In a remote, small town, residents are fearful and suspicious of an eerie light that dimly shines from the edge of the cemetery every night. Legend has it the light comes from a ghost of a former resident, long ago killed in a tragic accident, who patrols the gravesites. When a young man passes through, he befriends the village’s only orphan, a boy who lives on the margins of the community’s society. With the help of his new friend, the young man unravels the mystery behind the light…
Thomas was the only surviving member of his small family of four. His mother died just months ago, a victim of the unusually harsh winter. Only a few weeks prior, his younger sister passed from influenza. His father, whom he barely remembered, had been dead for about seven years. At 12 years old, Thomas was small, even for the era. But, he was strong, having to take care of his family in the absence of his dad. Typically, being an orphan in a relatively obscure village almost always meant inescapable hardship. For at least some in the same circumstances, a very probable pathway to outlaw life. For most, an impending death sentence.
Fortunately, his predicament wasn’t much of an issue, thanks to Reverend Oliver who took him in as the church’s apprentice sexton. It gave him a suitable place to live and the opportunity to learn a trade. He also helped the town lamplighter, something not that out-of-the-ordinary in such a tiny community. All-and-all, Thomas enjoyed a stable position. Still, being without a family did mean a modicum of ostracization from the townspeople. To the residents, Thomas was forever cursed with bad luck.
In his semi-professional situation, Thomas helped care for the church. Duties included maintaining the churchyard, acting as a backup bell-ringer, and occasionally, working as a gravedigger. Like other children his age, he attended school, so most of the responsibilities he fulfilled were done in the afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
Plus, Reverend Oliver mentored Thomas, as did the town’s lamplighter, Willie. He looked up to both men, being respected members of the community because each maintained a gentleman’s disposition. They acquitted themselves well, not only in public but in their private lives. Both strived to live lives of decency, much like such admirable gentlemen legends, George Washington and John Adams. It was a matter of pride and character, so each took these aspirations seriously.
Thomas, though not even a teenager, fully understood why his mentors pursued such paths. It was in the tradition of the greatest personalities that so very many people looked up to and wanted to emulate. This also profoundly impacted Thomas’ outlook on education and being well-rounded. He enjoyed school but loved, even more, his autodidact time, reading voraciously whenever possible — something that would ironically get him into trouble occasionally.
“Taking a break from otherwise pressing duties, I suppose,” Reverend Oliver said in a robust, stern tone, looking over Thomas’ shoulders as the boy tightly clutched a book, reading intensely. The interruption was enough to startle the young one, who promptly snapped the cover shut, springing up from where he sat.
Reverend Oliver was tall and slim, his eyes generally squinting due to his poor sight. He always appeared clean and well-dressed, typically with a hat on his head, especially when outside.
“Yes, sir. I finished putting the hymn books back where they belong in the pews and swept the floor clean. The lamps need a little oil, I can refill them, if you’d like,” Thomas said, holding the book behind his back with both hands, trying his best to conceal it.
“Let’s have it,” Revered Oliver insisted, holding out an open hand, raising his eyebrows, and furrowing his brow for maximum persuasion. “Uh-huh, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Excellent choice, but one best left when you are actually idle and not in the course of your regular responsibilities. Your increasingly impulsive penchant for giving into such distractions is slowly becoming the proverbial albatross around <em>my</em> neck.”
“I apologize, but it is very interesting, most entertaining,” Thomas explained, hoping his conciliatory tone and nature were convincing enough to be excused.
“See Willie, he’ll furnish you with oil for the lamps and you can take the opportunity to remind him church continues to convene, despite his conspicuous, stubborn abstinence. Now, off with you and I’ll see you at the dinner table this evening after you finish your lamp-lighting rounds with him.”
“And, what about the light on the other side of the graveyard? Should I broach that particular subject?” Thomas jousted at the good Reverend, then quickly ran off, straight to Willie’s residence, where he found the man busily making repairs to a ladder, grumbling, and mumbling to himself in frustration and anger.
“What’s the matter now, Willie?” Thomas inquired, with a smirk on his face, trying to get a sense of what was so vexing. “You ought to be an expert at mending that sad old thing by now!”
“It might well be old, but it is most definitely not sad. If it truly wasn’t just an inanimate object, I’m sure it would break at the most inopportune moments to spite me,” Willie answered, wrangling with the ladder and various tools, his dirty hands smeared with dried blood. “Fetch me a pail of water and a cloth, please. I believe this patch job is enough to get us through the evening and tomorrow morning.”
Willie was a stout and stocky man, though a bit soft in the middle, where his belly occasionally protruded out of his shirt. Like his hands, his face was coarse and wrinkled, the result of wear and tear from living such a physically demanding life.
Thomas didn’t hesitate, filling a pail with water and bringing a cloth over so Willie could wash his hands. He asked about oil to refill the lamps in the church and Willie agreed to help. They worked together to gather the supplies they’d need to light the street lamps for the town, something they did routinely together.
