The Lighthouse Guard

"The winds are getting unfavorable, I believe the storm is near, we need to find some place safe fast", said Guillian as he tried keeping the boat stable in the high tides of water. Huge waves of water were rising above the boat and flooding the boat as they fell back into the ocean. It became difficult to keep the boat stable in such high tide.

 "There is a lighthouse nearby. We must try and sail there", replied Matthias. "How are you so affirmative about the lighthouse friend?" shouted Guillian over the loud noise of the waves.

 "I am the lighthouse Guard, remember?" smirked Matthias.

 They sailed the boat to a lighthouse amidst the sea. It was very old and probably never used in last half a century. They tied their boat at the pier and Matthias made his way into the lighthouse. Guillian hesitated a moment before taking a step towards it.

 "Any second thoughts my friend?" asked Mathias.

 "It looks like a very old lighthouse and probably deserted. Why are you still its guard?"

 Matthias laughed at Guillian's question "are we scared my friend? Yes you are appropriate mention it's an old lighthouse and precisely abandoned for last 58 years now. But the government do not relinquish its property unprotected so I have been here for a few years now", said Matthias in a reassuring voice. "Now walk my friend, you certainly do not want to spend the evening drenched in water and the cold wind freezing you", said Matthias as he gestured Guillian the way inside the lighthouse.

 Guillian was a native of Nambian village in Germany. He was the eldest of the eight siblings. His two brothers were lawyers and one looked after his father's business while his 4 sisters happily married. He was a fisherman by profession and thus a reason for his father's shame. His father, a reputed businessman in the village tried all the means to get his eldest son the best education and a royal life but to his dismay ocean attracted Guillian. It was his passion. 

 It was 27th November 1894 when Guillain left for Canada to see his most loved, younger sister Martha. She had brought a baby girl to the family and Guillian wanted to go see if the mother and the child were in their best health.

 The weather was not in favor to sail and Guillian spent the entire day looking for a boat, until he saw one approaching him with a man on it. He said his name was Matthias, he was a lighthouse guard and saw Guillian waiting for the boat. He offered him a ride as he was sailing himself. Guillian at once accepted the offer and scribbled a small note to his wife Rebekah telling her he was sailing with Matthias and promised to be back for Christmas. He asked a village boy to pass the note to his wife. Guillian always ensured he left a note to Rebekah before he sailed to his destination. 

 They sailed for two days when the weather got unfavorable and high tides started rising in the ocean. Guillian knew there would be a storm soon, so he followed Matthias advice and together they sailed to the lighthouse. Matthias led the way inside the lighthouse to a room filled with all kinds of supply. There were two beds neatly made. Fresh warm clothes stacked beside in a small cupboard. The room lit by the torches all around the walls. There was another room adjacent to this, it had plenty of canned food stored. Guillian believed Matthias was the guard living there.

 "Any relief my friend?" asked Matthias as he saw Guillian grasping the room.

 "I believe you" replied Guillian and passed a friendly smile to Matthias.

 Guillian made himself comfortable and decided to scribble a letter to Rebekah narrating how he landed there amidst of a raising storm. It was 20:08 hrs. as Guillian completed his letter. Matthias walked into the room with two cans of food and handed one to Guillian. 

 "Dinner time, my friend" said Matthias with a smile on his face. "I love it here. Peace from all the noise of the buzzed world. The ocean talks to you. You have to just learn to listen" said Matthias as he munched on his food.

 Guillain had his share and retired for bed early. Matthias went to take a stroll in the cold breeze. Guillian woke up past midnight all drenched in sweat. 

 "Matthias! Matthias! Wake up friend" said Guillian as she tried waking up Matthias.

 "What's wrong my friend? You are soaked in sweat. Are you ill?" asked Matthias in a concerned voice.

 "I felt someone call my name and then I drifted into darkness. I tried waking up but it took all my strength to wake up from the dream" said Guillian.

 "It's the new place hallucinating you my friend. There is nobody around but you and me" reassured Matthias and asked Guillian to sleep.

 Next morning Matthias let Guillian sleep late. He thought Guillian needed all the rest. Matthias went out and saw a storm building. He knew it would take another week before they can sail to Canada.

 Matthias went and sat on a chair and started reading as he waited for Guillian to wake up. It was 9:00 when time Guillain woke up.

 "How are you feeling my friend?" asked Matthias.

 "Better except for this headache. I was exhausted and so had those absurd dream" mumbled Guillian.

 "I will make a cup of coffee for you and your headache would vanquish in not time" said Matthias as he rose up to make coffee for Guillian.

 "Did you put my shoes somewhere Matthias?" asked Guillian.

 "No. I have not found them since I woke up" replied Matthias.

 "Strange. I kept them by my bedside last night", said Guillian. 

