Like a river with a two way current, the people flowed towards their destination. They stopped only to swirl in eddies at the gates; some restless, some weary, all waiting.
Tucked back in a corner, few saw her as they hurried by, too distracted to feel her gaze on them. Those whose eyes did find hers were caught off guard for a second before moving on. Their subconscious registered something familiar, something comforting. As they continued to their destination, they had a little more hope, a little more peace. Their souls told them that all would be well.
As she watched them, she saw more than bodies being jostled around. She saw the mantles of weariness they wore. Their burdens and struggles were displayed more clearly than they would care to admit. She saw both the masks that were meant to conceal and the capes draped over their spirits that haunted them. Their core was exposed and they would be unsettled if they knew the depth to which she saw.
If they would talk to her though, they would know that they were safe. They would know that help was on the way. They would know she didn't carry to knowledge alone but that she took it to the feet of One higher than herself.
However, they didn't talk to her. They barely saw her as they hurried by, too distracted to notice her gaze. They missed the hope behind her eyes. Their cape of weariness covered all peace and comfort they so desperately wanted.
Her gaze continued to penetrate, deeper than an ocean, but the shallow river continued on, unaffected.
