Wounded Beacon

Into the Night

That night resembled the previous one, filled with deafening sounds of waves, speeding winds, and the urge to start a fire to keep warm. This time, we got creative. With my blade, we cut the dingy material from the plush chair to use for warmth. The material combined with our body heat was enough to get us through most of the night.

"Well, I think we should continue down the coast until we run into others willing to help us rebuild," Aiden said. His thigh relaxed against mine as we sat huddled in the corner of our favorite room.

"What if they already have an established camp?" I asked, allowing his shoulder to tuck beneath mine.

"Even better," he said, giving my elbow a gentle squeeze. "We can help improve it. You're a great leader and organizer, and I'm known for finding some serious berry bushes." He laughed.

I grinned. "We'll find something to carry water and berries in, and we'll head out at daybreak."

He nodded, causing our huddled bodies to rock a bit. "Decent plan, considering―"

"Considering you've come up with it on your own." My attempt at a joke.

As bad as it was, he nudged my arm with his elbow and snickered. At least we were trying to liven the mood and take our minds off the cold. Still, it didn't take long for the shivers to come on.

Aiden stood. "We should go and explore the tower," he said, looking toward the window.

"Right now?" I tried to make out the sincerity in his expression but the lack of light didn't allow it. "It's too dark to see anything."

"It's exercise. It'll keep us warm." He put out a hand and I took it, allowing him to pull me to my feet. "And we don't have to go all the way up or anything, but there might be something useful in there. You know?"

Convinced, I nodded and followed him out of the room.

The floorboards creaked as we carefully made our way through the keeper's house and out toward the massive tower. I imagined what it must've looked like when it functioned. The light must've been big and bright and seen for miles.

The closer we got to it, the taller it seemed. It towered over us by fifty feet or more. And being perched on the rock base helped it illuminate the coast and be seen by ships far away in the saltwater sea. A spray of the ocean water misted against my thirsty skin, and the tang of salt hit my tongue. Underfoot, the damp sand mushed as we neared the tower door.

A broken padlock hung from the handle of the arched door. Aiden kicked it open, and we entered into a dark room. Moonlight lit sections of the steps that coiled up into a spiral staircase. Although difficult to make out in the dark, at least two hundred stairs ascended toward the balcony, and a few more beyond that to the lens room.

My imagination played out a scene of a beautiful handcrafted wooden handrail with some kind of intricate design, and smooth and polished concrete steps with a ceramic finish. Moonlight illuminated through one of the arched windows above, showcasing its astonishing beauty.

I followed Aiden as he climbed each step toward the nearest window. An ice-cold breeze blew in through the opening, filling the space with the briny scent of the sea. He peered out; the expression on his handsome face was that of contentment.

"Can't help but think about how this place was before." He turned to me. "You know?"

I nodded and looked out the window toward the lively shore. No matter the situation, people had a way of believing everything before must've been better, nicer, happier, more beautiful. And the people― more righteous.