The second POV of the series
GABRIEL WATCHES
Gabriel watched as Carl poured over old books in the tower. He was muttering to himself and taking notes. Carl did not know this but he often watched the man at work. There was something so amazing in the intensity that Carl brought to his craft. It gave it a sort of purity –this clarity of intention that Carl gave to everything he touched. Gabriel envied him that surety for he had none in his own life.
Everything about his life was uncertain and unclear. His past was nothing but visions in nightmares – jumbled and dark. He was told his work was necessary and important but if it was so right, then why did he feel so conflicted every time he stood over the body of what was once a monster and was now a man? The only thing in his life that felt certain, felt light instead of dark, was Carl.
He looked over at the blonde friar and felt something pull within him. So many times he wanted to touch him. No, to bury himself within in him. He wanted to lose himself in Carl's light, in the clean and unsullied essence that was Carl. His own felt so corrupted, so blighted. He wanted to bath himself in Carl and find himself made whole again. As always he had to restrain himself from reaching out, from pulling Carl to him and taking what he hungered for.
He stepped back silently as always and turned away from temptation. But it was getting harder each time. Gabriel knew that some day his strength would fail. One day he would not turn away, not resist. And Carl would never forgive him.