Inspired by White Pearls, Black Oceans by Sonata Arctica

It was December 30th. A young lighthouse keeper. A girl visits him inside the light. Tomorrow night at the festival, I promise we can spend the night together. Tomorrow night, I have passage on a ship, the White Pearl. At midnight the captain is taking me onboard to sail far, far away. Meet me at 11 and we can spend my last hour ashore together. She is trying to escape from an abusive marriage.

The next night festivities had begun. The whole town was out with lights and sparklers celebrating on the town. 11pm. The lighthouse keeper lit the light and put extra fuel in to keep it burning. He ran down the spiral stairs and down to meet the girl. They had fun. They held hands and kissed. She looked deeply into his eyes. It was almost midnight when she said goodbye and hurried to catch her ship.

The lighthouse keeper was lost in thought. He fell asleep. She left on her ship. A storm came rolling in with huge waves. Not enough fuel. The light burned out. With no guidelight the ship sank in the waves.

The next morning her husband pounded on the doors of the house. The keeper came down the stairs. It went to court. The judge revealed the news, all aboard the White Pearl had died. Sitting in the courtroom the keeper began to cry. When court was adjourned for the day, the keeper went back to the lighthouse. Running up and down the steps again and again and again.

Nightfall came. Lightning and rain crashed against the waves. The keeper stood at the open window at the very top of the tower, the light going around. He closed his eyes, leaned back and smiled as he hit the waves below.