Montgomery Black adjusted his top hat and gripped his shovel tighter. The necrotic treasure chest in Ravenclaw Chapel Cemetery needed a guardian, and he'd taken the job. Inside that ancient box lay dark secrets—clues that pointed to Pandora's box itself. Most folks in The Cragg didn't know what he protected. They saw a skeleton wandering the graveyard and crossed the street. That suited him fine. Fewer questions meant fewer threats. He patrolled the crooked rows of headstones each night, watching for thieves and treasure hunters who'd heard the rumors. Tonight felt different. Montgomery walked the perimeter of Ravenclaw Cemetery, his boots crunching on gravel paths between ancient crypts. Fog rolled through the iron gates and settled between the markers. His single glowing eye scanned the shadows for movement. Three times this week he'd spotted figures lurking near the chapel walls. They never got close enough to see what he guarded, but they were testing him. Learning his routes. Montgomery planted his shovel in the dirt and stood still. The chest was here, buried somewhere in this meticulously maintained graveyard with its hauntingly eerie ambiance. He'd made a promise to keep it safe, and no treasure hunter would break through while he drew breath—or whatever kept a skeleton moving. This was his purpose now. His dream was simple: protect the secrets until the right time came to reveal them. He needed higher ground. Montgomery spotted the narrow watchtower near the chapel, tall and decrepit with a coffin-shaped bell at its peak. The structure leaned slightly but still stood after decades of weather and neglect. He climbed the rotting stairs inside, testing each step before putting his full weight down. Wood creaked under his boots. At the top, he could see the entire cemetery spread below him. Every path. Every crypt. Every shadow that moved between the headstones. From up here, no one could approach the buried chest without him knowing. Montgomery gripped the railing and settled in for the long watch. This tower would be his post now, where he'd guard the dark secrets until the world was ready for what they revealed. A flutter of wings broke the silence. Montgomery turned to see a small creature landing on the tower railing beside him. Dark grey skin caught the moonlight. Purple-tinged wings folded against its back. The goblin had a satchel across its chest, bulging with letters and what looked like turnips. It grinned at him with sharp teeth and pulled out an envelope. Montgomery took it carefully. No words were exchanged. The messenger launched back into the air and swooped down toward the crypts below. Montgomery tucked the letter into his coat and returned his gaze to the cemetery grounds. Whatever the message said could wait. Right now, his watch continued. The chest remained safe beneath the soil, and he would make sure it stayed that way.