Story 1114: A Soul for the Lantern

The lantern Evelyn took from Elder Hollow hadn’t dimmed.

It burned with a cold flame, blue as winter’s breath, and never needed oil. It illuminated things others couldn’t see—shadows with no source, figures in mirrors, footsteps behind her with no body to match. She kept it covered beneath her coat, but it whispered to her in quiet moments.

One night, while camping in the dying woods near Moonfall Gorge, Evelyn was awakened by the lantern’s glow.

It had uncovered itself.

And it wasn’t burning alone.

A second light shimmered nearby—flickering in the shape of a woman, half-formed and translucent. Her back was arched unnaturally, hair flowing as if underwater. She hovered over the fire, hands twitching in pain, or memory.

Evelyn reached out.

“Who are you?”

The figure turned slowly.

Her face was missing—smooth, featureless, like uncarved wax. Yet Evelyn felt her sorrow like frost in her lungs.

The lantern hissed.

Then spoke.