Chapter Nineteen
Treasures
Stinkwood Island — Lighthouse Dome
Int. Lighthouse Dome — Evening
Danny sits in the big chair, Drummer on his lap.
Danny
(to the dog)
Maybe Blake could be like a dad? He makes me feel safe.
Danny
(whispers to himself)
I’ve taken my mum for granted.
His shoulders tremble. At first it’s just one tear—then a flood.
He buries his face in Drummer’s fur.
Soon it subsides.
He approaches the trunk he found earlier.
It’s handmade wood, reinforced with flattened tin cans and brass tacks.
Danny dusts the top, revealing a painted sailing ship surrounded by gold leaf.
Two faces are entwined at the top.
Danny
(whispering)
Could it be them?
He notices waxed string protruding from a crack—like a candle wick.
An idea strikes him.
He finds matches in the desk drawer, strikes one, and touches it to the wick.
The flame traces the seam like a whisper.
Moments later—SNAP—the lid pops open.
Danny peers in. An envelope rests on a folded Union Jack flag.
Danny
(to Drummer)
Oopsy. Someone else’s mail.
He sets the envelope aside and peels back the flag.
His eyes widen at old photographs—the same faces from the painting.
A man building the lighthouse, a woman beside him, both young and hopeful.
Danny picks up the envelope. In faded ink: “For Blake—When you’re ready to come home.”
Danny
(awed whisper)
It’s his family.
He hears footsteps on the stairs.
Danny
(to Drummer, hushed)
Don’t tell anyone I cried, alright?
End of Chapter Nineteen