The Old Ones Lighthouse

To My Dearest Love,

I still hear the sea speak with your voice, each night, taunting me.

Every crash of a wave upon these algae covered rocks reminds me of the first night we spent here. Memories echo through this now lonely lighthouse. I hear your voice whisper in the wind and see your face in the main lantern.

Do you remember the night they came and tides rocked against our little paradise? They came and showed us truths we were never prepared to bear. They showed me the vast, slumbering horrors beneath the deep and told me what I must do. They demanded light. A flame fueled by a soul filled with love.

Please forgive me for what I did to you. Please forgive me for what I did with your love.

I hope the brew sent you into a peaceful slumber. After I took you up to the main lantern and kissed your brow, I was suddenly whispering prayers in a language I did not even understand. I wrapped you in the shroud of deep green kelp they gave me. You would have loved the colour. I then laid you upon the altar they had carved from unknown bones and it was I who drove that dagger through your heart.

You burned, such a bright and terrible light.

For years, your sacrifice has held him at bay. The Old One, the thing that once moved continents with thought. He has lingered at the edge of waking, lulled by your sacrifice. You saved them all my love. The rich people in their fancy cars, the drunks in the pubs, the babes in cribs, the sinners and saints alike, they owe you their breath and yet they will never know you existed.

But I know. And I remember.

Each night I pour a cup of your ashes ashes into the flame to keep it fed, and each night I feel a little more of myself disappear with you. My hands tremble with age and my mind was not as it once was. The gods have no mercy, no kindness for what I did at their request. And I, their unwilling priest, am nothing more than a wick nearing its end.

I have come to a decision my love. The time has come.

Tonight, I write this by the last flicker of your fire. The tide is rising and he stirs from his slumber. I will not hold him back any longer. I will descend the tower one final time, walk into the surf, and whisper your name into the waves.

The lantern shall go dark. Let Cthulhu wake. Let the gods face his judgement.

I come to join you my precious Elli.

I hope you have forgiven me.

Forever yours,

Your Keeper.

-- The End

@copyright: Daniel Millington 2025

I hope you enjoyed my entry into the Deranged Lighthouse Keeper! unofficial challenge by Laura Pruett. Below is a link to the original post.

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