Waiting for an Angel

Snow. It had begun to fall calmly with a serene grace I never knew existed. I gazed at my small gloved hands as the snowflakes fell gently onto them. I was in a daze; I searched for memories that I knew didn’t exist. So why was I trying so hard to remember? A low, harmful growl echoed in my sensitive ears, taking me by surprise. My eyes darted towards my surroundings, noticing a pack of wolves staring down at me with hungry eyes.

            Fear flowed through my veins, realizing that I was their prey. I couldn’t bring myself to move my body to try and run; I was immobilized by terror. As the wolves slowly drew closer, fangs dripping with saliva, I shut my eyes tightly as I prepared for my death.

            But it never came. I was suddenly comforted by strange warmth, and it shielded me from the winter cold. My eyes slowly fluttered open to see a man, who appeared to be 18 or 19 years old; I couldn’t really tell, holding me securely in his arms. The wolves had ceased their movements and snarled at my protector, warning him. But he only held me closer to him, his pale blue eyes giving off a warning of their own.

            The wolves seemed to have understood, and slowly fled towards the woods. I was unsure of what had happened, but I knew that this stranger had saved my life. He gazed down at me, a gentle hand moving a strand of hair away from my face.

            “Are you all right?” he asked, his voice rough yet comforting. I nodded, somehow getting lost into his eyes. He smiled at me, but it was a sad one. Placing a hand on my face, as if trying to make the moment last, he formed large black wings which emerged from his back, spreading outward as if readying themselves for flight.

            “Wait for me…” he whispered, before lifting himself up into the air and flew off into the distant sky. My fluttering heart helped me remember his fading warmth as I watched him disappear. I was reunited with a few strangers who had come searching for me, but all I could think about was the man with black wings.

            I never saw him again… Until several years later.

{~~~~~~~~~}

            It had been 10 years since I was saved by the man with black wings. I was only 8 years old at the time, but it was my first memory that I now cherish. When the search party had found me that snowy day, I had no memory of where I was; I didn’t even know my own name. A young woman and her husband had decided to take me in as their adopted daughter, and named me Astarte Morgenstern. They cherished me as if I was their own, and I was eternally grateful.

            I had started senior year of High School, and I had developed a friendship with Bethany Harper, a senior like myself who I had met a year after I was saved. She was a petite figured girl, with bright brown eyes, curly black hair and dark skin. Bethany was the kind of girl that took disrespect from no one; she always states her opinion and she is always informed on what goes on in school.

            “Star? Star!” her voice snapped me out of my thoughts, turning to face my friend. “Star, you okay? You’ve been spacing out again.” She told me, lips pursed with concern. I nodded, smiling at her reassuringly.

            “I’m all right. Just thinking.” I stated simply. Beth narrowed her eyes, as if knowing exactly what I was thinking about.

            “You’re thinking about your angel man, aren’t you?” she grinned, noticing my blush. She took it as a yes. “Girl, you can’t let that go, huh? Are you sure you didn’t imagine it?” she smiled.

            I took offense, however, but kept it hidden as I glanced at her. “I didn’t imagine it, Beth. He was real… And he did save my life.”