Rose

I came down to Earth in the snow. Spiralling snow-flakes were whisked viciously by the wind, whistling through the eaves of houses. They flurried before my eyes, blinding me with whiteness. Slowly, as I reached the ivory ground, I closed my wings - bringing them close to my back. Gently, I waded through the deep snow. It wasn't the cold that made it difficult to move though, it was the silvery souls that gathered thickly, silently mourning. 1

I stepped through a door, leaving the freezing wind behind. Warmth enveloped me softly, a fire flickering in the corner. I was still cold though, despairing. A small girl lay on a blanket next to the wall, feverishly shivering. A thin sheet covered her tiny frame, hanging off her skeletal arms. A woman was bent over her father, huddled next to the fire.2

I sighed with pity as I glided over to them, knowing the tears I bring in my wake. I bent down to look in the man's eyes, noticing the dull flash of recognition. He opened his mouth painfully to speak, but I soothed him mentally. Gently, I reached into him and rescued his soul, hearing him gasp his last breath. I rose into the air, escaping through the roof.3

The sky was dark with silvery-blue spirits, all flying towards me. I began to shine, a glowing beacon leading the way home. With a soft whispering, one by one they faded, disappearing to the Shadow Realms. I let go of the soul I held in my hand, allowing him to join them. A wave of sadness swept up from the house below, so great that I lost my balance. Overcome with curiosity, I flew down once more.4

The small girl was cuddled into the crook of her father's arm, her eyes shut tight. Pity flowed through me, and I bent down to send her to sleep. Her eyelids relaxed, and her breathing softened. I created a wave of warmth and wrapped her in it, building up the fire. I smiled for the first time in centuries at the innocent sight, and watched her throughout the night.5

Gradually the winter passed, the deathly snow giving way to life-giving water. Spirits were no longer as many, so my trips up became fewer and fewer. I watched over the girl, manipulating fate to treat her well. 6

I sat next to her that night. I thought long and hard, drifting away on the sea of my knowledge. 7

"Hello."8

I jumped, startled. The girl was watching me with deep blue eyes that seemed to bore into my heart. 9

"My name is Emelyn. Emelyn Story. And you must be my guardian angel."10

I looked at her sadly, she should have stayed asleep. I nodded slowly. Slow music filled the air, melody rising and falling. Invisible hands grasped me, pulling me up. I resisted for a second, 11

"Goodbye." I sang unwillingly, my tone piercing the air painfully. Inexorably I was recalled, for no human was allowed to see me. As I rose, silver tears fell. Where they landed, immortal roses bloomed vibrant crimson, the colour of blood. I wept for my loss, and I knew that she ... Emelyn, would not survive.12

For days I watched from above the clouds, waiting. Then the heat from her tiny body left, like a candle in an Autumn breeze. I swooped down to gather her spirit, cradling her in my arm. A shape grew in the corner of my eye, the spectre of her father. She struggled free from my embrace and flew towards him, with each step gaining shape.13

Running now, she reached her father, hugging him tightly. She turned to look at me one last time with glowing eyes, then they faded, together for all eternity. I gathered up her body, burying it in the spring ground. I created a stone obelisk and traced 'Emelyn Story' on the cold rock, the words engraved deep inside.14

I wept one last time in her memory, a lone rose falling onto the step. With that I collapsed on the gravestone, my arm hanging forelornly. The only thing I wished, was that I could be with her forever. Even as that though flitted through my mind, granite began to creep over my skin. As the last of me was encased, the rose bloomed a vibrant red.15

And so I stayed, a stone angel forever watching over her for all eternity.