“Alice. . .” said a feminine voice.
“Wh-who are you?” I asked the shadowy figure as I crept forward. I caught a glimpse of her face and saw a girl, around my age with dirty-blonde hair. Her skin looked a pale blue, and I could see the veins in her feet and hands. “Heather?” I asked, incredulous.
The girl stared blankly at me with dull eyes.
“Heather? Is that you?” I asked again.
“Yes,” came the reply, flat and lifeless.
“Your mom, she’s so worried about you.”
“She doesn’t need to be,” replied Heather. “I’m at peace now.”
“What happened to you?” I asked. “The whole town has been looking for you.”
“I had an unfortunate accident Homecoming night after fighting with Channing. Ethan offered to drive me home and he took an unexpected detour so we fought. I jumped out of the car and tried to run down the coastal path, back to Pacific Grove, but I slipped on one of those ridiculous heels, and tumbled into the water. Ethan reached out to help me, but he couldn’t save me.”
Emily had seen an image of the incident only the hands were trying to save Heather, not drown her.
“Are you okay?” I asked, immediately feeling foolish.
Heather gave a small laugh. “Don’t I look good for a dead girl?”
“Dead?” I repeated. “Are you saying you drowned?”
Heather nodded. “Sometimes there are accidents, and now I am paying the price for my past deeds in the fourth plane. I have to atone through service to humans.”
“But you had a wonderful life. Everyone loved you, adored you. Even I envied you and thought you were so beautiful.”
Heather stared at me; her eyes—once so full of life—looked empty and lifeless. “You envied me? What for? I fooled everyone and my life was nothing like you imagined. Now I am destined to stay in this bay until I atone for my selfishness and abhorrent treatment of others.”
“May I ask what abhorrent treatment you speak of?” Recalling Ethan and my conversation.
“Vanity and deceit—a predator’s life. The list is longer but since you are not my confessor, I see no need to be specific.”
O’Reilly’s voice, calling for me through the fog, sounded closer, and I knew he was on to Henry’s trick. “You can’t outrun me, Alice!” he cried. “I’ll find ye. I can smell ye!” O’Reilly’s laughter thundered through the fog.
I turned to Heather and pleaded, “Can you help me? I have to find the lighthouse where I’ll be safe.”
Heather looked at me for a moment, long and steady—then she turned away.
My heart sank.
“Well, are you going to follow me?” She asked over her shoulder.
Relief flooded my being. Half-frozen from fear, I struggled to run but, run I did to keep up with Heather’s quick strides. I followed the green light as she led me through the gray mist.
She stopped when the white building loomed ahead. “There,” she said, pointing to the lighthouse. “I can’t follow you—and I can’t help you anymore.”
“Thank you, Heather.”
“Will you do something for me, Alice?”
“Yes, anything.”
“Do not be afraid of anything. But promise you will not suffer my fate?
“I promise.”
Heather slowly turned her back and disappeared into the mist.
Sadly, I watched her leave—I would never see Heather again and I felt grateful this would be my last memory.
As I opened the door to the lighthouse, it creaked loudly. I fumbled to find a light switch but when I found them, they did not work. Ugh! No electricity! I thought to myself, groping around in the semidarkness looking for the best place to hide.
The Point Pinos Lighthouse was rumored to be haunted, but the thought of more spooks didn’t alarm me as much as O’Reilly hunting me down. If Henry was right, the spirit of the lighthouse keeper would protect me.
Again, I remembered Emily’s vision of me climbing the tower. I didn’t know if there was something I was supposed to do. “Maybe I’m supposed to head up to the where lighthouse’s beam will be,” I said aloud. “I might find safety up there.”
Carefully, I climbed the steps of the lighthouse—nearly two-hundred. As I climbed, I wondered about Christian and Emily, hoping they were safe and O’Reilly hadn’t caught up with them. That thought was too terrible to contemplate.
Finally, I reached the top and looked out at the bay. The whole peninsula was shrouded with dense fog. From my vantage point, I scanned the golf course, looking for any sign of Henry, clutching the silver dagger tightly in my hands, hoping I wouldn’t have to use it.
