Lighthouses

by Trost, Cameron

  ‘I guess not,’ Tony said, realising for the first time that he’d have to spend the night away from home.

  ‘Then you’ve got nothing to fear.’

  From that point, Tony stepped up his pace. Every time he counted to one hundred, he’d stroke Shadow on the head three times before resuming his count. His arms were tiring of carrying Shadow, but the cat seemed aware of the need for haste and seemed happy enough to be carried.

  ‘Here, have a drink,’ the woman said, passing him a small metallic cup she’d pulled from her bag. ‘Let’s stop for a moment.’

  To his relief, he was able to put Shadow down for a short time.

  ‘It’ll take us an hour from here. We’ll get there just as the sun’s setting.’

  Tony looked to the sun, which sat high above them, its heat rippling out across the plateau.

  ‘An hour?’ Tony said, looking toward the sun again.

  ‘C’mon, time to get moving.’

  From that point on, Shadow followed the woman closely. From time to time, Tony looked back where they’d come from. The well was now small and seemingly insignificant, the grassy plain as still as when he’d first laid eyes on it.

  ‘Look.’ The woman pointed her long craggy finger like an out-of-shape walking stick. ‘Tony looked to see a large bird circling them, swooping from time to time to get a closer look. Tony picked up Shadow and restarted his count as he cradled him close.

  ‘Not far now,’ the woman said after some time, nodding in the direction of a few houses that sat atop the gently sloping hill to the west. The sun’s full splendour was in view as it descended rapidly beyond the horizon.

  The woman stopped suddenly, her attention diverted by something on the hill to her left. Tony heard the howls of a pack of dogs as he veered left off the pebble strewn path to avoid colliding with the woman.

  The woman turned.

  ‘We don’t have much time.’

  They doubled their pace but still the wild dogs seemed to be making ground on them. They rounded a curve past a patch of tall spindly grass.

  ‘Is he really yours?’

  Tony’s eyes widened.

  ‘Then I suggest you let him go. It’s easier that way.’

  ‘But, what will they do to him?’

  The woman stared. ‘Better him than you!’

  ‘I can’t do it.’

  ‘Foolish boy!’

  She veered rapidly to the right and started ascending the steep hill.

  Tony placed Shadow down. ‘C’mon this way.’

  The rocks beneath their feet slid down the slope as they struggled up toward a wall. When they were two thirds of the way up, Tony caught sight of three of the dogs below heading toward the place they had started their climb.

  ‘Come on!’

  The woman picked a few rocks up and hurled them with force, one landing a few feet from a dog. The animal let out a horrible yelp.

  As they neared the top, most of the pack had reached the bottom of the hill and several began yelping as they headed toward them.

  The woman reached the top first and started hurling more rocks down at the dogs, abusing them horribly as she did so. When Tony reached the wall, he suddenly realised he’d struggle to climb it.

  A couple of the dogs had given up the chase, finding the climb too steep, but several were closing in, their mouths salivating as they neared a potential meal. Shadow took one look at the dogs and leaped high atop the wall. The woman was next, using her long arms to hoist herself. Tony hastily gathered a few large flat rocks and built a small platform. Sweat poured from his forehead as the dogs neared. He could hear their panting as they closed in.

  Suddenly, the woman’s branch-like arms appeared like angels from above. He launched himself skyward, thrusting his arms out like a triple jumper desperate for glory. As he grasped the top of the wall, small pieces crumbled beneath his fingers, raining dust in his eyes. Every bit of strength flowed to his forearms as he desperately pulled himself up the wall.

  When the first of the dogs reached the wall, saliva dripping from its jaw, it let out a cry of despair, then quickly turned and headed back down the hill.

  ‘This way. We still need to hurry. They’ll regroup and head ‘round the other way.’

  Tony needed no encouragement. He took Shadow and broke into a jog.

  A short time later, they reached the outskirts of the small village.

  ‘We’ll be OK now. They won’t come into this area.’

  ‘Why not?’ Tony asked, seeing no physical barrier.

  ‘They know better!’

