The Irangel | Prequel Story |

Chapter 27 ~ Tragedy and Loss

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~ Nate's log cabin in Switzerland ~

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Carrying an oil can with him, Cole flew in direction of Nate's log cabin in Switzerland. He followed Nate's tracks in the snow from where he had started walking. In another situation, Cole would've enjoyed walking on the hard snow with warm sunshine shining down on him and the soft powdery snow layer carpeting over the hard layer underneath. He would've admired the way the snow sparkled in the sun. He would've relished every breath of crisp, cold air and would've welcomed the scent of evergreen trees, forest, pine, snow, and fresh air.

But Cole was entirely focused on what he wanted to do with Nate. As his fleece-lined black and white Nordic winter boots walked steadily in the snow, his blue hoodie keeping him warm underneath his black Abercrombie winter coat, he placed his gloved hand in his pocket where he kept a vial of Tori's knock-out spray, along with a small handkerchief.

He saw Nate ahead of him, about to leave the log cabin. He already had a backpack on with all the stuff he needed and was getting ready to head back to the glass building when he sensed movement and glanced to where Cole was, but Cole had already disappeared behind a tree, his breathing steady and calm.

Nate looked at the tracks in the snow, but Cole had been careful to step exactly into Nate's tracks, that way he wouldn't leave a second pair of tracks in the snow. So lucky we're the same shoe size, he thought. He's about the same build as me too.

After a moment of careful inspection, Nate spread his wings and ascended. Not a minute after he was in the sky, he heard movement and turned slightly just as Cole collided into him, slamming him towards the ground while pressing the vial-soaked handkerchief to Nate's face. Cole was careful to wear a face mask that covered his nose and mouth, to prevent himself from breathing it in. The last thing he wanted was to knock himself out while knocking Nate out.

Nate immediately fell unconscious after breathing in the chemicals. Cole dropped the handkerchief and held Nate firmly as he descended, landing clumsily on the ground, the additional weight slowing him. He thrust open the door to the log cabin, breaking it open with his leg. He carried Nate inside and set him on the bed, slinging his backpack off and tossing it on the floor. As he turned back, the unconscious Nate in his peripheral vision, Cole faced him fully and thought in surprise, Wow, he sort of does look like an angel.

Nate's wings were spread out, his hair tousled, his eyes closed with delicate eyelashes, his beanie hat lost in the snow outside. He looked innocent and angelic, youthful, like a lamb being led to slaughter.

Cole's hands shook as he considered what he was about to do. He had no real hate or dislike towards Nate, only seeing him as a symbol of Tori's happiness. He wanted to crush whatever it was that gave her joy, and that happened to be Nate. Though Cole had no beef with the guy, because Tori took everything from him, he wanted to take everything from her. Nate was her everything, so he would take him away from her.

The vial would keep Nate unconscious for a whole day, but Cole didn't intend for him to live that long. He took Nate's cell phone and easily got through the locked passcode: Angel10. Angel, his nickname for her, and ten for the number of months they were together. How cute, Cole thought sarcastically, scowling as he initiated a video call with Tori, hitting the record button so that everything would be recorded as well.

Tori's face appeared soon after she answered the call, her happy expectant look turning into confusion when she saw it was Cole and not Nate. Justin appeared in the background, standing near Tori as he included himself in the video call. Tori's laptop computer was able to receive video calls from Nate's cell phone. She was in her office with Justin when Cole video called her.