The Known/Unknown Quantity

Chapter 160: Change of Plans

Chapter 160: Change of Plans

The next day Adam did come back. Aziraphale was sitting with Tracy at the breakfast table, making a list of loose ends that should be tied up before they left. When Adam poked around the corner, Aziraphale stood up aghast.

"Adam, is that really...you?"

                "Hi, Uncle Angel," he nodded. "Long time, no see."

                The child had no time to react before the angel swept up to him and hugged him fiercely. Adam had other relatives, real relatives his father might say, that did the same thing. They were brisk and smelled funny, they pinched his cheek and bought him things he'd never use or wear but had to show off for them. They thought he was perpetually five years old.

                But this relative asked how he was, what he was into lately, if anything was bothering him. This relative hugged hard, but he pulled away to meet you eye to eye to talk to you.

                And he never pinched your cheek.

Crowley came back from a long drive about midmorning. That was starting up again: the speed-demon races into the countryside. Stopping at a bend in the road. Looking out on the world.

                Wondering what next.

                Entering the kitchen, he saw his answer. There was the boy with Aziraphale, both talking in hushed tones, both somber. At his arrival the angel looked up, and the demon saw how pained his face was. Aziraphale rose, greeted him, then turned worriedly to the boy.

                "We are going for a visit, my dear," he told the demon. "The boy and I."

                "To meet the others," Crowley said through clinched fangs.

                "Um, yes. I'm to understand they came to see you last night." His tone took on an accusing, pouty edge," and you never bothered to inform me."

                "Would have, but I went for a drive."

                The angel blinked. "Oh?"

                "Oh."

                "Ah."

                Adam stood up and took the angel's hand, nodding to the demon. "I'll bring him back in one piece."

                Crowley's face broke into a gentle smile. "You betta. Or I'll have to kick some ass."

                With that they left, and Crowley's curiosity got the best of him. He spied the list on the kitchen table and idly gave it a glance. His body swayed, as he did when was half-listening to something, and then he froze. His finger went the bottom of the list, to a heading marked," When we get back: Prophecies."

                He sat down, and leaned in to peer closer, his face just as somber as the two that had left. Anathema passed through to make some lemonade, and saw him glaring a hole into the paper.

                "Stare any harder," she commented, "and you'll incinerate that thing."

                "He wants to study cave paintings now," Crowley explained as he read.

                She pulled out some lemons and sliced into them. "Is that a question or a statement?"

                "And...hieroglyphs?" The demon's head raised to her then, his fingers playing with the edge of the page.