  He breathed a sigh of relief.

  ‘Can we stop for a moment?’

  ‘Take some water,’ the woman said, patting him on the head.

  Tony placed Shadow down and gave him some water, then helped himself.

  ‘You’re foolish, but pretty brave too.’ She smiled broadly. ‘Let’s get some food.’

  A few minutes later, they entered a small inn nestled between two trees. The roof was conveniently supported by the strength of several large low-lying branches. A few people sat scattered about the small room, some chatting, others busily consuming the fare offered up by Beatrice, the much loved proprietor.

  The two adults and small child who sat nearest the door watched Tony carefully as he picked his way between the tables, heading in the direction of the wooden counter from where the smell of various wonders emanated. Shadow followed, looking suspiciously about, ready to flee at any sign of trouble.

  ‘I see you’ve brought me some food,’ Beatrice said to Tony, pointing at Shadow.

  Tony looked at the woman behind him in alarm.

  ‘Children, they’ll believe anything! How are you, Cassandra. I see you’ve brought some guests tonight!’

  ‘Beatrice, if only you knew.’

  They laughed, embracing as they did so.

  ‘So, what will it be tonight?’

  ‘We’ll have the special.’

  ‘Take a seat. I’ll get Jorge onto it.’

  Tony and Cassandra took a seat, Shadow nestling next to Tony’s feet beside the stool. The wait was soon over as steaming plates filled with brown rice, beans, egg and avocado made their way to the table.

  ‘Wow,’ Tony said. A smile stretched across his face and his eyes lit up with joy.

  They devoured the food without a word being spoken. The stress of what had happened seemed long gone.

  A short time after they’d finished their meal, the door creaked open. An elderly lady entered the room, her long white hair splayed wildly about.

  She looked over to the table, then let out a cry of joy.

  ‘Shadow! Shadow!’

  Shadow quickly ran toward her and let out a little cry. She bent down and lifted him high above her head. She suddenly seemed much younger.

  ‘Beatrice, where did you find him?’

  Beatrice pointed to Tony. ‘Ask the boy.’

  She rushed over to Tony and hugged him. Shadow, now between them, let out a small cry.

  She then sat down excitedly.

  ‘Young man, you don’t know how much this means. I’d be lost without him. Whenever I’m sad, he jumps up on my lap and lets me pat him till I feel better again. I used to think it was him that needed the pat, but after a while, I realised it to be the other way around. He always chose to join me at my saddest moments. He knew me better than I knew myself. Where did you find him?’

  ‘A man in a shop sold him to me.’

  ‘Sold him?’

  ‘I think he’d been captured. I was looking for my dog and the man told me Shadow was my dog.’

  ‘That’s crazy!’ She stroked Shadow again.

  ‘So, you’re looking for your dog. There’s a place I know of. It might be worth a look, but it’s far.’

  ‘Where?’

  ‘Across the river.’

  ‘How do I get across?’

  ‘As I said, it’s far from here. You need to catch a boat.’

  ‘What about a br
idge?’

  ‘There isn’t one, and the boat’s expensive.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t have much money.’

  ‘I’d lend you the money but I don’t have any myself. But I know someone who might help you with a job. He has a market. You could work for him.’

  ‘I’ll do it,’ Tony said, excited at the prospect of finding Jimmy.

  #

  A few months later, as Tony repacked the mandarins from the fruit stall, a woman approached. Her willowy frame stood out amongst the other stall holders who were busy packing up and counting their day’s takings.

  ‘You the boy that works for Frank?’ she said, squinting awkwardly.

  Tony nodded. ‘That’s me. Frank’ll be back soon. He’s just gone to get the van.’

  ‘Actually, it’s you I want to talk to.’

  ‘Oh,’ Tony said, stopping what he was doing to focus on the woman.

  ‘I hear you’re looking for your dog.’

  ‘That’s right. Jimmy, his name’s Jimmy.

  ‘I see.’

  ‘I’m working here to save money. I need to catch the boat across the river. Someone told me I’d probably find Jimmy there.’

