Music Welcome to snoozecast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and if you enjoy our show, please share us with a friend. This episode is brought to you by Roryng Surf. Tonight, we'll read a snooze cast original titled The Lighthouse Keeper's Secret, where in a remote lighthouse, the keeper rescues a shipwrecked woman who has amnesia and believes she is searching for hidden treasure.

Let's get cozy. Close your eyes.

Relax your body into the softness of your bed. He walked towards the bay window. His eyes sharp despite his age, scanned the storm tossed sea. The beam of the lighthouse sliced through the darkness, like a guardian angel sword. He watched waves crash against the rocky shore, sending up sprays of salty mist. He had lived alone on Wabanaki Point for decades now, but he had never considered himself lonely. On Friday afternoons in the summer months, the post-writer Edmund would take his gift to the point, and the two would enjoy a gentleman's round of chess until the light began to fade.

During harvest time in the fall, Margaret Winslow would collect vegetables

and canned preserves from all the local farmers

and made handfuls of trips to the island

to help Thaddeus stock up for the long winter.

She was a great purveyor of local scuttlebutt as well. And each spring, Madious would leave the island to attend the annual town meeting. Being one of the oldest members, he was often deferred to for matters that required a historical perspective, due to his depth of knowledge of the town's past. His was a life of duty, and he knew the role he played was a crucial one for every ship that passed through port. Often, his last thoughts each night before drifting off to slumber were of the many different souls that passed by and where they were going and where they had been and who perhaps was waiting for them at home. And it gave him great comfort to know that his efforts played a great part in their return to their loved ones. He watched as the storm progressed. That he has always found a certain peace in the fury of storms, but this night something felt different. There was an unease in the air, attention that thrummed beneath the usual cacophony of wind and waves. As he peered through the rain-smirred window, his gaze caught on something unusual, a faint light bobbing on the water, far too close to the rocks that surrounded his island. With a sense of urgency, Daddy-us ventured out into the storm. The rain poured over him, each drop bouncing off of his oil-skin coat and hat. He made his way down to the shore, where the surf roared and frothed, like a cron's cauldron churning forth a concoction. There, amid the wreckage of a small boat, he found her. She was sprawled on the rocks, her clothes torn and soaked, her face pale as the moonlight that struggled to penetrate the storm clouds. That he has snelt beside her, his fingers seeking a pulse. It was faint, but there. He scooped her up with surprising vigor and carried her back to the lighthouse, his mind swirling with questions, who was she? Where had she come from? And why had she been out in such a treacherous storm? Inside the lighthouse, he laid her on a cot by the fire. He rubbed her hands and feet, willing warmth back into her limbs, and wrapped her in thick blankets. He worked quickly, his hands deft and sure. Hours passed as Thaddeus kept his vigil. The storm raged on outside, but inside the world had shrunk to the small, fragile figure before him. Slowly her breathing steadied and color began to return to her cheeks. features now unstrained held a delicate strength. The storm finally began to abate. The lighthouse's beam faded in the growing light and the sea calmed. Sadious looked at the woman, still unconscious, but clearly recovering, and felt a strange mixture of relief and curiosity. As the first light of dawn seeped through the cracks in the lighthouse walls. She stirred.

Her eyelids fluttered and she let out a soft groan. That is leaned forward. She opened her eyes, revealing irises of a striking green. The color of sea glass washed ashore after years in the oceans and brays. For a moment, they were unfocused, swimming with confusion. Then, they locked on to Thaddeus. She tried to sit up, but the effort was too much. That he is gently placed a hand on her shoulder, coaxing her back down. Easy now, he said, his voice gravely from disused send emotion. You've had quite a night. blinked. Her brow furrowing as she tried to recall what had happened. That he has offered her a cup of hot broth, and she sipped it gratefully, the warmth seeping into her bones. Thank you, she whispered. Her voice as fragile as a bird's wing. Where am I? This is Wabanaki Point, an island off the town of Foxglove. That is replied. The woman stared at him. You were shipwrecked. I found you on the rocks last night and brought you here on the lighthouse keeper. A flicker of memory sparked in her eyes and she winced the recent past flooding back with clarity. The storm, my boat, pray, you weren't traveling alone in that tempest were you? She shook her head slightly. I don't remember anything. She admitted her face trembling with uncertainty, but I think I was alone. That is his heart softened, and he sat down beside her, his joints creaking in protest. That's all right. He said gently. Any assailer' mind goes blank after such a trial as that, your memories will return into course. She stared into the fire at the flickering flames. I wish I could remember she murmured. There's just nothing. She looked at him. What is your name, sir? That is, that is great. She smiled for the first time. a lovely name. I'm... I'm... I don't even know my own name. She realized... her smile vanished. Give it time. What should I call you in the meanwhile? May I ask you to merely call me Miss, lest another name muttle my memory? That he is nodded. I'll draw the curtain, rest for today, and we shall see how you fare tomorrow. And the woman was grateful to close her eyes again in the comfort of the lighthouse's fire. The next morning, the woman felt stronger. She appeared before Thaddeus as he began percolating a pot of coffee in the kitchen. By the stars, you're looking chipper as a lark." He said. A full day's rest surely does restore one's physical vigor, though sadly I cannot say the same for my memory, including my name. Joe, that is offered. Excuse me? That is held forth a mug of coffee. Please, thank you, the woman replied. As she reached for the mug, she noticed a small leather satchel on the table. It looked familiar. That is caught her eye. Oh, yes, that pouch there. I was hoping you could shed some light on that. Yesterday afternoon, while you rested, I walked the length of the shore.

