Miserable Man
“This is where we must part ways, impossible one.”
Let's pack our stuff now
It stands on my right, Saint’s plastered against my thigh but I can't look away. The cobblestone structure has captured me.
And run away
Sand coats its surface, obscuring the stark black with dots of off-white, but the pillars stand tall and elegant in the air. The deep black a statement all its own.
We can't be all we want in this small town
“The fog?” Gesturing to the dense barrier halfway across the bridge that spans along the river itself. It's probably meant to scare off anyone daring to pass, but it calls to me.
Our life was rough so
Go, go, go, pass, pass, pass, save him little devilllll
Let's make our days what we want
“If you are of true yet noble intent, it shall not harm you…” It trials off, there's more. This fog is the last barrier to the resting place of the dead. It won't just let anyone inside.
And I'll give you my last name
But I couldn't care less… the hollowness weighs heavy in my chest and mind. Their relentless torment and her endless begging for death… they have to come home or what is the point of living?
We'll take our chances after all these letdowns
“It will-”
“No, if it kills me… I will have died doing what I love”It grunts in astonishment. Probably not used to getting cut off by humans or anyone at all.
Let's keep our patience until ourselves are found
“A noble cause, impossible one. Go on, bring them home.” Looking over I find it staring off at the bridge, we are all lost from that giant's selfish intents…
All we wanted
Trudging through the sands, the tips of my boots just barely touch the edge, when I feel the need to stop. Its irregular and discomforting heartbeat still fills my ears, “I'll bring them home, all of them.”
Was a place to feel like home
Run, run, RUN…
That's why we parted
And I’m off, boots thudding against the dark stones, Saint’s own echoes beside me, and its piercing stare fades as the fog approaches. But I'm not afraid.
From our ways to heal our souls
Fear won’t bring them home…
I'm a small town miserable man
With the fog closing in… all I can think of is his trickster smile… the one that is his facade yet true self.
That does what he can
Saint whines faintly but I push on, the fog won't stop me… nothing will. His paws start to skid, but I can't stop, I refuse, crashing through the fog seizes the air in my lungs yet frees them all at once.
I'm a small town miserable man
It's cool against my skin, embedded under the reflective scales of the suit, as if a reminder of what I've done. The steps I've taken.
That does what he can (mhmhmh)
For a few running steps I'm surrounded by the dense gray, wrapping itself around me like a sheet of ice, but then I break through and warm air knocks into me.
I'm a miserable man
Stumbling to a stop, all I can do is stare out at the spiraling city before me. Even from here I can hear them… the souls.
It's been some years now
Saint lets out a bark, before breaking through, shaking himself, he yips again and circles me.
And we're okay
All I can do is stare, at the souls milling about, at the lively city full of the dead. Eventually Saint nudges his cool nose against my palm.
Its now or never
We have some kids
Our feet thud across the stone until it gives way to the ground… no longer endless sands.
And built our dream house
The ground soon gives way to greystones.
We're eating dinner so we're saying grace
There's no guards waiting by the archway, those who wander in the square don't stop their business as we cross the threshold.
Without the light we wouldn't find our way
The square is full of people, some in groups, some alone, even some carts dot the space. Hosting mainly crafts… very little food. Saints nose presses back into my palm as he’s ducked under the cape.
How are we standing
That's when I notice the children staring, then one girl breaks off…. She can't be older than eight.
“Why do you have a puppy?” Her thick accent is full of curiosity yet a sadness, it leaves me speechless.
From misery to this now?
“Now, now, dear Anna Beth,” immediately the girl spins around, and my own gaze follows her to the voice. An older woman, grasping her cane tightly, yet paying more attention to me than the child. “Don't be bothering her, she's a special guest.”
Cause we've been stranded
Who is this- Suddenly Saint darts from behind the cape as he darts across the square to the woman he’s crying.
To screaming this out loud
Gooooo, devil, gooooo
All we wanted
Cautiously my feet carry across the stones, desperately trying to palace this woman… Her slouched stature, wrinkled face, even her attire is unfamiliar, but Saint is dancing in circles, wagging his tail harder than I have ever seen.
Was a place to feel like home
When I'm within a few feet, Saint circles and nudges me towards the woman, who finally looks at me and I feel the ground nearly fall out from under me… those green eyes…
That's why we parted
It can't be….
From our ways to heal our souls
Ohhhh, it can devil, remember why we cameee
I'm a small town miserable man
They can't be right, something is wrong here, a trick is being played- “You are a long way from home dear.” Her tone is gentle yet every muscle is on edge.
That does what he can
It's fine, still my brain struggles to let it go, that something is off but there's a bigger game here than my insanity. She offers a slight smile as she sends the girl off, giggling to the group of kids before settling her attention onto me.
I'm a small town miserable man
Her gaze is nothing like the guard. Where it was piercing and unsettling, hers felt odd-NO, focus, focus, focus…
That does what he can (mhmhmh)
“I'm Sylvie, and I believe you need an audience with the queen.” Saint presses against my legs, trying to force me closer as she offers her arm.
I'm a miserable man
The temperamental voice in my throat claws up, demanding its use, no longer feeling the need to hide as I step forward to take her arm.
I'm a miserable man
“I’m Adhara, the queen and I have much to discuss.”