Andy

I took my time up the last of the crumbling rock that kept the structure just out of sight. The sky above me churned blue with white clouds, and the sun shone brilliantly. I was still so concealed by all the trees that I really couldn't get a good look at it, though.

Pushing through some thick ferns near the top of the peak, I made my way into a small, circular meadow scattered with large boulders. I stopped walking, pausing to ponder the existence of the beautifully tragic pillar rising from a bed of packed sandstone.

It was there, definitely, really there. Resting close to the edge of the drop off, the massive stone pillar towered into the sky. There was a navy blue painted spiral running down the side was chipping away, leaving he outer walls of the lighthouse to look like a pocked, weeping statue from another time era.

At the base was a small wooden shed guarding the entrance to the tower, though most of the wood had rotted away, falling into the murky, deep lake waters below.

Birds laced the railing at the top of the tower, cawing viciously as they scooted along the metal beam, some leaving the nest, flying off into the sky. The sky above me, had turned from the cheerful blue I'd seen entering the forest, to a pale, cloudy grey, the sun slowly being consumed by the sorrowful darkness above me.

I stepped forward hesitantly in wonder, admiring it. Despite the obvious damage to the exterior, it still looked pretty sturdy. It was the crumbling remains of another time, forgotten up here in the mountains around the lake. And so, the years piled, and soon enough, even to the locals, this place was little more than a myth.

I guess at this point I should stop doubting the impossible. Stranger things in my life have turned out to be true, and the simple existence of an old lighthouse was no different. Just seeing it here defied yet another one of my doubts.

I paused my music, and tucked my headphones into my pocket, before taking a few slow, patient steps towards the lighthouse, admiring it's slightly crooked angle with great interest. Part of me was stupid enough to believe that it would be a good idea to climb this tower, to get just a glimpse of the view from the top, that is, before the whole thing tumbles over the side with me in it.

Instead, I walked towards the edge of the crumbling rock, to look at the lake below, and surprisingly, it wasn't that far down, contrary to how far it felt like I’d climbed. I was just much more out of shape than I thought, my poor dough gut.

I breathed a sigh of wonder, looking at the shiny blue water beneath the bright blue sky in front of me. Just behind me, the clouds were beginning to churn a soft shade of grey. It took me back, oddly... To the day I got out of school, and I took Andy to Apture for the first and last time... The first time was one of my fondest memories... We’d gone by my house to drop off homework, and then we went there, walking in the downpour. It was strange, because the sun was still out, trying to push past the grey clouds, and the rain was falling all around us, but we still maintained a very normal conversation. I can still remember the exact song we were listening to as we made the trek down that dirt road winding east out of town.
The last time I was there, I was alone, though I suppose, he probably did follow me everywhere that week, and was likely there with me when I’d ditched school. Why he decided not to wake me, to keep me from getting in more trouble is beyond me. I made a mental note to ask him about it later.

What an unhealthy time that was, though... Peer pressure, family pressure, on top of everything I was questioning to be right or wrong, and putting my faith to the test. Even now, as I look out upon what I assume is God’s creation, I don’t feel the same wave of certainty I used to.

What is happening to me? What changed? What broke? Does my faith mean next to nothing to me now? Maybe Andy himself, defying every odd, and breaking down every logical wall I’d ever known, had been enough to end the peaceful friendship I always maintained with my religion. He didn’t make me stop believing, exactly, but he did open my eyes to what is real, rather I liked it or not. He exposed the secrets of the afterlife.

I still want to believe God is real, and that the rock I’m standing on right now was created by his hand... But I guess I just can’t. I can’t make myself believe that, at least, not in the same way I used to... Not without some substantial evidence, at least.

Sighing, I turned away from the edge sluggishly, casting another gaze up at the tower. Shall I test my faith? I thought stupidly to myself.

I pulled down the neckline of my t-shirt, fishing out my simple silver cross pendant, fixed around my neck by a length of black leather. I turned it around in my palm a few times before squeezing my eyes shut, and murmuring a soft prayer.

“Lord, please protect and guide me as I ascend this tower, to see the view of your glory. Protect me from any harm and obstacles that may be waiting for me. Don’t let me die. Please, I ask for this in your name. Amen.”

Opening my eyes, looking up at the lighthouse again, I took a deep breath, and headed towards the little shack guarding the entrance at the base.

Notes

This chapter has exactly 999 words, not intended, but it's so unfinal haha

Shoutouts!

- Merelan
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