Caught in the Fire

Chapter V: The Show Must Go On

"Father has seen your pain and has sent me, the angel who cast you out of Heaven, to show you the path to redemption," Michael said.

Lucifer just stared at Michael, eyes wide, stunned into complete silence. "That's... a lot to unpack," he finally said after a while. Since he was still leaning against the counter in front of his bar, he turned around and grabbed the first bottle he could find, and then a glass. He was going to need a drink for this. "Did I hit you over the head when you swooped down in front of my Corvette, by any chance? Is that how you scratched my vintage car, hmm?"

"Brother, do not be ungrateful." Michael picked one of the broken bottles off the floor and smelled what was left of it, and then abruptly pulled back, blinking at the strong smell. "What is this foul concoction you flung at me?"

"Vodka." Lucifer drained his glass and put it down, still wide-eyed in shock, and then he walked to the elevator. "We should talk in private at my penthouse, brother. The nightclub will be filling up soon."

"Very well," Michael said, and then he started walking toward the nightclub exit.

"Where the bloody hell are you going?"

"I will fly up to your penthouse. Where are you going?"

"You can take the elevator!" Lucifer insisted, gesturing to it.

Michael followed his hands to the elevator, and then he looked back at his brother, still not understanding. "What is an elevator?"

"Oh, for Dad's sake..." Lucifer walked over to his brother, grabbed him by the right arm, then reconsidered and switched to his left arm, and finally led him into the elevator. "You need to get out of The Silver City more often."

Michael put his wings away and then went into the elevator with his brother. He watched with fascination as the doors closed and let out a small gasp when he felt the floor moving upward. "Incredible."

"I know, it's a strange new world." They made it up to the penthouse and they walked out of the elevator together. "You really need to spend some time on Earth."

Michael walked to the living room and stopped momentarily to gaze at the chandelier on the ceiling—a small upside-down tree with little lights in lieu of leaves, and the reflective ceiling made it appear right side up. "Interesting." Then he continued taking in the sights. "Oh, brother, I wanted to ask you about that intriguing black tapestry." He gestured to the flat, black panel. "What does it symbolize?"

"That black... what?" Lucifer followed his gaze and saw the big screen television. "You've never seen a TV?"

"A... Tee-Vee?"

"Television." Lucifer grabbed the remote and turned it on. "If it symbolizes anything, it's my passion for binge-watching shows when I'm trying to stay awake."

Michael jumped back as he saw the images moving on the screen, his black wings unfurling. "Amazing." He walked up to the television and placed his hands on the screen, staring at the moving images with fascination. "It is like a... a living tapestry."

"As refreshing as your naïveté is, brother, I believe you have some explaining to do. What does Father want in return for letting me stay on Earth? Spit it out already before I drop-kick you off the balcony. And believe me when I say that I would thoroughly enjoy every second of watching you fall."

Michael glanced at the balcony, and then grinned and just let him have his little fantasy. "Of course." Michael stepped away from the TV, then he stuffed his hands in his pockets and turned to face his brother. "I have been watching you. You are upset at leaving this life behind."

"Well, I do hope you're enjoying the show," he said, scoffing.

"I heard you say goodbye to her, brother. It only confirmed my earlier suspicions: you love that human. It is due to that love that Father has decided that you may still have another chance instead of eternal damnation for what you have done."