-Aimee, Earth-

The itch to fly turned into a burning sensation after Reven had fallen asleep. His breathing was deep and even, and his grasp on my hand had grown limp. When I got out of bed, he stirred.

“Don’t leave,” he mumbled without bothering to open his eyes.

“I’ll be back.” I whispered from the doorway, stroking the wooden frame. He was already back asleep. I walked to the beach, leaving my shoes on the porch and enjoying the feeling of the sand between my toes.

The sand felt the same as it did at Lucien’s paradise. It wasn’t my paradise anymore, it never really was and I needed to remember that. I admired the stars above me as the salty breeze pulled loose hairs out of my bun. I shook my wings and smoothed them, spreading the natural oils evenly. I took the hair tie out and put my long hair into a high ponytail.

I lept into the air and my wings reacted instantly, pulling me higher and higher. It was a natural thing, like my legs moving when I wanted to walk. The wind grew louder and faster until it became a challenge for even me to fly. Just the way I liked it, my wings needed the exercise. I twirled and twisted and looped through the air like a stunt plane. I did daring dives that ended with me expanding my wings to their full wingspan so I was wrenched to a stop right when my hair dipped into the ocean.

I laughed and smiled because only flying made me feel this way. I loved flying and I loved my wings.

The moon was full and bright, reflecting off the waves. My fingers skimmed the water as I hummed to myself. My feathered wings sliced through the air at an exhilarating speed, I paused and hovered when I saw an incredible storm coming. I had an idea and flew back to Reven’s house. I woke him up.

“Let me go back to sleep.” He moaned.

“Now, now Reven. Don’t make me make you.”

He groaned. “What do you want?”

“Get some swim trunks on.”

“I’m not going swimming.”

“We aren’t.”

“But --”

“Just get ready.”

Reven sat up and rubbed his face. He got ready relatively quick. “Where are we going?”

“Take my hand.” He took it without asking and I pulled him outside and we took off into the air.

“Aimee, is that a storm?” Reven pointed ahead of us.

“Yes.”

“Is that lightning?”

“Yes, Reven. We’re immortal. Don’t be a baby.” I chuckled. “It’s fun.”

He shut up because he trusted me.

The closer we got, the more excited I grew. The rain hit us and I avoided the lightning strikes, agile as a snake. The thunder shook our bodies. I looked to Reven, who was smiling. I flew up into the stormclouds and we burst out onto the other side.

It was quiet up here; too high for wind and thunder. The round moon shined and the stars sparkled. The dark clouds beneath us were the only thing that hinted at a storm. The sky stretched over us, beautiful and unknown.

Reven was fully awake. “I see why you like flying so much.”

“It’s peaceful. No one can bother me up here.”

“So why did you bring me?”

“I… I thought you’d like it.”

“I do.”

“I’m trying…” I struggled for words. “To… I don’t know.” I gave up. “I’ll take you home.”

“To let me in?” He asked

I nodded. Why was it so hard for me to say now? I looked away from him, ashamed.

“Aimee.”

I looked back up and he kissed me without warning. I kissed him back but had to make sure I was still holding onto him. I let him hold me and kiss me for a long time. Even after the storm passed and the sun began to rise.

And then, out of nowhere, a voice was in my head. The voice was usually always so kind and loving, but now it was harsh and angry “You have one day to bring them back, Aimee.” That was all God said.

I was terrified.

“Aimee, we have no choice.” Reven reminded me.

I dropped him and left. It’s not like he would die. I felt multiple tears in the air. That meant all the angels had heard, and they all were chasing me.

I didn’t want to go back. No one could make me. If the damn humans could have free will, so could I.