Paris Immortal: Attrition by Roit S

Author:Roit, S. [Roit, S.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2015-08-26T07:00:00+00:00

12

October 24

Michel

I stood next to one of the grotesque, but much photographed, gargoyles of Notre Dame. Many of them had found their way into photographs, but my single- horned, ridged-spine friend, was perhaps the most famous of all. A cross between monkey, and gods knew what.

I rather liked him, I always had.

I had studied several of them during the hour or so that I’d spent at the cathedral thus far, just as Kane had bid – though I detested admitting that I had done his bidding. For at least forty-five minutes out of the sixty, I had been baffled as to Kane’s meaning. Why would he suggest I study the gargoyles?

The answer had struck me swift as a lover’s slap, when I’d wandered to the monkey’s ledge and said hello.

I’d said hello, as if he were sentient, as if he could hear me. I’d always done such. Why, I’d spoken to the mourning statue not so many nights ago, when first feeling a presence. A human habit, to be certain, one many in the world exhibited, but as I stood gazing at my old friend, I realized that this particular habit may have real meaning.

Kane was telling me that they were the gargoyles. No, I didn’t believe that the horned monkey would animate and a leap at me anytime soon – well, I didn’t quite believe it, not precisely. Perhaps a little, I confess.

But more importantly, I began to understand that those such as Kane had sat in this fashion, in the wide-open places, where most never guessed that they were looking upon a creature who could speak if it so wished. A creature that heard every word ever spoken to them. A being that guarded the important places and struck fear and loathing into many hearts. Stone that could animate and…

Did Kane possess wings? It seemed he could be whatever he wished, so I supposed it was so. But were they real? Could he fly with these wings, in a conventional manner?

Did it matter? He could do whatever he wished, so it seemed.

Stoic statues with their own cults, as well as haters and would be destroyers. It was an enticing theory. Gods that humans worshipped, what if they hid in plain sight. Never mind that they could as easily be invisible, I was enjoying my theory. Perhaps they too, merely enjoyed the game. Could it be that unlike Kane, they had bodies?

It was quite brilliant. To hide in plain sight! I wondered, did those who built these structures, did they have the knowledge? No, not all statues could animate, some were fashioned by human hands, but would many notice, should more statues come to roost? Had anyone counted them? People didn’t often pay attention to obvious details. They took things for granted.

If some humans had counted the statues, had noted a discrepancy, they were easily disposed. Silenced. Bribed.

I patted my friend’s knobby back.

“It must be what he wanted me to understand, yes? I’m not without imagination and wits. He could mimic you.

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