Chapter Ten

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Sometime during the early morning, I woke up to an empty bed. I could hear voices downstairs. My father and Reven were talking.

“I don’t approve of this.” My father said in a stern voice.

“Gabriel, you know I don’t care.”

“But you, out of all people, why? I had asked you to watch over her, not become involved with her.”

“You disappeared, and I knew it had something to do with the humans, so I had to get closer to her to protect her.” Reven said, with a business-like tone.

“Do you assume that I’m going to believe that was your only reason?”

“No. But you’ve seen her, Gabriel. She’s a beautiful woman. She’s not like us, but not like the humans either.”

“What happened to Elizabeth? You were supposed to protect both of them. I trusted you with the things I held most dear, brother. You failed me.”

“I know I did. I don’t expect you to forgive me and I know this isn’t an excuse, but she was killed right after Aimee found out about my angel heritage and sent me away. She said she never wanted to see me again.”

“You never told her?”

“I assumed she knew, but I realized soon after that she didn’t.”

“Are you using her?”

“Why is it your business?”

“I am her father, Reven.”

“No, I’m not using her.”

“Do you genuinely care about her?”

“I do.”

There was a long pause before my father spoke again. He seemed satisfied with Reven’s answer. “I trust you, brother. Although, I am responsible for her now and if you hurt her, I will hurt you.”

“Understood.”

“Make sure she stays here for awhile.” He said no more, and I assumed he left.

Reven climbed back into bed with me and I pretended to be asleep. His arm wrapped around me and pulled me closer, making me feel safe. I fell back asleep like that.

* * *

I woke up in the master bedroom, sunlight filtered through the flimsy white curtains and the clock on the wall told it was was the afternoon. I was alone under the sheets, the spot next to me was no longer warm. When had he left? Usually I would wake up if someone moved beside me. Damnit, I’m not used to him anymore. I’ve lost my touch.  I sat up and stretched, my body screaming. He was right about the bruises, and he wasn’t careful with me this time. Everything was sore. I saw that on the edge of the bed was a white sundress and a note.

This would look beautiful on you. Also, I had to leave. My apologies, my love. Make yourself at home. After all, it’s yours now.

I admired his beautiful scrawling handwriting for a moment and slipped the sundress on over my head. I combed my fingers through my crazy hair and walked down the stairs to get a glass of orange juice from the kitchen. It felt like a dream. The house was quiet, full of light and space; it was like a safehaven, a secret place for lovers away from the world. I enjoyed the serenity as I finished the glass of orange juice.

I roamed about until I came across a stereo system and an idea hit me. I started playing a classical music playlist and stretched. The air was so light, it elevated my mood and I began to dance ballet. I never took any classes, I never needed any, but it was always something I used to enjoy. My long legs twirled and spun, as I kept correcting my posture. It’s been so long since I’ve been happy enough to do this and I was out of practice. Mother used to watch me dance when she thought I wasn’t paying attention. She was so human and never really understood how attuned my senses were.

I felt so light, like I was floating. I let the music control me and calculate my next graceful moves. I let my emotions pour into my dance and of course, I ended up crying. It wasn’t really from sadness though, I was happy in that fragile, precious moment in time. It’s been a very long time since I had last been happy. I danced and danced and danced along with the music. I felt like I was out of Time’s grasp here.

And then I heard clapping. I abruptly stopped and turned to see Reven smiling and holding a video camera. I hastily wiped away my tears.

“That was beautiful. Why did you stop?”

“Why did you scare me?” I snapped back, turning away so the camera wouldn’t see my crying face.

He closed the video camera and shook his head as he walked closer to me. “Always so defensive.” He pulled me into his arms for a hug and a kiss. “I’m going to have to leave soon. I just wanted to drop by and see what you were doing. I can see that you’re enjoying yourself here. You’ll be fine by yourself, won’t you?”

“Of course, Reven. I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”

“Oh, I’m well aware. I still haven’t forgotten our last argument. You managed to give me bruises!” He gave me another kiss and left.

My time for dancing was over so I sat down on the couch in the living room and turned on the news. My mood instantly deflated.

My face was everywhere.

