The Usher

A raven has been visiting my cabin.  It sits and watches from a distance, occasionally disappearing and reappearing some time later.  At first I was wary, but slowly I've grown to appreciate its visits.  I'm happy for the occasional company even if our conversations are a bit one-sided.  And so, I named my new friend Eddie.

Eddie likes to steal my keys.  I'm not really sure why.  It could be because keys are often shiny or perhaps because of their shape.  Or maybe it has to do with the fact that keys have a strong connection with discovery and wonder.  A key could lead to anywhere or anything, even to things beyond the imaginable.  Though, smart of a bird that I'm sure he is, I'm not sure that they have the same mental connections to objects and imagination that we do.

Anyway no matter the reason, keys of all shapes and sizes cause Eddie to light up and so I will often place them in various places for him to find and steal while I'm busy working.  He eventually always brings them back, so I don't mind playing this game of his.

One day while sweeping out the cabin, I heard him call out to me.  It was unusual for him, so I looked around and found him sitting on a long, low hanging branch that had a key dangling from the end of it.  The funny thing was that I didn't remember putting one up there in that tree.  I also didn't recognize the key.  It was of an older style than any I owned.  But before I could get a better look at it, Eddie let out an excited caw, snatched up the key and took off into the forest.

I followed him, curious about the origin of this key and where he might be taking it.  He led me down a path that I didn't remember.  The trees grew increasingly twisted and gnarled the farther I chased.  Just as I was about to turn back, afraid that I might get lost in my blind pursuit, we arrived at a clearing and as soon as I entered, the trees shifted.  I could no longer find the path that I had just exited.  Panic set in quickly as I searched for a way out and was only further amplified by the loud caws of laughter that echoed in response from my friend named Eddie.