  ‘Well, I have a job that just might suit you. You see, I have some friends over that way and I need to get something to them.’ Tony looked around, expecting Frank to turn up at any moment.

  ‘I’d pay for your boat trip, return, and a little extra too.’

  Tony was excited by the thought, but what would he tell Frank. He’d been so kind, and even helped him find a place to stay.

  ‘Don’t worry about Frank. I’ve already spoken to him. He said it’s fine, and you could keep your job even if you don’t find Jimmy.’

  Tony looked at the woman carefully. ‘Are you friends with Frank?’

  ‘Look, young man, I don’t want to pressure you, but if you’re interested, come see me tomorrow morning at the brown cottage at the northern end of the village, the one with the coloured glass.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  She nodded, turned and was soon out of sight. Tony continued to pack the last of the mandarins.

  ‘Have you finished?’ Frank hollered out the window of the van as he reversed it. He came to a full stop just an inch or so from a box of eggplants. He jumped out of the van and made his way toward Tony.

  ‘Come on, Tony. Let’s get this done so we can get outta here. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.’

  ‘Tony looked out from the bow of the boat, the vastness of the river stood before him as the wind lashed his face. He’d never seen another thing like it, the water stretched before him as far as the eye could see. The package he was carrying was tucked deep inside his bag, a small towel wrapped around it to prevent its damage. The address of the woman he was to deliver it to was inside his wallet, next to his family photo, the one where Jimmy, just a few months old, lay fast asleep in his lap. The woman had told him to tell no one he met of the package or its destination.

  As the Tony stood on the deck watching the slow ripple of a wave move toward the boat, he caught sight of something from the corner of his eye. A small piece of paper drifted slowly to the deck. He bent down, picked it up, and when he raised his head again, he made eye contact with a portly man whose eyes shone like lights on a carousel. Until this point, Tony had done his best to avoid making eye contact with other passengers for fear of slipping up. He’d never enjoyed being told secrets. The pressure of keeping them was always terrible.

  ‘Thank you,’ the man said as Tony placed the paper in his outstretched hand. ‘Would you like a pastry?’ He pulled out a small paper package from his bag. ‘I always travel with a few extras. You know these kind of trips can be terribly dull, and the foods always dreadful,’ he said, cupping a hand against his mouth and whispering.

  ‘Thanks, but I’m fine. I have plenty of food in my bag.’

  ‘A growing lad like yourself. In a bag that size? When I was your age, I would have consumed twice as much in a single meal. How old are you?’

  ‘Ten.’

  The man roared with laughter. ‘That’s a great one.’ He patted Tony on the shoulder.

  ‘So, where are you heading?’

  ‘I’m going to find my dog. I was told there’s a place where a whole bunch of dogs live, on the east side of the city, near the river. I heard there are hundreds that live on the hill.’

  ‘I know it well. I’ll take you there. My place is a short stretch from there.’

  ‘Thanks, but it’s not necessary. I have to do a couple of jobs before I head that way. I have a map too.

  ‘Maps, who needs those when you’ve got a guide? I can help you, then show you the way.’

  ‘That’s kind of you, but I’ll be fine.’

  ‘I insist.’

  Tony looked out to sea again. He needed time to come up with a plan.

  ‘OK, it can’t help to have someone that knows the local area.’

  ‘Great, are you sure you won’t have a pastry?’

  ‘I’m fine for the moment, but maybe later.’

  The man smiled, and the white hairs protruding from his ears seemed to be waving with glee in the warm.

  As they neared the mooring, many people began repacking their belongings and moving toward the bow. Tony saw a family with a dog. The dog leaped into the back of the car in anticipation of their departure. A sprinkling of other cars, vans, and trucks also sat together, some now starting their engines again. Tony and the man made their way toward the front of the boat, weaving through the cars.

  ‘I need to go to the toilet,’ Tony said after they’d passed a sports car whose driver sat blowing large rings of smoke out the window. ‘I’ll meet you just up there.’ Tony pointed to a large grey van just a short way from the front.