A moment later, a dark figure appeared on the grounds below—O’Reilly walked straight toward the lighthouse with a determined stride, powerfully strolling across the golf course. The very sight of him made me cower.
“O’Reilly!” shouted Henry, emerging from the other side of the building as he headed for his former skipper, fists clenched and eyes blazing. “It’s my soul you want, you fiend!”
“Oh, I’ll get thy soul all right,” said O’Reilly, “but first I’ll take care of thine lassie! I want thee to suffer for the misery thou hast caused, lad, and thou will watch her die. How’s that for vengeance from thine ol’ captain, eh?”
“You are as god-awful at being a captain as you were at being a father and husband,” Henry taunted. “No wonder your poor wife abandoned you, you cruel, selfish bastard!”
O’Reilly grimaced. “Miserable scum!” he shouted in a rage. “You’re just a boy, a cabin boy I found in that horrible little pub, going nowhere. How dare thee judge a captain?”
“Your wife and your child were better off without you,” said Henry. “You did them a favor by drowning. In fact, I did them a favor by ridding their lives of you. I’m sure they would thank me.”
O’Reilly gave an almighty bellow and charged at Henry who stepped aside at the last moment, prepared for his attack. O’Reilly charged past like an ox, almost disappearing into the swirling mist. When Henry whirled around to face him again, expecting another charge, O’Reilly came at him with everything he had, forcing Henry to the ground.
From the top of the lighthouse, I watched helplessly, trying to think of a way to distract O’Reilly.
O’Reilly threw a punch at Henry, causing him to slip. Henry fell dangerously close to the cliff’s edge and O’Reilly was headed to finish him off when a bolt of lightning struck the lighthouse, setting the whole structure aglow with a bright electromagnetic energy. Another flash of light, an explosion, then the second bolt of lightning struck O’Reilly. He cried out in pain, and stumbled back. A surge of current rippled through his body, knocking him backward and he toppled off the cliff into the sea that swallowed him up with a heavy splash. The pull of the tide was too strong, and submerged his body underwater.
Henry limped slowly to the edge of the cliff and peered over. The tide violently crashed in and out, drawing O’Reilly’s body into the mist.
Chapter Twenty-six: Morning Tide
Dawn began to break, and the first glimpse of light fought its way over the hills from the east. From the lofty vantage point of the lighthouse, I could see the morning sun, cleansing away the cold, damp fog of the night and bathing the whole town with a brightness and warmth, a new hope.
Huddled at the top, I feltnumb, cold, and exhausted. The tide receded, taking with it all the trash brought in from the night’s storm. Almost as though it were washing away the horrors of the night before, exorcising my guilt and sins at the same time. The low-lying clouds dissipated over the sea, retreating back, withdrawing their cold, clammy fingers. From far above, I thought I spied a lone gull, or maybe it was an albatross. It reminded me of the one I’d seen hovering over the island days ago.
I finally found my footing again and clung to the railings as I tried to muster the strength to descend the stairs. Peering down the stairwell, I decided it was safe to climb down, but I still took one
step at a time. Soon, I stood at the bottom.
I walked along the beach, watching the tide rush in and out, crunching pebbles underfoot as I strolled. When I looked toward the horizon, I saw that the rock pools were exposed to the sunrise, draped in green and brown seaweed, glinting in the sunlight. Some seabirds picked at the exposed mussels.
I came across the wreckage of a fishing boat that had run aground in the fog. Planks strewn across the shore like scattered bones, and a gaping hole across the stern, but no sign of the crew, living or dead.
I fretted over Henry, Christian, and Emily, hoping they were safe, wherever they happened to be. Squinting through the vanishing mist, I saw the silhouette of someone limping down the path. I recognized him instantly. . . “Henry!”
He looked younger than ever before. His eyes lively, full of contentment, a disposition absent since I’d known him. In those beautiful eyes, I glimpsed a man released from his demons.
