Searching Soul - a Mikhaiah au

CHAPTER 10: Somebody Loved

Night's when the heat had gone out

We danced together alone

Cold turned our breath into clouds

We never said what we were dreaming of

But you turned me into somebody loved

Gibrael's voice cracked on the final lyrics, her fingers trembling on the guitar strings as she sang near the window pane of her penthouse. The moon bathed her in its soft, silvery light, casting shadows on her tear-streaked face. As the song continued, her voice faltered more, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Yet, she pressed on, pouring her heart into every note.

When the song ended, she placed her guitar gently to the side and heaved a heavy sigh, her chest tight with a familiar ache. She reached for a piece of paper on the small circular table beside her. It was creased from the many times she had unfolded it, read it, and wept over it.

My dearest Gibrael,

Beneath the cold and starry night, the moon begins to dance in light.

I did not wake you from your dreams, for dawn will come, and I'll have fled the seams.

Do not let sorrow fill your heart; our time was sweet, though now we part.

Three months with you, a blissful trance, each moment treasured, and every glance.

But against the stars, I've fought in vain; and the universe has now called my name.

I'm glad we met, our lives entwined. Remember this, and peace you'll find.

I'm proud of you, so don't you cry.
Farewell, my love, goodbye.

Always,
Soul, HST 1849.05.334.1.1

It was the note Soul had left her two months ago. Gibrael had woken up the morning after their eclipse getaway, only to find Soul gone. She hadn't even bothered to say goodbye in person, leaving only a handwritten note on the bedside table.

Soul's belongings had vanished without a trace, except for the trench coat she had worn the night they first met and, of course, the note. Gibrael felt an unbearable heaviness in her chest. Just when she thought everything was finally falling into place with Soul, it all came crashing down.

A gentle knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She quickly wiped away her tears, knowing who it was, and went to open it.

"Gibrael," her father said softly, pulling her into a comforting embrace.

Behind him, her mother, Solea, Charlotte, Shaina, and George entered, each offering her their own form of solace. Gibrael managed a sad smile, grateful for their presence, even amidst her heartache.

They all settled onto the sofa, the atmosphere thick with anticipation and unease. She had been expecting them; they were here to give her updates on the search for Soul. The morning after Soul left, Gibrael had immediately called her father, who had used every resource at his disposal to try and find her. Her mother and friends had joined in, leaving no stone unturned.

"Gibrael," her father began cautiously.

"Yes?" Gibrael looked up at him, her eyes filled with a fragile hope.

He hesitated before speaking. "I alerted all the airport terminals and land terminals, but there's no record of anyone matching Soul's description or the name she gave."

Gibrael's heart sank further. "Did you really not have any pictures with her, Gibrael? You spent three months with her," Charlotte asked, her tone a mix of concern and disbelief.