“The Demon, Aimee Chevalier, was spotted in Ireland yesterday. She broke into a government facility, killed all of the guards and scientists, and helped two angels escape. There were rumors that she never associated herself with the angels but this has destroyed them! The body count from the lab alone was fifty-seven. The crime scene pictures are too horrible to show on television; the bodies were literally torn apart. Dozens of armed forces, originally sent to capture her, were also killed. The remaining free countries are looking for her…”

I couldn’t take anymore of it, I had to turn it off. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse… “Oh my God.” I rested my face in my hands. “What did I do to deserve a life like this?”

I heard a phone ringing upstairs and it perked my curiosity so I went to find it. Reven didn’t have a phone because he didn’t need one. The annoying melody was coming from my duffel bag. I found a cell phone in the pocket of a pair of jeans.

“Hello?” I answered it automatically, on impulse, without thinking about the consequences.

“What have you done?” Xavier’s voice slipped through from the other side, quiet but demanding, and seething with hatred.

“Xavier…”

“Don’t ‘Xavier’ me. Eighty-three people, Aimee! And the angels…” He sputtered. “You promised!”

“I didn’t kill them.” I said weakly. “Well, five guards, but that’s it. The angels had already escaped, I’m not sure how. They killed all the others before I got there.”

“Why should I believe that?” He hissed.

“Why shouldn’t you? We’ve known each other forever.”

All he said was, “You kill people, Aimee.”

“I didn’t sign up for this, Xavier! You, of all people, should know that!” I yelled, closing my eyes as I felt them darkening to red.

“What would you do if I turned you in?”

I stayed silent.

“You know I could.”

“But you would die.”

“So, you would kill me like all of the others, huh?”

“I could never kill you, Xavier, but they would in a heartbeat.” I whispered, not sure if he could hear me or not.

“Who?”

“The angels. Reven would make you suffer.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No, Xavier. Don’t be childish. It’s a fact. You would not have a quick death, and the angels are very, very patient.” Before I said anything else I would regret, I hung up.

* * *

I spent a long time, or at least what felt like it, with Reven in Africa. It was nice not always having to run from things or fight for my life. He took away my worries, and I was free to do as I pleased while he was away. I started running out of things to do.

“What were you doing in Ireland, anyway?” He asked over dinner.

“Trying to find out what angels had been captured. Cecilia and my father had already broken out and killed everyone by the time I got there.”

“But that was over a day after I left.”

“I went to a soccer game with Xavier and…”

He dropped his fork. “You what?”

“A football game.”

“At Croke Park?”

“Yes,” I answered cautiously.

“So you’re the reason Amelia and Sarah never completed their task, I assume.”

“Yep.”

“What did they say to you?”

“I said I would do whatever it took to stop them, so Amelia offered me a deal.”

He stiffened noticeably. “And what was that deal?”

“I gave them my word I would help them when they needed me.”

“Jesus Christ, Aimee! You can’t just do that! You have no idea what they would make you do.” He stood up fast, knocking his chair over and turning his back to me.

“Where are you going?”

“To fix this.” He growled and disappeared. I knew, at least I hoped, that he was angry at the Thrones and not me.

Seconds later, the doorbell rang and I peered out the window. Three African women stood on the porch. They looked harmless enough so I ran to answer the door.

“Who are you?” They asked in Swahili, each holding two large tubs.

“Reven’s friend, Aimee.” I replied, using their native tongue.

They shuffled their colorful patterned robes and knelt down to the ground, bowing to me. I crouched down and got all three pairs of eyes to look at me. “You need not bow. All you do is dirty your dresses and knees.” I helped the closest woman up and smiled. “What are you here for?”

“We came to beg for water. The tribe is thirsty,” said the smallest, youngest woman, coming forward in the group. “We don’t want to bother you or give you any trouble.”

“Of course we’ll share! Come in, come in.” I ushered them inside with a warm smile. The warmth wasn’t fake; I could feel it blossoming in my core. Maybe it was this warm, sunny climate. I was used to the rain and the cold; I had just been in Chicago and Ireland, after all. It was nice to see humans not terrified of me, even knowing who I am. I didn’t care if they dirtied the carpet with their dusty feet, I only felt compassion as I led them towards the kitchen and helped them fill up the metal buckets with water from the faucet with a filter. It made me wonder how Reven had such an extravagant house with electricity and running water when they had none. I’ll have to ask him about it later.

