The Archangels

Untitled Part 2

I have more than one secret. This time not as bad as the last. I hide in the clouds to watch the Earth I am to protect. It always fascinated me: human nature. I’d often see kids dragging their parents to ice-cream stands in the park, joggers sporting small dogs on leashes, desperate men hitting on lonely women. It was odd and so different to see emotions so freely expressed. To see humans cry over the loss of a loved one or fall madly in love. 

Those emotions I hadn’t the freedom to express, but I would give anything for just one day to let my emotions roam free. 

I envy the Guardian Angels. They get to protect one human being and watch over them their whole life. 

Truth is: there was one person I did look at. His name was Adam. He’s socially awkward around crowds, but is a social butterfly in his small circle of friends. He only had three friends; Raife, Chase, and, a friend with my name, Gabriel. Adam loved gaming and being with those of whom he loves. He would do anything to make someone smile or laugh.

However, he did things that contradicted what I have believed in and have grown up with. He blasphemed; he was envious of those better than him even though he was perfect just being himself. He was greedy in the form of putting way too much tomato sauce on his hot dogs. He lied, he cheated and he gave into lustful… actions. 

Even though knowing all this, I only cared for the good things about him. One should look towards the positive side. 

I knew one thing that I’d always keep secret to only him and I. He was in love with Chase. Chase was a good influence on him. He was intelligent, creative and optimistic. He was a true family man and deeply cared for Adam.

The only problem was that would be homosexual.

Homosexuality wasn’t entirely a problem for me. I found it odd and different. Two people unable to procreate together. I know Luce made homosexuality in an attempt to soil beauty. He had a knack for it. Sex was supposed to be an intimate, special thing between a married couple and he glorified it, creating teenage pregnancies and pornography. Drugs were supposed to be used for medicinal purpose and he created addiction. Modern technology was to make life easier, now is idolised.

But there was one thing he could never destroy: love.

I, myself, don’t know what love is. It’s banned. But it is fun to watch. The mindless doodles of their name, the constant daydreams, and the sneaky kisses between classes. 

I would wonder what it would like to be in love. To go everywhere and know that there is one person in the whole universe that loves you. 

I started to think about Michael. His curly, shoulder-length hair reminded me of the medieval era’s paladins, hair flowing freely behind them as they raced on mighty stallions. His piercing eyes always got to me. They would reach into my soul and grab my heart with a tender grip. Just the thought of him made me smile.

“What are you doing here?”

I gasped, jumping out of fear. I look up to see the very man I was thinking about.

“Michael, I-”

“Gabriel, it isn’t safe to be alone.” He said.

I sighed. “I know. I just wanted to think.”

“Why?” A small smile emerged. “Can’t think in Heaven?”

I draw circles in the puffy clouds.

“I can, but it isn’t the same.” I said.

I tried everything I could not to look in Michael’s eyes. I distracted myself with the cloud, forming and shaping them into different ways. I could feel him sit next to me.

“Gabe, I know you. Something’s bothering you.” He said softly. He laid a hand gently on my back. I could feel the spot tingle at his touch.

I held my tongue.

“Please, tell me.”

I looked up at him and frowned empathetically, knowing he’d hate the subject.

“Luce.” I simply said.

His eyes went from soft to dark as quickly as I said it.

“What about him?” He muttered.

I cuddled myself. “I miss him.”

“You miss him?” Michael asked with a tone that made me feel as if I were insane.

I frowned. “He is my brother, Michael. Have you no feelings?”

He paused, seeming to think about my question. He and Luce had a strong bond before the Fall happened. The three of us would spend hours laughing and spending time together. And then he grew distant. Luce would withdraw and make up some excuse to be alone, and when he did finally spend time with us he would look troubled and hardly say a word. 

The Luce I see today is the Luce I don’t recognise. He wasn’t the brother I was brought up with.

“Do you ever wonder what made him change?” I finally spoke up.

A condescending laugh escaped his lips as he sat upright. “More than you’ll know, Gabe. He hates me for not siding with him and defeating him.”

I sat up and patted his arm. “He hates me too. I didn’t side with him either.”

“You don’t understand, Gabe.” His voice grew cold. “He has a personal vendetta against me. That’s why I’m not as happy-go-lucky as I used to be.”

He went silent then whispered. “If I’m not careful, he could take everything I care about… including you.”

A small blush tainted my cheeks as I hid my face in his arm, clinging on to it tightly.

“You won’t lose me. Promise.” I peeped.

Two warm lips pressed against the top of my head with a light kiss. 

“Good.” He smiled.

***

I grabbed my satchel filled with letters and smiled. Being the Messenger was actually symbiotic for both me and Father. He wanted me to be the Messenger and I thought it was fun. 

I’d swoop down and hand letters to the angels, usually about tasks to do or problems to figure out in regards to the humans. Sometimes even personal messages that little children would write to their Guardian Angels.

So innocent.

I loved my job. I’d organise the names alphabetically and glide around the Angel Realm as if I were an Earth bird. After I had completed the letters I sat down on my pedestal. 

I leaned back to relax, but heard a flop. Looking down, a single note flew towards the ground. I flew down and caught it. I frowned. It was black.

“Odd.” I murmured to myself. Returning to my pedestal I search around the letter to see who it is addressed to. The writing in the front was in dark grey ink. I strained my eyes to make out the word.

“Ga-br-iel.” I sounded it out.

That was my name. But that couldn’t be right. I never got letters. I know, because I handle all of them.

I was quite frenetic to open it, my hands shaking at the mystery letter. I pulled out a letter that read:

Hello my little messenger boy

I have a gift for you. You’ll see it soon enough, darling. 

Love from your favourite brother

Luce