Prologue
"Sam, why does it have to be tonight?" I whined to my brand new husband.
"Sorry, Elaine. I know this isn't the honeymoon we'd planned on. But the Captain gave orders. I have to take this wretched treasure off our lighthouse before the storm hits," he sighed.
I could feel the prickle of tears pushing behind my eyes. Why did it have to be now? Couldn't they wait a week? Or why didn't they take it before I came to the lighthouse? Any other time! Not now! I really wanted to cry. It wasn't fair. I know I sound like a toddler, but right now?
"We've only been married for two hours, and he is pulling you away from me," I choked. It hurts. I've waited for so long to finally be with my husband.
Samuel pulled me into his big strong arms and let me cry. I could stay like this forever. I want to stay like this forever!
"I'm sorry, my darling wife. I promise to return as soon as I can. It shouldn't take longer than a week or two. Then you are all mine!" he teased, sealing his promise with a kiss.
I held on to that kiss for minutes, refusing to let him leave me like this. I left my family back in South Carolina, to marry my handsome sailor, who was given his new position as the Lighthouse Keeper, somewhere in the Bermuda triangle.
"I love you, Elaine. And I will always come back for you," he promised again.
Then he turned from me, hauling that cursed treasure out the little front door of our cottage house attached to the main lighthouse. It wasn't much, but it was cozy, and it was ours. Our home for the next 5 years anyway... Then we will be on shore leave, and we can have a cute little house and fill it with our adorable little children...
A crash of heavy waves smashed into the side of the lighthouse, causing me to shriek. I can't stay here in this storm. It's definitely not safe! It would be better if I go with Sam.
"I'm coming with you!" I demanded, striding up to him.
"No, sweetheart. Someone must watch the lighthouse, and warn others while I'm away, and bring them home to safety," he rushed in a panic. "Elaine, this is the safest place for you, with the storm almost here," he raised his voice to be heard over the howl of wind, spraying mist all over my new living room floor.
A sense of foreboding prickled my skin as a flash of lightning landed near our little rock, not big enough to be considered and island. Looking around, I can see the tempest for myself. It's angry. Something is telling me this is not going to go well for either of us.
"Then stay here! Let them take the treasure and you can stay with me!" I shouted back.
I'm not too full of myself to admit that there was panic in that demand. I am scared. It's all new to me, and without him, what is the point? I can't stay here without him! I don't want to be all alone!
"I'm sorry, Elaine! I WILL COME BACK!" he shouted as he made his way to the gangplank.
Horror and sorrow warred within me as I saw a large wave crash onto the upper deck of the old schooner. I'm not sure if that thing is even sea worthy. How on earth did they even sail it up to the lighthouse without sinking it?
Not sure what else to do, I did the only thing I could think of. I dashed into the lighthouse, climbing the winding metal staircase. My footsteps echoed through the stack. It sounded empty and lonely.
My legs burned in noncompliance, but I ignored them. I also ignored my burning lungs that were telling me I could no longer pull enough breath into my body, and the black spots I was starting to see before my eyes were not a good thing. I pushed on harder.
I panted as I finally made it to see the light on and sighed in relief as I exited onto the catwalk to watch the ship pull away from our tiny rock, with my handsome husband looking into my eyes.
In slow motion, shock took over my as I saw a huge wave come from nowhere. I reached out for Samuel, but the tsunami size wave crashed over the starboard side, capsizing the old ship right in front of me.
"NO!" I shriek, as I watched my husband take his last breath. I wail like a banshee, when all of a sudden a flash of light crashed down from the heavens above, landing in my heart.
It was the last thing I ever saw.
