#forgotten prayers | queue

Kemuel spent his late nights monitoring the tides that ebbed and flowed into Helium’s bustling interior, whereas daylight allotted volunteer work at the hospital, or general wanderings under the sun.

This morning, however, was different. He shot Riah a text early on, about five am, to announce his arrival at the dock. Kemuel brought with him a backpack full of bottled water and snacks neatly kept in the insulated, portable cooler within. Instead of his usual getup of slacks and button-ups, he opted for a plain long sleeve shirt and dark sweats that conformed to his figure nicely, leaving breathing room for flexibility and comfort. 

Thus far, the two had weather on their side and time, too. The demon perked his head up as lights flashed on the street closer to him, a car pulling to the curb to drop someone off. Riah? Kemuel cocked his head aside, but offered a wave in chance. It looked like the nurse--unless Riah had a twin, he’s right. 

“I appreciate you getting up early. The sun rise will make the lost sleep worth it,” he assured, feeling that the nurse quite appreciated the hours of sleep he could get in. 

It’s easy to expose the flaws and caveats that the ‘inhuman’ society carried, much like their citizens that roamed around Cyanide in thick packs. Kemuel once loved the daylight and flew above the clouds to bask in the warm rays that came from the sun, reminiscent of home he could come to time and time again. 

Now the blanket of stars and dreary skies called to his wounded soul, sheltering him from exile and the realities of being a demon. Kemuel could still call himself an angel and try to regain that innate sense of justice and divine retribution that melded with his self and soul. No matter the gregarious acts nor the kind, gentle nature of his, the absence was still there.

Kemuel idly roamed the park. It was his safehaven from the city that was easily accessible and the least to fret over. He brought his hand in front of him and conjured a fire, watching as the bright flames licked and toyed with his palm’s flesh. His brown eyes carried with it a yellowed glint as he looked on, features masking an unbearable pain that came to haunt him.

Footsteps behind him lured curiosity from his being, as eyes glided past the dimming flame and off his shoulder, noting the man that crept near a lamp. He pocketed his hand and then turned around to better face his new guest.

There was a smile on his features that was softened by the night sky, “I take it you’re not here to go bird watching, are you?” He had seen Sterling around here and there, a spotty figure that did his best to blend in. He did a good job, but the demon knew a time would come when two paths meet.