Banshee's Wail

prologue

Maybe one day all the fire and brimstone will dissolve. The hills are a great place to look over cities. Maybe it is there that you decide. You saw every mistake and question unanswered. The sweet air playing with your hair and clothes. An illusion of skunk spray that comes with these memories. Your feet are cold in the autumn grass, or maybe you have cold feet for other reasons. The city before you is small but busy. You watch each light turn on and the sun go out. You wonder if anyone has noticed your lack of presence. This causes your heart to squeeze in your chest. As a human, you watch the moon stretch above the horizon. Isn't it cold in this old autumn air? You would say 'yes.' You don't know how long you stand there, watching, waiting, wondering about nothing.

On the far side of the hill, you can see. There isn't anything to see. You drink in the night. You have a choice on that hill. All you have is the clothing on your back, which is very formal. No money or name to take with you. You could go home. A place you have always known. A safe place, packed with everything you've experienced. You can dash into the night, chasing the sense of longing, or you could go home, to the predictable. Maybe both calls are equally as strong and only get louder with there voiceless selves. The moon slowly arches past your head, into the beyond. If you believe if everything happens for a reason, you may take this as an omen. This choice is you have is unchangeable and you will always want the other. However, you must decide before the moon can no longer hide you from the sun.

Maybe you aren't sober, because of the night sky or something else. You still can't honestly say if no one misses you right now. Maybe a lover in bed, reaching for you in his dreams. Maybe a mother, dead or alive, thinking someone has kidnapped her baby. Maybe the person, who looks up to you, needs you the most this night. There are much safer options than just running off into the night, alone, right now. You know whoever you wake to tempt away, will only stop you and waste time. You tear up, possibly even sobbing. This is you, alone. Predators roam everywhere, animal or otherwise. You will face one no matter what. What you see layover that hill, is filled with dangers and hauntings, either way down. You can ask your self about the wrong choice, but what is there to determine the wrong choice, my love?

You stand up. Your body was frigid from the night. The icy dew sticks to you as well as the ground beneath. Take a deep a breath. As the moon threatens to kiss the horizon, you make your choice. Your legs shake and hug yourself. Perhaps it is only cold. You have thought this over way too long. You are even more unsure with an ache in your heart, but you have a decision. Humans can sob in sadness and smile in glee at once. what has brought you here? Its wonder lust. A desire. A sin. An angel's message. A coincidence. Stop, your thinking too much. You know what you want. You have known it as a secret to yourself if you say otherwise. You kick the ground. You will regret either choice you make. You understand it, that is why you hesitated.

You take off toward your choice. Your movements are choppy from sitting in the cold. A big smile plasters your face. Both places call and make such sweet promises. Your formal clothes are probably ruined. It doesn't matter anymore. The false skunk wind is gone. Indefinite silence yields to the last few moments, in the eight minutes it takes sunlight to hit earth, of night. Those around you will never know this moment, it is yours. The only one who shares it with you is the moon, who keeps everyone's secrets. It is as exciting and dreaded, as for why you made the choice. Maybe one day all the fire and brimstone will dissolve.