Willie carefully examined his wick trimmers and whale. These vital tools of the trade were indispensable and he was known as one of the most efficient and friendly in the entire region. He cheerfully whistled while lighting the street lamps, letting folks know he was in the vicinity while extending the day as much as possible.
Willie and Thomas worked down the main street of the village, as usual, greeting people as they passed. Although passersby would exchange pleasantries with Wille, they refrained from doing the same with Thomas. Anytime the boy offered an enthusiastic “Hello,” or “Good evening,” it was met with silence and sometimes, rebuff.
So, the two played a game when no one was around. Willie whistled esoteric tunes and Thomas would try to guess the songs, making a good time out of their dull job. But, when they came to the end of the road, a dim, eerie light flickered in the distance, past the clearing, on the opposite side of the cemetery.
“It’s there again tonight,” Thomas observed, gazing in its direction, alerting Willie to its presence. Both paused immediately, attempting to discern its source, but it was too far away. Anyone who dared approach the mysterious light since it first began shining after dusk only saw it vanish. Very few had the nerve to investigate any further, though some had apprehensively entered the burial site, yet found nothing explaining its existence.
The graveyard itself wasn’t all that unusual. What made it peculiar was its situation in relation to the town. Rather than being placed to the west, northwest of the village, it laid to the east, separated by a small clearing and protected by a bog that ran nearly alongside. On its east, a densely wooded area, and just past that, another slim clearing, butting up against the sandy ocean shore. It probably was first dug by earlier explorers who never ventured into the woods, making it an ideal place to dispose of their dead without being subjected to whatever might lurk in the woods.
“What do you think it is?” Thomas asked Willie, a question he posed more than once. “It’s got to have an origin, some reasonable explanation, surely.”
“Many people here remember how dangerous it truly is — taking the life of a villager, who disappeared without a trace some years ago after crossing over the graveyard, never to return. So, yes, definitely an origin, but not necessarily a reasonable explanation,” Willie replied, checking over his gear and looking back down the street, ensuring the lamps were lit.
“You’re posing the possibility it is unreasonable? How could such a thing be? Are you, a sinecure, saying there is no rational, even peculiar explanation? That’s very ironic, indeed!” Thomas said.
“And what, praytell, is a ‘sinecure,’ boy?” Willie asked.
“Oh, it’s a paid position requiring very little, or no work — like lamp-lighting!” Thomas joked, grinning and chuckling, knowing his feigned disrespect would raise Willie’s ire.
“Then you can clean and care for the lights! You’ll need to wake well before dawn. Got to put them out as day breaks, you know. I’ll give you everything you need to clean them so they shine bright as stars and repair any parts that are broken!” Willie quipped back angrily with a scowl, abandoning his previous pleasant disposition.
Riling his part-time co-worker’s irascible nature amused Thomas, but he kept such hijinks to a minimum in order to be invited back the next evening to light the street lamps. This tactic likewise meant not belaboring his curiosity about the mysterious glow from beyond the graveyard.
Finishing their nightly round, Thomas assisted Willie with a few things before eating dinner with Reverend Oliver. It was a typical modest meal but they prayed, giving sincere thanks for their meager provisions.
“Willie and I saw the light again tonight,” Thomas said, digging into his dinner. “We couldn’t tell what it is but one evening, I’ll get close enough to find out!” He exclaimed, with the certitude only a daring young boy would display.
“You’re not afraid of the specter?” Reverend Oliver asked, with a strong bit of sarcasm in his voice. It was his way of prodding the lad into admitting his inner fear — something that frightened all the townspeople. After all, no one to date had managed to reveal its identity and that wasn’t likely to change any time soon.
Thomas put his head down, silently confessing his overwhelming trepidation to approach the light’s source. When the two finished eating their evening meal, Thomas and Reverend Oliver enjoyed the warmth of the fireplace, both taking the opportunity to read until bedtime arrived.
The book took Thomas’ mind off the inexplicable graveyard light, but only for a short time. Its enigmatic presence he pondered for hours until he fell asleep later that night. Although, when Thomas awoke the next morning, his inquisitive brain would return to dwell on the foreboding phenomenon. Fortunately, school would provide a reprieve from the petty obsession and his sexton duties would also prolong the respite.
But, later in the day, when he finished his church caretaking responsibilities and set off with Willie around sunset to again light the street lamps, the light on the other side of the graveyard glowed once more. As twilight wound to a close, Willie and Thomas unmistakably saw it flicker in the distance, just over the cemetery.
This time, Thomas lit a lantern and walked toward the soft glow, Willie trying to discourage the boy from investigating, yet the youngster refused the man’s pleas. “Thomas, don’t!” Willie cautioned, gripping his pole tightly, scared for the boy’s welfare as he watched his protege walk closer and closer to the gravesite. The distance caused darkness to all but to envelop the lad, his silhouette barely defined by the lantern he carried.
