He rose as he does every day- his ears before his eyes, his mind on his friends, his family, the world.

Just how far he can hear has only been tested by the plea of one individual, but she’s safe this morning, still asleep in fact, so he listens to the city. There’s nothing too egregious going on at 5am today- some arguments, some problems in the hospitals, and she’s okay. “It’s a good morning,” He thinks. With the city safe, he opens his eyes.

He showers and runs through the list of things his job requires today. Someone just stole a car- but they didn’t hurt anyone doing so. He decides to leave that one be, for now. But makes a mental note. The weight of the thousand choices he makes every minute dances across his mind. Even he can’t be everywhere at once and so bad things happen. He has to pick which are the worst. He has to pick when to let bad things happen. A kid just stole a candy bar.

He shaves the only way he can, by refracting the light from his eyes against a mirror onto his face, as someone was just slapped across theirs- “If it happens again I’m on my way,” he thinks. He hears an apology instead of any further strike, but keeps listening. He makes another mental note. He runs his hands through his hair, giving it a tussled look, the look of someone who cares just enough about their appearance, but not too much.

Cats and dogs are fighting. An elderly woman has just fallen down… her son is with her, she’ll be okay. He ties his tie and laces up his shoes. The morning news stories are hitting and his day is about to fill up. Reports of a mudslide- no one injured. Armed robbery, again no one injured. He breathes a sign of relief. He has to appreciate these rare moments when no one is harmed, when others are there to help- he can’t be everywhere at once.

He grabs his bag and is out there door, only to dash back in for his glasses, something he forgets about half the time- they’re just for show anyway. He steps off the stoop of his mid-century apartment building and the vibration of every car, van, delivery truck, every step of every person in the city reverberates through his body. The sun is shining in a way that warms your face and invites you to close your eyes and peer in its direction. Every cell of his body breathes in its rays. “Whatever may happen today, I’m ready,” he thinks, and smiles- she’s awake.

He starts his walk toward work, about a two mile trek, but he loves mornings when he can take it slow. A kid skates down the sidewalk and knocks someone down. He frowns, and helps them up. There’s a fire. The fire department is on its way but people in the building are ignoring the alarm and still going about their morning routines. This fire is real. Its on the third floor and there are far too many people still in the building for the firefighters. Its smoke is creeping up the stairs and through the elevator shafts. This one needs his help.

The city beneath him, he makes his way toward the flames, and thinks about that kid on the skateboard. He hears many things he could be helping with, but he also hears most of the people in floors 4-15 still going about their mornings. Someone just screamed. Panic will make it worse. He bears down, making himself more aerodynamic, and quickens his already unbelievable pace.

Half an hour later he checks his reflection in a storefront’s window. He wipes one missed smudge of soot from his face. Flames extinguished and residents safe he walks into work. The color immediately washes from his face- a story just broke from outside the range which he can hear. It’s bad. She smiles at him, but she knows that look. A flimsy excuse to coworkers and he’s gone. As he makes his way as fast as he can, he reasons with life.

“There will always be opposites. The world will never exist without good, so nor without evil. It’s all a matter of having one more person on the side of what’s right. Having one more person to sway that balance. It’s a matter of inspiring people to help rather than to harm. And so, for another day, I’ll do my best to be something people can look to. I’ll do my best to be a symbol of hope.”