Dormir

Old Man Time sat on a small platform the sturdy branches had formed over the centuries, up high in his ancient tree. He stroked a branch with a tender touch of reverent love. It was, after all, even older than he was—not an easy feat.

He raised his pipe, which was longer than his arm and made from the same tree. Fortunately, he didn't need to light the pipe himself; that would not have been possible. Instead, he gave a little wink, and a flash of crimson flame sparked like fireworks before subsiding to a smoky smolder.

He inhaled long and deep; there was no other way to smoke a pipe of such length. He had more than enough time. He listened intently as the tree rustled its rainbow-coloured leaves. The rustling turned to chiming, which formed music, and Old Man Time smiled.

It was his favourite tune.

As the sound of bones jangling together came from somewhere beneath him, he leaned back against the tree and waited. It didn't matter if he waited minutes, days, or decades; it all felt the same to him. With a delicate clatter, a skeleton hand reached over the edge, shortly followed by a second. Old Man Time watched with age-old patience as a grinning skull popped up. Next came shoulder bones and a ribcage, followed by the rest of the skeleton that made up his friend, Death.

Old Man Time gave a nod in welcome as Death pulled himself up onto the ledge beside him, chattering his teeth in reply. Old Man Time had always found his old friend's need to mask himself for the mortal realm amusing. He didn't understand his friend's decision to cloak himself in black, skull hidden within the shadows of a hood. Still, he had to admit it made for a more ominous figure than the primordial skeleton seated beside him.

"Chatter-chatter-chatter?"

Old Man Time nodded.

"Chatter-chat-chat?"

Old Man Time passed Death his pipe. He raised his head to peer out from beneath his enormous, wide-brimmed, high-peaked hat. Before him spread the expansive night sky in all its glory, moving slowly ... or was it quickly? He squinted and scanned the stars for the right cluster, then raised his hand skyward, aligning his finger with the eastern star of the constellation. He held it there until the star grew brighter and brighter so his fingertip seemed to glow.

He then flicked his hand to the right, and the stars spun as they followed. The night sky leaped over the horizon, disappearing for a heartbeat before resurfacing on the other side.

Death clapped his bones together in approval. "Chatter-chat-chatter?"

Old Man Time nodded, retrieved his pipe, and inhaled. He held his breath as Death leaned towards him in anticipation. With eyes closed, he exhaled. When he opened his eyes, the smoke was azure-blue.

"Chatter."

Old Man Time smiled beneath his lengthy beard as it braided and unbraided itself. "That's right, old friend. The time has finally come."

Death's ribcage shook and jangled, and his teeth chattered as he laughed. "Chat-chat?"

"Hmmm. Yes, the Day of the Dead. You know what to do."

Death bid him farewell before jumping from the lofty height of the tree. He would have his work cut out for him in coming weeks.

Old Man Time took another long breath from his pipe before laying it to rest beside him. He pushed his hat back off his head, and it fell apart, turning first into feathers before coming together to form three crows. He gave them a nod, and with a caw, off they flew.

***

Celeste opened her eyes as the early-morning sun touched her face. With a yawn, she gazed at the open window, watching the way the sheer silver curtains floated back and forth with the breeze sweeping inside. She let herself close her eyes again, relishing in the feel of the cool air on her face.