Coriander Shiner

The old lighthouse keeper, Arthur, polished the glass lens with a worn cloth. For forty years, the glowing beacon guided ships safely past the jagged black rocks of Heron’s Bay. Tonight, a fierce storm battered the coast. Rain lashed against the glass like tiny fists, and the wind howled through the iron framework.

Arthur felt a sharp pain in his chest. He gasped, dropping his cloth. His legs grew weak, and he sank into his wooden chair. The storm raged louder, threatening to plunge the coast into darkness. He knew what depended on the light. Out there, the midnight cargo ship from the capital was approaching the treacherous channel.

With a final surge of strength, Arthur pushed himself up. He crawled to the brass control panel. His trembling fingers reached for the heavy iron switch and shoved it up. The generator whined, and a brilliant flash pierced the swirling fog outside, cutting a steady white path across the churning black waves.

Outside, the ship altered its course, sliding safely past the rocks into the calm harbor. Arthur smiled faintly, his hand slipping from the lever as the warm light shone bright and eternal.