Black Reef
Scene: The corner
seat of a deserted café. The sound of waves crash faintly in the background. It
is a coastal village. Two figures, Amelia and an old sailor named Jack, sit at
a small wooden table. A map is spread out between them. The conversation begins...
---
Amelia: "So, um, I found this map... in
my great-grandfather’s old mansion. I think—I think it’s real, Jack. It could
be the treasure of Black Reef. Look—" (She taps the map, her voice tinged
with excitement) "See these markings? They—they lead to an island off the
coast."
Jack: (Leans back, sighing heavily) "Aye,
so you found it. The map everyone’s heard about but no one’s ever really seen.
You sure, lass? You sure you know what you’re gettin’ into?"
Amelia: (Looking deep into the map) "I’ve
heard the stories, but… I need to do this, Jack. It’s—it’s been a part of my
family for so long. This could, I dunno, change everything."
Jack: (Nods slowly, rubbing his chin)
"Change everything, or end everything, eh? Black Reef ain’t just some
fairy tale. That place is dangerous—deadly, even. The fog… the rocks… you don’t
mess with them."
Amelia: (A bit impatient) "I know the
risks, Jack. But what do you know about the island? You’ve been around here
longer than anyone."
Jack: (Grimacing) "More than I care to,
lass. It’s a cursed spot, no doubt. The fog… it’s like a living thing, thick as
soup, and the waters… they’ll drag you down if you’re not careful. Then there’s
the cave…"
Amelia: (Leaning forward) "The cave?
What’s in there?"
Jack: (Pauses, his voice dropping) "The
treasure, sure. But it’s also a tomb for those who seek it. Some say Captain
Blackthorn’s ghost watches over it. Others… well, they say things that’ll keep
you up at night."
Amelia: "I’m not scared of ghost stories,
Jack. I’m after something real."
Jack: (Chuckles darkly) "Real or not,
it’ll test ya. But if you’re set on it, you best be ready. The sea ‘round Black
Reef… it changes folks, makes ‘em see things."
Amelia: "I’m ready. I’ve got to be. I’ll
set out at dawn."
Jack: (Reaches into his coat and pulls out an
old, battered compass, placing it in her hand) "Then take this. It’s never
failed me, not once. Keep it close, especially in that damned fog."
Amelia: (Clutching the compass) "Thanks,
Jack. I mean it."
Jack: (Softly) "Just promise me one
thing—come back in one piece, lass. The treasure ain’t worth losing
yourself."
---
(Scene: The next morning, on the dock, with
the sea calm but a fog already creeping in. Amelia readies her small boat,
while Jack watches, concern etched on his face.)
---
Amelia: "The wind’s right. I should be
there by noon."
Jack: (Nods, though his eyes remain on the
fog) "Just keep that compass handy, and don’t trust what you see out
there. The island’s got tricks, lass, tricks that’ll mess with your head."
Amelia: (Grinning, though a bit nervously)
"You’re full of comforting advice, you know that?"
Jack: (Huffs) "I’ve seen too much to be
anything but honest. Watch yourself out there. If it feels wrong, turn
back."
Amelia: "I’ll be back, Jack. With that
treasure, too."
Jack: (Quietly) "Godspeed, Amelia."
---
(Scene: Hours later, the island emerges
through the thickening fog. The sea grows rough, the boat straining against the
waves.)
---
Amelia: (Muttering) "Where is it…? The
map says… I should be right on top of it."
(The fog swirls around her. The island appears
as a shadowy presence ahead. She pulls the boat ashore, the rocks jagged
beneath her feet.)
Amelia: (Breathing hard) "Okay, this is
it… the cave’s got to be close."
(A faint whisper seems to curl through the
fog, making her stop in her tracks.)
Amelia: (Whispering) "It’s just the wind…
just the wind."
(She pushes forward, following the map. The
entrance to the cave is hidden, swallowed by the shadows of the cliffs.)
Amelia: (Steeling herself) "Here goes
nothing." (She steps inside, her flashlight flickering as the darkness
closes in. The tunnel seems to pull her deeper, the air growing colder.)
---
(Scene: Inside the cave, the air is damp and
the darkness oppressive. Amelia’s flashlight flickers as she moves ahead.)
---
Amelia: (Muttering to herself) "Come on,
where is it… the map says it’s right here."
(Her light falls on piles of glittering
treasure—gold, jewels, ancient relics. But something’s not right. The air
feels… charged.)
Amelia: "I can’t believe it… it’s
real!"
(A low, chilling chuckle echoes through the
cavern, freezing her in place.)
Unknown Voice: "So, you finally found it.
Took you long enough."
(Amelia spins around, her heart racing. A
shadowy figure emerges from the darkness—a tall man in tattered clothes, his
face hidden beneath a hood.)
Amelia: (Backing away) "Who… who are
you?"
Unknown Voice: (Steps closer, voice like ice)
"The one who’s been waiting. This treasure’s claimed many, and it’ll claim
you too if you’re not careful."
Amelia: (Desperately) "Stay back!"
(She grabs a sharp rock from the ground, holding it out defensively.)
Unknown Voice: (Laughs) "That won’t save
you. This place… it’s alive, and it wants to keep what’s been hidden."
(He lunges, but Amelia dodges, racing back
toward the tunnel. The walls seem to close in, the path twisting into something
unfamiliar.)
Amelia: (Panicking) "No, this isn’t
right… where’s the exit?"
(The man’s voice follows her, growing louder,
more menacing.)
Unknown Voice: "You can’t escape, girl.
You’re part of this now."
(She spots a faint glimmer of light ahead and
runs toward it, bursting out of the cave just as the fog begins to lift. The
man’s voice fades as she collapses on the beach, gasping.)
---
(Scene: Hours later, Amelia drifts in her
small boat, the island a distant silhouette. The chest, filled with treasure,
sits at her feet.)
---
Amelia: (Muttering to herself) "I… I made
it. I actually made it."
(She looks back at the island, now barely
visible through the mist, then down at the chest brimming with treasure. Her
hands tremble, both from exhaustion and the lingering fear.)
Amelia: (Softly, almost in disbelief)
"It’s over… it’s finally over."
(The sun begins to rise, casting a soft,
golden light across the water. The sight is almost surreal, calming her frayed
nerves. She takes a deep breath, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face.)
Amelia: (Speaking to herself) "Thank you,
Jack. You were right about the compass… and about everything else. I’m coming
back. I’m really coming back."
(She grips the oars and begins to row. She
glances at the treasure one more time, her thoughts drifting to what comes
next.)
Amelia: (Determined) "This is only the
beginning."
(The sea is quiet now, the fog lifting
completely, leaving her alone with the open ocean and the brightening sky.)
(She looks down at the compass and smiles
faintly.)
Amelia: (Whispering) "Home. I’m going
home."
(With the island now far behind her, Amelia
rows steadily toward the mainland, the sun rising higher, bringing with it the
promise of a new day—and the beginning of a new chapter in her life.)
End
(Inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean)
Renjitha. K. R
Asst. Professor & Head
Dept. of English
Al Shifa College of Arts and Science,
Perinthalmanna
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