'✦ ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹ t h e m a s k .ᐟ
episode one. (2/2) ▌𝚂𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰 𝙲𝙻𝙰𝚄𝚂

The figure stepped into the light, revealing a man with sun-damaged skin, a big white beard and piercing eyes that seemed to reflect the lighthouse's beam.

He looked like he belonged to the sea—tough and dangerous.

"You think this is some kind of game?" he asked, his voice low and laced with irritation. His gaze flicked to the bundle of papers in Daisy's hand. "Put those back. Now."

Daisy raised an eyebrow, her instinct for defiance kicking in. "And miss out on all the fun? No way!"

The man took a step closer, and she felt the weight of his authority—he wasn't some backpacker, he knew what he was talking about.

He moved like he knew every inch of this place, every secret hidden within its walls.

"Listen, kid." he growled, his voice softening slightly, though his tone remained firm. "You don't know what you're messing with. Those papers are trouble. Walk away while you still can."

"Trouble's kind of my thing." Daisy shot back, clutching the papers tighter.

"What's so important about these, anyway? Treasure? Secrets? Or are you just trying to scare me off?" She added.

The man let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You think you're the first to come sniffing around here? You're playing a game you don't even know the rules to."

"Didn't realise we're playing monopoly here." She shot.

He hesitated, his jaw tightening. God, she was annoying. Finally, he gestured toward the papers.

"That map, those notes—they're part of something bigger than you realise. People have died chasing what's hidden out there. It's not just treasure—it's a curse, a legacy, a war waiting to happen."

Daisy's grip on the papers faltered for a moment before she caught herself. She straightened, still holding the papers. "A little danger doesn't hurt anyone."

The man sighed, his eyes narrowing. "Oh, It can, and I've seen it for myself."

Before Daisy could respond, the faint sound of voices and the rumble of an approaching boat reached her ears. She glanced toward the window, spotting a flicker of lights on the water, and familiar voices.

Finn and JJ. He must've followed her, and told JJ. Goddamn it Finn. Relief and frustration sparked within her.

The man noticed too, his expression hardening. "Your friends better stay out of this, or they'll end up in just as much trouble as you."

Daisy stepped forward, defence flashing in her eyes. "I don't back down. So, either help me figure this out, or get out of my way."

The man studied her for a long moment, his face unreadable. Then, to her surprise, he grinned—a sharp, knowing grin.

"Alright, kid," his voice almost sounded amused. "You want answers? You'll get them. But don't say I didn't warn you."

He turned toward the stairs, motioning for her to follow. Daisy hesitated for only a second before slipping the papers into her back pocket discreetly and trailing behind him.

As Daisy followed the man down the spiral staircase, the lantern room's eerie glow faded behind her, replaced by the deep shadows of the lighthouse interior. Each step echoed in the tight, winding space, their rhythm like the ticking of a clock counting down to something inevitable.

At the base, the man stopped abruptly, his hand resting on the worn wooden frame of the door. He turned to her, his expression sharp. "You still have time to turn back, Kid."

"Not happening." Daisy replied. She could feel the weight of the papers tucked in her back pocket.

The man gave a short laugh, shaking his head. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Just don't mistake guts for invincibility." He pushed the door open, the cool air rushing in to meet them.

Finn and JJ were already waiting near the dock, their voices carrying over the gentle lapping of the waves. As Daisy and the man approached, Finn's face lit up with relief.

"Daisy! What the hell, we've been looking everywhere for you!" he strided forward.

JJ, leaning against the railing of the dock, raised an eyebrow. "And who's Santa Claus over there?"

Daisy ignored the comment, her focus still on the man. He didn't seem fazed by the boy, but tension was hanging in the air.

"Long story." She replied. "Did you guys bring the boat?"

Finn nodded, jerking his thumb toward the Pogue's boat tied to the dock. "Yeah, but—"

"Good." she cut him off. "We might need it."