Soon, Willie could only see a dim, dancing shimmer from the lantern. Meanwhile, the light on the other side of the cemetery grew brighter and brighter. Surely, it was coming closer to Thomas, who kept walking toward it, even though his lantern was quickly running out of fuel. The old man couldn’t bear the anxiety any longer. He ran after the child, hoping to intercept the boy before harm could befall the adolescent.
Just as Willie approached Thomas, the light from beyond started to shrink and burned less brightly as it disappeared into the pitch blackness of the night. “Are you all right?” Willie inquired, looking about with wide, nervous eyes, prompting the juvenile to walk back to the edge of town, under the street lamps. “What did you see?” He asked the child during their hastened walk away.
“I’m…I’m not really sure. Something was definitely there and I get the feeling it was more afraid of me than I of it.” Thomas said. “I ought to go back, right now!” He raised his voice defiantly, turning around in the opposite direction, facing toward the graveyard. But Willie grabbed ahold of the boy and was able to talk Thomas out of reapproaching.
The next morning, Thomas was up earlier than usual. The experience was way too exciting and his unsatisfied curiosity now overcame any fear. It was a rare day at school. One very usual because he couldn’t wait for it to end — something out of the ordinary for his love of learning. As he went about a few chores after dinner, while Reverend Oliver attended to a recently widowed townswoman, a young man and a stranger to the community, a few years older than Thomas, strolled into the church.
The newcomer had a very langley build, wearing everyday, customary attire. Yet, there was something extraordinary about him, an uncanny trait that was immediately and undeniably apparent. An indiscernible characteristic that just could not be satisfactorily explained. Still, he seemed very friendly, with an unassuming and casual disposition.
“Where’s the best place — or places — to get a good meal and a clean place to stay?” The stranger inquired, continuing, “I figure the best way to get a truly honest answer is to ask at the local church. There’s got to be some forthright folk to point me in the right direction!”
“Well, yes, I would probably think the same,” Thomas replied, puzzled at why a stranger would come into the village after dark. “Trouble is, there’s really nothing here — this being such a small town. But, the Reverend and I just finished dinner, perhaps you’d like a plate? As for a place to stay, I’m sure we could accommodate you — if you’ll accept?” The dapper young man agreed, introducing himself as Alonso.
“Good evening, Thomas,” Reverend Oliver said, returning from his pastoral duty. “Oh, I see we have a visitor.” The good Reverend observed, putting his bible away. “I hope this young man has been a welcoming and kind host, sir.”
“Yes, yes, he has; thank you so much for opening your home, I’m Alonso.” The stranger said with a sincere tone. “I’m merely here for a short time, passing through, so I won’t be around for very long.”
“Oh, then you’re likely traveling in pursuit of your career. Being such a young man, I imagine you’re off to learn an important trade? Maybe an aspiring journalist, lawyer, or perhaps a businessman?” Reverend Oliver inquired.
The stranger chuckled slightly, replying, “I’m afraid none of those. But, please, allow me to offer some type of compensation for your hospitality,” he said, reaching into his pocket.”
“No, no, that won’t be necessary. However, if you insist, there are a couple of things you could do. Tell me, are you a handy individual?” Reverend Oliver replied, hoping for an enthusiastic response.
“Perhaps not as much as this good-hearted boy, but I do what I can, sir.” The stranger said, wiping his face without eating a single bite of his meal. “Now, I don’t mean to be rude, but I am quite weary and would like to turn in for the evening.”
With that, Thomas showed Alonso to a room where he could sleep that night. Then, joined Willie to light the street lamps.
“A bit late, Thomas?” Willie said as the boy walked up, appearing out of a fog that had begun to set in not long before.
“Yes, an unexpected visitor arrived in town today at the church. Reverend Oliver and I are giving him accommodations for the evening,” Thomas explained. They went about, making their way down the street, lighting each lamp. But, when the two came to the end of the road, no light was shining from the other side of the graveyard. “I don’t see the light tonight. The fog is probably concealing it.”
“Perhaps. Let’s not get caught up in it again,” Willie replied nervously, attending to his various tools, trying to sort them out as the fog thickened. When he looked up, Thomas was gone. “Thomas!” He shouted, but heard no reply. He repeated his plea, venturing off the road, toward the cemetery. Yet still, not a word, not a sound from his young work companion. Fully engulfed in the dense mist, the old man couldn’t see a thing around him. He carefully persisted, trying to locate Thomas in the heavy haze.
Separated from his tools and from the edge of the town, Willie grew increasingly anxious. He felt about, his arms outstretched, searching for his missing protege. Every step took him further away from safety and deeper into the unknown. Suddenly, he could make out a figure in the dark. He cautiously walked toward it, apprehensive about what it might be. “Thomas?” He whispered and waited for a reply, still feeling out in front of his body, when he unexpectedly tripped, nearly falling to the ground right next to the barely visible figure.
