Student Spectrums

Sam had just turned fourteen, and the job had been passed to him. The decision had been made—there was no questioning it. He had to carry on his family’s legacy. For generations, from one keeper to the next, the responsibility now lay in Sam’s hands. He entered the towering lighthouse, its shadow hovering over him while the sun began to set. The thought that this would be his permanent home had not yet reached his mind. All he thought about was the idea of a new chapter in life. Being the watchkeeper was no longer something he would think of as his future. It had become his reality.

“Hello,” Sam said with a slight shudder, his voice echoing through the lighthouse and reaching the top.

He heard no response. He looked at the metal stairs, covered in rust and other stained colors he could not identify in the dark. He walked up the stairs with his only luggage clanking behind him.

When he made it up the last flight of stairs, he seemed quite out of breath. An entirely new environment surrounded him. Windows lined the entire perimeter of the lighthouse, allowing the sun to beam its light and fill the room. Technology stood all around the walls, which he had no clue how to use. Without hesitation, he searched the area for water and a place where he could rest.

Sam circled the room, trying to familiarize himself with his new home. He found a pullout bed from the couch overlooking the sea and the beach where others were celebrating their day off, drifting into the water and slowly reaching toward the sun. Out of nowhere, Sam was alarmed by a scratchy voice.

“You finally made it. I have been here practically my whole life, son,” an old man said.

Sam jumped, as he thought he was the only one in the lighthouse.

“I’m Ed. I have been the watchkeeper for 68 years, and it appears to me that my time here is over. I hope you understand the requirements you must fulfill. I’ll tell you one thing: the only rule is you can never leave.”

Sam paused for a brief moment, wondering why he would not be able to leave.

“My name is Sam, and yes, I have been chosen to become the next watchkeeper. My only worry is why I am not allowed to leave,” Sam said.

“Well, son, once you’re here, there’s no going back. This is your life now. I lived here, the person before me lived here, and now you will. The outside world practically shuts you out while you’re here. Once a month, the delivery man will drop off any essentials you may need. But anyway, son, you’re on your own from now on,” Ed concluded.

The next few hours were as silent as space. Sam sat on the couch thinking about what his life would be like in this new chapter. The words replayed in his mind constantly throughout the day. He asked himself what was truly stopping him from leaving through that door that barely stood straight. At this point, the moonlight was gleaming over the lighthouse, and its light was activated, shining on those still partying at the beach and reaching the ships on the sea.

Sam eventually got used to the routine. The technology, which was once unfamiliar, became his only connection to the outside world. Activating the beaming light became ordinary. But there was still one thing holding him back. After a while, he began thinking about the repetitive lifestyle. He had no clue what was going on outside the lighthouse. All he knew was that outside those doors, people depended on him, and he never expected anything in return for his work.

So he waited and waited, thinking of what would happen next. Day after day, he stared at the door, so close to the outside world, close enough to hear the waves splash against the edge of the cliff. He constantly asked himself what would happen if he gave up.

The delivery man finally arrived at the doorstep. Sam collected the drop-off at the front door, still pondering the idea of freedom. Yet, he accepted his fate and continued with his day. He read the news, thinking of how the world had been moving on without him. Buildings had collapsed, astronauts had set off into space, new species of animals had been discovered, yet Sam stayed in one place, doing his one job.

The idea struck his mind multiple times throughout the day. As he drifted into sleep, all he thought about was his life before. How he was once a part of the continuous world and existence startled him. His path to sleep was interrupted by the growing crowd of people down at the beach. He tried yelling out the window to quiet them down, but it seemed as if Sam was never really there. Even though the light beamed onto the people’s weak bonfire, the lighthouse did not seem to catch anyone’s attention.

Several moons had passed since Sam’s arrival. Every day, all he would think about were the days in the yard where he spent most of his time with his family and friends. He was reminded of the bell at school every time a ship at sea departed from the shipping dock.

Memories upon memories flew through his mind, but as each day passed by, it seemed as if the memories were being erased. Every look he took in the mirror made him look like a stranger. He was no longer recognizable, not by himself nor by the outside world.

A day finally came when Sam no longer felt as if he could bear staying any longer. He walked down the flight of stairs. His ambivalent self felt closer to freedom after each step. As he drew closer to the bottom of the staircase, he thought about the people at the beach, the ships, and most importantly, his legacy. He paused for a brief moment in the darkness, not knowing what his next move would be. But he went with his gut and continued downward. As he grew nearer to freedom, he could hear the wind and the ships clearer than ever, but the light began to disappear.

Sam laid his hand on the doorknob, thinking about what Ed had told him upon his arrival. He thought of how the outside world depended on him, and he made his decision. He could smell the salt from the sea, hear the seagulls flying at the surface of the water, and feel the air rushing against his face. The smell of freedom had reached him as he felt free from isolation and loneliness. Things once seemed muffled to him, but now everything became clear.

Sam had no clue where to go now that freedom lay in his hands. He took one last glance at the lighthouse before departing, and he took it all in. He thought of the legacy, the opportunity, and the isolation. With that, he walked over to the beach, thinking of celebrating his freedom. He thought of introducing himself to the others, but it seemed as if he were just a ghost. No one knew his name or where he came from. It was not the focus at the moment, but what truly caught everyone’s attention was that the world had become dark.

The ships could not find their way back to the dock, and people began to wonder where the light had gone. With freedom, Sam thought the world would accept him, but truly, it left him behind. People ran past him as they left the beach, tripping him into the sand. Eventually, the beach became empty and dark. It reminded him of the days in the lighthouse. The fear and isolation grew back into his mind. Accepting reality was no longer an option now that he had departed the lighthouse.

Once again, Sam was alone. He thought about going back into the lighthouse, but the doors would not budge open. It seemed as if the lighthouse had forgotten about him too. There Sam was, waiting patiently for someone or something to guide him back into the world.

During the nights, he lay beside the lighthouse, hoping for light to appear or for the beach to call his name. But life remained silent. He looked into the sea and glanced at the ships. It appeared as if they were paused in motion. Their anchors had been dropped, stopping them from moving. Sam realized how the world had become dark.

The only thing left for him was to accept it. He watched the dark ocean, focused on the silent lighthouse, and visualized the empty beach. It was all there, but too faded to see. He understood what he had lost, and with time, he faded into that darkness.