“Henry!” I shouted again. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me and jumped into his arms. I was cold and wet, but in his arms I felt warm and cozy. “Henry! You’re safe. You’re alive!”
“I’m—alive?” he repeated, chuckling, holding me close, and caressing my damp hair. He was wet and smelled of the sea, but I didn’t care as we tried to warm each other with our embrace. “I’m alive? That’s a first. How did I manage that?” he joked, releasing an adorable smile.
“You know what I mean. Is O’Reilly—?”
“You needn’t worry about him anymore, love,” Henry said, looking into my eyes. “Nothing and no one will ever hurt you again.”
Somehow, I believed him. As long as I was with Henry, I felt safe and protected. No matter what life or death had in store for us, at that moment I experienced complete security. The one thing I wasn’t sure of—the safety of my family and friends.
As we walked farther down the tideline, we recognized two figures, and we both broke into a sprint.
“Christian! Emily! Thank God you’re safe!” I said, running up and hugging them.
Emily had tears in her eyes. “We thought we’d lost you, so we took shelter in a cave down by the beach. We waited until the mist cleared.”
“What about O’Reilly?” Christian asked.
“He’s gone. We don’t need to worry about him anymore.” I explained to them what had happened.
“How awful,” said Emily, “but thank God you’re okay.”
We went over all the events of the night before. They noticed the change in Henry, but did not broach the subject.
In the distance, we could see the smoke rising from Pacific Grove, where the remains of the church still burned. Dogs frantically barking, and families searched for loved ones.
The blanket of fog had completely disappeared and the townspeople busily made repairs and overcame the chaos of the dreadful night before—the night the Dead terrorized their streets.
Christian and Emily soon headed home, concerned about their own families. I prayed to God they were safe.
I worried about Dad and Sophie, too, but I lingered behind with Henry. “Come with me,” I said.
Henry shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t. I must bid you farewell now, dear Alice,” he said sadly.
“But I want to be with you,” I said with a shiver. The wind had picked up and blew wisps of sand across the beach.
“Are you cold? I saw a blanket in a fishing boat moored near here. I’ll go and fetch it,” Henry said.
I looked out to sea as he walked away, desperate for some way for the two of us to be together forever. I knew of only one way I could be with him. I walked to the top of the path and looked down at the crashing sea, where the waves lapped and circled around the rocks.
I closed my eyes and considered my options. Sure that if I drowned, if I gave myself willingly to the bay, I could be with Henry forever. It would mean never seeing my mother again but I consoled myself with the idea she lived in a higher plane called Heaven. If I drowned myself, I would be alienated from Dad, Sophie and Mom forever. Those are the rules.
I imagined the last few moments of my life—Dad and Sophie, how they would they would suffer at losing me, especially after losing Mom, too. But when I thought of Henry—how much I loved him and wanted to be with him. Of course I loved my father and sister, and I missed my mother with all my heart, but the love I had for Henry was a different kind of love. He made me happier than I had ever been. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the cold shock of the water.
“Alice! No!”
I turned to see Henry standing at the edge of the rocks. “But it’s the only way,” I pleaded. “It’s the only way we can be together, right?”
Henry shook his head. “No! I will never let you forfeit your life for me.”
“But I want to be with you. I love you, Henry Raphael, and I want to spend the rest of my days with you.”
“What about your family? Your dad and sister?”
“They’ll manage without me,” I said, trying to convince myself as well as him.
“Will they?” Henry replied. “How have you managed your mother’s loss? Have you not suffered immensely? Do you want to put them through that again?”
Silent for a moment, I stopped to consider the pain I would cause my family if I dived into those lapping waves. Slowly, I edged away from the ledge and climbed over the rocks, until only a few feet from Henry.
“Thank you,” he said.
I nodded, but knew I really should thank him.
“You are so brave, Alice, brave and beautiful. I hope one day you will realize just how astounding you really are.”