“Shhh,” Thomas warned, helping Willie back on his feet. “It’s there!” He said, putting his hands on Willie’s shoulders to point him in the right direction. “The light beyond the graveyard.”
He crept stealthily toward the glow, carefully taking one step after another to avoid making his presence known. The light moved slightly about as if it was floating in mid-air, suspended above the ground by an invisible force. After a few more steps, the light began to dim and Thomas quickened his pace. But, it disappeared into the opaque fog without a trace.
The next day, Thomas arose from a restless night, still preoccupied with the events of the day before. He made a hearty breakfast, with enough variety for his guest and the good Reverend. But, when he knocked on the visitor’s room door, there was no answer. Curious, Thomas slowly cracked the door open, only to see an empty room. On further inspection of the quarters, he discovered he was the only one in the residence — Reverend Oliver must already be out fellowshipping with the townspeople or at the church. As for Alonso, he had no explanation.
Not long later, Thomas arrived at the church. A familiar face greeted him with the sad news there was a death in one of the parishioners’ families. Thomas did his best to console the individual as Reverend Oliver arrived to take his church member inside to provide comfort and counsel. Thomas hesitated for a few moments, temporarily putting off his indisputable, morbid duty. But, he resolved himself to the job and headed to the cemetery with all the necessary tools.
“Not a very pleasant job, is it?” An unfamiliar voice asked as Thomas dug and dug into the hollowed dirt, startling the young lad, who already felt spooked by the eerie environment. Thomas didn’t answer and instead merely nodded, acknowledging the question without speaking. After he dug up several more shovels, the apprentice sexton turned, surprised to see Alonso, the stranger from the day before standing right behind him. “Forgive me for intruding upon your sacred work, but I did promise Reverend Oliver some assistance.”
Thomas thanked the young man but explained his job is done. As he gathered his tools, he looked off into the distance, past the gravestones, then scanned the area from one end to the other. He began to turn away, back toward the village but turned around again, taking another long look before venturing through the cemetery to the other side. Alonso joined shortly after, also walking and scanning the area, asking “I do apologize for my ignorance. Perhaps you could inform me precisely what it is we’re looking for?”
Thomas paused, then looked around yet again. His preoccupation was clear but puzzling, particularly in such a setting. Suddenly realizing the young man was totally unaware of the nightly event, he explained, “Every night, there’s a strange light that shines from somewhere around here. From where it emanates, no one knows. I myself have approached the mysterious glow, only to see it disappear right before my eyes. Some of the townsfolk have also investigated, but its source eludes us.”
“That is quite fantastic — a very bewildering phenomenon, indeed.” Alonso agreed.
“I suppose it is the epitome of foolishness to seek out a crepuscular activity when the sun is so close to its zenith,” Thomas capitulated. “Besides, I have much more to do this afternoon and must not dally any longer.”
Reverend Oliver stood quietly at the door of the church, greeting his parishioners as they walked into honor and grieve at the end-of-life service, soon to commence. After the burial, the waning afternoon hours were somber, full of reflection. Just before sundown, the mood lightened greatly as people went about their lives. Meanwhile, Willie and Thomas lit the street lamps.
“I beg your pardon, good gentlemen. But I am afraid I am in need of some small measure of assistance,” an unfamiliar man said, stepping out of the shadows into the light. A stocky figure, with a scowl forcibly hidden by a spurious smile, his demeanor immediately told Willie and Thomas there was something nefarious at play but deliberately concealed. “My name is Konstantin. I’ve been on a long journey. One that has lasted a very, very long time. It’s taken me up along the coast from much further south. And now, here I am, following it dutifully, diligently. I am confident my patience will soon be rewarded!” He exclaimed with a tempered braggadociousness.
Although apprehensive, Willie agreed to lend the dubious man help, “Yes, what can we do for you, sir? Rather, Konstantin is it?”
“Yes, yes — Konstantin is indeed correct. Now, there’s a peculiar phenomenon I’ve been tracking. It’s what some might describe as a ‘beacon.’ Thus far, it’s led me a great many miles and I believe this particular guidepost is now hereabouts. It’s probably where very few people — if any — venture?” The knave asked.
“You’re looking for the light? The light on the other side of the graveyard?” Thomas blurted out, realizing his mistake too late, cutting himself off from continuing verbalizing his thoughts.
“So, you do know of which I speak? Tell me, does it appear as some kind of nightly apparition? Something you can see but never describe?”
Thomas only nodded modestly, while Willie remained silent and abstained from further interacting with either word or body language — he felt an immediate sense of distrust. Something about Konstantin triggered his gut instinct.
Sensing their hesitation to offer anything more, Konstantin said rhetorically, “Perhaps someone else in town might be a bit more obligatory?” With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Willie and Thomas to contemplate their awkward encounter.
