What a terrific piece, Sarez! You gave us more depth to Hugo's character. Despite the desperation of the situation, he's still able to appreciate irony while scrambling for a way to survive. His hysterical laughter humanizes him and gives us more empathy and hope that he'll make it through alive.

Hugo's ingenuity, thanks to La Sentinelle's wooden planks, is to be applauded along with his bravery. Not everyone in his situation would be able to hold their terror at bay to dive into the dark and dangerous waters of the sea. It feels as we're there with the lighthouse keeper as his body is at the mercy of the waves and when he clings to the rock to wait out the storm. Each description putting shivers in the spine and cramps in the hands.

Then your ending, with the discovery of the graves of the island princesses, the legend, and the name of the girls' father ties this story up wonderfully.