The Night Guards Tale

“I thought I’d still find you here,” the man said to the other as he sat beside him.

The man he spoke to said nothing as he shot him a sideways glance.

“You’ll never be able to drink it off your mind,” the first man said.

“Well, I’m going to try,” the man with the cup said as he took a gulp, then lifted it high, signaling the barman that he wanted another.

“The Captain of the Guard just checked in at the gate,” the one man said. “He’s telling the same story to the investigators. He can’t explain what it was you guys saw this morning either.”

“That’s what I told you,” the man said as he took another healthy drink from his newly filled cup.

“Mined telling me again?” the other man asked.

“Sure, why not?” the drinking man said, “So you can tell me you still don’t believe me, again?”

“I never said that. I said it was unbelievable.”

“As I told you before, it was an hour or so before sunup when this blinding light tore through the dark. At first, it blinded me, but my sight returned just in time to see this thing — a man maybe — standing inside the door,” he said, pausing to drink.

“By the time I realized what I was looking at, I discovered I was standing there alone. Everyone else had run away. I did the same thing,” sighing before taking another mouthful from the cup. “And I’m not proud of it.”

“Command is still puzzling over the bindings stretched and burned like they are,” the first man said. “While they figure it out, you and I should go over to the barracks so you can get some sleep before tomorrow’s inquiry.”

“I’d rather sit here and drink myself into oblivion.”

“Okay, suit yourself. By the way, how did the door get moved? I understand it took ten men to close and seal it.”

“Must have happened when the light flashed. Otherwise, I don’t know.”

“You know the body is missing too, right?”

The man froze, the cup halfway to his lips, “Missing?”

“Yup, like he just got up and walked away, which is strange knowing what shape that body was in.”