“As if enough weird stuff isn’t already plaguing this tiny community. It would make even Giles Corey beg for mercy,” Willie noted as he returned to his lamp-lighting duties, encouraging Thomas to rejoin him. After lighting the last one at the end of the street, they both looked off into the distance, past the cemetery. For a brief moment, the mysterious light glowed but quickly flickered out. The two waited, hoping it would reappear, but after several tense moments, it did not shine again.
When they began to walk back down the street and into town, Konstantin again greeted them, asking if Thomas or Willie had seen anything, “Sure is a good number of folks around here are spooked by something over yonder…happen to notice anything this evening?”
“No, not tonight,” Thomas replied, holding his head down, averting making eye contact, and continued to walk back toward the village.
“So, you have seen it — just not tonight?” Konstantin prodded, waiting for a contradiction. But neither said a word and he bid them a good night, then walked back into town on his own, clearly not believing either.
Just as Konstantin walked out of sight, the light reappeared momentarily, prompting Thomas to run toward it yet again. As the boy came close, it disappeared once more. This time, the youth didn’t move. Instead, he paused, remaining still for a prolonged moment. His patience began to wear too thin, but the boy stood quiet, with Willie watching from a distance.
Several minutes passed, with no trace of the phantom light. Suddenly, a faint glow started to pierce through the darkness. As it grew brighter, a vaguely familiar figure with a langley build, wearing everyday, customary attire emerged. It was Alonso, the young stranger who befriended Thomas and the Reverend Oliver.
“Alonso?” Thomas asked. “Is that really you?” He said, squinting to confirm his incredulous impression. In the moment, he realized his new acquaintance wasn’t holding a lantern or a torch. “No, no. It couldn’t be you — you have no light. You carry no lantern or torch.”
Then, Alonso pulled a peculiar object from his pocket and it began to glow. Thomas and Willie stood dumbfounded in amazement. It was the light they’d seen emanating from the other side of the graveyard. Just as Alonso began to approach the two, Konstantin’s voice penetrated the darkness. “Hello?! Hello there!” Suddenly, Alonso’s figure disappeared from all detection and the light dimmed immediately. In an instant, neither could see the young man as the light went dark.
“Well, well; looks like you two have seen some type of fantastic sight,” Konstantin said, seemingly unaware of what had just transpired. Still, he persisted, asking if either had seen anything unusual. “Please, praytell what’s got you both looking so bewildered?” Konstantin reached into his coat pocket, pulling out an orb and it began to glow.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are!” He called out, waving the light as he walked closer to the cemetery. “You looked even more befuddled than just a moment ago,” he observed, seeing Willie’s and Thomas’ puzzled faces. “Allow me to explain. As I said, I’m on a journey — more like a quest — in search of something very special. It is immensely valuable, though lost quite a while ago. This orb shares a sort of energy with it — a medallion. One that’s simple-looking enough, but holds certain, let’s say, uh, qualities. Elements you wouldn’t understand. You’re so-called ‘friend,’ who I believe goes by the name Alonso, is also looking for this very medallion. But, I’m afraid he’s a bit naive to its true nature… its potential.”
“I see,” Reverend Oliver replied on behalf of Willie and Thomas, as he walked out of the darkness from the edge of town, lighting three torches, handing one to Willie and one to Thomas. “Though I’m not exactly sure about this mysterious object you seek, I’m nevertheless confident your intentions are not altruistic. If I may be so candid.”
With that, Konstantin strategically slipped around the men and hurried back towards town, disappearing into the night.
Mere moments later, Alonso again appeared, with a weary look, his orb glowing but ever-so dimly. “It’s losing its brightness, I’m afraid. Wasn’t that long ago it shone many times brighter. But, as time passes, it pales. Before too long, it will extinguish for good,” he said, with a fatigued demeanor.
“What happens when it stops glowing? What then?” Thomas asked.
“I’ll no longer be able to find the medallion. You see, the orbs and medallion are connected… some… somehow… I’m not sure how it works. Many years ago, my family and I traveled from Palos de la Frontera — in España or Spain — to the New World aboard The Concepción. My family was keeping the medallion from Konstantin — we were entrusted to guard it. But, he followed aboard another ship. A terrible storm sank our vessel just off the coast. Since that time, I’ve been looking for the medallion, using the orb to lead me to it. Once found, my family will be reunited and we can again keep the medallion safe, away from Konstantin — a being consumed with nefarious intentions.”
“But, The Concepción, the Atocha, and the Santa Margarita, all sunk in cyclones decades ago. How is it you’re still here, searching?” Thomas inquired. “After all, you’re just like us.”
“Yes, I do look like you — but I’m not like you. My family, my kind, has been among humans since the beginning. We were created to serve, to walk alongside mankind. Unfortunately, very few, refuse to serve and have sought only to subjugate.”
“Then, it’s imperative you find the medallion as soon as possible!” Reverend Oliver exclaimed. “Please, let us help you find it.”
