It was nearing midnight as I stood from my bed and climbed the ladder to the roof. Every night was the same; I was unable to fall asleep for hours. Laying in bed was more comfortable, but I preferred the distraction of the outside world sometimes. Lifting the panel, a gust of brisk night air hit me. It was chilling, but my modest outfit of black leggings and a green sweater kept me warm enough to tolerate. I stepped onto the tiles and plopped down, my sock-covered feet hanging over the edge where the roof slanted. The darkness of spring was more ideal than the icy weather we received now in winter. The city was too cold for my liking, especially at night. Summer nights on the roof were my favorite, though.
I bring my knees to my chest to contain what warmth I had. Looking down past the slanted tiles, I hum lightly to myself. I wished to sing, but the faint tip-tap of footsteps in the far distance dissuaded me. Our building at two stories was taller than many in this area, so I got quite a good view of the city. I wished for a bit more privacy, but the sleepless city of Anatae gave me none; although being in the middle of it all made it so. My thoughts began drifting into a daydream, or rather, a night dream. I longed mostly for adventure, but I was also afraid of it. I couldn't see myself leaving my parents alone to tend the bakery, and I couldn't see a way out of this town. I had no aspirations, truly. I didn't even want to see the world because I was afraid of that. I longed only for the sense of adventure, where I could return to my home at night and remember how much fun I had earlier.
While far away in my head, I almost didn't notice a hunched figure in the distance. It was crouched motionlessly on a rooftop a few blocks away. This one appeared to be the bank on the main street, it was three or four stories. I almost thought my eyes were deceiving me, for what I saw was no mere human. The crescent moons' light showed me only an outline, but what I saw were wings the size of its body, and large horns that grew from its head and curved. I wondered what manner of creature ought to have these features. It seemed to be looking at the ground, the endless streets and alleyways surrounding us. It seemed I was the only one to notice it. It almost looked natural, like a strange gargoyle on top of the bank.
As I continued to watch it, I realized it scared me. Was this a demon come to collect souls, a winged monster who eats children, or was it perhaps just a gargoyle after all? In the time I had noticed it, the creature didn't move at all. I wondered if I was imagining it being alive. I sighed to myself; clearly I was going crazy. Though if I was right, I decided to head inside so I wouldn't get eaten. As I stood, I noticed the creature turn its head this way. I gasped, because it could only have been looking at me, right? I squint but it was impossible to tell. What I did see was a faint green light, almost where it's eyes should be. I stared back, though I couldn't say for certain it's gaze was directed at me. It frightened me even more that it had seen me. In fact, I was terrified. If it was truly a creature of the night I wasn't ready to die; but I was frozen in fear. I stood like a statue on the roof, not wanting to alarm it.
Suddenly, it turned away. It's wings spread out and lifted it into the sky, and it flew away. The darkness gave me barely a hint as to what I had seen. Resolved that I had not been kidnapped or eaten, my fear fades and I head back inside. I return to bed, a bit colder and sleepier than when I had left.