22

SYSIPHUS AND A FUNERAL

~PAMELA

Stephan said nothing for a while, his eyes lost in thought.

"Why do you want to know?" He asked me softly.

I could not keep my hands to myself, so I unconsciously trailed them over his chiseled torso. Tracing scars, bruises, and wounds.

"There is something different about the art, it's so detailed, I can see the anguish in his eyes," I said as I peered closely at the tattoo.

Stephan nodded thoughtfully.

"He is in anguish, that is his destiny," Stephan answered sadly.

I had only ever seen him angry or cold but never heard him being sad.

"Only a handful of us have these marks on us," Stephan said as he ran a hand through his clean wet hair.

"What does it mean?" I asked again, curious to know.

"It is a symbol of suffering, of toiling and despair. It is a symbol of hopelessness, frustration, and nemesis," Stephan said sagely.

"Why do you have such a symbol on you?" I asked.

"It's a long story," Stephan said wearily. He gently moved me off him and got out of