A Falling Angel

Burning Memories

As we got closer to the flaming houses, I was able to hear the screams over the wind. Every time the terrible sound pierced through the air, I flinched. What could even be happening? I don't think a simple house fire could cause this much chaos... A forest fire? No... We've had such a hydrated summer. That's when it dawned on me. Raiders

"Serenity! I need you to land away from the village and stay behind the tree line!" I yelled.

I could tell she was asking why by the way she tilted her head.

"Raiders. They'll see you and attack you. They likely won't see me because of my... Um.... You know...." Serenity nodded. We descended a few meters away from the start of the forest. As I slid off the saddle, Serenity gave me an encouraging nudge. She looked up at me with concerned eyes. "Hey... I'll be fine. They won't even notice what I'm doing." I said while smiling a, hopefully, believable smile. Wait... What was I doing? I pondered my question for 3 seconds then decided it didn't matter. Something. I'm doing something. I need to do something. Who cares what it is? I ran off to the burning houses. I cleared the tree line and all I could see was chaos. Every house getting devoured by flame, children, likely now orphans, crying and mothers screaming, looking for their children. Men were trying to protect their family from the other men attacking. I searched around frantically, listening carefully for that familiar scream. The one my mother used to make when I was little. When my dad hurt her. It pierced through the air. It was above all others like it was most important. Why? She ignored me too. She always neglected to help me. Why do I want to make sure she's okay? Why do I care about these people? I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind and ran towards the sound. Laying there on the fire-lit stone was my mother. "Mom!" I screamed. She turned her head to see me running towards her.

"What? I don't have a chi- Angel?" My mom said quietly. I reached and grabbed her in my arms.

"Mom..." I smiled. "You're alive"

"Angel, I thought-" She stopped, not sure if I was okay with it.

"I'm okay! I'm here," I said, crying.

"Angel," She smiled back holding her hand against my face. "I'm so sorry about everything" I felt it unnecessary to respond, so I continued to run. Still unnoticed by everyone else, I reached the tree line. I looked down at my mom to find her eyes closed.

"Mom!" I screamed. "Don't leave!" Her eyes fluttered open, but were tired and bloodshot. All I could see was pain. "Mom. Please, don't leave me."

"You did fine without me for 5 years. You would've done fine without me for your entire life. I was a terrible mother and I'm sorry." She said through pained breaths. "You grew to be a wonderful girl. You cared for me, even though I was terrible to you, but you have to move on"

"No.... Please..." I said crying. Why do I feel so sad? I hardly know this woman. Everyone else was dying. Why didn't i save them?

"Angel, do you know why I called you Angel?" She asked. I shook my head. "I thought you were my saving grace. You were yes, but in a different way than i first expected. I thought your father would stop hitting me after your birth. He didn't stop, but you opened my eyes. I realized what I was capable of. So I left him." My mother whispered with her last breaths. "I love you, Angel. You have the power to save people." All the muscles in her body un-tensed and I felt her life force leave.

"Mom!" I screamed. "No!" I cried over her body. I felt an embrace. A human embrace. I looked up.

"Angel..."