God's Gone AWOL

[8] Ophaniel's Regret

Nathaniel tried to tug Atticus towards the door, but Atticus was still extremely apprehensive. Keeping his ground, he didn't dare take another step. Even if he wanted desperately to escape this infernal place, he would rather do it on his own terms when he understood exactly what was going on.

"Why are you suddenly helping me?" he asked firmly.

At first, it didn't even seem to occur to Nathaniel that Atticus had no reason to trust him. But now that Atticus was resisting, he finally looked as though he realized just how suspicious his behaviour was. He quickly let go of Atticus' arm and straightened up his composure, suppressing his eagerness beneath the surface.

"What you said before about Heaven becoming self absorbed..." he said, his voice low, "I really see it now, especially with Camael. She only wishes to use you for personal gain, and she won't stop tormenting us both until she gets what she wants. At first I partnered with her because I agreed with some of her ideas, but now I fear that she has gone too far,"

He was right. By nature, Camael had always been ambitious and self-centered. In all the years that Atticus had served under her, she had never once treated anybody around her like an actual individual. She didn't care about anything, and everything was either cannon fodder for her ambitions, or a threat that needed to be squished. There was no in-between with her, so it was perfectly reasonable that Nathaniel might be fed up by now.

Camael was predictably difficult. But what about Nathaniel? Atticus knew so little about him that he really couldn't say. This whole time, Nathaniel had been using flattery and bargaining to get him on their side. Like Atticus, he had been using words instead of fists. While Camael had been shouting at him, Nathaniel had been listening. So just what was going on inside his head this whole time?

Was it really possible that this strange angel, whom Atticus had never encountered before, could have a much more complicated heart than anyone had ever imagined? It was possible. It was also unlikely, however this sudden strange behavior told Atticus otherwise.

"Whether you trust me or not, it doesn't matter to me. But you need to leave before she gets back." Nathaniel's eyes were filled with genuine concern, "Go find Ophaniel and hide somewhere. I can't say what she'll try next."

"..."

Atticus didn't move. His eyes were shining a bright gold and his eyebrows were knit in an expression of deep calculation. He wanted to get out of this place. That was certain. But Nathaniel was just so... untrustworthy that he had no idea whether he should take the risk or not.

Nathaniel had a lot to lose if he set Atticus free. What did he have to gain from it?

"You really intend to betray her?" Atticus asked.

"It was her who betrayed the way of Heaven first. I'm merely doing my duty as an angel," Nathaniel replied.

Shuffling towards the door, Atticus finally made up his mind. Yes, escaping in such a way was definitely risky. Yes, Nathaniel couldn't be trusted no matter what. But the dangerous of staying behind were far too real, and he couldn't sit around and wait for another opportunity to come up. So in a hasty moment of uncharacteristic recklessness, Atticus saluted Nathaniel.

"In that case, thank you,"

Then he turned and sprinted out the door into the marble hallways beyond. Nathaniel remained in the interrogation room, watching him go with a deep and unreadable look.

Bentley.

That was the first name that came to mind when he set foot over the threshold of freedom. Was she alright? Where could he go to find her? He needed to get her back as soon as possible, and figure out what they were supposed to do now that he had claimed responsibility for the soul fragment and—