Distant Illusions I

Snow falls softly across the land of Redbrook as you recline on your porch with a mug of hot chocolate steaming in one hand and the daily newspaper in the other. The evening slowly turns dark once the sun reaches the horizon and, as you move to turn your porch lanterns on to savor the wintry night, there is a brilliant flash across the sky. Dazzling lights fill the firmament and you are mesmerized by the twinkling, oscillating brilliance of the colors. The tones reflect off the clouds and snow in an otherworldly display.

You’re transfixed for what feels like an eternity until the lights slowly fade away, leaving you blind as your eyes adjust to the sudden darkness. Reaching up to turn on one of your porch lanterns, you jump, caught off guard by a crunching of snow.

“Hi friend!” you hear and stumble backward.

You collect yourself, finally light the lantern, and Buddy appears before you.

“Did ya see those lights? I’ve never seen them so far inland. Normally they’re further north and out in the ocean… now I’ve just got to see what they are! Wanna come?”

You do, in fact, want to see what they are. You pack a few things and head north, side-by-side with Buddy.