Numb...everything’s numb…

The shadows cast over me through flames as I lie still.

Yet, I feel nothing.

Angel of fire, where are you going?

Don’t leave me here.

That child. Again.

He stands above me, smiling.

My chest, pierced. Nothing.

Our foreheads touch. Nothing.

I wait. Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing…

***

Ryacell rubbed his eyes open, noticing the gauze patch on his cheek. He found himself in an unfamiliar room. It was elegant, humble, bright. Through closed curtains, the window revealed the moonlight sky.

“Miss, he hasn’t woken up yet,” an unknown voice came from out of the room.

“Attend to him until he wakes up,” Saphire’s voice muffled through the other side of the door.

Ryacell realized where he was and froze up in bed.

A simple old maid entered the room and stared at Ryacell’s petrified state. “Miss Creliz, the young boy is awake.” The maid exited right after.

Saphire poked her head into the room and smiled. “I’m glad you’re well.”

Ryacell stuttered, “A-am I...i-in ah?”

“Yes, you’re in my home,” Saphire laughed and sat at his bedside. “Specifically, this is just a spare room for guests. Fortunately, I came across you on my way to school.”

“I am so so sorry for causin’ ya’ more trouble!” Ryacell buried his face in his hands. “Is there anythin’ I can do? Anythin’ ya’ want from me?”

“Hm,” Saphire looked down for a moment. When their eyes met again, Ryacell held his breath and froze. Like a dewdrop rippling against a pond, her voice disrupted the beat of his heart. “I would like to get to know you more.”

Silence stood in once again. Here they were, just the two of them. Ryacell saw a starry galaxy through Saphire’s eyes and engraved every detail into his mind as if he’d never see her again. He forgot what words were. The drumming grew louder in his ears. His cheeks, burning. Ryacell gulped.

“Miss Creliz, your parents have arrived!” the maid called out from downstairs.

Saphire took Ryacell’s hand. “Come meet my parents.”

“Ah,” Ryacell blushed, “I don’ think th —”

“No need to be shy,” Saphire got up and motioned at Ryacell to follow.

He reluctantly followed her out of the room and into the hallway. The second floor crowned over the gleaming entry room with a marbled spiral staircase and a large crystal chandelier hanging above a picture-perfect couple. The woman’s caramel hair was neatly styled in tight curls, her burgundy overcoat contrasted the man’s black tuxedo, and her deep brown eyes widened at the sight of Ryacell coming down the steps with Saphire.

“Oh my, Saphire! Who is this handsome young man?” the woman gushed over Ryacell before he could say anything. “Aww, what happened to your cheek, sweetie?”

“I...jus’ fell in the street,” he rubbed his arm nervously. “I am v-very grateful for Saphire’s help, Mrs. Creliz...M-my name’s Ryacell by the way.” He shook hands with Saphire’s parents.

“Is this the one you were talking about the other day, Saphire?” the man’s hazel eyes observed Ryacell.

“Um,” Saphire looked at Ryacell for a second, “yes. I finally got to meet him this morning. He was just resting in the spare room.”

“Well, let’s not just stand around here,” Saphire’s father slicked back his dark chestnut hair. “Come have dinner with us, Ryacell.”

“A-are ya’ sure?” Ryacell’s head darted between the three.

“Don’t be shy,” Mr. Creliz lead Ryacell into the dining hall. “Any friend of Saphire is welcome here.”

“Thank ya’ Mr. Creliz,” Ryacell bowed, turned back to Saphire and her mother and bowed again, “and thank ya’ once again for lettin’ me stay here.”

The dining table was stretched out with several velvet seats paired across each other. Although there were seats at each end, Mr. Creliz sat across Mrs. Creliz, resulting in Ryacell sitting across from Saphire. As Ryacell shuffled in his seat, servants came out with white platters, each with wine roasted chicken and vegetables.

The family prayed as Ryacell sat cluelessly. They ate silently, and Ryacell stole glances at Saphire. He felt lucky to even witness the angel before him eating with such grace.

“What school do you go to, Ryacell?” Mr. Creliz asked after finishing the meal.

“I,” Ryacell took a sip of water, “don’ go to school, sir. I’m jus’ a newsie.”

“Must be so much work!” Mrs. Creliz gasped with concern. “That explains your injury then. We fund a school in the city that you can attend.”

“Oh, I know all about it!” Ryacell’s eyes lit up. “I’m always lookin’ at the papers!” Although, he can’t read any of the articles.

“Wouldn’t that be great, Saphire?” Mrs. Creliz smiled excitedly. “Ryacell can start tomorrow!”

Saphire’s father had almost choked on his drink.

“...That would be great,” Saphire looked back at Ryacell.

“Really?!” Ryacell thought it over. “But wouldn’t that mean I stop bein’ a newsie?”

“Of course! We’ll let your parents know that it’s all fully funded,” Mrs. Creliz beamed out.

“Ah, no need to,” Ryacell tapped his fork. “I live alone.”

“Oh, then you’re always welcome to sleep over in the guest room too!” her mother continued.

Saphire’s father looked at his daughter who was just moving scraps around her plate.

“Thank ya’ for the offer,” Ryacell replied, “but it’s all jake, really.”

“I insist!” Mrs. Creliz pushed it.

A moment of silence.

Saphire stood and turned to her mother, “I need to get ready to sleep now, Mother.”

“Of course, dear,” Mrs. Creliz waved as Saphire left the dining room. She turned to Ryacell. “We’ll have one of our chauffeurs drive you back home.”

