Long-range fishing

The end of the world sure is taking its sweet time. 

Why did we even start to call it that? Some stuff from outer space came and we started to panic as if we didn't deal with worse shit before. 

I probably shouldn't waste my paper complaining about the apocalypse. 

Or maybe I should, it's my paper after all, wat'sit to you?

I closed my notebook, having no idea what to write in it. I never even had a diary, anything I needed to remember I kept in my head and if I forgot it, it wasn't worth much anyway. 

Maybe I shouldn't waste the paper. 

I looked out the window to see nothing, there has been nothing but a storm ever since I got here. I guess it makes sense to put a lighthouse in a spot that has a high storm frequency. 

The main downside of being  a lighthouse keeper is the isolation. A single lighthouse can have multiple keepers, but I didn't have such luxury. I don't even qualify as a keeper, I was just put here so that the people could leave the united kingdom safely. 

How long does it take to evacuate a country anyway? It's probably a few million people. The ships can only fit so many and they have to go the same way twice since thy have to return for the remaining people. 

What will they do once they run out of fuel? They might also be landlocked due to the storm. If it is this bad at my coast how bad is it at high sea?

I looked over at the fishing rod, one of the things the people thought I might need. It is a rather nice gesture if I think about it, even if it is just a fishing rod, they gave me their remnant of the old world. 

Everyone has kept a little something from the old world. Be it a vehicle, a name, a small trinket, a collection of clothes, a set of tools or even just scars. Giving someone your remnant is like... I dunno. It's its own thing I guess. 

Most trinkets are rather close to the heart as the people will make sure to get the important things first. So these people entrusting me their remnants, it is like they left pieces of their hearts with me.

Should I write that down? Nah. 

I stood up and picked up the fishing rod.

"Hmm?"

"What's up?"

I inspected the rod closer, its coating has started to peel off and the string is newer than the rod.

It has seen a number of experiences.

"There it is again!"

I remember back when my father taught me how to fish.

"What even is that?"

"It looks like a log. Maybe it's a crocodile."

"Yeah right."

You click over the string to the other side.

"It might eat you if you're not careful."

"Shouldn't it go for your fat ass first?"

"These are muscles, it's probably just scared of me."

Then trap the string between your thumb and the rod.

"What am I then? A stick?"

Reach far back with the rod and release the string in the peak of the swing.

"Maybe, but you're one of em nice sticks, you know."

Fishing from the top of a lighthouse, I must look ridiculous. 

The hook is probably dangling somewhere halfway down to the ground. Good thing that there is no one around to see me being silly like this.

A small smile that I haven't noticed disappeared once I felt a weight on the hook. I didn't even put a bait on it. 

I considered cutting the string, but I'll be dammed if I damage a remnant just because I was goofing off. 

I reeled it up, half afraid and half ready to throw the rod down the length of the lighthouse. 

It's a bass. A wolf bass to be exact. A sweet water fish at the sea. It's dead too. 

Guess I'm a better fisher than I thought. 

......................................................................................................................................................................

Preparing fish is easy if you're only cooking for yourself. Especially if you have something as big as a wolf bass, The thing is almost longer than my arm. 

Cut up its belly and pull the guts out. Wash out the blood while you're at it. Season the insides well with green spices and garlic powder. 

You would usually use whole garlic cloves but I don't have any fresh food left at all. 

Put it in the oven and cook till done. 

I'm not sure who else stayed behind, but the lighthouse still has power which means that I am not alone in this. 

I wish that I could send them my thanks, but I'm not sure if it's safe to leave the lighthouse. Besides, what would I say?

"Yo dude, thanks for the electricity, anyway gotta go, bye bye."

I may be grateful, but I'm not giving out remnants just like that. They don't need to know that I have remnants. 

Perhaps a nice meal could show my gratitude.