Thomas walks up the stone walkway with his hands in his pocket. He can see the monastery ahead, and he wishes he didn’t have to return. The past two weeks have been beautiful and full of light. He had met a woman who smiled and held his arm as they watched the show together. He had danced with her under the moonlight, listened to her sing in a low voice as he spun her around.

He stops before he gets to the entrance. He knows what he promised—he knows he doesn’t have much time left, but he spreads out his hands and lets the rain drip onto his hands, in his hair, soak into his sleeves. He thinks about all the people in the world, and he thinks about his girl, alone at her mother’s house, waiting for him.

Thomas walks forward when the clock strikes. He reaches the door and knocks three times. It swings open, and he moves into the darkness inside as his eyes adjust. They take his coat, and his hat, his suit jacket, and his soul. Everything back to their rightful place. Thomas closes his eyes.