The bastard angel

Chapter Four

I've decided to leave London. At least for now. It's my birthday and I'm long due a holiday. Cornwall. A few days by the seaside and I will work out what to do next. Maybe Scotland, Andrew would call this a blessing in disguise. That said, going to university does sound vaguely enjoyable, I could admit that much to myself. I pack up my room at Anton's house and take everything to the flat. I pack the suitcases. It takes a while and it's early evening when I'm ready to go.

Outside, I'm conscious of the time and I know I have enough for a carriage so I start walking to the main road where I know I can hail a ride.

'Miss Brierly?'

A man behind me. I keep walking. I've not met him before and he doesn't need to know that he's found me.

'Miss Brierly.' I keep walking but the man behind me gets closer and I turn to face him, maybe knock him over with the suitcases but before I can do so there's a hand on my mouth and the heady smell of chloroform hits me next and everything goes black.

When I come to, the first thing I'm conscious of is the floor, the cold stone on my skin. I stagger to my feet and check myself. I haven't been 'interfered with' as far as I can tell - the way my aunt put it. I still have my wits about me and I soon realise I'm in a church. I chuckle. Of all the places to end up on my birthday.

I make to leave when I hear an all-too-familiar voice behind me.

'Leaving so soon?'

I turn. It's that woman. The one I was supposed to have imagined appearing when I was ten and so close to drowning.

I steady myself. 'You haven't aged a day.'

'Time means nothing to those like me. But I will take the compliment all the same.'

I nod. 'Well, I have places to be, people to see. Next time, make an appointment.'

'I thought I told you to remember.'

'I don't know who you are, but I'm going.'

I haven't taken one step where suddenly, she's right in front of me. 'I have not the time nor the inclination to squander what little I have while I am in this world. I claimed you as mine and you will do what I say.'

'You didn't claim anything.'

'Why do you think you're still breathing? I made a choice to let you live.'

'Well, thanks for that, but I really have to be going.'

She grips my shoulder again like she did the first time. 'You're not going anywhere.'

A sudden pain in my chest makes me break eye contact with the mad witch and I look down. Her hand is inside my chest and I start coughing blood - I taste metal and I know. I can't speak and she rips her hand back out, and I can see my own heart, pulsing in her hand. Blood drips from my chest - I can't see much more but I can see that.

Somewhere in the middle of that violent act, she had let go of my shoulder and I have no idea how I'm still standing.

'Such a feeble thing, the human heart.' She considers it, as though she might call it Yorick, before dropping it on the ground and steps on it. I hear both and I still have to wonder how it is that I'm still standing - a moment later, her hand is in front of my face, holding up a small diamond.

'What?' I cough out, I can't get any more out before her hand - the one that had been holding the diamond - is back in my chest.

'You are now protected from death. I expect nothing more from one chosen to serve me in this world.'

I'm no longer coughing up blood but it now feels as though there are spears in my chest and I can't stand anymore.

No. Just let me die first.