"Wait, what's going on?" Finn asked, his voice filled with concern. "You disappear in the middle of the night, you're sneaking into lighthouses, and now this guy shows up? What are you not telling us, Dee?" He snapped.

Daisy glanced at the man, whose expression was unreadable. She took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Look, I found something. Something big. But it's dangerous, and I get it if you guys don't want to be a part of it."

"Dangerous?" JJ pushed off the railing. "Now we're talking."

Finn groaned, turning to JJ. "Why do you always want to get involved, if there's trouble?"

The old man finally spoke, his voice cutting through their bickering like a blade. "If you're coming, you follow my rules. No arguing, no splitting up, and no doing anything stupid."

"Who even are you?" Finn asked, folding his arms.

The man thought for a second, his piercing eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Frank."

Daisy's stomach flipped. The name wasn't unfamiliar—everyone in the Outer Banks had heard of Frank Wallace. Stories of his disappearance, his violent reputation, and the chaos he'd left behind were practically legends.

But this man didn't match the image in her head. She thought he was a man who was her age, who suddenly disappeared at sea.

"Frank? As in Frank Wallace?" Finn asked, his voice low. "But you're supposed to be—"

"Dead?" He interrupted. "Yeah, that's what I wanted people to think. Makes it easier to stay under the radar."

Daisy's mind raced. If this really was Frank Wallace, then whatever she'd stumbled into was bigger than she'd imagined. Everyone who lived in the cut presumed he was dead, missing for months, no trace of him at all.

And the fact that he was alive, and here. This meant the papers in her back pocket were more valuable than she'd thought.

"You're a legend!" JJ exclaimed, grinning. "Didn't think you were real, man."

"Well, now you know. " "And if you're smart, you'll keep your mouth shut about it." Frank pointed his finger to the two boys.

"Noted." JJ replied, though the smirk on his face suggested otherwise.

"Enough chit-chat," Frank turned towards the boat. "If we're doing this, we need to move. The tide's changing, and we don't have much time."

Daisy followed him onto the skiff, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement.

Finn and JJ exchanged a glance before climbing in after her, their curiosity growing.

As the engine roared to life and the boat pushed away from the dock, Daisy looked back at the lighthouse, her honey blonde hair blowing with the wind.

She didn't know where Frank was taking them, or what they'd find when they got there. But she knew one thing, this wasn't just a treasure hunt anymore.

The boat cut through the dark water, carrying them towards the moonlight.

The skiff drove through the water, making a steady hum against the backdrop of crashing waves.

Daisy sat at the bow, staring at the waves, the bundle of papers pressing against her back. Finn and JJ sat behind her, their voices low as they muttered between themselves, but the tension in the air was undeniable.

Frank stood at the helm, his sharp gaze fixed on the horizon. The moonlight reflected off the water, casting a silvery glow. His hands were steady on the wheel, but Daisy didn't miss the way his jaw clenched every few minutes, or the glances he threw over his shoulder.

It was like he was waiting for something, or someone.

"Are you gonna tell us where we're going, or are we gonna play a guessing game?" Daisy finally asked, breaking the silence.

Frank kept his gaze on the sea. "It's not about where we're going. It's about what you're willing to do when we get there."

"So basically, 'will we regret agreeing to this?'" JJ muttered, earning a sharp look from Finn.

"Shut up, JJ" Finn hissed, before turning his attention to Daisy.

"Seriously, Dee, what's in those papers?' He gestured to the ones pressed against her back, as they sat in her back pocket.

"What's so important that you'd risk, I don't know, everything to follow him?" He nodded toward Frank, his distrust clear.

Daisy hesitated, her fingers tightening around the bundle as she held them in her lap.

She hadn't had time to study them in detail, but she'd seen enough to know they were significant. The maps, the notes, the word TREASURE scrawled in bold letters—it was all connected to the stories they'd grown up hearing.

The shipwrecks, the missing loot, the legends of fortune.

"It's a map." she admitted. "Or part of one, at least. And notes. I don't know what it all means yet, but it's big, Finn. Bigger than anything we've ever done."

