Liam's Ghost Story

Liam's Ghost Story (Chapter 3)

Liam walked through the crunching snow in the hours well past midnight. Here in one of the many parks in Chicago, there was even less light than along the city streets. The wind from the lake gusted through the trees surrounding him, pulling at his hood as if trying to pull down what little defense he had against the cold.

He did not like being here, especially not at night, but he needed more information on the ghost and the fire, and unfortunately he knew one of the greatest sources of information in the city. It also happened that this great source of information might be here in Chicago because it was keeping an eye on Liam to decide whether or not he needed to be executed. It was just a little detail, but somewhat significant to Liam. As far as he knew, the watcher had not yet made its decision.

The watcher found him before he noticed he was even being observed. As Liam crunched through the dead trees, their leafless trunks and branches doing nothing to buffer the chill wind, the luminescent eyes of The watcher looked down on him. When he finally noticed the glowing eyes hanging above him in a tree, Liam cursed silently to himself. Very few things got the drop on him these days, but somehow The watcher had no problem with absolute stealth: no noise, no smell, no movement, and no mental vibrations that Liam could pick up on.

Liam greeted The watcher as any one of sufficient education should acknowledge another of greater power and wisdom than oneself. He touched three fingers extended together on his left hand (pinky finger and thumb tucked into his palm) to his forehead and nodded reverently, "Honored Wise One," Liam said with the proper vocal intonation of respect and deference.

Liam. The watcher acknowledged with the slightest hint of disdain in its rich and deep voice that resonated only within Liam's head. Liam was not sure if the eyes of the watcher actually glowed, or if it were some trick of the light, but the effect was creepy just the same. He looked up from his nod and lowered his left hand to his side.

"I have come for knowledge and advice," Liam said, looking directly into the eyes. He could not make out the watcher from where he was standing, he could only see its eyes. Despite the sliver of moon that hung in the sky, the light seemed to only reflect off of the watchers luminescent gaze.

You are neither old enough nor intelligent enough to appreciate either, the watcher replied, its eyes blinking slowly and looking bored.

"O knowing one, you are certainly correct, and yet I feel I must seek knowledge from the wisest of all, regardless of my limited comprehension." Liam could not help but smile at the flattery.

The watcher's eyes regarded him with a mixture of pity and curiosity before responding. You are indeed adept at flattery Liam, however insincere. I must admit my curiosity at your arrival here. The watcher's eyes fixed Liam with a penetrating stare. You know why I am here. You know my task. It was not a question, but a statement. Liam knew what the watcher was here for. He knew that the watcher was quite literally evaluating his continued life against his death. Liam considered this for a moment, and scratched at his nose with his right hand before responding.

"Right mate. I know you are here in Chicago as my judge, jury, and executioner, but that hardly matters right now. The way I figure it, if you decided to snuff me, there is not a bloody thing I could do to stop you, now is there?" Liam smiled, "Now don't get me wrong, I would fight to the bitter painful end, but you and I both know that if I am a candle you are London on fire. So let's say we put that aside and I just ask you some easy questions?"

The watcher softly laughed at Liam's words. I do not think you give yourself quite enough credit young one. Perhaps you are not my equal, but you are far from the candle you describe. But enough of that, your fate will be decided, your questions will not change my path as they will not change yours. What knowledge do you seek? The (maybe) glowing eyes blinked heavily and conveyed a mixture of mirth and curiosity.