Gargoyle Boyfriend: Amadou (special preview)

For some reason, many years ago, the building you work in was renovated by an eccentric man who liked to collect supposedly ‘cursed’ items. He had the building’s exterior made up to mimic old cathedrals, so there was lots of stonework involved. The building was a stark, dark grey thumb standing out amongst the rows of glass and brick on either side. Part of his collection was also set upon the building, which was mostly a wide array of gargoyles and grotesques. 

The building had remained sparse of life for a long time because of its exterior. Not many people wanted to run a business out of the supposedly haunted or cursed place. Eventually, the owner of the place started filling it with his own creations. He started his own businesses to fill the empty office spaces. He put a laundromat in the basement, a cafe in the entrance, in the above ground floors he started a fashion design studio, a non-profit charity organization, an app development house, a makeup company, and finally a newspaper, which was where you worked.

Since the paper was fairly new there was still a process of figuring what what it would be. For a while it only did feel good stories for a world oversaturated with bad news. Then for a time it focused on debunking news worthy myths in the world. Now, the paper is leaning towards an investigative edge, which is something that you have been working on.

Recently, you’ve been between writing assignments. The previous week you had traced stolen artwork from the local museum to the home of a billionaire businessman in the area. He claimed he was unaware the artwork was stolen and, as he put it, ‘donated’ the stolen artwork back to the museum. It bothered you that’s all you got out of the work you put into it. Not to mention your editor told you to stop digging once you figured out where the paintings had originated from. 

You were going through old unsolved cases now, but mindlessly tapping away at your keyboard while after having written another puff piece between what you really wanted to do. You lean back and glance out the window. There you see your favorite coworker.

You open the window where there is a small terrace of black iron. Hanging off the corner of the building is on the bigger gargoyles of the whole collection. You liked to call him your coworker since he was always by your desk and always there to listen.

“Good afternoon, Amadou.” You sigh.

Amadou is a beastly looking figure with his shoulders hunched forward, and arms strained as he holds onto the ledge so his muscles pop with sinew. His mouth gapes open wide so that the gutters drain from his throat. His wings flare out, hugging the corner of the building. His huge hands  with their long fingers coil around the small ledge he is placed upon, while his feet press back against the wall. 

You remove a coffee cup from the ledge and dump out all the rainwater from within. “Need a refill there?” You place out next to him your mug of untouched, cold coffee then sigh as you stare out into the distance.

“What do you think, Amadou?” You murmur. “Should I continue on that piece about those supposed new hero sightings, or should I once again do another round of interviews at Hephaestus Academy? That new kid Spite is getting attention again. Maybe him?” You look up at Amadou and his strained, horrified expression. 

“Yeah, you’re right,” you sigh. “I think stories about the academy are played out too.” You shake your head. “And I’m exhausted with hero puff pieces.” You take in a long deep breath as close your eyes. “What’s that?” You turn back to the stone figure. “You think I should continue looking into those paintings? No? You mean Solomon Savage?” 

Amadou glares out beyond you, not moving, not speaking. Part of you wishes he would respond at least once, then you wouldn’t feel so crazy. Or maybe you just don’t want to feel alone.

“But my editor told me not to.” You then look thoughtfully back to your desk. “But he doesn’t have to know about it.” You thrum your fingers on the windowsill. “It’s always bothered me since I figured out where those pieces in his collection came from. How could he not know?” You look back to Amadou. “You think there is something more there?”

Amadou doesn’t reply.

“Thanks for the pep talk. That’s exactly what I needed.” You slip back inside and go to your desk. 

Solomon Savage was an extremely well known figure. He had his own news program for a while before he retired. He now worked behind the scenes on several projects around the world. He funded quite a few research facilities, as well as a security company. He had an extensive art collection, which is what had drawn your attention before.

Ages ago your father, also a journalist, had covered the sudden disappearance of some artwork from the local museum. You had watched him work on this project, so you were already familiar with the paintings. Once you saw a glimpse of Solomon Savage’s art collection during an interview, that’s when you jumped at the chance to finish your father’s work.