"Treasure big?" JJ asked, his tone lighter but his eyes sharp.

"Maybe." Daisy glanced to Frank. "But there's more to it. Something he's not telling us."

Frank chuckled dryly, hearing her comment. "Smart girl. You think I'm just gonna spill everything to a bunch of hopeless teenagers who don't know what they're getting into?"

"And you're not some old hag, who does nothing all day?" Daisy shot back.

Frank's expression darkened. He let the silence stretch until the tension was nearly unbearable, then spoke, his voice low and deliberate.

"The map leads to something real. Gold, sure. But also power. It's tied to this place, to the history of the Outer Banks. People have died for it. Killed for it. And if you're not careful, you'll end up just like them, in a coffin."

Finn shifted uncomfortably. "So why are you still chasing it, huh? If it's so dangerous, why not let it go?"

Frank's jaw tightened, his eyes flicking toward the horizon. "Because some things aren't about money. They're about legacy. And finishing what was started."

Daisy frowned, leaning forward. "What was started by who? Your family?"

He didn't answer, but the flicker of something in his eyes—pain, anger, regret—was enough to confirm her suspicions.

The boat slowed suddenly, and Daisy realized they were approaching an outcropping of rocks that jutted out of the water like broken teeth.

Beyond them, the faint outline of an island loomed, shrouded in mist.

Frank cut the engine and turned to face the group. "This is it. Beyond those rocks is where we're headed."

Daisy craned her neck, trying to get a better look. "What's out there?"

"Answers." Frank stated simply. "And maybe your death, if you're not careful."

"Great pep talk, Grandpa." JJ muttered.

Frank ignored him, his focus on the water ahead. "We'll have to row the rest of the way. The rocks'll shred the boat if we're not careful. Grab the oars and stay quiet. There's no telling who else might be out here."

"Wait." Finn paused. "Who else? You think someone's following us?"

He didn't answer, but the hard set of his jaw said enough.

Daisy swallowed hard, her mind racing. If someone else was after the same treasure or whatever was hidden on that island—then they were heading straight into danger.

They worked in tense silence, lowering the small rowboat into the water and climbing in.

The waves slapped against the sides as they manoeuvred through the rocks, the mist thickening.

Daisy's heart pounded as the island came into focus. It was wild and overgrown. The lighthouse's beam couldn't reach this far, leaving the island cloaked in shadow.

As they neared the shore, Frank raised a hand, signalling them to stop. He pulled a waterproof flashlight from his jacket and clicked it on, illuminating a narrow path that cut through the trees.

"This is where it starts." his voice was low.

Daisy climbed out of the boat, her shoes sinking into the wet sand. She glanced at the others—Finn looked nervous, JJ intrigued, and Frank unreadable.

But for Daisy, it was something else entirely. She felt it, a sense of certainty, like she'd been drawn here for a reason.

Frank turned to her, his expression serious. "From here on out, there's no turning back. You sure you're ready for this?"

Daisy met his gaze, her chin lifting. "I've never been more sure of anything."

Frank gave a single nod, then turned and led the way into the trees. Daisy getting the memo followed behind him, letting out a breath before she did.

The forest on the island closed in around them. Daisy's flashlight illuminated fleeting glimpses of the ground—a crumbling stone wall here, an overgrown well there—hints of a long-abandoned settlement swallowed by nature.

"Looks like people used to live here," Finn muttered, his voice low.

"They did." Frank replied without turning around. "A long time ago. They built this place to hide what we're after."

Daisy's pulse quickened at his words. Whatever this was, it wasn't just a treasure—it was a secret that was valuable.

After what felt like hours of trudging through the undergrowth, the trees opened into a clearing.

At its center stood a crumbling stone structure, half-buried by vines and moss. It looked like an old chapel.

"This is it." Frank's voice was quiet.

The group exchanged wary glances as they approached the entrance. Daisy stepped forward, her hand brushing against the cold, rough stone of the doorway. Her heart raced as she shone her flashlight inside, revealing a spacious interior.

