The Lantern Carrier

He walks at dusk, a lantern swinging from his hand, light blooming in quiet pulses— a heartbeat made of fire. The path behind him forgets his steps, but ahead, shadows scatter like secrets too afraid of being known. “Where do you go?” they ask. “To the end of the night,” he says. “Beyond the last fear, beyond the hush of doubt.” But the night is long, and his lantern burns low. Still, he walks— for somewhere in the dark, a flame waits to be found.