I'm sorry to say that the storm took what was left of your boat, but I did find this bag

relatively dry on the rocks. I've been hoping maybe it will help.

With a look of curiosity, she opened the satchel and pulled out a single parchment. What's this? She murmured to herself, unfolding the paper. It was a map, hand drawn with a large red X in the center. May I? That is inquired as he considered himself a bit of a student of cartography. She agreed and he examined it closely. His brow furrowed in concentration as he traced the lines and markings with his finger. This looks like it could be a map of Wabanaki point. He said slowly, see here, these symbols are the cliffs, and this is the shoreline here. And the red X, the woman asked, well, that would be the lighthouse. They looked at each other. That is continued, but I should say I did not take you for a treasure seeker miss, and I'm sorry to inform you as having spent the past 30 odd years here, I must say I have not discovered a single gold flake on this rock. The woman reflected for a moment, that he has noticed a small glimmer dance across her eyes. I do believe I have come in search of something, sir, but I do not believe I am a treasure seeker. She said the phrase, with slight disdain. Perhaps you have read the map incorrectly. If you are convinced there is nothing of import on this island? That is flipped the map upside down, studying it from a different angle. Well, Miss, there is somewhat of a sister island to Wabinaki Point. Similar size and shape, but with a sandy shoreline. Aemon's Ledge. I'd be happy to row you out there in the skiff after breakfasting. That is, if you think it would help your memory. Thank you, Darius. He smiled. Her gaze fell on a locket he had been wearing around his neck that she just now noticed. Darius saw her expression and instinctively pulled his shirt collar tighter, hiding the locket, and he asked her to sit for their meal. Now, do you take your ex-miss? He asked kindly, effectively putting a damper on her potential inquiry. their meal. Thaddeus instructed her to rest a bit while he gathered supplies. It's not a long trip, but it's best to be prepared." He had said, make yourself at home. As he buried himself with the task at hand, the woman wandered through the lighthouse, noting his modest accommodations that he lovingly took great care of. The walls were adorned with nautical maps and charts. Their edges frayed. In one corner, a large, well-worn desk was covered in various instruments of navigation, a brass sextant, a compass, and a pair of binoculars, a shelf-held collection of leather bound books, their spines cracked from countless readings. A clear favorite of his appeared to be 20,000 leagues under the sea. A book she herself had begun some time ago and had nearly finished reading. Near the hearth there was a small table with a chess board. The game appeared to be at about midpoint. A stack of open letters nearby indicated this must have been a type of correspondence chest. She also noticed the subtle scent of seaweed and brine that permeated the air. One thing she had not noticed though were any pictures, either with family or friends, young or old. Daddy has seemed to live a life devoid of personal momentos.

It's struck. French, young or old. Daddy-ass seemed to live a life devoid of personal momentos. It struck her as odd. Daddy-ass called up to her from the shoreline. Miss, it's time to make way. She joined him at the launch and he helped her step into the bow. There you go, Miss," he said. The woman had noticed some faded lettering on the side of his skiff when boarding that she attempted to read, however, it was much too faded. And after Thaddeus got her and himself situated, they quickly set off. The sky was a vast expanse of blue, the sea calm and inviting. Thaddeus glanced at the stone tower as he rode out. He had felt a bit of apprehension leaving the island, but he knew they would be back before nautical dusk. The rhythm of the ores splashing against the water was almost hypnotic, and the trip passed by pleasantly. As they neared Yeamans Island, the wind picked up and the waters grew choppyer. Thatias' experience showed as he skillfully maneuvered the boat through the rough patches.

The woman, though a bit nervous, found herself reassured by his calm, capable demeanor.

Thaddeus rode them to shore. He helped the woman out of the boat.

They took a moment to gather their wits and then set off to explore the island. The map, in its secondary orientation, seemingly guiding them along. As they climbed a steep hill in the direction of the red X, the woman stumbled, and that he has caught her just in time. Careful, he said, helping her regain her balance, this terrain can be tricky. They reached the top of the hill and found the entrance to a hidden cave. Curious. This feature is in mark on any of the hill and found the entrance to a hidden cave.

Curious, this feature is in mark

on any of the maps I have for this island.

That he has noted which gave the woman hope

they were nearing an answer.

The air inside was cool and damp. The walls covered in moss. They searched the cave meticulously, looking for any clues. Hours passed and their efforts yielded nothing but rocks and shadows. The woman's brow furrowed. There must be something we're missing," she said, as she traced her hand along the rock wall. Before long, though, a deep pang of disappointment was palpable from the long sigh she exhaled. Maybe the map was a decoy, or maybe what if it's not even my map, she suggested. Perhaps that he has nodded slowly, or perhaps I read the map wrong. He tried to remain optimistic. I'm happy to return here with you tomorrow, though, to continue our search. But the light will soon be fading, and we must make our way back to the point. The woman understood, and silently they exited, and descended the hill back towards the shoreline. The boat glided smoothly over the glassy surface of the water, each stroke of thaddeus' ores creating gentle

ripples that spread out in ever widening circles. sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow that danced across the waves. As they neared Wabanaki point, the light began to fade and the sky transformed into a canvas of purples, pinks, and oranges.

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