Amy buried her face into Ryan’s chest. Those around her began pushing and shoving, trying to escape and make for the shore. But there wasn’t room for everyone, not all at once. An impatient bunch climbed down and clambered over rocks; others were so desperate for shelter they were trying to get inside the lighthouse, tangling themselves as they pushed through the fence. Then, as the rain came down even harder, and as lightning cracked all around, someone let out a wailing, high-pitched scream.

“Look up! Look up!” came the terrified cries.

Everyone shuddered to a halt and glanced skyward.

A column of light was blazing across the sky—a bright, powerful beam emanating from the top of the lighthouse.

The sight unleashed utter panic. Even Handsome Frank, who had been so intent on getting inside, abandoned his efforts and scampered away from the building. There were screams and shouts and shrieks of horror as the scene quickly devolved into chaos. People couldn’t get off the outcrop quickly enough. They slipped over rocks, stumbled, fell, and trampled over each other, desperate to get away.

“Hang on!” Ryan yelled as he wrapped his arm around Amy and drew her in close, as they too were swept up in the stampede.

Once they had escaped the outcrop and were clear of the crowd, they headed down the beach, straight for the nearest lifeguard tower. The base of the tower was only a few feet high off the sand, but it provided the perfect place to take refuge from the rain and all the hysteria. They crawled underneath and huddled next to each other, both needing a few minutes before they were able to catch their breaths.

“Excuse me for cussin’,” Ryan said with a splutter, planting his hands on his knees, “but Jesus Christ, what just happened?”

Amy wiped the rain from her face. Her heart was racing, her spine still tingling from everything that had just happened. “I . . . have . . . no idea,” she answered, gasping for air. “But there’s no question—there’s something seriously wrong with that lighthouse!”

Ryan stared out at the eerie sight of the lighthouse all lit up, its beam of light slicing through the stormy sky like a giant amber sword. “You know what? I think so too.”

“And what’s with this weather?”

“I know, right?”

“I’ve never seen a storm hit so fast! It’s like it just came out of nowhere.”