 "Then you must go and see where did your shoes sleep walked to my friend" chuckled Matthias. "Your coffee is ready come and have it and then we shall go find your shoes".

 They sipped their coffee together while Guillian talked about his family. His three kids Mary (9), Elijah (7) and Catherine (4). Guillian would laugh occasionally as he narrated the mischief, the trio sprung and how he saved them from the ‘wrath' of their mother.

 "I would love to meet your kids, my friend" remarked Matthias.

 "I had a wife and a kid too, Elizabeth and my kid Tom. We called him Junior Simon as he was much the same as his grandfather. He loved to sail and so I took him on voyages with me. It was Christmas when he wanted to go see this abandoned lighthouse. His mother wasn't ready to release us as the weather was not much in favor, but Tom pleaded and I could not deny him of his will. His mother said she would join us too. She didn't allow us alone in such weather. The tides rose high and I couldn't control my boat. Suddenly a huge wave came and took Elizabeth and Tom with it. I jumped into the water to save them, but the turbulent ocean would not give me my family back. It took out its rage on me for challenging it. It took away my family from me. Ever since I have lived here" said Matthias in a torn voice. 

 Guillian froze at his words. "I am deeply grieved at your loss my friend", said Guillain as he embraced Matthias.

 "Let's find your shoes buddy" said Matthias "and I will show you around".

 "These stairs lead to the roof. I admire it there. The ocean looks like my friend from there. I will take you to it when the weather is better", said Matthias.

 He showed Guillian a large room in the basement. It was mostly dark and covered with cobwebs. The room reeked of dampness and had trunks lying here and there. Oddly, Guillain thought he saw his shoes behind a trunk.

 "It cannot be. How did you walked to this place?" chuckled Matthias as he spoke to Guillian's shoes taking them in his hands. "It's bad to sleep walk my friend and especially to such dark places" said Matthias as he held back a laugh.

 "I don't sleep walk" remarked Guillian flatly as he took his shoes from Matthias. They were covered in mud.

 Matthias laughed at Guillain's expressions. Matthias showed him the lighthouse and told him that he believes the storm would hit earlier than anticipated. He assured Guillian that they should sail again by next week.

 They spent the day taking a tour of the lighthouse and chatting with each other.

 Guiillian couldn't sleep till late night. He was reading a book while Matthias already lay asleep in his bed. Suddenly Guillain thought somebody called out his name. He took a torch and followed the voice. A woman was calling out to him. He followed the voice to the stairs leading to the basement. He stood with the torch raised up above his head and asked if someone was there. He heard the laugh of a woman. He turned his torch in the direction he heard the voice and saw his scarf tied on the spiral stairs entwined with the brown twigs. He untied the knot and ran to Matthias.

 "Matthias. Wake up" said Guillian in an agitated voice.

 "Another sleep walk Guillian?" asked Matthias in an amused voice.

 "Wake up friend. I heard a woman calling my name and this time I was wide awake. I followed her voice to the basement and then heard her laugh. I pointed my torch in her direction and saw my scarf tied to the stairs" said Guillian in a rushed voice showing him the scarf in his hand.

 "What are you talking about? I have lived here for years now. I have never heard anyone but me. I guess you are hallucinating my friend. You need some proper rest" said Matthias in a concerned voice.

 "I am not delusional Matthias. How did my shoes reached behind that trunk in the basement or how did I find the scarf tied to the stairs entwined to the twig. I went poorly. You were with me the entire time" said Guiilain.

 "My friend your shoes were mud covered when we found them" explained Matthias. "May be you don't realize but you need some rest", said Matthias.

 "Or maybe it's you. I slept early yesterday and I never went out but you told me you were out see the weather outside. May be you wore my shoes, strolled out and brought that twig with you and took my scarf and hide it there" accused Guillain.

 "And prey how would it benefit me in any way?" inquired Matthias in a calm voice.

 "I don't understand but it's a trap" remarked Guillian.

 "I have lived alone all these years. I would more than a welcome a friend to share my time with me. Why would I pester him with such grave foolishness" stated Matthias as a matter of fact. "May be Guillian you are ailed and need some medication. We would arrange for some help as soon as we reach Canada, until then you need to calm down and rest" said Matthias as he patted Guillian's shoulder and gestured him to the bed.

 As Guillain lay asleep in his bed Matthias wondered if he was safe with him around. He believed Guillain was going crazy and it was difficult to spend a day more with his hallucinations growing over him. Matthias spent the entire night turning around in his bed. The storm build as the night grew dark. The morning sun never showed up. It was still dark outside even at 7:00. Matthias looked out from the window. Ferocious waves were hitting the lighthouse. The sky was dark and it rained heavily as if consuming the ocean.

 Guiilain woke up and came to see the storm outside with a cup of coffee for both Matthias and himself.

