Before I created my author website, I enjoyed using photographs as inspiration for short stories. This lighthouse photograph inspired a suspenseful tale of a journalist, a mysterious envelope and a secret someone is desperate to protect. I hope you enjoy reading it!

The Secret of Caves Point Lighthouse

Life as a freelance journalist is always unpredictable. As Rachel browsed through her emails, the subject line of one email in particular caught her attention:

SENSITIVE FILES – CAVES POINT LIGHTHOUSE – 12 NOON TODAY

Looking at her watch, she said, “Blast, it’s two o’clock!”

Sensing a scoop might be in the making, she decided it was worth the drive to check it out.

Arriving at Caves Point, she left her vehicle in the deserted car park and made her way along the foreshore road that led to the lighthouse on the cliff above.

“Hell, I hate heights,” she said as she started climbing the steep, awkward ascent. The sound of waves crashing onto the rocks below muffled her heavy breathing and echoing footsteps.

A chill ran down her spine as she opened the lighthouse door and grasped the handrail. The musty smell of mould made her feel nauseous as she began climbing the winding tower staircase.

Reaching the top of the stairway, she paused to catch her breath before turning the rusty old door handle to the lighthouse keeper’s chamber. The creaking of the heavy door, combined with the pungent smell of sea spray and stale tobacco and a sudden gust of wind, made her feel both fearful and hesitant.

Entering the room, she observed that it contained only an old oak table, a putrid mug, a small envelope covered in dust and a spyglass.

Putting on a pair of latex gloves, she began examining the envelope. Other than an old piece of faded parchment, neatly folded in two, the envelope was empty. Disappointed, she placed it back on the table.

“Someone is coming,” she whispered to herself as a man appeared in the doorway.

With nowhere to hide, she made a run for it. Grabbing her arm, the man struggled with her, and they both slipped on the damp floor. Twisting and kicking, she managed to free herself from his grip and escaped through a clanging door onto the outside observation deck.

An old chair had been discarded on the deck. Hearing his footsteps behind her, she picked it up and swung it through the air, striking him on the head. Disorientated, he lost his balance and tumbled over the railing.

Walking back inside, she looked at the envelope and thought, What secret do you hold?

Snatching the envelope, she fled the room. Her heavy footsteps resounded through the stairwell as she ran down the stairs. Exiting the lighthouse, she gaped in disbelief at the man’s lifeless body lying on the rocks below.

With the envelope safely tucked away, she walked back to her car. Fumbling with her car keys, she shakily started the engine and drove away, unaware that she was being followed.

It was a little after 7 pm when she arrived home. As she approached her front door, two men walked towards her with guns drawn. One stood back while the other pointed his gun at her head and said, “I think you have something that belongs to me!”