“Your offer is kind and a generous one. But, only an orb can reveal its exact location. When it is close enough, that is. This is why I’ve been searching for so long. Proximity is necessary. Alas, the wreckage is spread far and wide and it could be anywhere among it. Though, I am hopeful it is here since this is among the furthest points I’ve so far explored.” Alonso slowly pulled the orb from his pocket, it glowed more dimly than before. As he turned to resume his search, he suddenly collapsed onto the ground.
Reverend Oliver and Thomas ran over, “He’s exhausted,” the Reverend explained to Thomas. “Let’s get him back to the parsonage, where he can rest.”
“But, what about the medallion? We’ve got to make sure Konstantin doesn’t get it!” Thomas declared, grasping at the orb, pulling it from Alonso’s hand, only to see its light go out completely.
“You heard what he said,” Willie said, taking the orb from Thomas and returning it to Alonso, who feebly clenched his fingers around it, pulling it close to his chest. “We’ve got to care for him if there’s any hope of finding the medallion.”
Several hours later, back at the parsonage, Alonso continued to lay in the precise position where Reverend Oliver and Willie placed him earlier. Thomas checked in on him periodically, as he tried to focus and finish his church sexton duties. But, his concern for Alonso kept distracting his attention. He couldn’t help but worry — not only for his strange friend — but also about what Konstantin was up to.
As the daylight began to wane, Willie came to the church, something very unusual for him. Reverend Oliver and Thomas greeted him realizing his normal tetchy attitude was quite subdued. He too was troubled by Alonso’s condition. “So, how is he?” Willie asked.
“Hasn’t moved since we brought him here. His breathing is shallow and he’s not made a single sound,” Thomas replied. “I’m not sure if that’s good or bad news — at least his condition isn’t worsening, though.”
“What’s that?” Reverend Oliver asked, noticing the orb Alonso’s hand started to glow. The light began to pulse, starting out very faint and growing incrementally brighter with each oscillation. “It’s glowing!”
“I see it… I see it!” Thomas said with excitement, staring carefully at Alonso’s face, waiting for him to wake up. But, his idle state persisted, just as motionless as before.
“Why does it pulse?” Willie asked as he approached Alonso.
“Because the medallion is near!” Konstantin declared with an equanimous tone, as he walked into the church, presenting the medallion with his right hand. “And now, the orb is quite useless to your friend.” He said, reaching out his left arm and opening his hand. The orb under Alonso’s hand quickly floated over to Konstantin, who grabbed ahold of it, placed it in his pocket, and hurriedly walked out of the church.
Thomas quickly but quietly pursued, skillfully picking the orb right from the pocket before Konstantin disappeared into the night. He placed it back in Alonso’s hand, where it continued to glow. “Maybe that now it’s lit again, he’ll wake,” Thomas explained to Reverend Oliver and Willie.
A few tense moments later, Alonso arose, thanking Thomas. Alonso shook off his idleness and stood defiantly on his feet. “We haven’t got much time. The energy will evaporate from the orb soon and I won’t be able to track the medallion.”
They all ran out of the church, hoping to see where Konstantin went. But, the darkness concealed his escape as the town was engulfed in darkness since Willie hadn’t lit any of the street lamps that evening. Looking about, scanning the immediate area, each of them knew it was imperative to act immediately, yet without reckless abandon.
“What makes this medallion so special?” Thomas asked Alonso as the orb continued to glow, though dimmer and dimmer.
“It possesses certain abilities. Whoever holds it can channel its powers… like healing the sick. But, it can also be used to harm, injure, or kill. Even something sinister, such as raising and commanding the dead. However, only our kind can wield it. It’s fatal to humans. Though, that’s probably what Konstantin has in mind, anyway. Anyone who isn’t useful to him will surely meet an unkind fate.”
“But, there’s no damage, I see no dead lying about. I thought he’d wreak havoc, indiscriminately killing anyone who crossed his path. It looks instead like he’s gone. Why?” Willie asked.
“He’ll go after the treasure right away, as soon as he can. His principal motivation is greed and the medallion will give him the power to steal all of it. Once those riches are in his possession, he’ll move on to subjugation. If there’s any hope of reuniting with my family, I’ve got to get the medallion back before he couples it with his orb.” Alonso explained.
“What does that mean?” Reverend Oliver asked.
“The medallion is its most powerful when connected directly to an orb. It produces a fantastic synergy. Konstantin will conjoin his orb with the medallion. Once fused, it will be nearly impossible to take the medallion away from him.”
“How long does the integration take?” Thomas asked.
“Only a short time. When he begins the incorporation, a great light will shine. My orb will lead us straight to it. But, we have to move quickly,” Alonso explained, raising his orb, letting it glow brightly above his head.
“Wait, wait!” Thomas cautioned. “Konstantin will definitely see you coming.”
