Love Knows No Bounds | 3 December 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2575 | Prompt: wander into danger

It wasn't the pelting rain that startled fourteen-year-old Haime as he looked up over his glasses, but the dull thud against the pane. The howling wind followed, whistling through the cracks alerting a storm approached. Behind the thin curtains, monstrous figures swayed, as if in a tug of war with the shutters.

And nightfall hadn't descended.

Any stronger, and those worn shutters will give way, he worried. Mrs. Herrington quickly returned the pot to the stove. She rushed past Haime headed toward the window, but not before ordering, "you stay put young man, you're not yet fully healed."

"Oh, Ma!" Haime slammed his book shut. He huffed, then hurled his exasperation at her. "How am I ever going to test my strength sitting in this restraining device all day?"

She turned, hesitated, then issued a stern warning. "You know full well the doctor ordered another three weeks. You've missed enough in-class schooling. Best you sit tight and recuperate. The sooner you heal, the sooner you'll lose that foul attitude."

He'd lived next to the lighthouse his entire life and didn't mind missing school. Being the son of a lighthouse keeper kept him busy at the same timing affording the opportunity to spend quality time on the sandy shoreline. The business provided several bonuses and incentives as a tour guide, especially when younger female tourists visited.

Haime stifled a laugh, instead forcing a frown, then remembered. He hadn't seen his father since daylight; nor Buckley, their large, fiery-coated shepherd. A distant bark interrupted his thoughts.

"Mom, where's dad? His shift ended hours ago; and Buckley? That storm won't delay another hour. Buckley knows better than to wander into danger!" he blurted, now motioning to the weather alert radio.

Mrs. Herrington pivoted as she brushed past him and increased the volume on the weather radio. Both grew silent listening to the forecast.

She turned and watched as Haime gripped the armrests. If he could have jumped up from the wheelchair and bolted toward the front door, his mother couldn't have overtaken him. Fortunately, his leg brace prevented the impetuous thought.

In the distance, a faint bark echoed. She turned back toward the window. The barking grew louder.

"It's Buckley," she shouted. Perhaps your Dad is with him. This time, she rushed to pull back the curtain and scour the landscape. Rain now poured, so she could barely see the lighthouse beam.

"We'll have to go find him," Haime yelled behind her. She didn't notice he'd already wheeled himself toward the stove, removed the stew, then placed it on the table.

By the time she donned her rain gear and boots, Haime had wheeled past her and landed on the front porch. With his binoculars, he searched the path leading to the bay.

He gasped as the lens zoomed in on its target.

[to be continued]

For my theme, I was inspired by and utilized the @daily.prompt's publishing of 3 December 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2575: wander into danger.