October 2024 Winner: Letter from a Lightkeeper

To whoever,

I saw it land from the sash windows. They sometimes show things. Can’t be trusted, not with the lantern swinging behind me.

That night, I trusted them. Found a torch, waded through the undergrowth. Came upon it. A meteor. Mighty thing. Glowing. I broke off a piece, took it back to the lighthouse.

That’s when this started. Lantern broke, straight away. Then the door locked. Voices, singing. Tower shaking. No one can hear me shouting. No reception, here.

Writing this, in case I don’t escape. Hope you find me before you find the fallen star. Stay far away.

Julie