause, let's face it. There isn't anything else that matters. At least not to me.

My buddies could ditch me in a rubber raft in the middle of the sea; The kraken can chase me half way around the world; I could be set adrift with no food or water and I would be happy, just as long as I can reach her.

I hear her sweet song calling to me even now. I can hear the urgency in her voice. I feel her desperate need through my whole soul, as it is my own need as well. I have to find her.

Soon.

So soon, I can almost touch her...

"Dave, were just a few miles out, according to the coordinates you gave me. We should be there in less than a half hour," announces Austin.

My heart rejoices at hearing this news.

I've almost reached my other half. There is a lightness to this that I've never felt before. Like I've always known I would come for her. Like she has always been mine, but I lost her, and now after all these years I am finally returning to her.

When did I get so sappy? I'm Navy through and through. Never a soft spot in my whole body. It's like I never really new myself until now.

"The only problem is," Jordan cuts in "it looks like a storm is coming in."

Panic.

My throat constricts and my heart spasms.

Not again!

Not when I am so close!

A vision takes over my sight.

A giant tidal wave sweeps up and over the deck and...

"Don't freak, man!" Jordan tries to calm me down. "You are as white as a sheet, dude! It's not that bad of a storm. Nothing we haven't all had to deal with on cruise, alright?"

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"The only problem is, we are gonna have to ride out the storm before we get to go scuba diving, for the treasure," Austin explains.

"Oh," sudden relief fills me. I'm getting light headed. I really don't want to tell the guys, but I couldn't give a damn about the cursed treasure.

In fact, they can have it! They should take it far away from here. That way it can be away from Elaine.

I must really be going nuts, because the logical part of my brain says that Elaine is already dead and it can't hurt her anymore. But the other part of my brain is trying to tell me to get it as far away from her as possible. I need to protect her.

I look up and can see the dark thunderheads headed right for us. They guys are right. It's not that bad. But I can still see the lightning strikes and the choppy water, but at least it won't capsize our boat.

We just need to anchor ourselves to the lighthouse and everything should be fine!

Huh. I think they guys should stay on the boat while I have a look around the cottage. Not sure why, but it feels important that I go in alone. Like I need to be there for her... That is if the little home they were going to share is still standing after all these years.

In what seems like forever, but according to my watch has only been about 20 minutes, we pull up to a rotten old dock and drop anchor.

"Kay, guys. You two stay here and batten down the hatches. I'm gonna go check out the lighthouse," I call out over my shoulder as I jump off the boat and onto the rickety old plank of wood.

"What?!" they shout at me in unison.

I don't even bother looking back.

I hear the crashing thunder creeping ever closer, and feel the first heavy pelting drops of rain splashing against my skin.

A shiver runs down my spine. This feels so familiar.

My feet slide on the slippery path up the rocky embankment. Luckily I remembered to bring a pair of boots with me, or I'd be cutting my feet right now.

My heart sputters as I see the crooked door hanging off it's hinges, but I don't stop. I slam through the shaky barrier and skid to a stop in the decrepit old house.

Faded light leaks through the dust in the cracked windows and the broken door behind me. But there is enough light that I can see.

And what I do see is bittersweet.

A waterlogged love seat facing a broken coffee table, opposite a couple of stuffed chairs. Spider webs hang from the ceiling and the chandelier. I continue to walk through the house and observe the bathroom has an old fashioned clawed foot tub, a broken sink, and I don't even want to check the toilet. It looks like seaweed is growing up out of it. Yuck! The kitchen is a small galley with a wood stove for cooking, and a million year old fridge, and a small table used for prep and serves as a dining table. The wooden chairs have been knocked sideways, but other than that, they look like they could still be used. I make my way back into the only bedroom.

There on the bed is a moldy, dirty wedding veil. Laying gently on top is the remains of what I can only imagine was her wedding bouquet. My heart breaks. My eyes fill with tears. There is no way I can stop it. It just hurts too much. I turn around and make my way back into the living room and take a look again.

Scattered across the floor are several framed pictures. I reach for one and lose my breath.

There she is. It was really her. My siren. The love of my heart.

"Elaine!" I cry out just as the storm hits.