I thought about Adriana’s words about the Ghost Maven, the silver dagger I still had in my pocket, and the ancient amulet around my neck. I still hadn’t figured it all out, but the one thing I did know was that I loved Henry, and didn’t want to lose him. Even if his heart didn’t beat for me, mine would always have a beat for him.
“Please don’t go,” I urged.
“I must, Alice, for it is time,” he said. “Those are the rules. I have to go back to my world. The island is waiting for me.”
He led me back toward a small fishing boat beached on the shingle shore. Reaching into the boat, he pulled out a blanket and wrapped it around me, then he started dragging the boat into water.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I have to return to the island, I can’t stay.”
I shook my head and ran toward him. . . “NO!” coming out in a choked sob. Our lips met in a passionate kiss, sweet and long—he tasted like the ocean, salty and powerful.
“Please stay. . .” I whispered.
“I will always love you,” Henry replied.
“Me, too. I will never forget you ever, you are my first love,” I said.
Henry nodded. Then before I could do or say anything, he grabbed my hand and reached for the handle of the silver dagger that was sticking out of my jean pocket. With a swinging motion of his right arm, he brought my hand holding the dagger up to his chest and with a quick jerk, yanked the dagger forward into his heart.
“No…NO…!” I screamed.
But it was too late.
Henry staggered back, clutching his chest and collapsed into the waiting boat. When he landed inside the boat, it floated further out into the water—the lure of the tide instantly pulling him out to sea.
I screamed and ran into the freezing ocean. . .even the bitter cold couldn’t stop me as I chased after that boat, stumbling through the waves in desperation. The boat continued to drift out into the open ocean and soon I was up to my chest.
Then he was gone.
I watched his ghostly form evaporate right in front of my eyes. He smiled as he disappeared, a look of tremendous relief, mingled with sadness, and finally—peace.
When the boat became a tiny speck on the ocean, disappearing from view, I took a deep breath and allowed the tears to flow. The anguish in my heart so painful, I found myself choking for breath in between the sobs I c
ried for Henry, for me, my family and my friends. . . Unsure of my and the town’s destiny, I pondered the future and what it held for me as a Ghost Maven. After today, I knew I would never be the same ‘Alice’. After losing Henry, I’m not sure I will ever find that kind of love again.
Sitting on the beach gazing out over the ocean, I remembered the amulet around my neck. I’ve had it on since I burnt the box in the church but had no time to examine it closely. I lifted the rose and held it closer, examining the dark, almost black, crystal—the moon’s light shining through the kaleidoscope of colors. At first I thought the metal used to shape it was made from silver and tarnished over the years but when I tried to rub a bit of tarnish away, I saw it wasn’t silver at all. Curious, I thought, I’ve never seen a black metal like this. The part where I tried to rub away tarnish shone as though a new penny.
I wasn’t sure of the amulet’s power or purpose, but it was the last earthly piece left of my journey with Henry and that made it more valuable to me than any other trinket will ever be. I kissed the rose and stood to get on back to my new life—or new adventure, I thought, smiling to myself.
Slowly, I turned and waded back up the beach. I spied a sea otter in the water, trying to pry open a clam with his paws. He pulled the contents out and chewed the meat with his little jaws, whiskers bobbing up and down. The creature looked healthy and happy, and I hoped that was a good sign the plague left with the fog. I thought about Dad and Sophie and got anxious to be with them.
As I walked, I pondered all I’d been through the past few months, what I learned about life and death. I realized everyone had to die sometime: Mom, Dad, Sophie, me—even Henry. It was just hard to come to terms with that, because I grew to love him in a way I have never loved anyone before now.
A week later, we celebrated Thanksgiving at the minister’s house. Dad, Sophie, me, Christian and his parents sat around a table loaded with food; everyone shared love, food, friendship, and laughter. I was stuffed with turkey and thrilled to be surrounded by loved ones. I knew that some people, like Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Prescott, weren’t so lucky with Thanksgiving tables flanked by empty chairs and painful reminders of loss. I vowed, right then and there, to tell my family all of what I’d seen, once I felt strong enough to relive the tale, over the pain of losing my beloved Henry.
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