Guin

At one time the lighthouse would've been the obvious refuge from the Sharks; the old caretaker, Mrs. Shores often stayed up until the break of dawn to offer santuary to anyone who needed it be it from the weather or the Sharks. Unfortunately, she had passed away a few weeks ago. The mayor made sure the building was locked up tight after the funeral. Jayden vaguely remembered the mayor had been talking about plans for the lighthouse, but left no memorable hint of what those plans were.

Still, Jayden managed to take his mysterious passenger there. Once at the cliff, the girl pulled out of an old brass key and opened the door. She motioned for Jayden to come inside and locked it as soon as they were both safely inside.

Jayden looked around. He noticed boxes and luggage in the mud room. He then turned back to his host. The girl rung the water out of her long hair. Was she the new caretaker? It would explain the key. Who was she?

"I'm Guinevere, but you can call me Guin." The girl said. Jayden jumped. Could she read minds? Was this part of the Mayor's plans?

"Jayden, I mean my name is Jayden. Do you live here?" He asked. She pulled off her jacket and placed it on a peg before pulling at his. 

"I just moved here today. My grandmother left me the lighthouse. Did you know her?" Guin explained. She had managed to steal his wet grey coat from him and hung it on a peg without losing contact with his eyes. She seemed fascinated with him. After what had just happened, maybe she was just happy to find one friendly face. He couldn't call himself an angel.

"Sort of. Mrs. Shores always ordered a vegi deluxe with extra spicy hot wings every Thursday night." Jayden said. He wanted to slap himself when he realized instead of telling her how nice her grandmother was, the first thing he told her was her grandmother's favorite pizza order. Maybe he should add that she tipped well and offered to let him stay in the lighthouse when he couldn't even afford to pay for a roof over his head. "She was such a sweet lady. I'm sorry for your loss."

"It's okay. I hadn't seen her in years. She used to visit my family every summer, but she stopped coming afew years ago. Dad never said why. He never even mentioned her unless she was visiting. We never visited her here." Sighed Guin. Jayden let her lean against his shoulder.

"Your first day here ever and already targeted by the Sharks. I can understand why your dad didn't want to take you here as a kid, but he should've at least stayed until you were settled in." Started Jayden. Guin shook her head.

"He forbid me to even come, but I had to. This place is all that is left of my grandmother. I don't understand why he hates this town, but this lighthouse has been in our family for centuries. It as part of my heiritage as the ocean." Interupted Guin. She started to pull him into one of the bedrooms, but he tried to break away. "Maybe you can explain these strange two legged land sharks."

"I should be on my way. . ." Jayden said. As if on cue, lighting lite the sky outside as he reached for his jacket. Guin reclaimed his hand and pulled him to the bed room door. Thunder roared and the rain began pounding down in protest.

"You should at least stay the night. You saved my life. I can't ignore a Life debt. Besides, the way the weather is right now there's no way you could get back to town." Guin argued. By that point, they were in the bedroom. Guin pushed him into bed. Jayden turned his head as she slipped behind a screen to change and saw his jeans and blue t-shirt on the floor. His eyes widened as his mind tried to figure out how she had undressed him. Guin tiptoed out in a light green night shirt with a mermaid design on the front. She lay next to him.

"How long have you lived here?" She asked. 

"A couple years. I have an apartment in town. Is it really okay for us to be . . .?" Jayden started to ask. His face was bright red.

"Do you have family here?" Asked Guin. She slide closer to him.

"Not really. I have a brother the next county over and my dad . . . Is somewhere on the planet." This was unnerving. He was in bed with a girl he just met only an hour ago. Nothing was happening except talking, but he wasn't sure if it was an interview or interrogation. "We have some issues."

"I understand. I don't think I will see my dad or brothers or sisters anytime soon either." Sighed Guin. She crept closer.

"What about your mom?" Asked Jayden. Afew more minutes and she would be on top of him if he didn't fall out of bed.

"She promised to visit in the Spring. My parents haven't really seen each other since their divorce. What about your mom?"  Guin flipped the question back at him.

Jayden went silent a moment. He sighed and said, "She died, four years ago. Cancer."

"I'm so sorry." Guin cried. She embraced him for a hug. "I will look after you now. Don't worry. Just rest in my arms."

"Really, I  . . . Am fine. I realize it being your first night in a new place is . . . Unsettling, but I should be okay to go back to my place. I can't intrude on you . . ." Jayden started before another earth shattering roar of thunder cut him off. It seemed nature even wanted him in the lighthouse. Certainly the storm would've even driven the Sharks off the streets. The rain still pounded outside and likely the ride home would be hazardous, but being this close to her was uncomfortable.

"I invited you. Don't worry about it. But . . ." Guin paused a moment before saying, "Having you here with me eases my worry about those two legged sharks and the storm. Please, at least stay the night."

"Okay, I will." Jayden heard his voice say. He wanted to kick himself for saying it, but Guin gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek before standing up and strecthing.

"Thank you. Well, I'm off to bed. Sweet dreams, Jayden." Guin chirped. She turned to leave the room. "I'm right down  the hall if you need me. I have many more questions to ask you about grandma."

"Night, Guin." Jayden sat dumbfounded. Who was this girl? And what had just happened?