“I know, but there’s no other choice,” Alonso acknowledged. “I’ve got to take that chance. I can’t let Konstantin bear such immense power!” With that declaration, Alonso again lifted his orb into the air and ran in the direction it pointed, into the darkness of the night, where the glow eventually disappeared from Willie and Reverend Oliver’s sight.
Alonso ran as fast as he could, down through the town and toward the graveyard. Thomas pursued, but kept a substantial distance to avoid being spotted following. Konstantin’s vague outline was barely visible to him, but Alonso could see Konstantin’s back, hunched over, attempting to merge an orb with the medallion. In an effort to conceal his presence, Alonso wrapped his orb in his coat, but its light could still be seen, though not very bright. Carefully, Alonso snuck up toward Konstantin, hoping to take him by surprise. He approached one step at a time, methodically so as not to alert Konstantin to his presence.
Alonso paused a couple of times to not give away his advance, then resumed his stealth approach, growing confident he could sneak up on Konstantin without detection. It seemed to be working as Konstantin continued to connect his orb with the medallion, appearing to be completely unaware of Alonso’s closing approach. In fact, Konstantin happily hummed a tune.
Alonso knew he had to take advantage of Konstantin’s distraction. It was a prime opportunity to take back the medallion. But, he couldn’t help but hesitate, as his fear level steadily crept up. Although, he had to move in strategically in order to get the best out of the situation. Alonso realized the longer he waited, the more likely Konstantin would complete the bond between his orb and the medallion. It gave him the sense of urgency to take action at the most prime moment. His patience paid off when Konstantin suddenly stopped humming and shouted out in frustration — he wasn’t successful at integrating his orb with the medallion. So, Konstantin was forced to try again.
This gave Alonso a very short window. He positioned himself carefully, taking a deep breath, overcoming his trepidation enough to spring from behind. However, Konstantin’s next attempt proved successful and as Alonso leaped toward him, Konstantin turned around, wielding the medallion, interconnected with his orb.
An invisible pulse shoved Alonso back, throwing him to the ground. “I understand you miss your family. I even empathize with your situation. But, this is my destiny. I’ve spent too many years toiling in obscurity. Too much time suffering in poverty. I will not let you take this away from me,” Konstantin huffed.
“It’s still wrong. You know the medallion isn’t meant for such self-serving purposes!” Alonso quipped back. “The medallion should not be misused!”
“That notion is nothing but a noble, old legend. It’s a self-righteous justification for not seizing its true power. A fool’s naivety!” Konstantin growled. “I have the resolve, the fortitude to do what your family and others wouldn’t. Their way, your way is simply a waste of its possibilities! A waste of its power!” Konstantin bellowed as he approached Alonso, who continued to writhe on the ground. “I can show you its real abilities!” He said, holding the medallion out in front of him, pointing it aggressively toward Alonso.
In that instant, Reverend Oliver leaped out of the darkness, grabbing the medallion-orb from Konstantin, running away with it in haste. Then, Willie wrapped his arms around Konstantin, wrestling him away from Alonso, who yelled out, “No Reverend! No! Get rid of the medallion; don’t hold it! It will kill you!”
Konstantin wrestled hard, breaking free of Willie’s hold, and walked toward Alonso.
“Far better to die standing up against evil than to capitulate to it!” Reverend Oliver exclaimed, clutching the medallion-orb in a tight panic as he began to quiver.
“I’m not evil, merely honest!” Konstantin declared with a sneer. “I’ve embraced my primordial nature!” He explained, watching as Reverend Oliver convulsed violently before collapsing onto the ground, exhaling his last breath, still holding the medallion-orb.
Chuckling with a dastardly chortle, Konstantin immediately walked to Reverend Oliver’s body, reaching down to retrieve the medallion-orb. But Willie suddenly came up from behind, bear-hugging Konstantin again, throwing him to the ground with all the strength he could muster. Willie grabbed the medallion-orb from Reverend Oliver’s lifeless hand and tossed it over to Alonso, shouting, “Alonso! Here!”
Alonso stretched out his hand to catch the paired medallion-orb, but it fell short of his reach and Konstantin scrambled over to quickly pick it up. Then, Konstantin rose up, drew close to Alonso, grabbed ahold of his orb, shoved him violently aside, threw Alonso’s orb into the woods, and then turned the medallion-orb on Willie, who immediately fell to the ground.
“You think because you serve these lesser creations, you are superior. But your lack of vision, your lack of ambition has put you in this precarious position!” Konstantin taunted, pointing the medallion-orb directly at Alonso, who scooted backward, trying to lengthen the proximity. But as Konstantin began to close the distance and draw nigh again, Alonzo realized that Willie was no longer lying where he fell. With a quick glance around, to his surprise, he could see Willie, leaning propped up against a tree, holding his discarded orb.
“I have dared to forge my own path and steal away from a pointless, predetermined destiny.” Konstantin boasted, outstretching his arm, trying to intimidate Alonso into submission, who fixed his stare on Willie. This inadvertently alerted Konstantin, who immediately turned to see what Alonso was looking at.
