He was searching for something, I realized. And he searched for it constantly. During the day he was my shadow, his eyes seeking the faces that swam around us for something he could not find, and at night he restlessly awaited the morning so his search could continue. His endless wakefulness didn't tire him though.
He didn't need sleep.
One morning I finally spoke to him as I was preparing to leave for school. He stood at my bedroom window, staring out at a distant sunrise.
"If you told me what you were looking for then, perhaps, I could help you find it." I offered, looking up at him; reminding him that he'd asked for my help and that I'd given it.
He turned towards me slightly, his face emotionless, red-brown eyes gazing down curiously. "What makes you think I am looking for anything?" he asked quietly.
The question caught me off guard. It had seemed so obvious to me that he was, wasn't he?
"I see it…feel it…" I stammered, turning my grass-colored eyes away, feeling like perhaps I shouldn't have said anything in the first place.
The shadows in his eyes darkened. He turned his face back towards the window, and pale beams of morning sunlight poured through him.
"I'll tell you in time." He finally replied.
I nodded, but my heart sank in disappointment. I wanted to know. I wanted to help. But how could I if he kept me in the dark?
I gathered my things and moved past him sullenly, but he suddenly touched my shoulder. I froze. His hand lingered there, then cautiously moved to my face, brushed my cheek. A pause. Then his hand fell away, and I released a the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. His face was still turned to the window. Gold beams of light seemed to make him glow. Like he was some sort of fallen angel, trapped in my life with no way to return to heaven.
He was beautiful.
He turned to me again and I took a step back. His eyes were burning, full of fire and blood, and my heart beat a rhythm that felt like fear.
He put his hands on my shoulders, though, gently, soothing. He looked at me carefully. And he said softly, "All in good time."