Looking Out

From the rooftop, the vast expanse of the city stood cloaked in the darkness of the evening. The silhouettes of buildings illuminated slightly by the dim moonlight were just visible on an otherwise blank canvas. Silence, he thinks to himself, as he sits waiting on the roof of the hotel.
Why can’t I remember… The footsteps of another distract him from his musing. Turning toward the sound, he is greeted with the presence of a male figure, dressed in a long dark overcoat, his pale skin and fair hair stood prominent in the empty darkness of the rooftop.
He recognises the figure and is again calm. Râmiėl, I had a feeling I would find you here.

“It’s good to see you Râmiėl, I had been waiting to speak with you.”
“Good evening Gable.” Râmiėl replies, walking toward the edge of the rooftop.

Was that my name, I could barely remember myself. Had it always been Gable?

“I was hoping I could…”
“Yes, you may.” uttered Râmiėl as he stood watching the city below.

The silence of the rooftop disappeared suddenly, as Râmiėl’s song begins, a tranquil voice gathering all those souls that had lost their way. The voice bought them where they needed to be. Gable stood listening; the words filled him with calm. His thoughts were eased, as he watched all the souls ascending to the rooftop where Râmiėl sang. The city no longer seemed such a blank canvas, and Gable smiled as the song came to an end.

“Thank you Râmiėl”

Râmiėl faces him, walking back to the middle of the rooftop followed by a group of entities. Gable sees the wispy apparitions behind their Shepard and knows that his mentor will have to leave shortly.

“I need to know how I came to be here, I can’t remember anything… why did He bring me back?” The fleeting calm left Gable, as he spoke his words.
“Many questions, seek many answers Gable”
“I need to know Râmiėl, How can I help others if I’ve lost myself?”
“You are back for a reason Gable”
“I know I just…”
“He saw potential in you”
“Why? There’s nothing left for me in this world Râmiėl”
“We both have our roles Gable, you are here for the people”

Gable turns and walks toward the edge of the rooftop, the midnight breeze scrapes at his face, as he looks downwards at the city below. They need me, he thinks whilst staring down.

“I must leave Gable, we both have work to be done”
“Goodbye Râmiėl”

Gable watches his mentor walk toward him, for a moment they both look down at the life below the rooftop. He watches as his mentor removes the overcoat, revealing a pair of feathery white wings. Râmiėl leaps from the rooftop followed by his entourage of souls, a moment later he can see the winged figure disappearing into the dark cloak of the city at midnight.
There’s always work to be done, he thinks. Then he turns and begins to walk toward the small hut that housed the staircase back down into the hotel. Maybe I can help them after all.

…
Marc B