The Bonfire and the Chessboard

The first thing ‘El Tano’ Castiglione did when he landed was to burn the papers. He had arrived on the island at dusk, and by the time the ferryboat had disappeared around the bend of the river, he had clambered down from the jetty and dumped the contents of his backpack on to the muddy riverbank. He made a few quick swipes, rescuing the food, what few clothes he’d brought, a couple of books and a blank notepad. The rest he torched with the match he used to light his cigarette.