As the water poured into the containers, I asked them their names.

“A’sharia,” said the small one, who was younger than me.

“Rabia,” said the eldest, who was probably around the age of thirty.

“Madaha,” said the woman my age.

“Beautiful names,” I said, turning the faucet off. “May I help you get these back? They’re very heavy.” I pointed to the other tubs.

“No, we couldn’t possibly ask that of you.”

“Nonsense, it’s fine. I’m strong.”

Rabia’s eyes widened. “Are you like… Reven? An angel?”

I gave a small smile, thinking about what Reven told me my first night here. “Yes.”

A’sharia whispered quickly to Madaha, “No wonder she’s so pretty.” Madaha shushed her.

“Thank you for your offer, our village isn’t far.” Rabia bowed her head.

I carried two of the metal containers and we left; I didn’t bother finding shoes. It made me feel more free without them. The women hummed a holy song that I knew from Father’s memories as we traveled down the poorly constructed dirt road that was filled with ruts from the rain. I hummed along softly and they stopped.

“You know of the Koran’s songs?” Madaha asked, partially shocked.

“I am not Muslim, but I do know of them.”

“It is nice to know people haven’t forgotten our faith in other parts of the world.” Rabia smiled.

We continued walking along the dirt road that dark forests loom over each side. I could hear of all of the birds and large animals hiding in the shadows, watching us. They were right to be wary of humans. They’re horrible. The sun beat down and warmed the bare skin on my face and shoulders, I could feel the sun pulling up the darker pigments in my skin. I would probably have a nice tan when I got back to the house. The hot, arid wind blew my knee-length dress around me and red dust flew into my eyes. I liked this feeling of remoteness, without all of the light pollution from cities or arrogant humans. These humans lived a simple life, like the old ways. They were different than what the modern world had become.

“Are you who they call the Demon?” A’sharia blurted out.

“A’sharia, remember your place!” Rabia scolds.

My shoulders had already slumped. I guess a part of me wished they didn’t know who I was. “Yes, I am.” I say sadly, and not without a bitter tone.

“Have you really done all of those things?”

“Some, but not all.” I admit.

“But you’re so kind.” A’sharia interrupts.

“I’m sure she had her reasons.” Rabia touched my shoulder sympathetically.

“Humans, my neighbors, killed my mother when I was younger after they found out what I am. Ever since then, the government has wanted me captured and killed. I never hurt anyone back then, i never needed to. I was human, for the most part. Now I only fight because I need to protect myself and it isn’t something I enjoy. I’m not sadistic, like many of the other angels.”

“There are other options than killing.” Madaha muttered, with a harsh tone.

“You don’t understand… Sometimes there isn’t.”

“A’sharia! Madaha! Be kind to the woman. She has been kind to us, has she not? She gave us the water we so greatly need and is even spending her own time helping us carry it back.” Rabia was flustered and embarrassed by their behavior.

“They really killed your mother?” A’sharia asks quietly.

“My neighbors tried to kill us both while we slept by burning our house down. My mother didn’t make it out.”

“Similar to you, Madaha.” Rabia says wistfully.

“Silence, Rabia!” Madaha yells and turns away from us, walking faster with her tubs.

A’sharia squeezes my arm. “I’m sorry.”

Just then, something big tears out of the jungle and onto the road. A leopard stalked us, pacing back and forth. I watched its skin ripple and tendons glide underneath and admired its beauty and grace.

“Don’t move.” I whispered as I set the two buckets of water down. I moved closer slowly, making eye contact with the spotted cat. I crouched, as to make myself appear smaller, and we circled each other until I was right in front of it and the leopard bared its teeth to me. I slowly held out my hand and the great cat sniffed it, its green eyes never leaving mine.

I held my breath and stood as still as possible. The cat blinked and lost the tension in its body, rubbing its cheek against my palm. I let my breath go and whispered in Angellican, so the women wouldn’t understand. “You must understand that you can’t attack people and their animals. They will hunt you and the rest of your kind down and kill them. That is just how humans are.” I glanced at its body, although muscular, it was still skinny. “I know you are hungry, but you must find other food. I understand, I am not human like them.” I soothed it by petting the great cat’s spotted fur on its neck. I felt its hearty, strong pulse and silky pelt. “You need to understand me.” I took a step back and the leopard turned around and raced back into the woods.

