Walking along the edge of a frozen river, Joe had time to think. This doesn’t make sense. There are always possibilities. How can something exist without possibilities? Why would someone believe possibilities are something to stop?

“Because they bring a false hope,” said a voice that seemed to come from all directions at once.

Joe stopped dead in his tracks, spinning around trying to find the source of the voice.

“Who are you?” Joe said, still turning but seeing nothing. “Where are you?”

“I am everywhere and nowhere. I am the one you seek. But you are wasting your time.”

“Seek? Everywhere and nowhere?” Joe said. “Why does everyone think they have to sound like some fantasy movie?”

“It’s not working?” said the voice, a bit more softly.

“No, it never does,” Joe said. “Show yourself.”

“Where would the challenge in that be?” the voice said.

“Are you afraid to let me see you?” Joe said,

The silence seemed to last forever.

“Did you really think that would work?” the voice said.

Joe shrugged, “it was worth a try.”

“I see you have a bit of an attitude about you. I find that interesting. Perhaps I will let you find me…or not. Let’s see how clever you are.”

Joe heard the sound of a hammer hitting a nail. He looked through the snow and saw a shadowy figure nailing a paper to a tree. As he started toward the creature, it disappeared into the storm.

Fighting against the wind, Joe made his way to the tree and yanked off the paper. Pulling up the collar of his jacket to offer some protection from the wind, he read the words.

He’s as blind as he can be
Just sees what he wants to see
Nowhere man, can you see me at all?

What the heck does that mean? Joe thought.

“As the childrens’ saying goes,” said the voice, “that’s for me to know and you to find out. Come find me, Joe, but remember the words. I am not far, and I am not near. You are closer than you think, and farther away than you know.”

“What is it with riddles?” Joe said to the wind.

“I think it’s assumed to be part of these stories,” the voice said. “Who am I to question such expectations?”

The sound of the storm chased away the last of the voice and Joe was alone again.

Shielding his eyes from the wind-driven snow, he tried to see something, anything that looked like a destination. For a moment, the wind relented and Joe caught a glimpse of light on the horizon.

He started in that direction, but the light soon disappeared into the blizzard. Well, Joe thought, heading somewhere is better than nowhere I suppose. What do I have to lose?

Trudging on for what seemed like miles, Joe would catch brief moments when the light would appear. While it didn’t seem closer, it did seem brighter. Putting his head down, he forced himself onward.

A few moments later, he walked right into a solid wall of ice. “Ouch,” he said, rubbing his head.

“Well, I’ll be,” the voice said. “You managed to find your way.”

“Didn’t think I would?” Joe said, still massaging his head.

“No, I didn’t. I never do.” The voice answered. “I suppose you want to come inside.”

“Is it warmer in there?” Joe said. “I’m freezing out here.”

“It is.”

“And?” Joe said, growing tired of these mind games.

“Alright, come on in,” the voice said.

The wall in front of Joe faded away and light came from within.  As soon as Joe walked in the warmth enveloped him.

Following the curvy path, he made his way deep into the cave. After a short distance he came into an enormous chamber. At the end of the chamber was a giant chair on top of a flat rock.

Sitting there was a wrinkled old man, dwarfed by the size of the chair. Joe walked to stand in front of him.

“You’re the nowhere man?” Joe said.

 The man glanced left and right, up and down, then turned back to face Joe. “Figured that out all by yourself, did you?”

Joe just shook his head. “Yeah, I did.”

“Well, then I can see why Santa sent you on this fool’s errand. You are either deceptively brilliant or expendable. I’m leaning toward expendable.”

Joe just stared at the old man.

“What is that your grandfather always says about things aren’t always what they appear to be?” As the echo of his words died down, the man morphed into a giant dragon, then a lion, then an elf, then back to the wrinkled old man.

Joe staggered back a few steps.

“Surprised?” the man said.

“You might say that.” Joe said. “But I’m missing the point.”

The man stood then took a few shaky steps down to stand in front of Joe.

“I know why you’re here. I know what you came here for. I just wanted you to understand what it is you’re facing.”

“If you’re trying to scare me, it won’t work.” Joe said, trying to convince himself as much as anyone else.

“Bravado does not suit you, young man,” the man said. “But I am always ready for a challenge. You want to bring the gift of possibilities back to Santa, right?”

“Not only do I want to do that, but I am also going to do that,” Joe said, hoping the man couldn’t hear his heart racing in his chest.

“Excellent, I love to rob someone of their confidence,” the man said. “Here’s how we shall play this little game. I will give you two challenges. Complete them and I will hand over the gift of possibilities.”

The man turned back, walking up the stairs to his chair. Taking a seat, he stared at Joe for a long moment.

“But if you fail, not only will Santa never get the gift of possibilities back, but he will never deliver gifts again.”

“You can’t do that!” Joe said. “That’s not possible.”

“And this from the mouth of someone who cares so much for possibilities,” the man said. “Let me refresh your memory of where you are. I do not believe in possibilities. I do not believe in imagination. I believe in the realities of this world. I see what I want to see.

“Not only can I do these things but, as soon as you fail as I know you will, I will do these things and be done with Christmas once and for all.”

“What are these tasks?” Joe said, with a determination that even surprised himself.

“The first is simple. Find the Cave of Lost Hope and bring the young girl named Hope back here.”

“And who is she?” Joe asked.

“Someone who has something that belongs to me.”

“And if she refuses?” Joe said.

“Then find a way to make her return,” the nowhere man said, then faded from view.

Tomorrow: The First Challenge