 "I am sorry my friend. May be it's this place growing over me. I feel much better after the sleep. You were right I need some rest and I should be good" said Guillian in an apologizing tone. "I am grateful to you for saving me in this storm and giving me the shelter. I shall try to keep up my best show" said Guiilain as he raised up his cup of coffee for a cheers with Matthias's. Matthias raised his cup to clink against Guillian's and gave a friendly smile to him.

 The day went by considerably calm except for the noise of the giant waves hitting the lighthouse.

 They spent two days without Guillian hearing any voices or his things getting misplaced. Guillian wrote letter to his wife Rebekah making a mental note to post them as soon as he reach Canada. Matthias made sure Guillian got proper rest and took care of him. The storm got worst and the water in the ocean started freezing into ice as the temperature dropped. December had already started and they knew if this continued it won't be until next four months that they would be able to sail again into the ocean.

 It was the fifth day, the storm had already calmed down but it was snowing and the water had turned almost into ice now. They had to wait for the ice to melt before they could sail and that would take another four months. Guillian seemed lost in his own thoughts. Matthias was talking to him but Guillian seemed drowned in his own thoughts.

 "Are you all right my dear friend?" asked Matthias in a concerned voice. "You seem lost. Can I help you with something or make a cup of coffee for you?" Matthias concern in his voice was quite apparent, but Guillian was too lost in his thoughts.

 "Yes" replied Guillian in a dejected tone and got up to go take a stroll in the lighthouse. He held a torch in his hand. It was dark besides the early morning hours. Suddenly Guillian felt he heard a man behind his back, whispering in a hushed voice. He turned and raised up his torch but couldn't see anyone around. He took the stairs to the roof of the lighthouse and started climbing up when he saw Matthias standing at the roof. 

 "What are you doing here Matthias?" asked Guillian.

 Matthias turned around to face him and Guillian's heart skipped a beat and trembled while trying to maintain his balance. The man looked like Matthias but his face was grim, dark. His eyes were distant, steely cold and sunken. His skin was shriveled as if from drowning in water time and over again. He did looked grave. There wasn’t a hint of life in him.

 "Come with me" said the man as he held his hand out for Guillian. "You have been nothing but a reason for your father's shame. You ruined family's name while your brothers worked hard to bring pride to your family. Your wife wishes if she would have been married to someone better. You can chose to stay and be the reason for their grief or come with me and I will take you to the people who will accept you as you are. All you need to do is jump off the roof".

 Guillian mesmerized by the man's voice took a step to the railing but stopped as the strong wind slapped his face and he came back into his senses.

 Guillian at once made a run to his room. He was drenched in sweat and panting as he reached his room and shut the door close and stood against it. He saw Matthias sitting on the chair holding a book in his hand, looking at him with a concerned look on his face. His expressions were mixed with both concern and fear.

 "What happened Guillian?" asked Matthias as he rose up to get a hold of almost giddy Guillian to help him sit.

 Guillian jerked off Matthias and shouted "how are you here? I just saw you on the roof. Your face … your face was all swollen as if drowned in water. You looked dead and you almost convinced me to jump off the roof so that you could save my family of the misery I brought into their life" shouted Guillian in a trembling voice.

 "Have you lost your sanity Guillian? You left me here almost an hour ago and ever since I have been sitting and reading here. And if I were to be on the roof then how did I made to the room before you. You certainly are crazy Guillian and I daresay I won't be astonished if you murder me in cold blood someday soon" remarked Matthias. The fear in his voice apparent to Guillian.

 "I would kill you?? It's you who has been playing tricks with me ever since I came here. You knew my father loathed me for bringing him shame while his other sons were the feather in his cap. You want me to end this…" shouted back Guillian "I know how to end this" said Guillian as he leaped towards Matthias and knocked him down with a punch on his face. It was late evening when Matthias woke up with a severe headache. Guillain was sitting beside him on his chair holding a knife in his hand waiting for Matthias to wake up.

 "What are you doing Guillian? Why are you holding this knife?" asked Matthias in a scared tone. "Who are you Matthias?" enquired Guillian in a stern voice. "Why did you get me to this lighthouse and why are you playing tricks with me", questioned Guillian holding the knife close to Matthias's chest.

 "What are you talking about Guillian? You wanted to sail to Canada but found no means to until I showed up. I helped you sail through the ferocious tide and gave you shelter here with me. I took care of your needs and yet you are accusing me of playing tricks on you!!" replied Matthias in a defeated tone.

 "You are a liar!" yelled Guillian and jumped towards Matthias with the knife trying to slay him but Matthias leaped off his bed in time to avoid the knife.

 "Are you out of your mind?" shouted back Matthias. "We can talk about it", said Matthias trying to convince Guillian but Guillian again attacked him with the knife and Matthias hit him in head with a lamp lying on the side table. It hit his head hard and Guillian at once dropped on the floor, blood oozing out of his head. Matthias jumped to him and tried to wake him up but Guillian was cold and certainly gone.

