The Crow & The Sparrow

Chapter Three: What is your name?

"Oh! Miss!- Sorry I wasn't watching where I was going. Are y-ou okay? I didn't ruin your record-, did I?" A sincere voice spoke, "Luckily for you. You didn't." Kele's dismay filled her words.

"Let me assist, please. It's the least I can do after running into you." The teen's gaze turned up towards the boy, seeing raven black curly locks hanging down.

A pale face hidden behind the hair, "Just hold my record, I can get up myself." Tia held out the Hangman's Joke.

The young man tucked the messy mop of hair away with his ears, grabbing the record and holding it still till Taima got to both feet. Brushing off her butt and back of her shirt, she clasped onto the casing of her music disk. He carefully released his own grip, returning it to its owner. Both eyes finally met after the confrontation... It was someone unexpected, it was the man himself.

The singer from Hangman's Joke, Eric Draven. In casual wear of blue jeans, white button up shirt, and his iconic leather jacket.

"Nice music taste." Eric's soft hazel eyes returned the stare now of Kele, "I just got it, my first of many records I'll be collecting." she wiped off the outside of it with her sleeve.

"Eric Draven. What brings you to this part of town?" Kay questioned cheekily, "Just strolling through, looking at the sights." Eric stated.

"Nothing to see in this pathetic part of town. I would know, I have lived here all my life." The teen explained, "Where is the best place to go?" Draven asked.

"You want me to show you around?" Taima raised an eyebrow in doubt, "Who better?" Mr. Draven challenged.

"Follow me, if you can keep up." The pair started running through the busy street, zigging and zagging in alleyways.

Making their way up to the abandoned church, the leaf covered ground crunching at their feet. The misty air surrounded the building, adding a feeling of sorrow with the cemetery behind it. Where some of Kele's own relatives have been buried, like Sherry taken from the world before she could meet her. The family never failed to bring her up during Thanksgiving dinner or during Christmas when she died. It was Christmas night, around eleven pm.

Cracking open the old doors with knife carvings, the teens went inside wary. Tai wasn't worried, she was raised around here and knew no one came here unless they were a gang. Which was only during Devil's night. That was far off, it was only July, the tenth to be specific. They had plenty of time before any real danger would come around.

Kay led them upstairs to the roof. As she explained which stairs were safe to step on since this building was very old. Pointing down as her feet stepped. I can't believe I'm showing Eric Draven around. Me, a nobody girl from the other side of the tracks.

Loud cracks broke out and set Eric on edge, who had to blindly trust this young Sparrow. His feet shadow the very steps she chose along the path. Putting faith in a stranger must be hard for him. Being famous, who knows where I could be leading him. To his death berhaps.

And it's about sunset, perfect for the view. Reaching the top of the steps. The pair pause for a moment to observe a thick twist braided rope hanging in the center of the stairwell that leads up to a large bell. The bell rocked back and forth quietly. Creaking with each movement.

Rusty and made of iron, it used to ring every Sunday... Now, it just grids back and forth on the metal horizontal post. The smell of rust filled their nostrils. Almost like the aroma of blood. People held funerals here and weddings.

Birds called it home as well as bats, nests were tucked away on the wooden beams. Little chirps would ring out from the spring babies, who were almost old enough to leave their moms. It was comforting that even among this ruin that life still formed. Against the normal conditions that you'd guess they would be in, as long as it is dry and safe... This church was filled with memories, happiness, sorrow, and anger.

At the top of the bell tower, there was a boarded up window that led out to the roof. Ripping the nails out of the window seal, Kele wiggled them out of the way. Crawling through first, before Draven followed. His head brushing on the top of the window, a strand of hair getting caught. An invisible snap of the strand made him whimper and he flattened the rest of his locks to the scalp.

Taima sat in the middle of the roof beam, staring out and seeing the whole of downtown. Patting a place next to her, young Draven made it over and plopped next to the girl. He was taken aback when the sunset's warm golden glow covered the streets and shops below. I'm going to be late for dinner with the family, wow did that much time pass already? She didn't want to leave the bonding moment they were having, but Tia had too.

"I must be going, it's my birthday today and the family will be wondering where I am." Standing up fast, Eric looks up to her in disappointment like he too wanted to stay longer.

"Happy birthday! Wait, I never got your name!" Ke laughed as she started to run off, "Kele!" Eri smiled to himself.