The Visitor

The gray clouds looming overhead had followed through on their threat, filling the air with a million prisms that scattered the lights of the city.

Jacob stood transfixed by the sodium lamps that painted the granite cathedral. The rain dripped from the brim of his hat down the back of his jacket, but he seemed oblivious to the elements whirling around him. He was so still that some insomniac pedestrian might think him made of the same stuff as the centuries-old edifice -- but no such wanderers were to be found on the streets tonight.

He seemed to shake off whatever spell had captured him and crossed the street. The door was locked. He placed a hand on the latch, and after a moment the bolt clicked open. The faint odor of sulfur that lingered was quickly carried away by the wind. Jacob slipped inside and closed the door.

A short climb later he stood on the walkway that ran around the outside of the bell tower.

"Hello, old friend."

The stone beast didn't respond to his greeting. It squatted on the rail, looking out over the city.

"I know it's been a while since I paid you a visit. I think the last time we talked they had just settled you in up here. Where do the centuries go?"

The gargoyle continued to leer, water dripping from its snout.

"Yes, that was a rhetorical question. Fact is, I didn't want to return and face those memories again. I always thought you had the right idea -- shielding yourself from the tedium of the ages." Jacob ran a finger along one of the statue's cracked horns. "It looks like the world is still wearing you down, though."

Jacob sighed. "I did much the same thing. I shut myself away, and dedicated myself to Her purpose. It was all I had left. I've spent the past few centuries pursuing Stigh, but I never really made an effort to catch him. I suppose I was afraid that if I did, I'd have to face life again. With Nikole gone, I didn't see any future for me."

He glanced at the gargoyle. "I'm not boring you, am I?"

A gust of wind blew a spray of water from the beast's head.

"Good. Despite all our differences over the years, I was always glad you were such a good listener.

"Like I said, even when you're made of stone, the world still wears you down. I would have happily ground myself into dust. But then Missa came along. The years don't weigh so heavily all of a sudden. I find myself thinking of a future that doesn't involve chasing that bastard around the world. For the first time in... ages," Jacob chuckled at the word, "I feel alive. I have her to thank for it."

Jacob's knuckles turned white as he gripped the railing. "He has her. Just like he had Nikole." Thunder rumbled in sympathy.

The two gazed out over the city for several minutes.

Jacob straightened. "It's time to put an end to this. Any kind of future is better than another thousand years of this shit." With that, he turned and strode to the staircase.

Jacob stopped in the doorway and turned back to his stone companion, still perched on the railing. "Wish me luck, old friend." Then he was gone.

A bolt of lightning cut the sky, and the gargoyle seemed to smile.

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