Settling into one of those tiny but adequate summer houses which were more like a cabin overlooking the beach was beautiful but it just didn't feel right for me. For some reason, I felt it odd and that made me very restless.

I was in house number three, in middle of the colony but situated well away from the rest.

First, Seb placed Pete and Stephen in the exotic looking resort before taking me home. I can't help but notice the stinky stare Pete gave to Seb when he asked them to settle in their rooms while he showed me my home. Stephen, however, caught something in the game but didn't show it. Anyway, after giving them the key, Seb took me home.

Seeing Seb was like fireworks on Fourth of July for his people. They recognized him instantly and like a moth to a flame, they hugged and showed their love for a distant family that was returning home. It was endearing to watch. However, Seb looked sheepish and he was nervously smiling and scratching his neck.

A long legged fair blond woman walked towards him and hugged him gracefully. And I felt Seb tense in her warm hug. I wondered who she was. She was not looking young but she was not that old too. However, she looked gorgeous; the kind of female that one cannot take their eyes from them. With her piercing green eyes, she regarded me and walked away saying nothing.

Seb looked at me and then gathered the grownups in the group and walked away.

After a while, everyone came to my house and hugged me and welcomed me home even if it was a temporary adjustment. They made me feel special. Suddenly I felt home and safe. The eldest of the group; he looked like a chief with striking sculpted body and muscles- even for a man who looked sixty of above with white peppered hair, came to me. Somehow he reminded me of Tom.

I ditched that thought instantly not wanting to think of him at all. He took my hand and swore my safety in his and his people's hand. I was shocked. Not like the kill me- shock, but more like... wow, he actually cares me- shock. I have my reasons too. He looked serious and then walked away.

And finally, Seb left me home with a phone and sim card ready.

I was killing time by looking at the crashing waves and the underfeeding cries of the sea gulls. No matter how much they had, they still cry as if they were starving for the whole week. Suddenly my new phone vibrated and a message simply said, come outside.

I walked out in a long white summer dress, feeling quite feminine with my hair hanging down.

When the families saw me, they waved me over to a place where most of them were grouped up age wise. I walked to them with a smile on my face. It's so great to see lots of people from different families living happily as one big family.

My life was fucked up only because of that wretched map and my uncle but still... I envied them slightly.

By the time I was settled with the group, not at all feeling out of place, Seb walked in with Stephen and Pete. Stephen smiled and walked to me and hugged me. He wore khaki slacks, and black button up shirt looking handsome as always. I saw few girls about our age looking at him and swooning. Always the charmer!

Pete came next in a long loose dress looking at ease.

"Ah, your project has brought the best in me, Lily." Pete joked with his hands spread out.

I scowled at that and he realized what a sore joke that was. "Hey Bud, I was just joking. You know that too." he messed up my hair, I smiled and said,

"Yeah, and because of that I have lost my entire life and I guess my future too."

For that, they all kept quiet and didn't say anything.

From somewhere in the distance, the blond woman walked to us and I noticed Seb scowling discreetly. I wonder what the deal between them was. She came and stood next to him, too close for my liking. I may have kissed him but there was nothing in between us and that may be the reason why I didn't feel anything when she did that; although, I felt uncomfortable for Seb.

However when a really skimpy looking sandy blond haired girl with gorgeous dark skin came and stood next to Pete, and watching his horrific expression as she started to have a conversation with him, melted my heart into puddles of untamable laughter. Stephen was on his way to some girls. Typical him! Pete's expression was priceless.

With too many wild attempts by the woman, she seemed frustrating to see an unresponsive Pete. To be honest, she was very attractive, in fact just like the long blond girl; thus, she must not have known of men turning their face away from her. I wanted to help Pete, but his actions and mannerism were so cute, I love watching him having a hard time.

After what seems like too many hours under the shady part of the beach with too many palm trees and shrubs; Stephen walked with Pete to their rooms to have lunch. Seb stayed back.

Sitting in the warm sand really felt good and the sun on my face was really heavenly.

It felt like an eternity but I guess it was just hours when I was broken from my trance.

"I have never been to the beach as I can remember."

"Wow, you missed a whole lot fun," Seb said sipping on his cocktail. When I heard the slurp I looked at him questioningly. He just pulled his thumb to a different corner of the beach where there was a shack down the sandy trail and what seemed like half naked bodies swarming the place. I never saw it. And I never saw when Seb went there to have himself a cocktail.