Stones lined the walls, their surfaces etched with strange carvings, while the far end of the room held an altar, draped in rotting cloth.

"What is this place?" JJ asked, stepping in behind her.

Frank didn't answer immediately. Instead, he moved toward the altar, his movements slow and deliberate.

Daisy followed, her eyes scanning the carvings on the walls. They weren't just random marks—they were symbols. Ships, compasses, crosses, and something that looked like a serpent coiling around a sun.

"It's not just a chapel," Frank broke the silence. "It's a vault."

"A vault?" Finn repeated, frowning.

Frank reached the altar and knelt, brushing away the cloth to reveal a large stone slab beneath.

It was engraved with more symbols and what looked like a faint map carved into its surface.

"Help me." Frank glanced back at Daisy.

She stepped forward, crouching beside him. "What are we looking for?"

Frank pulled a small object from his pocket—a tarnished gold pendant carved with similar symbols to those on the wall. He fit it into the indentation, and with a low grinding noise, the stone slab began to shift.

Dust rained down as the slab slid aside, revealing a dark opening beneath the altar.

The air that wafted up was cool and stale, carrying the scent of earth and metal. Frank grabbed his flashlight and climbed down without hesitation. Daisy followed, her heart pounding as she walked into the darkness.

The chamber below was small and circular, its walls lined with wooden crates and stone shelves. In the center stood a small pillar, and on it rested a single item: a small, ornate chest.

"That's it." Franks voice was barely above a whisper.

Daisy approached the chest, her flashlight illuminating the designs carved into its surface.

Gold filigree intertwined with images of waves and stars, and at the centre was a gemstone that glimmered faintly in the light.

"Well It doesn't look cursed." JJ quipped from behind her.

Frank shot him a glare before turning back to the chest. He knelt, running his fingers over the carvings. "This is what my family's been chasing for generations. The key to everything."

Daisy's breath caught. "What's inside?"

"Only one way to find out," Frank gripped the edges of the lid, taking a breath he opened the chest.

Inside was a bundle of old documents, their edges brittle and yellow. Resting on top of them was a single gold coin, the surface had the same serpent-and-sun symbol they'd seen on the walls above.

"That's it?" Finn asked, his voice heavy with disappointment. "Some papers and a coin?"

Frank ignored him, his hands trembling as he picked up the documents. He flipped through them, his expression growing darker with each page.

"What is it?" Daisy asked, leaning closer.

He didn't answer right away. Finally, he looked up, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and determination. "This isn't just a treasure map. It's a record of every deal, every betrayal, every secret tied to this island and the people who built it."

"Okay, so what does that mean?" Finn asked, still confused.

"It means," Frank paused, "that this isn't over. This is just the beginning."

Before Daisy could press him further, a loud crack echoed through the chamber. She spun around, her flashlight beam catching the crumbling edge of the stone wall.

"We need to move." Frank barked, stuffing the documents into his jacket.

The group scrambled back up the ladder, the sound of cracking stone growing louder. By the time they emerged into the chapel, dust was falling from the ceiling.

"Go!" Frank shouted, shoving them toward the exit.

They sprinted back into the forest. By the time they reached the boat, the chapel had collapsed, burying whatever secrets it still held.

As the boat pushed away from the island, Daisy sat in silence, her mind racing. The chest, the documents, the coin—it was all connected, she was sure of it.

"You said this was the beginning," she turned to Frank. "The beginning of what?"

He didn't answer immediately. When he finally spoke, his voice was grim.

"War. A war for control. And now that, this ledger's in play, everyone's going to want it."

Daisy's stomach dropped. Whatever they'd found, it wasn't just treasure.

AUTHORS NOTE : 🐇
MERRY CHRISTMAS ( eve ) !!
wooooosh, very long chapter today
probably the longest i've ever wrote..
( 3000+ words 😅 ) anyways love
you guys sm <3

DONT BE A SILENT READER ! I
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