“How did you do that?”

“The leopard could sense that I am not one of you. Angels were made to be close to all of God’s creations, not only humans.” I picked my water containers up and continued walking.

“Wow.” A’sharia breathed. “I wish I could do that.”

“She kept away the beast!” Rabia cried and then eyed Madaha as if telling her to trust me.

“Let’s just get back to the village.”

“It’s just over the hill.” Rabia said. We shuffled along, silent except for our swishing dresses. The white dress made me look so tan, I loved it. The village came into view; poor, little, broken sunbaked clay houses with thatched roofs, skinny children in dirty shirts and shorts kicked around a soccer ball that was going flat.

“Madaha! Madaha!” A little boy separated from the group and ran up to us.

She set down her tub and he jumped into her arms, resting him on her hip, she turned to me. “My little brother, Abdul.”

He waved his little hand at me and smiled.

“My name is Aimee.”

All the kids had surrounded us, asking for the water. “Be patient, young ones. We have to share with everyone.” Rabia reminded them with a kind tone.

We carried the six tubs into the center of the village and adults filtered in from the fields and shied out of their houses. Rabia kisses a man who I assumed was her husband. A’sharia hugged a woman with graying hair, most likely her mother. Madaha just kept a tight hold on Abdul. It made me think about my best friend, Xavier. His words had cut me deeply. Since I was no longer angry, the sadness settled in.

I watched as everyone distributed the water into bottles and pans. Everyone thanked me and I smiled back. A’sharia started telling the story of how I kept away the leopard and at the end, everyone clapped.

Rabia sat next to me. “We may not be rich, but we are happy. That’s all that matters.”

“I suppose it is.”

“The village would like to make you a feast. Well, not a feast by your standards.”

“I would be honored.” I said, smiling brightly.

She studied me closely. “I have seen your eyes change color.”

“Yes, they do that. It depends on what mood I’m in.”

“When you greeted us, your eyes were red, then hazel, then blue, and now they are green.”

“I know.” I closed my eyes and tilted my face up to the sun, enjoying the warmth and letting the sun tan my face.

Rabia sighed. “It’s very warm here.”

“I love this. Where I used to live, we would have cold winters. With snow.”

“I’ve never seen snow before.”

“It’s pretty at first, but it’s so cold. When it melts, it soaks your clothes. You have to wear thick coats and multiple layers of clothing just to keep warm.”

“It sounds horrible.” Rabia laughed and I agreed with her. We were quiet for awhile, just laying in the sun, but then Rabia spoke. “I apologize for Madaha’s behavior. She’s become very jaded since the death of her mother. Stubborn to the end, that one.”

“I understand completely.”

“What will happen with the angels?’

“I have joined them because I realized their cause, although corrupted now, is beneficial in the long run. They want to control the Earth, yes, but they want to make it better by controlling it. People don’t realize all the pollution is killing the Earth. The angels want to make sure the world survives as long as possible. After all, they’re immortal. They will be here until the end.”

“But why kill so many?”

“I don’t really know why they started but now… Countries won’t surrender without a fight.”

“What is your part in all of this, then?”

“I want to make the killing stop. I want both sides to come to an agreement. Although this sounds selfish, I want people to stop their blind hatred for me, and their fear.”

“That’s completely okay. No one wants others to hate them. But do you really think the angels will eventually make peace, given they have the opportunity?”

“I think some of us will be able to sway the others.”

“I believe my country went quickly, without much fighting. I’m glad for that.”

“I wish others could understand my choice.” I said wistfully.

“Eventually they will.”

“I have my doubts.”

A little girl and a boy ran up to us. “Rabia! Aimee! The food is ready!” They pulled us from our grassy spot in the shade of a house. I laughed and let them guide me to the food. I couldn’t escape the small pang of a thought.

I wonder if I can have children.

As soon as we got to the long tables surrounded by all of the villagers. I smelled rich,

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net