"You didn't bring me one." That was a statement more than a question.

"You didn't ask me to." He simply said with an indecent shrug.

"Even then you could have."

"I shouldn't if the lady doesn't ask me to."

"Stupid." I murmured as I got up from my warm sand but was pulled back down to it by Seb who chuckled as he is pointed to my side where there was a cocktail ready for me to be sipped. It wasn't cold anymore.

"Oh..." that was all I had to say because let's face it; I was stupid once again.

"Yeah..." he said with an amused smile.

"How long..."

"Too long ago; you were in your own world and I have never seen a woman sitting like a statue for hours long."

Even though it was not good since it was not cold, I drank, loving the taste of cranberry in my mouth.

"You see, that road to your left, it takes us to the lighthouse one which my family had taken care of. Now, it runs by the government. I am not sure if there are any keepers, but I had my grandfather in that line and he used to boast about it. He loves it all... you know, the crashing waves, the loud cries of the sea gull from up above, and the golden sand... he used to say that..."

"THE LIGHTHOUSE..." I screamed. His glass fell from his hands.

Well you see he was sitting with his hands loosely resting on his upright knees. The hands held the glass limply as he sat on the sand looking at the sun. Something in his words clicked and I jumped up running to my cabin.

He was hot on my trail.

"If you want to go there, I will take you... you needn't be this excited."

"Shut up you fool, the clue..."

I picked the paper from underneath my garment and showed it to him.

"Follow the cries,

Watch the lights,

You can find me-

Underneath canopy of stars

And fine grains of sun kissed gems.

If you don't find me today,

That's fine, I will be here

Tomorrow and ever, alright"

His eyes widened since there is only one possible solution for the clue and it is the lighthouse. Oh is it a coincidence that we came here on time or was it some sort of unnatural force trying to untangle this mess?

You see I have a wild set of imaginations in my brain.

"I can see the picture. And that last set does imply something is well hidden. Does that mean, you mother is someone I know of? Because this lighthouse is only accessible to people close to my grandfather at that time and by the look of things, your mother hadn't stuffed this away in the near past. That means..."

"It's shit load complicated."

"No you fool, I might know your mother... my people might know her..."

"I don't want to know who the hell she is; I just want to get this done with."

"I know..." he remained silent and read the clue again. "It looks certain. She is speaking about the lighthouse. We will go there tomorrow and search before letting our people know about it. I dearly hope the map will be there."

"If my gut is right, she will take us to Australia if she has to."

"Oh hush, I never knew you were this enthusiastic imaginer."

"You don't know half of me," I deadpanned.

"I am willing to know about it all."

"You will have to live a millennium."

"Are you Athena?"

"In a way..."

"God, your ego is just as big."

I laughed to that. He is right.

Just then there was a knock on the door and Seb opened it for that blond. I scowled lightly knowing not why I did that.

"Can I talk you for a minute?" she asked.

"Yes." He replied. Then he introduced us, "Caroline, this is Lillian, Lily this is Caroline." A simple introduction; and I wanted to say hi to her but she smiled and walked out taking Seb with her.

I felt restless with what I found out but Seb said we will go tomorrow. Well, he was right. It was already late and the sunset was a beautiful sight to see.

I wondered if I have to be alone this night. Being with Seb and Pete last few nights made me scared of being alone now. Not because the threat was looming; bus because my insecurities that I bottled up so well was broken.

Just as I was thinking of getting dressed to go out for a walk, Seb walked in looking red.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" he replied looking grim. Thus, I didn't push for answers.

"Get ready, we will go down to the resort for dinner or we can go to town."

"Down is fine."

"OK." he was about to go when I stopped him.

"Where will you be staying?" I asked.

He smiled and softened a bit. "This is my hometown. I will be around."

"Will you stay here? There is an extra room." He looked at me devoid of emotion and I nervously played with my fingers.

"Ok." he said.

I smiled tightly.

He can't understand my emotions now even if I tried to make him understand and no, it is not something called love.

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More on the way! The statics are so low in this book, I wonder if I should continue! Hmmm!!! I love writing this book, so yes I will :D

Hi, you alll!