Pass me the lantern

“Pass me the lantern” he said to no one in particular because no one was there, everyone was dead.

He sighed, walked over, grabbed the lantern, and went down the long, dark corridor. The light was enough to see nearby, yet the distance remained dark and murky.

Before him…darkness. Behind him…darkness.

How long had he been here?

He remembered luscious fields stretching into the horizon. Breezes that kissed his skin and tousled his hair some cold and lovely, others warm and full of life. Rain that tip-tapped across his shoulders like kisses from the sky. Friends who once walked beside him. Hugs that fed his soul. Conversations that now felt so distant, yet he swore their voices were near; close enough to reach, if only he tried.

Whispers constantly wicked at his ears some soft some loud others as if they were right there with him.

Sammy, are you listening?

He suddenly heard, he placed the lantern before him but saw nothing but the darkness. He placed the lantern behind him and was unsure if his eyes were playing with the shadows. Wispy figures danced before him as he pushed the light trying to grasp them they dispersed into the darkness. Leaving him wondering if they were ever there.

He turned and continued his journey forward still thinking of the shadows behind him. The whispers rose and fell, loud and soft sometimes he could make out a word or two.

What if he fueled the lamp brighter could he see farther? The temptation was immense but the fear of staying in the darkness without his light gave him pause. Maybe he could do it for a moment just to see beyond its reach. He could burn his fuel so he could move forward with more confidence. He could even burn it to see what was behind him. Maybe that would let him grasp the wispy figures dancing there. One moment two moments three he stood there looking behind him.

Sammy?

He swirled looking for the source of the voice to and fro he swung the lantern. Yet no more could he see than he saw before. Maybe this is the moment to burn some more. No he needed the light and must save it for as long as he could. So onward he went moving forward and looking back making sure he did not miss that.

He breathed the stale musky air in and remembered deep breaths of crisp cool air. Walking out of his house in the early morn. That true feeling of being alive before they day begun. He wished he would have breathed more he missed that moment that crips air.

I hope you can hear me.

He looked in front he looked behind but the voice still eluded him. He raised his lantern looking forward the darkness only giving way a little. Then he stepped and stepped again slowly making his way. Knowing he can’t stay.

“What’s that? Is it a light way up ahead?” He said as he moved on forward the light of the lantern swaying from his trembling. Step one step two onward he goes always looking backward slightly going forward.