This story was written for the Mermay 2021 contest from @talesofthedeep .

The prompt was: "The Museum of Vanished Things was open twenty-four hours a day," with the added stipulation to use both the words compass and stars somewhere in the story. And, of course, it must include merfolk in some way.

The story is inspired by my Master's Thesis research on the Neolithic chambered tombs of Orkney, Scotland, and the feelings those solitary, sacred and remote archaeological sites evoke. I also tried to write in a somewhat old-fashioned style that captures some of the early twentieth century writings I admire.

If you don't know much about the folklore of the islands, be aware that I've put my own spin on the finfolk in this ghost / mermaid story.

I hope it's enjoyable.

word count: 2768

*torch = flashlight, in American English