Guiding light

Thunderstorm

Tyler

The storm came out of nowhere.

- Well this wasn't a bright idea after all!- I mumbled and pulled the net in, closed the tank, so as not to lose what I had caught. The waves were huge, crashing over the deck of the boat. I held on to the wheel and did my best to avoid capsizing the boat. During the waves I often couldn't breathe and the salty water stung my eyes after a while. My phone had been swallowed up by the ocean for long and the instruments decided this was the ideal time to malfunction. I grabbed my dad's old compass and tried to get a bearing, but to no avail. Just when I thought it was the end, a beam of light hit the boat.

- A light tower! - I didn't know which island or city it was, but it didn't matter. At that moment, I just wanted to stay alive. The lightning struck the almost black water of the ocean, and I tied myself to the rudder with a rope. If I fall in, I'm dead for sure!

- Come on girl! Don't betray me now! - I've shouted to my father's ship, he called it after my mother "Marine Marie". It felt like the light was calling me and guiding me to avoid the bigger waves and rocks that were underwater. A huge wave threw the boat to the air and I got blinded by the light for a moment seeing a tiny figure next to it. I don't know how, but miraculously I managed to navigate the ship to a tiny bay protected by the huge rocks. I've jumped out and tied it out to the rocks with several ropes, also let the anchor down just to make sure that the waves won't take the ship away. I got out to the shore and laid down in the sand. The rain was pouring heavily onto me and the thunders sounded like gunshots, but the feeling of the rain and the noise of the nature was music to my ears.

- WOHOOO! - I shouted out into the strom triumphantly. I've survived! My side and head hurt and I was trying to catch my breath. As the adrenaline left my body I felt the fatigue and pain all over, but I had to gather myself together and find a shelter till the storm stops. Also I'll need a phone to let my parents know that I'm okay. Weirdly, the light of the light tower pointed at a pathway instead of the water now. I got up and followed the light that already saved my life once, trusting that whoever was controlling it, is a hero. I've climbed up to the light tower, the light was directed again at the water. The door was open so I simply entered. It wasn't a regular light tower. As I've entered I could see that in one corner there was a tiny, simple kitchen, with a simple bed made of pallets and an old mattress on top of it. There was only an old oil lamp on top of the desk made of pallets as well.

- Hey! Is somebody here?! - I've shouted, but there was no answer. I've grabbed the oil lamp and took a look around to find a small bathroom for basic necessities. There wasn't a single phone or communication device around. Only a few fairytale and books. I've found a little cupboard with only a few clothes and towels inside. I've borrowed a towel and headed to the bathroom.

- I'll take a quick shower if that's alright! - I have shouted just in case, although the place looked like no one lived there, but that couldn't be possible since someone had to control the light. When I came out after taking a hot shower I've heard a soft noise, it wasn't louder than what a mouse would make. I directed the oil lamp's light towards the noise and saw the figure of a teenage girl. I couldn't see her face well until a huge lightning illuminated the whole inside of the light tower. Her eyes widened at me and I put the oil lamp down lifting my hands up.

- Hi! I won't hurt you! I just need a shelter till the storm stops. I've used your bathroom, I hope it's okay. My name Tyler Hook! May I know yours? - she just stared at me motionless, as if I was the first guy that she saw. Another thunder rumbled the sky and a lightning hit the waves. She rushed back up to the tower without answering. I looked around for something to wear and found an old bag filled with man clothing. This must belong to her father or grandpa. I thought and since" Need breaks the law" I've borrowed a few clothes following her up to the tower. There I saw another oil lamp, and a tiny bean bag. The girl didn't pay attention to me, her eyes searched the water and now in the strong light of the tower I've finally managed to get a good glimpse at her. She had her hair a little above her shoulders. It had a unique color of dark purple, deep and light blue also a little fucsia mixed there. I had no ide there was such a skilled hairdresser around here. She had a really pale skin with many freckled on her face, her eyes resembled the the water of the ocean at a tropical shore. A little green a little blue a little light brown all mixed up together. She wore a simple, blue hoodie, which seemed really worn out and huge for her, reaching till her mid thighs and a black thermo leggings, she was barefoot on the cold and probably spiky floor. I've approached her carefully and she shivered but didn't move from her spot.

- Thank you for saving me! - I said and that was the first time she turned to look at me. I felt my jaw dropping. She was absolutely gorgeous. Without saying a word she smiled a bit and nodded.

- What's your name? - I've asked and she just tilted her head. Is she deaf? No she can't be, she definitely heard me entering to the tower despite all this noise. Is she mute?

- Are you perhaps mute? - I've asked and she slightly shook her head. That's when I've noticed. She had a shocking collar on her neck! Like the sick psychos put on their dogs to prevent them from escaping! I didn't know this girl, but this was definitely abnormal.

- Excuse me. - I've said and approached her slightly moving her hair away. The collar even was locked with a tiny lock. After a few minutes of thinking I headed towards the stairs and said.

- Wait for me. I'll be back soon. - I hurried down to the kitchen and searched for anything that could help me getting that stuff off of her neck. I've found an old fish knife and headed back up. When she saw the knife she quivered into a corner and tried to cover herself with her arms.

- Hey! Hey! Calm down! I won't hurt you! I just want to take that s**t off of your neck! - I shouted in the storm and she uncovered her face, with tears in her eyes. My heart throbbed as I approached her slowly and she trembled in all her body.

- I know I'm asking a lot since I'm a stranger, but you saved me so please trust me a bit.- I saw her swallow visibly but her eyes said I'll give it a try.

- Thanks. - I said and carefully picked the lock. As soon as it opened I've unattached the collar and it fall to the ground. She looked the collar shocked and touched her wounded neck. I wanted to throw that s**t away so I've grabbed it and was about to throw it into the ocean when she grabbed my arm and shook her head looking at me with pleading eyes.

- Are you afraid that if this disappears you'll be in trouble? - I've asked and she nodded quickly. I sighed and put the collar down. She sat back to her bean bag and pat the other next to her. I took a seat and watched the stormy ocean with this strange little girl.

- Won't you tell me your name? - I've asked and didn't expect any answer but she handed a piece of paper to me. It was an old newspaper about the accident that I've just listened about in the podcast. She pointed at a word and I read it out loud.

- Perdita... - she nodded and extended her hand carefully for a handshake. I took it and shook it gently.

- Tyler.