As the month drew to a close, I left Cost of Entry and Unwilling Arbiter behind and focused on my latest Sebastian & Jimmy story. When I need inspiration for a story, I usually turn to my story cubes. This time I set the physical dice aside and asked for a virtual roll instead. Three images stood out right away: a key, a lightning bolt, and an hourglass. They gave me a direction, even if it took some time to understand the shape the story would take. In the end, I leaned into a comedy with a hint of fantasy and let it develop from there.
Some situations present themselves without warning and force a decision before there is time to think it through. They appear simple at first, offering just enough clarity to suggest there is nothing to worry about. That impression rarely holds once a closer look is taken. What begins as a harmless moment often becomes something harder to step away from. The challenge is recognizing those moments before taking the next step.
Sebastian approaches most things with a need to understand them. He looks for patterns, purpose, and any sign that something feels off. Jimmy approaches those same moments from a different angle. He is more interested in what might happen than in why it might happen. Between them, that difference tends to move events forward whether they are ready or not.
This time begins with something that does not quite belong where it is found. It draws attention, invites inspection, and suggests that there is more to it than what can be seen at first glance. The question is not whether it will be tested, but how far that test will go once it begins. By the time either of them considers stepping back, the moment is already underway.
Unlocking the Sky
Sebastian lifted the key and studied it. He rubbed his chin, rotating the heavy bit of metal until the light caught its shiny edge. With a huff, he bounced it off his thigh as if it had been a conductor’s baton silencing his orchestra. He grunted, turning toward his friend as he twirled the long piece of polished iron.
“It’s a key.” Jimmy hurried down the path and flicked the odd-shaped thing. “Granted, far longer than any I’ve ever used or seen. And the grooves are zigging and zagging in every random direction, like a mountain range designed by someone who’s only heard rumors of mountains.”
Sebastian twirled the key around his fingers before thrusting it toward his friend. “I’m aware of its unusual design.”
A smile spread across Jimmy’s face as he rubbed his hands together. “You think it’ll unlock something fun?”
“Let’s find out,” Sebastian said, gesturing down the trail.
Jimmy followed his gaze, discovering a narrow stone pedestal with a glass case perched upon it. He hurried to it and studied the hourglass resting within. As he watched the falling sand, it pulsed with a faint blue light. A second later, crackling power erupted, washing over the transparent surface. Jimmy’s back straightened as he backed up several steps. He pointed at the energy snaking its way across the object. “Is meddling with this clever?”
Sebastian bounced the key against his palm as he approached the pedestal. “Electricity is always a little dangerous.”
Jimmy pulled Sebastian away from the column. “Messing with lightning is never a smart idea. I meant getting close to the glass box. It’s been dumped here as if someone wanted to forget about it.”
“There’s a feeling of something absent-minded about this setup,” he said, circling the pedestal. “But we have the chance to claim the prize.”
Jimmy’s head went sideways as he pointed at the iron key. “Why would anyone use lightning bolts to defend their property?”
“I’m sure the free-flowing electricity is the box’s way to keep thieves away.”
Jimmy’s gaze whipped between the crackling box and Sebastian. He rushed another half-dozen paces as he thrust a finger at the glass container. “Then you won’t have any problems unlocking it.”
Sebastian’s shoulders climbed up as he frowned. “Why are you acting like that?”
“I’m not the one holding the key!”
Sebastian brandished the piece of polished iron. “Are you suggesting this cements me as the test subject?”
“Possession makes you the most qualified,” Jimmy said, ducking behind a boulder.
“Fine,” Sebastian said as he sighed. He walked to the pedestal, approaching the single keyhole. Sebastian brought it close to the opening and groaned. He rose to his full height and looked back at the cowering Jimmy. “The key’s too big for the keyway.”
Jimmy emerged from his shelter and inched closer to his friend. “Maybe the teeth go in sideways.”
“If it can’t be used like a regular one, how’s it supposed to be inserted that way?”
“Let me try.” Jimmy’s face pinched as he rushed Sebastian, claiming the piece of iron. Jimmy rotated the thing and tilted it before he tried jamming it into the opening. When it refused to slip into the keyway, he stepped back and tapped the pedestal with the key.
“I told you it wouldn’t work,” Sebastian said as he walked around the glass case.
“Then what’s it for?”
“I don’t know.”
Jimmy thrust a finger at the hourglass. “Do you suppose this thing unwinds time?”
Sebastian shook his head as he clapped his hands. “Nobody possesses the ability to change its course.”
“Well, someone should.” Jimmy shrugged his shoulders as he tapped the case with the key. “See, the upper globe is almost empty.”
Sebastian stepped beside his friend as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “That’s the entire arrangement.”
“We should stop the sand before the last bit drops.”
“With what?”
Jimmy’s gaze whipped about as he circled the pedestal. Halfway through, he pulled up, raising the key. “We can use this!”
“Time doesn’t work that way.”
“Bah,” Jimmy stepped forward and pressed the key to the glass box. The moment it clicked, lightning snapped from the hourglass to the column.
Sebastian grabbed Jimmy’s collar and yanked him away. As Jimmy struggled out of Sebastian’s grasp, a bolt struck the pedestal with a deafening crack, leaving a scorch mark where Jimmy had stood. “Aren’t you glad I pulled you away from that?”
Jimmy shrugged free from Sebastian as he shoved the key into his friend’s pocket. “It noticed me.”
“Who are you talking about?” Sebastian withdrew the key and shook his head. “Didn’t you want to unlock the box?”
“Its keeper already tried smiting me.” Jimmy pointed at the hourglass. “How about you tempt whoever set the booby trap? I doubt you’ll escape the owner’s attention.”
“How do you suggest we deal with this task?”
Jimmy tapped his chin as he eyed the key. “What if it doesn’t open the case… what if it opens the lightning?”
“You can’t unlock lightning or thunder.”
“Perhaps the owner wants us to leave.”
“That’s not how weather works.”
“Of course not. Especially with that attitude.”
Another bolt struck the pedestal, and Jimmy shook his head as he whirled around, his arms raised toward the clouds. “I’m not here to rob you.”
“Nothing’s there.”
When the final granules of sand fell, a chime washed over them as the hourglass rose and turned upside down. As lightning crackled across the glass box, Jimmy glanced at Sebastian. “You can tangle with the owner. Electricity isn’t part of my balanced diet.”
Sebastian tossed the key towards the pillar and ran.
Jimmy bolted down the path, catching up with Sebastian. “Do you suppose the keeper follows trespassers?”
Sebastian ground his teeth as his legs churned. “If it does, I’m blaming you.”
As more cracks followed, Jimmy’s pace increased. “You always do that!”
“Of course,” Sebastian said, as another crack split the air behind them, “because you keep trying to unlock the sky!”