The Secret Keepers

Waves pummel the beach, lashing the sand as the sea rushes to claim me. I squeal and race up the steep, winding path to the cabin.

As I scramble to the top of the cliff, black clouds open and lightening streaks across the sky.

“Maggie, Maggie,” my mother demands, her voice carried away by the storm, “come inside now!”

Thunder shakes the ground as I race to safety.

“Take off your wet things and dry off,” Mamma orders.

 “Where’s Pappa?” I ask as I strip off my soaked pinafore in front of the fire before dragging on dry clothes.

“He’s gone to put the light on. This storm’s a big one!”

On cue, a clanging bell propels us into action. Holding a lantern, Mamma leads the way to the top of the cliff where Pappa is waiting. The light flashes across the bow of a ship listing in the enormous swell.

“She’s hit the reef. Going down,” Pappa screams through the howling wind. He’s holding a whistle and lantern in one hand; rope is slung over his shoulder and he’s clutching a life buoy to his chest.

“What do we do, Pappa? We have to help them,” I cry.

“It’s too dangerous to launch the raft. Stay here Maggie,” Pappa orders as my parents start the steep and slippery descent to the beach.

Blowing on the whistle, Pappa flings the buoy as far as he can. Together he and Mamma drag in a young boy who coughs and splutters before losing his grip and disappearing under the waves. Pappa wades in, carrying the boy back to shore. He keeps trying, trying until he has no strength left.

That night, terrified screams wake us. We learn that Danny was the cabin boy and the ship was on route to Melbourne when it ran aground on the reef.

The next day Mamma and Pappa gather the bodies of the crew from the beach while I tend to Danny.

“It wasn’t the storm that sunk us … I saw it … push the ship onto the reef then drag it down.” Danny makes the sign of the cross before continuing. “The Kraken,” he whispers.

 “The Kraken,” I repeat.

 “Shush,” Danny urges. “If you speak its name and knock three times it comes. I didn’t believe them. I thought it was just a sailor’s tale, a myth. So, I tried it. It’s my fault. I killed them. Killed them all,” Danny sobs and I pat his arm, unsure what to do or say.

Fifteen bodies are recovered. Mamma and Pappa lay them in a grassy space next to the cabin. Danny identifies each man and tells us ten are still missing, including the captain.

That night when Mamma and Pappa go to bed, Danny sneaks to my side and begs me not to tell anyone what he’s shared. He’s convinced others will be like him and try to call the creature. I agree.

Besides, Pappa always said the sea likes to keep her secrets.