Alonso took full advantage of the momentary distraction to grab ahold of the medallion-orb. But Konstantin would not release his firm grasp and proclaimed, “Without an orb of your own, this is futile!”
Witnessing the struggle, Willie tossed Alonso’s orb to him, before collapsing back to the ground. However, it fell short of Alonso’s reach. Right then, Thomas unexpectedly emerged from the woods, rushed over and picked up the orb, and joined with Alonso in his fight. They both pulled with all their strength, separating the medallion from Konstantin’s orb, then simultaneously pushed Konstantin off-balance, and ran over to Willie, who now lay lifeless in the woods.
Alonso hurriedly crouched down in a protective position, nervously connecting his orb to the medallion, trying not to make a single mistake. Meanwhile, Thomas stood between him and Konstantine. The moment’s tension was so great, it caused both of them to tremble uncontrollably. But Alonso managed to keep his quick wits and fused his orb with the medallion, revealing his accomplishment by raising it high. Thomas sighed in relief and even grinned with newfound confidence.
Konstantin snarled and angrily charged at Alonso, raising his arm up to deliver a painful strike. Alonso spun toward him, unleashing the full power of the medallion-orb against Konstantin, who countered, wielding his own orb, which helped to diffuse the potency. It was enough for Konstantin to reach out and grasp at the medallion itself. “If I can’t control its power, no one will!” He shouted, striking the medallion with his orb, damaging it and compromising its energy.
But Alonso persisted and as Konstantin wrangled with less and less stamina, he was overcome by the weakened pulse and disintegrated into tiny particles that floated harmlessly into the air. Alonso lowered the medallion-orb, staring at the damage Konstantin inflicted on it.
“Can it still help you to find your family?” Thomas asked, putting his hand on Alonso’s shoulder.
“I’m not sure. If it is truly broken, I will not be able to reunite with my family.” Alonso examined it in visible disappointment.
“Well, how about fixing it? Is that possible?” Thomas inquired.
“No, it isn’t. Even the elders, the most experienced among my kind, could not undo this extent of damage. Without its full strength, I will never again see my family.” He explained, bowing and shaking his head.
“It’s worth at least a try,” Thomas said. “Go ahead, give it a try.”
“Any attempt to use it could totally drain it of its remaining power. Then, my family would surely be forever lost.” Alonso noted in a sorrowful tone.
“Just try it once!” Thomas begged.
Alonso shook his head in tacit agreement. He took a big breath, exhaled, and raised the medallion-orb, commanding it to summon his family with intense concentration.
It glowed brighter and brighter, then began to dim rapidly. Shortly after, its light went completely out and Alonso dropped his arm, letting it dangle from his fingers for a moment, before letting go, allowing it to fall to the ground with a dull thud.
Thomas looked left, then right, and all around once again hopefully but saw nothing. “I’m sorry. I thought perhaps it still had enough magic.”
Alonso patted Thomas on the back, accepting the condolences. “I understand. Thank you for the encouragement,” he said, as he began to walk away.
Thomas looked down at the broken medallion with an unshakable sense of melancholy, touching it with his boot. Suddenly, it began to emit a faint light. The glow grew brighter and brighter. “Wait!” Thomas pleaded.
Alonso looked back and saw another light in the distance. Slowly, indistinguishable outlines started to appear. Another great pulse of light erupted and his family walked from out of the glow.
“Alonso!” His mother proclaimed with joy. She hugged him tightly, as his siblings and father joined in. They embraced one another in sheer jubilation.
“I thought I’d never see you again!” Alonso exclaimed, elated with his long-awaited familial reunification. “Now, we’re finally together again!”
“Thomas, please meet my family. My father, Lapo. My brother Gioele and sister Donatella, and my mother, Isabella.”
“Very pleased to meet all of you, I am Thomas,” he said, greeting each one with enthusiasm, his eyes tearing up.
“Thomas helped to reunite our family,” Alonso explained.
They all thanked Thomas profusely — one by one. He picked up the medallion off of the ground and handed it to Alonso’s father. “Guess you should have it, even if it doesn’t quite work.”
“Thank you. Fortunately, we can go somewhere where it can be restored!” Alonso’s father explained, gesturing his family to gather near. As they came together, Alonso whispered something to his mother and she nodded, in turn, whispering into her husband’s ear, who also nodded, in secret agreement.
Thomas stood watching, puzzled by what he just witnessed.
Alonso’s father Lapo approached Thomas, inquiring, “It’s a long but rewarding journey we’re about to embark on. Perhaps you’d like to join our family? We would be honored!”
“You want me to be part of your family?” Thomas asked curiously.
“No, not our family. A new family. Your family!” Alonso happily declared, placing his arm around Thomas’ shoulders, as his parents reached out, greeting the former orphan boy with open hands.
