Tolling of the bell as the twelfth hour struck, the crowd erupted through the western doors:
stained glass of varied pigments lining the chalky walls, depicting the stories of history
passed through meticulous detail. A mass of raven shaded figures took their respective
places between the pine rows, faces expressionless yet holding a communal essence of
woe. Attempting to recognise anybody, I had failed; there was no appearance in which I had
any significant history – but maybe that was the entire point of this. The swarm of faces were
all glancing at one another, letting no emotions become apparent; the silence was beginning
to turn sharp, almost painful.
Countless moments had transpired in which the flock of the faithful had passed in and out of
the building – their severe footsteps punctuated each passing second, as the otherwise silent
atmosphere brought about the suffering of those enduring the silence.
The harsh steps had soon come to a halt – the entire pack swiveled their heads to inspect
the idle flock, though they soon whipped their heads back around to watch something else –
what we had all been waiting for. All at once, it seemed, the gentleman had come out, and
everybody had taken notice. Adorned with white, linen robes, his expansive sleeves dropped
as his arms raised, addressing the assembly, who, in turn, bowed their heads in greeting. He
held a vigour that was otherwise a rarity in the population; he held an air of authority, he
knew the importance he held to us, the power he had over us. The silence suddenly
multiplied in strength, almost the entire collection of us were bent down, in pain. Covering
our ears, it became unbearable – only he could save us.
Placing both hands onto the lectern ahead of him, his mouth opened as he uttered the first
word – the word that brought the ease we needed. The silence dissipated into a distant
memory, his voice saved us. He spoke the first word and the others soon followed as the
somber expressions plaguing our collective diffused into the abyss.
“The silence, my words heal.”