Clarkesworld Magazine Trees at Night by Ramiro Sanchiz (audio)
Nov 19, 2025
The story unfolds as Federico arrives at a sanatorium, quickly bonding with a mysterious librarian. They exchange insights about ancient ruins and swirl into theories of time travel. Federico shares haunting visions of dark, floating trees, leading to deeper exploration of his past experiences. The librarian's intrigue grows as they discuss the chilling consequences linked to strange creatures and the allure of the grotto. The narrative delves into transformation, ghostly returns, and the quest for truth as they contemplate the depths of their shared mysteries.
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Boy's Arrival And Early Bonding
- Federico arrives exhausted and curious, quickly forming a bond with Kate Baker's librarian character.
- He reads voraciously and asks probing questions that reveal his illness and intellect.
Empathy Reveals Altered Perception
- The narrator projects empathy to enter Federico's sensory world around the lake and trees.
- This shared perspective highlights how the illness reshapes perception and memory.
Ruins Suggest Temporal Migration
- Time travel via the pit implies arrivals from far future humans who left ruins on Kastor.
- Theories link those arrivals to fleeing or confronting the creatures like the whale and dragon.
