Shattered Halo- The Fallen Saga

Shattered Halo-3

Chapter 3

"FAITH!" I whipped my head around so fast, my neck cricked. I only had time to wince before I was bombarded by a flash of curly brown hair. I hit the ground and let out a groan. "Oops..." Ivy withdrew herself, and held out a hand to help me up. I took it, returning to my feet with a pain in my back, but otherwise unharmed. "I missed you sooo much! Come on! Dinners inside, and we have presents!" she said, in a sing-song voice. I'll never understand how so much hyper-active energy can be concentrated into the one girl.

Dragging me effortlessly by the wrist, Ivy skipped gleefully into her little hut. Ivy's hut was a small box-like structure consisting of three small rooms and a small water feature from Earth. She tends to say she liberated it, but to be honest, I think stole is a more accurate word there, seeing as she plucked from someones frontyard on her last visit. Either way, it did look nicer by her hut than it had on the human's tacky lawn. The small strip of grass was so crowded with lawn ornaments, they wouldn't notice one little fountain missing, surely?

I smiled at the memory, as I was pulled through the doorframe into the main lounge/dining area in Ivy's hut. The same decor of a creamy white walls with small portraits of what humans thought angels looked like (also retrieved from Earth) surrounded us. Ivy though her decorations were hilarious, and everytime it was brought up, she would burst into a small fit of laughter. I had to admit, the irony of it all was kind of funny.

Peter was draped languidly over a maple dining chair pulled out of the curved table made from the same hardwood. He gave a brief flick of his hand in acknowledgment of my presence, but other than that, made no attempt to greet me. Which I had no issue with. Peter and I had agreed that there was no point in saying 'Hi' twice a day, so that was nothing out of the ordinary. 

Pulling up a chair opposite him, I copied Peter's example. I was completely drained after my earlier experiences. Ivy took one look at our two lifeless forms, and her vibrant, happy expression twistedinto one of disapproval at our laziness. " C'mon guys, we are here to celebrate! Let's get talking! Faith, how was Earth?" she asked kindly.I grunted. "I will not accept one word answers or grunts. Get talking, or get walking. Seriously, how was Earth?"  Pulling myself up slightly, I figured it was best to respond. Ivy was serious, and I know that she just wants a nice long reunion. Unfortunately, I can't give her that, so I should at least give her some good conversation.

"It was nice. I stayed in a gorgeous place this time, much better than that time when I was sent to the dreary, rainy town and had to stay in that shack for 4 years." I giggled.

"Sounds good! Oh, hey what did Gabriel want?" 

"Um... He gave me my next assignment."

"Awesome! When are you leaving? We'll have a few months probably, but if we're going to throw you a going-away party then I'll need a date. Do you know were you're going? Oooh, do you think we might be able to visit?" she inquired with enthusiasm. "That would be great! we'll be able to catch up and junk!" My expression dropped, as I struggled to phrase what I was going to tell them next.

"Well... Um, the thing is..." I sucked air through my teeth, and blurted out in a jumbled mess "I'mgoingbacktoEarthtomorrow!" Ivy sent me a confused look. I repeated, slower "I going back to Earth tomorrow. Gabriel gave me a new assignment straight away. I'm so sorry guys, I really don't want to but the boy's life is in my hands." I gave them both my best apologetic face. Ivy didn't move. Not even one facial twitch. I think she was in shock. Peter just shrugged.

"I figured he'd do that." he said, not moving even slightly.

"WHAT?!?" Ivy and I shrieked simultaneously.

"Well, he sounded pretty urgent when he spoke to me, so I worked out that you'd be leaving within a few days. I did hope for the three of us to hang out a little more, but hey, what can you do?"

"That's way too early, she just got back!" Ivy argued at no one in particular. "He can't make her do that, right?"

"Cool it Ivy, we still have tonight. We'll just make this my going-away dinner instead of my return dinner, 'kay?" I compromised.

"Bu-but.... This was meant to be... I wanted to..." Ivy trailed off.

"It's ok! We'll work it out. Promise. I'll try arrange a time for you guys to come down and visit. It'll be fine. Let's just forget about this for the moment and enjoy dinner."

"Hear, hear." Peter nodded in agreement.

*****

 I found myself returning to the Parting after a dinner of fake smiles and too much salt. Ivy could have told me she had already salted the food before I poured half the shaker over my slivers of fish, but hey, who am I to judge? I can't cook to save my life.

My feet treded the familiar route through the clouds to the Parting. I don't even know why I'm here, I just felt a pull. Circling the edge the of the gap, I stared down at the city lights. Night time was always so peaceful down on Earth. It was so much quieter, so much nicer. It was like a silent swarm of fireflies against the pitch black of the rest of the night. Sighing quietly to myself, I sat down and looked, thinking of the boy I would meet in just a few short hours. Aiden Riley was going to be tough case, but I won't fail. He needs help, and I'm gonna give it to him.

My confidence sealed with this thought, I smiled to myself, just a small one. I was as ready as I'll ever be.

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Ok, please don't hate me for this mini chappie after your huge month long wait. I had the scholarship exam, and my half yearlys have started even though we're just 3 weeks in, and.... I'm sorry, I won't give anymore excuses. I promise, I'll update sson. Sorry about any errors in spelling and junk, didn't edi!

Leina Loes You (even if she doesn't update in over a month)!

p.s. I have GOT to stop referring to myself in third person, it's becoming kinda creepy :(