Dragon Hope

When Hope finally reaches the lighthouse, with blisters on her feet and her body crying for rest, morning is just breaking behind her. As the sun crests the sea, she knocks on the door, praying only for a friendly face and some small show of kindness. When the lightkeeper opens the door, his scowl is anything but friendly, and she sees no kindness when he slams the door in her face. Hope knows that the demons she’s running from will soon catch up to her, and she has nowhere to go and no more energy with which to flee. She stands outside the door, stunned and hurt and alone, on the verge of giving up. She’s lost everything, and no longer has anyone who cares if she lives or dies. And then, against all odds, the lightkeeper reappears, grudgingly granting her access and rest. While he’s far from the friendly host she’d hoped for, he’s all she has-and, in spite of his rudeness, Hope soon realizes that he’s hiding from demons of his own. They might each be just what the other needs, if they can find the strength to believe.