  Before the man had a chance to protest, Tony dashed behind the car and headed back toward the stern. He passed several cars before zigzagging his way through the other walk-on passengers heading toward him. He saw a truck as he passed an elderly woman and stopped suddenly behind it. The truck had a tray and a piece of canvas covering the gap between the top of the tray and the ceiling. Tony stood on the bumper bar and lifted the canvas before climbing in.

  It was late in the afternoon, or so Tony thought. The sun sat deep in the valley behind him. The blood stain on his shirt smelled of a strange cinnamon and herb mixture. It’d taken a while for Tony’s eyes to adjust to the dim light of the truck, and by the time they had, it had been moving briskly down a rocky road. His eyes had met those of another, his first thought had been to jump from the moving truck, but realising the option had been long removed, he’d retreated to the corner of the van only to realise there were several of them, the carcasses of the pigs had been salted and laced with a number of spices. Their vacant eyes remained adrift as they made their way to market. When the truck had stopped to let a herd of cattle cross the road, Tony took the opportunity to slip out through the canvas and onto the road.

  Tony now stood looking up the hill, thankful for the woman’s directions. Before him lay the sight of hundreds of kennels dotted in a haphazard fashion across the slope. Many of the dogs lay sleeping in or just beside their kennels as if a fog had passed, putting them all to sleep. A crooked sign lay on his right, pointing in the direction of an administrative office. When he reached the door of a small shack, a sign with several letters missing sat displaying the office hours.

  ‘Excuse me, mister!’

  The man looked up from the paper he’d been examining with a magnifying glass. ‘Yes, young man.’ His eyebrow sat cocked like a loaded gun daring Tony to make a move.

  ‘I’m looking for my dog.’

  ‘And what makes you think you’ll find him here.’

  Tony stood for a moment, then shrugged. ‘I hear you look after dogs. I thought someone might have brought him here. His name is Jimmy.’

  ‘Jimmy, let me see.’

  ‘We have two Jimmies.’

  Tony smiled and looked back in the direction of the h
ill.

  ‘Well, what are we waiting for?’

  A few minutes later, they stood looking at the first Jimmy. The dog looked tired and worn but there was an eagerness in his eyes. Tony patted the dog gently on the head. It licked his hand enthusiastically.

  Tony turned to the man. ‘Sorry, mister. He’s not my Jimmy.’

  As they made their way up the hill, Tony’s eyes stung as the wind blew hard in their faces. Most dogs were still sleeping and the clouds above looked ready to unleash.

  They followed a path that weaved its way between the wooden kennels, each painted in an individual way. When they reached the kennel in question, a few drops of rain began to fall.

  ‘This is the kennel.’ The man stooped to look inside. ‘He’s gone.’

  A man dashed past, seeking cover from the oncoming rain.

  ‘Franklin, do you know where this dog’s gone?’

  Franklin skidded to a halt. ‘Sure, boss. A lovely family from up north took him this morning. I know he’ll be happy with them.’

  ‘Know anything about them?’

  ‘Two kids, that’s all.’

  Tony’s head dropped.

  ‘Oh, and I think the father’s a pilot.’

  ‘Sorry, boy. That’s all the Jimmies we had.’

  As they made their way back down the hill, the rain began to fall, first, just a few large scattered drops, then torrential rain. Tony wept now, realising that perhaps Jimmy would never be found.

  ‘Get out of the rain, lad.’

  A group of men stood under the awning of a large shed. The rain fell on the corrugated iron and then streamed off like a waterfall in full swing.

  ‘You okay?’ a chubby man said, patting Tony on the back. ‘You look like you’ve had a hard day. What about a beer?’

  ‘A beer, but I’m too young.’

  The men nearby laughed heartily. ‘Here you go, drink it down. Don’t make no excuses.’

  A beer was thrust in his direction, the coldness of the bottle sat comfortably in his hands, offering relief from the humidity that clung to his back like a weight. Tony took a sip. The taste was even worse than he’d expected.

  How can they drink this terrible stuff? Tony thought glumly.

  ‘You didn’t find your dog.’