Archangel

Chapter Thirty-One

"Her name was Anastasia. She was beautiful. She had thick light brown hair that reached all the way to her thighs. Warm, light brown eyes that you could just gaze into forever and get lost. She was shy, but once you got to know her she turned wild. She was kind and very fond of animals. She was amazing. And it broke my heart that she was the only that couldn't see that." When he finished he looked at me expectantly and I knew what he was thinking. This girl, this past angel sounded exactly like me. Physically, and emotionally. I shivered, and it wasn't because I was cold. It makes no sense. This eerie similarity between me and Anastasia must be nothing more than a mere coincidence. That's all. But I can't help but feel that I've heard that name somewhere before. It feels so familiar. I really need to stop overthinking things.
"So what happened to her?"
"I killed her. Just like my brother said."
"How?" There was a long pause. He just looked at me, probably wondering if he should tell me. Finally he responded,
"I ripped her wings and pushed her from Heaven." After I had gotten over my initial shock I asked,
"How old was she?" I didn't know why I asked that, it wasn't relevant in any way, but for some reason I needed to know. Gabriel looked perplexed by my question as well.
"She was twenty five." Twenty five, a year older than me.
"But why? The way you talk about her is obvious that you cared for her. Which doesn't make sense because Michael told me that you killed her because you were 'looking out for him', thinking that him being in love made him weak."
"Ah yes, that was the lie I had woven into my brothers head. After all, I couldn't let him know I killed his love out of jealousy. You realize, what a pathetic excuse that was, even though it was true. He never realized how much I loved her. But I did love her. I never loved anybody as much as I did her and I couldn't bear seeing her with my brother. The emotional pain was too much. I did everything for her. I treated her with respect. I was always there for her, listening to her dreams, fears and secrets. As she did with mine. We spend so much time together. Shared so many laughs. I thought she felt the same way. So when I proclaimed my love for her, she looked at me with pity and said that she didn't feel the same. She cared for me a close friend. But she was in love with Michael. I guess you could say that's when I lost it. If I couldn't have her, no one could. And it's a good thing I did it too, she was too good for this cruel and ugly world." It took a moment for his words to register.
"You do realize that what you did was despicable and unforgivable. I'm surprised Michael still talks to you, despite him not knowing the real reason. I would have never forgiven you." When I said that last part, he looked more vulnerable than I've ever seen him. The color drained from his face and pure sadness filled his eyes. In that moment I actually felt bad for him. What he said next was barely audible and didn't make any sense. I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or to himself.
"I know. But God knows I've asked for it countless of times." He looked at me and saw the confused look on my face. Then all of a sudden he was back to normal. Standing tall and arrogant as ever. All trace of
vulnerability gone.
"Yes, well what's done is done. Besides Michael can't hurt me, at least not too severely. Just like I won't hurt him too badly either. For we are brothers after all, family."
"You talk so profoundly of family, yet don't you realize that you've already hurt him? You see how much he's fighting to keep the humans safe. You have no idea how much it kills him to see what you and you're outcasts are doing. He's starting to lose hope..." At that moment I gravely realized my mistake. Gabriel smirked, realizing my slip up as well. I've just completely humiliated Michael and given Gabriel exactly what he wanted. To know that Michael is breaking and he holds the advantage.
"Is something wrong Scarlett? You do look quite pale." He said as he moved closer to me. Fucking bastard was gonna mock me.
"Well, well, well, it seems that you just spilled the beans about something you weren't supposed to. Something that Michael certainly won't appreciate me knowing." He was now directly in my face, that stupid smirk still on his face. Ok, calm down Scarlett. If you pummel him to death right now, you won't get to find out any more information. So I recovered and tried to act nonchalant.
"That little slip up of mine, is not going to help you much. So go ahead and gloat. It's useless." He chuckled and shook his head in amusement.
"I got to admit. I really admire your defiance. It's quite a turn on." He said, leaning even closer. I pushed him away and got up from the bed.
"You're either really bad at taking a hint, or you just choose to ignore them for your own entertainment. I'll go with the latter."
"Scarlett, I'm touched. You know me so well already."
"Yay me." I said with no enthusiasm.
"But now I'm going to have to ask you nicely to get out." I said. I knew I wasn't getting anything more out of him today, due to my stupid slip up. So I need to mule over what I did get to find out.
"I must say, I did enjoy our little talk."
"Mhm." I said, already deep in thought.
"Well, have a good day." He said as he bowed, actually bowed, and left the room. As soon as he left I sat on the bed and tried to make sense of everything he's told me. Ok, so he's obviously delirious about this whole "mission" of his and there's no way to get through to him with reasonable talk. He truly believes he's doing the right thing. I'll need to go back to that. What's really bothering me is the whole Anastasia thing. It's obvious that that's when Gabriel snapped, and it must be why he is who he is today. But what really bothers me is that I can't shake the feeling of familiarity. I know I heard that name somewhere. Ugh! I looked at the dress as it pooled around my feet on the floor. The dress! Gabriel said that it belonged to a friend who was now gone. And when I asked about it, he got really upset. Could this dress...no...however...I quickly got up from the bed and went to the bathroom. I took the dress off in a hurry. I turned it around and looked at the rips more closely. The lines were not clean and straight. They weren't done intentionally. It was as if something ripped through the dress inside out perfectly, the same distance apart, the same length. Something like....wings.

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Hi guys, I apologize for not updating in a while. I've been busy with work and summer homework. But I want to thank those who voted and continue to read it. I truly appreciate it.