The Angel Contract

Chapter One: Lucky

After millennia of existence, I've come to a profound realization: living in fear is a choice. As a fallen angel, I've observed humans closely, and they never fail to exasperate me. Their unwavering certainty in their knowledge, even as their own lives spiral out of control, is a testament to their ego. Who likes being told they're wrong? Who enjoys the unsettling feeling of their 'perfect world' appearing chaotic to others, all while pretending not to care about external judgment? No one. The fear of being judged is universal, regardless of what they may proclaim. Just as we fear the unknown, we are equally terrified of the truth, perhaps even more so. With fear, we have familiar weapons to combat it, but the truth is an unsettling presence that embeds itself deeply within us, gradually becoming a part of our existence. We may not want a sudden scare or a jolt of reality, but somewhere within us, a weapon stands at the ready to defend us if needed. In the face of fear, we are armed and prepared, but when confronted with the unvarnished truth, our defenses are often caught off guard. No one desires conflict, yet we are armed with a vast arsenal of destructive weapons, ready for war at a moment's notice. War has sadly become normalized in human society. What would humans do in a world devoid of conflict, only peace? But the truth, it can inflict a deeper wound than any weapon of destruction. When faced with a truth we struggle to accept, an unsettling feeling grips our stomach, tearing us apart like shattered glass. The emotional anguish cuts the deepest, in my opinion. Lost in these contemplations, I found myself driving towards the old Victorian inn on Duval Street in Key West, Florida. Parking my white Porsche on the side of the street, I stepped out, my mind still consumed by these heavy thoughts. Standing on the sidewalk, I tucked my hands deep into the pockets of my leather jacket, feeling the chill of the December air. The bright yellow house, adorned with gingerbread trim, gazed back at me in all its quaintness. The Whisper Inn, its red bold letters hanging on a sign out front, welcomed me inside with the comforting scent of apples and cinnamon. To the right, a cozy sitting area beckoned, featuring a plush blue couch, a matching chair, and an ottoman arranged before a crackling fireplace adorned with pinecones in ribbon baskets. As a demon, fireplaces held a special significance for us, especially during important conversations. Fire had its symbolism in our demon dictionary. Standing behind a pair of honeymooners lost in each other's embrace, I observed the scene before me. As Tom and Mindy, the overly cheerful newlyweds, introduced themselves with their high-pitched voices and honeymoon excitement, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. Their giddy demeanor grated on my demon sensibilities, but there was more to their story than their superficial happiness. Tom's hidden secret of being in love with Mindy's brother and marrying her as a means to stay close to him revealed a darker undercurrent beneath their façade of marital bliss. The affair between the two men had been ongoing for years, a truth that I easily discerned when Tom inadvertently bumped into me during their public display of affection.

Tom's guilty apology was accompanied by a strange look as my eyes flashed a bright purple with irritation. The couple's giggles and intimate gestures, with Tom's hand on Mindy's rear and her nibbling on his ear, only served to exacerbate my disdain. Anne, the sweet old lady at the front desk, congratulated the couple with her usual warmth, her silver hair neatly tied up in a bun and her cheeks perpetually rosy from smiling.

As Tom and Mindy headed upstairs to their room, I seized the opportunity to engage with Anne, whose demeanor suddenly shifted as her eyes turned black, signaling a hidden power within her. With a mischievous smile, I reciprocated her greeting, and she subtly motioned towards the closet door, hinting at a potential revelation or intrigue awaiting me within.

As I stepped into the closet and pressed the hidden button labeled "down," the space transformed into an elevator, transporting me to an underground supernatural club. The vibrant and colorful atmosphere immediately caught my attention, with a famous DJ spinning electronic beats and green strobe lights illuminating the space. The club was bustling with activity, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at being back in this hidden world.