 Matthias knew he had killed Guillian and he had to wait for another four months before somebody would come to him. It was a breezy afternoon of mid-April when Martha received letters from Rebekah. She read first letter, dated 2nd Jan 1895 ...

 "Dear Martha, My heartiest congratulations to you on the arrival of the youngest member of our family. I sincerely hope this letter finds you and the child in best of your health. I wish you all the happiness in the world. Guillian has left to see you and has promised to come back before Christmas. He sent me a note saying he found a boat of a man named ‘Matthias' who works as a lighthouse guard. I hope by the time you receive this letter Guillian is already there with you. Tell him that we miss him and the kids, especially Catherine has asked for her daddy to come back soon. With love, your sister Rebekah"

 Martha took out second letter dated, 11th March 1895 and started reading it.

 "Dear Martha,

I hope Guillian has reached Canada. Just 3 days after Guillian left a heavy storm hit us and the ocean freeze into ice. I hope Guillian made through it. He always does. I have been waiting to hear from him but I haven't received his letters, it's very unlike him or maybe it's the postal services these days. I know I shouldn't be worried, but the kids are missing him terribly especially Catherine. I hope to see him soon. Give my love to the little one.

Your sister, 

Rebekah"

 Martha trembled as she read those letters. Guillian had never shown up. She immediately left to speak to the police officer at the Quarters and took the letters, she had just received with her. The officer assured Martha that they would start a search immediately.  

 "Officer Pinto, we have received a complaint of a man, originally from a village called Nambian in Germany, missing in that abandoned lighthouse amidst the ocean. A letter has been received saying a lighthouse guard named Matthias is involved", briefed Officer Ronald to his team lead by Officer Pinto.

 "Sir if I may", interjected Officer Patrick.

 "Yes Officer Patrick?" replied Officer Ronald.

 "Sir, my friend lived in Lowlake village in Germany. He narrated me a story of a fisherman who went missing while his usual day in the ocean. He said the weather changed absurdly and the man never made back. His friends went looking after him when he didn't came back after days. They reached an abandoned lighthouse and found his boat lying there. They went looking for him there and found his letters written to his wife saying he had met a generous lighthouse guard who saved him from the rage of the ocean. The men went looking for the fisherman or his ‘savior' but found no one. The body was never recovered. The men narrated stories that it was a haunted lighthouse and two men who heard strange voices while looking for their friend died later under unexplained circumstances. Their family said they were acting weird before death took its toll on them. It was this same deserted lighthouse", narrated Officer Patrick.

 "Well Officer Patrick, I would appreciate if you would keep the local tales out of these Quarters. We live in a world where science prevails over these meaningless tales. I would rather you become a part of the team and investigate the case and help find our man, Guillian", replied Officer Ronald in a stern voice.

 "Aye aye sir" replied Officer Patrick. The officers reached the lighthouse by next day morning and were looking for any trace of Guillian. The place was all deserted and damp. It was uninhabited for more than half a century now. They spread out in groups to find any hint of Guillian. After a few minutes an officer came running to Officer Ronald asking him to accompany him to see the evidences they had found.

 "Sir. There is a book found under an old chair. It has letters kept in it, written down by Guillian and two more people to their families. They all narrate the same story. They were saved by the fierce storm by a man called ‘Matthias', but later they felt it was a trap" said Officer Pinto while handing down the letters to Officer Ronald.

 "So those were not the village tales after all" mumbled Officer Ronald under a low breath as he wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. Officer Patrick made his way to the roof. He thought he saw someone there. As he reached the roof he saw a man standing there looking towards the wide spread deep blue ocean. "Sir, step back please. You are standing too near to the railing and the winds are strong" commanded Officer Patrick.

 The man turned around to look at Officer Patrick. "What is your name?" asked the man in a hushed voice.

 "Officer Patrick sir".

 "Hello Patrick. I am Matthias, the lighthouse guard. Let me tell you about my family. 47 years ago I lost my wife Elizabeth and my son Tom or junior Simon as we loved calling him because he was resembled my father, to this vicious ocean. It took them away from me. All Tom wanted was to sail around this abandoned lighthouse. I jumped into the ocean to save them but it engulfed me as well, only to be separated by my family forever. I am glad to know my son and my wife rest in peace but the ocean left me to be haunted by an eternity of darkness. Ever since I haven’t deserted this old lighthouse. There are a very few people who can see me. I take them with me on this eternal voyage of mine. I don't want to be alone. Come with me my friend" said Matthias as he held out his hand for Patrick.

 Patrick took a step forward to hold his hand and jumped off the roof to fall on the bed of rocks of the lighthouse and bled to death.