Mr. Creliz led Ryacell out of the mansion. “You know, boy, it’s not so often that Saphire brings anyone over. Treat her well, okay?”

“I will!” Ryacell declared.

The boy sat in the car with his bike tied at the back. The chauffeur was an old, poise man who waited for Ryacell to buckle his seat before starting the engine. The soothing jazz melody from the radio made the boy’s heart sing.

As they drove through the city, the chauffeur asked Ryacell, “You’re the one from this morning, right?”

“Uh, yes sir,” Ryacell answered.

The chauffeur continued, “The young mistress hasn’t had a single guest since her arrival. You must be a very special young man.”

“R-really?” Ryacell wondered with curiosity. “Whad’ya mean?”

“Yes, really. She took long preparations for the morning, and when she saw you fallen in the street, she told me to stop for you. I’ve never seen her like this.”

Ryacell blushed, picturing how Saphire found him. “Thank ya’. I’m very grateful.”

The car slowly came to a halt. “Here, correct?”

“Actually, it’s around the next corner,” Ryacell pointed out.

“Oh, my bad,” the man laughed. “Saphire stopped here this morning.”

“That’s okay,” Ryacell smiled. “Hope she didn’ walk too far.

They arrived at his apartment.

The chauffeur said as Ryacell stepped out to get his bike, “Now take care young man.”

Ryacell climbed up the stairs of the brick apartment complex, recalling how gracefully Saphire smiled and spoke to him. When he got to the third level, though, he discovered an unflattering sight of Benny napping against the door with a snore echoing back.

Ryacell shook his arm. “Ah! Benny! How long have ya’ been here?”

Benny’s eyes fluttered open. “Oh man, I dunno. I had dinner with mah family. Err, I didn’ keep track of time, haha.”

Ryacell quickly opened the door. “Come in! I’m sorry for keepin’ ya’ waitin’.” He stuffed his bike back into the closet.

“No worries,” Benny jumped onto the old couch while Ryacell took a seat at the table. “Ya’ late because of what happened this mornin’? Also, did’ya get in a scuffle?”

“Oh, this?” Ryacell pointed at his cheek. “Yeah. Guess I won’t be affordin’ tomorrow’s papers. Oh wait,” he remembered Mrs. Creliz offer for school. “Lemme start at the beginning.”

“I’m listenin’,” Benny grinned.

“Okay,” Ryacell took a deep breath. “The Saphire Creliz visited me this mornin’.”

“Yah messin’ with me!” Benny laughed.

“I’m serious!” Ryacell pointed at the table. “Look at this!” The set up was the same as it was in the morning.

“That sure is the fanciest part of this whole place. I’ll believe ya’,” Benny winked.

Ryacell sighed and said, “We ate breakfast together.”

“Is she as hotsy-totsy as she is in the papers?”

“Even prettier than I could ever imagine,” Ryacell’s cheeks warmed up.

“Hmm, lucky lucky boy. Whatchu two talk about?”

“Ahh...she was lookin’ for someone named Joline Nodalo.”

“Don’ know anyone with that name.”

“Me neither. I felt bad cause I don’ know how to help.”

Benny declared sarcastically, “When ya’ find someone with that name, tell her!”

“Ha ha, very funny.”

“I’m kiddin’. Ya’ never know what’ll happen! What’s next?”

“I did the usual paper stuff, and some other newsie wanted to fight. Got punched and fainted. I guess Saphire saw me along the way cause next thing I know, I was in her mansion!”

No response. Benny stood up and walked out the door. A few seconds later, he came back in. “Ya’ sure you’re not pullin’ something on me?”

“Where’d ya’ think I got this treated?” Ryacell pointed at his cheek.

“Duuude! The universe is workin’ for you!”

“I feel like it is! I met her parents too and had dinner with’em! Her mother offered me a spot in The Shepherd’s School!”

“Ya’ take it?”

“Actually...I don’ know. I’d have to quit bein’ a newsie.”

“Take it!” Benny shook Ryacell’s shoulders.

“What about you?”

“School’s not for me. I have siblings to help,” Benny pressed his fists against his own waist. “You, however, got nothin’ to lose! You know how many businesses they own n’ their daughter happens to find ya’! The world’s shinin’ down on ya’! Get out there, okay?”

“Thanks, man. I’ll visit you! I promise!” the two boys fist-bumped.

“And I’ll come around too,” Benny smiled as he stepped out. “I’ll be headin’ back home now. Get more sleep! Ya’ need it!”

“I will!” Ryacell waved. As he cleaned up the table, he remembered the events of the whole day and screamed out of pure joy.

***

The policeman looked over his notes and called up an old friend. No one picked up.

The man drove to the scrappy, old apartment and waited. He watched a young orange boy exit the building before climbing up the stairs. The man knocked.

Ryacell answered the door, “Benny, I thought you were — Oh. I’m sorry, sir. Is somethin’ going on?”

Ryacell was a bit startled by the man’s eyepatch. He was wearing the uniform with a hooded cape and gloves.

“No,” the policeman peaked over Ryacell and analyzed the room, “not yet, at least. Here’s my card.” The man handed Ryacell a small card with a number but no name. “You have a safe night, okay?”

“Yes sir,” Ryacell nodded.

He closed the door once more as the policeman left. Ryacell didn’t pay much attention to the encounter. He simply washed himself and went straight to bed, excited for the new day.