Chapter 2
Promise
"Dear Luna,
When I stood on that dock again, a weird wave hit me. Remember like that time Clyde brought me to the beach with his fathers, and we got smacked by the biggest tidal wave Michigan could ever produce? It was like that, but, uh, for the mind? Yeah, that makes sense. Lucy would understand. I'll ask her later.
Even though it's been really long since I've last stepped foot on this island, just staring into the fog brought me back to that first day you somehow convinced me to follow you. Still don't know how you did it. Guess I just trust everything that comes out of your mouth. In fairness, you never steered me wrong before... you didn't, right?"
Thirteen years ago
Much like he did in the future, Lincoln sighed as his feet stepped upon the slightly-younger wood, though for this particular day, it was not one out of fear and possible regret; rather, it came from both impress... and fatigue. For a boy his age, rowing a boat felt so surreal, that his arms were ready to fall out of their sockets at any moment.
He let out some excess water from his shoes, never letting his eyes off the glow of the mighty radio tower obscured by the heavy fog. Even when he barely understood the point at staring at nature, even he had to marvel at the bizarrely-haunting sight.
"Wow...," he let out exasperated, "... that's cool-looking!"
But perhaps the most surprising thing of all from this island was not what lurked upon it naturally, but rather the person that convinced him to go here in the first place. Fastening the old rowboat to the dock, he saw the fleeting glimpse of purple standing proud, arms to the hips as if she was some sort of famous treasure hunter. Would be rather convincing; if only she brought a hat... or any equipment, for that matter.
No, she wasn't a well-renowned explorer in the slightest. Instead, she was Lincoln's older sister, Luna Loud. Everything he learned about music, warranted or not, came directly from her. A free-living spirit if he ever saw one, she always followed her own beat, seeing the world only a girl like her could ever see it. Even still, while have her tough, brutish moments, she was among the kinder of his siblings.
Though none of that explained why, earlier in the morning, she came to his room with a simple request: follow her to someplace cool. Maybe it was because he was too tired to resist, or maybe because Luna was cool, and anything she wanted was thus just as such, but whatever the case, he said yes.
When the boat was brought to his life, confusion flooded him, and when they landed, that continued to linger. Once the shock of the island wore off, he turned his full attention towards his sister. "So, uh, Lunes? Look, I'm all for rock-n-roll retreats, but uh... what is this place?"
For a moment, Luna didn't acknowledge him. Seems even she was caught off-guard by the bright light hovering above. He walked a little ahead of her, waving a hand to grab her attention, but once he saw her face, he had to retreat a little. He saw her awestruck plenty of times, usually when the family walked by the new guitar exhibit at the mall, but this face looked... strange.
Surprised, envious... and a little bit longing?
Perhaps at twenty-six, he'd understand it, but back then? Impatience won out. "Yo, earth to Luna? You in there?"
His words finally broke through. The young rocker shook her head, before smiling at her little brother. "Woah, sorry bro. Just, uh... guess I forgot how big this place is."
Lincoln folded his arms, once more staring off towards the tower in the distance. "Yeah, I guess. So... mind explaining why, of all places, you brought me to an island I don't even think exists?"
"Bro, we're standing on it. How could it not exist?"
"Well, why is my sister, who I didn't even think knew how to row a boat, bringing me here then? Seriously Lunes, when are you going to tell me?" He looked at first a little angry, before the imagination kicked in. Even as a teen, that never went away. "Wait... you discovered a pirate roamed this place and buried his treasure here? Or, or, oh! A ghost haunts this place, and you finally accepted your lifetime membership to AR-"
His mouth was covered by her palm. A little annoyed, but Luna couldn't help chuckling a little. "Jeez, calm down, buddy! Save that energy for the encore!" She let his lips free, before once more looking out towards the island. The fog was ever-present. Even with the afternoon sun peaking through, it refused to yield. She closed her eyes, adjusting one of her numerous belts against her waist.
"It's none of that, bro. Sorry if that chills your beat."
It certainly did. Lincoln knew it looked very immature, but he couldn't help pouting and looking away. "Well, then what? Mick tell you about this place? Does it unlock the ultimate pick or something? I think Sam mentioned that once. Woah, wait, does it actually exist?"
It was charming, but sometimes his overthinking did drive Luna crazy. She giggled again, before looking up towards the tower. "Well, maybe, but Mick didn't say anything. Heh, I'm pretty sure right now, we're the only two in Royal Woods who remembers this place."
Weird, the young boy thought. How could that be? Tower was well-lit, wasn't it? "Well, what about the guys in the building up there? I mean, they must know of this place. Wait, you planning to play for them, and need me for vocals?"
"Jeez, you got a lot of ideas!"
"Well, it would help if you'd tell me why we're here!"
She sighed, at last finally relenting. Her finger pointed towards the light; he figured as much, but surely it must be something more than just popping in and visiting. Indeed, as he soon found out, it kinda was. "Well, you know how you brought up the people up there, little bro?"
"Y-Yeah? Dad's friends or something?"
"Well, that's the thing... there's no one up there."
Lincoln flinched a little. "Wait, what? How does that make sense? That tower's kinda brightly lit. What is it for, anyways?"
She stepped forward, arms folded. "A radio station maybe. That's what Sully told me, but apparently he didn't even know it actually existed. Well, whatever it is, nobody's been there for like, half a century, dude."
"H-Half a century? Woah... so how is it...?"
Another chuckle. "That's the thing, Linc. We're going to find out! Let's climb up and figure out what keeps it going!"
He had to admit, even if it probably sounded boring... it was kinda interesting. He smiled, liking the idea... but that still left one lingering question.
"Um, Lunes?"
She turned, a puzzled look on her. "Hm?"
"Um... why are you interested in this... and more importantly, why did you choose me and not, like, Lynn or something? She's better at hiking, so you know..."
No giggle this time. Rather, she looked... well, that same longing look she had before. What was that? If only he asked back then. "Well... maybe I'll tell you when we get up there, okay?"
"Seriously? Why not now?"
There's the giggle, and a pat on the head to boot. "Guess it's one of those older sister things, little dude. Don't worry, though... I promise, okay?"
Guess that was the best he was gonna get. Lincoln sighed. "Well, all right, but it better be worth it. Guess that light will bother me if I walk away now..."
And with a small huff, the two proceeded onwards, heading deep into the fog, unprepared for what was to come.
"I remember when Dad found that we went there. Heh, he was so confused at first, but never angry. Guess he liked the idea of both of us getting fresh air. That weird? Well, guess back then I did play games and read comics a little too much. Thought you were an outsider more, but then again, I remember you strummed that guitar all day sometimes. Always loved hearing it.
"... I miss that, you know? You really were the best. Wish Dad told you that more. Wish... Wish he told me a lot more too..."
