At Sunrise

“There is a place in dreams where a select few can allow reality to change,” She said. “We can weave in between the seams. Here is where we dwell as Lamplighters.”

“That explains Grandpa,” I observed.

“Yes,” She smiled. “He was a test.”

“A test?” I asked.

“The ability to be a Lamplighter resides in the few,” She said, “It comes when a Lamplighter is ready.”

“I am ready?” 

“Yes,” She said. “Now, I already know you, William. It is time you knew who I am. I am Nyx.

I have been a Lamplighter since the times of the Polytheistic reign of Zeus.”

“You are a God, then.” 

“An Immortal. God was just a way of explaining the unknown. My predecessor was Osiris,” She smiled,

“and He was alone in the night at first.Then I was discovered. Through the years, I was bestowed the

title of Night Goddess by the Greeks and Osiris passed on to the Kingdom along with the other Immortals

known to Egypt when Monotheistic belief began to take hold. I am one of few remaining with the advent of

monotheism in the last two millennia. Belief waned and the need for many Immortals to watch over the gift

of free will had become less of a burden.”

“So there is no God?” 

"There is one who is our leader. He has sent his two prophets and a son.” She answered, “Along with one

other, whom he cast out and replaced Hades with. Lucifer. Was supposed to be the Herald of peace. Almost

brought about the destruction of the kingdom.”

“This is a lot to unpack.”

“I apologize, but your sleep is nearly over,” She said. “I have to tell you so that you can unlock your dreams.

The darkness you have dreamt over the last six months is known as the empty time. The empty time can

last up to five years. By then, you will have forgotten.”

“Okay,” I said. “Go ahead.”

“I got off track.” She said, she paused to gather herself, “Since my time as a Lamplighter, I have known

nearly one hundred new Lamplighters. When I became one, we were known as Pixies or Fairies. Then came

the lore of the sandman. It wasn’t until after the war of eighteen twelve that we began using the name

Lamplighter.”

“I’ve never heard the name.” I said.

“We have kept it a secret since then,” She said, “Sandman became a fable, just like the pixies and fairies.”

“We,” I began, “there are others like me?”

“Yes,” She said. “Time is short.”

“What do I have to do?” I asked.

“Remember,” She said, touching my forehead, “Omnes una manet nox.” 

“Latin?”

“It means one night is awaiting us all,” She smiled. “Say it before you sleep again, then we can finish our

talk and you will learn how to slip between the seams.”

    A flash of white light and I was awake. I felt well rested and hot. I was also wet. I was covered in a

cold sweat. My ears were ringing and my eyes hadn’t adjusted to the white light. As my eyes refocused,

I saw a figure. My wife, Dani, was standing over me. She looked concerned.

“You okay?” Dani asked.

“Yeah,” I looked around, bewildered. “I’m fine. Weird dream.”

“You were talking in tongues,” Dani said. “Sounded like a catholic prayer or something.”

“No more tacos before bed, I guess,” I laughed a little and smiled. 

    She smiled too and called the kids for breakfast. She told me to get dressed and come eat. She said I

would feel better. I kissed her and smiled. As I got dressed, I began chanting under my breath.

                    Omnes una manet nox. Omnes una manet nox. Omnes una manet nox. 

    I would not forget.