Irving Williams and the Lighthouse Ghost--Part 11 The First Night at the Lighthouse--Original Fiction for Steemit

 Part 11--The First Night at the Lighthouse

I am continuing my experiment.

I am working on a new book, while also writing this story.  This is probably going to be a chapter book for elementary students, think Goosebumps.

I am writing this story without an outline and putting up the story as I finish each part.  I am enjoying getting to know these characters and setting. Click here for part 1, part 2,  part 3,part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10

Each part is roughly 500-750 words.  I write 2-3 pages in Word and then post them here.  Thank you those that have mentioned they are liking the story.  It means a lot.

The last of the lighthouse visitors were shuffled out the door. “Thank you for visiting, have a wonderful evening,” said, Sally, the guide. 

Mr. Williams led the boys into the lighthouse, “Hey Sally, I’m just showing my grandson around the lighthouse for a little while.” 

“Of course, Mr. Williams,” Sally replied. “You have fun. It’s the end of my shift and it’s been a long day.” She waved and walked out the door. 

Alec put his backpack down on the ground and pulled out the cameras. “So what do we do grandpa? Just sit here and wait? What time do you normally see the ghost?” Irving asked. 

“He doesn’t always come out at the same time or cooperate. So first I just want us to get settled and take a look around to see where everything is before it gets too dark. Just go ahead and leave your backpack there underneath the table.” He motioned to a table by the door that had information pamphlets for visitors. “But go ahead and bring your cameras with us.” Alec took his still camera and handed his video camera to Irving. 

Mr. Williams started walking up the stairs. “As you can see the stairs are tight and steep. So try very hard to not run on the stairs.” 

“Why we be running on the stairs?” asked Irving. Mr. Williams turned and smiled, “You may see a ghost!” He shook his head and kept walking up the stairs. “There are 220 stairs in the lighthouse, it is just over 158 feet tall. In 1939 the Coast Guard took over the lighthouse, and automatic lights were installed. So there was no more of a need for light keepers.” 

“So maybe our ghost just wants people to come back and do the lights and get rid of the automation,” Alec thought aloud. 

“That’s an interesting theory,” Mr. Williams replied. “Because one of the things he does is turn the lights off. And then a few moments later the back-up light comes on. Who knows? But I do know that our busy ghost Lawrence Jackson died at sea in a shipwreck. Just near shore here.” Mr. Williams reached the top of the stairs walked out onto the outer walkway and pointed out to the ocean.  

“Whoa! This is high!” shouted Alec as walked out onto the walkway. “158 feet. So I would watch your step.” Mr. Williams replied.  

“You’re going ghosthunting, but you’re afraid of heights?” asked Irving. 

“Those are two totally different things, but I’m not that afraid of heights. I’m still out here,” Alec shot back.

“Boys, is this beautiful or what?” said Mr. Williams. And for a few minutes the three just stood by the railing and looked out at the ocean as dusk began to fall over the sky. The breeze was warm and blew through the boys’ hair. 

BAM! 

 The sound came from way below in the lighthouse. 

“What was that?” asked Irving. 

“Just the wind blowing shut the door,” replied Alec. 

“Boys, the door was already shut,” said Mr. Williams. 

The three looked at each other. 

BAM!  Came the sound again. 

“You ready?” asked Mr. Williams. The boys nodded their heads. 

“Let’s go see our ghost.” And Mr. Williams walked back into the lighthouse, and the boys followed.