Faith, Fate, and Fools

The Setting Sun

Leaves scattered from the trees and danced in front of the window as the wind blew them to the ground. I sat at my desk, my chin in my palm, staring at the world outside the temple's windows. Last I checked, Brother Ra was telling a story to the class; but I stopped listening about half an hour ago, he's probably moved on by now. My attention had been drifting all around the room, landing on something for a moment, then moving onto the next. Even during Father Helios' service this morning I could focus on everything, except him. I've been this way for a few weeks, maybe even a month- I lost track of how long it's been since the last time I saw him.

I must have been staring at his empty desk for a while. Thinking on our last conversation, remembering his stiff smile, which I now know to have been fearful, and nervous. I kept repeating his words in my head, "I guess you still haven't caught on. I won't be coming back."

I stayed deep in thought, not realizing how strange I appeared to my peers until Brother Ra stood in front of me, drawing all eyes towards us. "Aurora, is there a reason you're staring into space?"

"o-oh. Uhm. No sir. My apologies, I'm just a little tired." I bit my tongue, ashamed of my lie. I've wanted to tell someone, anyone of my concern for the boy; but who could I tell? And what could I say?

Brother Ra glared at me before turning his back away. "Well, do try to stay focused for the few remaining minutes of class. You may rest when The Sun does."

"Yes sir." I kept my eyes on him, waiting for the temple's bell to ring with the arrival of dusk.

. . .

My wooden bed frame creaked with every turn and flip I made in my fruitless attempts to sleep. Eventually I settled with sitting at the foot of my bed, watching the window as water beads began to climb down the dirty glass. As the rain outside grew heavier, cold drops of water fell from my ceiling and onto my hands. They became easy to ignore after the first few drops- our homes were humble, and the leaking roofs aren't uncommon; neither are the dirty windows, or the aged, creaking, beds. I couldn't stop thinking about the boy; his words often robbed me of sleep.

"Don't you think it's unfair that Helios and his buddies live here, while we live between crops and the chasm?" My stomach was twisting, the warmth in my cheeks growing. I have no reason to feel this way. My eyes began to burn, as my lower lid filled with tears. He was a liar, he brought this on himself! Father Helios loves us...

"I wish I could show you what secrets they're all hiding in the temple" He was just crazy, nothing more.

"I won't be coming back." Knowing the fool he is, he probably just left town. I've been worrying for nothing. "Helios is not a righteous man." Tears began to fall from my eyes, leaving warm, wet trails on my cheeks. I sniffled to keep my nose from doing the same. I was gripping the side of my straw stuffed mattress, nearly tearing the burlap-like fabric.

"Keep your mind open." I swallowed the lump in my throat and wiped my eyes with my sleeve. If the clergy is hiding something, I'll find it; and if not, then I can finally get some peace from that crazy fool.

I grabbed a dark blue hood from a box under my bed before making my way out of my home. I ran over damp autumn leaves, and thick puddles of fertilized mud. The rain poured over me, soaking my clothes and weighing down my body; leaving me exhausted by the time I reached the eastern end of the city. I sat behind the painted wall, shivering in the darkness as I caught my breath. Normally, the east is lit by oil lamps this time of night; but the flames were extinguished by the wind and rain, leaving the city illuminated only by the stars. After catching my breathe and massaging my aching legs, I crept along the side of the wall, towards The Temple of The Sun.