The Melody of Tears

I stare off into the distance, watching the sun dip low behind the mountains...1

"...dad..."2

As the sky grows slowly darker, my gaze moves downward, to stare at the valley below, to the patch of trees that spreads out from the base of this mountain. Directly below me, I see the remains of my crime. A tangled hole in the trees, leading down further to where a man lays dead.3

"..."4

I feel my eyes well up with tears, and the wind starts to pick up, making my eyes sting... then a voice from behind me.5

"Ah ha... well done my boy."6

I turn around, and I see him. A man, wearing nothing more than a black cloak, his head bald, and face chiseled, worn rough through the years.7

"...he was my Father. Why did I have to kill him?"8

He laughs a moment, and reaches out his arm, a wrinkled, dirty hand patting me on the shoulder. His voice speaks with compassion, but his eyes show nothing. They are cold, and his smile is cruel.9

"My boy, there was nothing you COULD do. It's what was meant to be. Trust me, lad, it is better that he died."10

I can not look him in the eye, I can only stare at the cold ground, as the wind picks up, whipping at my face.11

"But... why?! Damn it, he was my father. He wasn't going to hurt me... he was just trying to do what is right. ...same as me..."12

The man puts his hand under my chin, and lifts my face up, to look at his.13

"...quiet boy. You are alive, that's what matters."14

He then pauses, and tilts his head, listening to something. A wry smile crosses his face, as he stares off into the sky.15

"Ah... music to my ears... can you not hear it boy? That lovely melody?"16

I can feel my face sting from the cold, as I try to shallow my breathing, listening intently. The only sound up here is the wind, howling past the mountain and through the trees.17

"...I... I can only hear the wind. It's howling..."18

The man looks back at me, and his eyes show a fire inside, as he speaks to me.19

"Oh no my boy! That is not the wind! That lovely sound is not the wind at all! But you can hear it! Oh yes, you hear it... "20

I feel myself becoming filled with emotions again, as the tears start to slide down my cheeks.21

"...why is it blowing so hard?"22

He stares at me, and smirks, extending his arms out to the sides, palms faced upward, in a glorious stance of praise, head leaning back to stare directly upward.23

"...why... that sound is for YOU, my boy. It bellows, and blows, so that your ears may hear it! So that we ALL may hear it! It is not the wind, no, it is greater than mere wind! It echoes through the skies, and across the trees, in recognition of your great deed. This music is yours, for the death you have caused..."24

I hold my breath, and swallow a hard lump.25

"...what... what is it then?"26

He then lets his arms fall slowly, eyes locking with mine, as he slides closer to me, now standing directly before me, looking downward upon my shivering form. A tiny smile crosses his lips, and those eyes shut halfway, in a blissful expression.27

"Why... that's the sound of Heaven. The Angels are crying."28