Unholy Pleasures

Alma

Key Thirteen: Alma:

She doesn't remember being human. But she remembers that she was with someone in the city. Kit was the one who took care of her. Something about him felt so familiar. She couldn't place it at the time. But it felt nice. There might have been a family once but now they are all gone. They might not have existed at all. But Kit was real. She just knew it.

She drew open her eyes. This cage felt so cold. Despite so many other angels in here, she always felt alone. Well, almost. Alma rested her head on Marion's shoulder. The other angel pushed her off.

"Get off," she said. Alma looked up at her with a pout. Marion rolled her eyes.

"You big old baby," she muttered. Marion had been there for Alma. They didn't know how it happened. Alma just hung onto her. And her companion didn't push her away.

"What is wrong with the Tower?" Alma asked. Her companion turned her head.

"What?" she asked. The smaller angel held her hand to her chest.

"Can't you feel it?" she asked. Marion pressed her lips together. She turned her head away. Why does she do this? Why does she lie to protect her? Alma wasn't stupid. She knew that something was wrong.

"Stop," Marion said.

"Stop what?" Alma asked.

"Looking at me like that," her companion said. The other angel cocked her head to the side.

"Like what?" she asked.

"Like a hurt little puppy," Marion said. Alma frowned.

"I'm sorry," she said, lowering her head.

"Aw," the other angel said as patted her on the head. Alma kind of smiled to herself.

When did she become dependent? She didn't remember how she used to be. Maybe she was her own person. Now look at her. The city and this tower did something to her. The city started it and the tower made it worse.

"Why are we so dirty?" Alma asked. She had her head on Marion's chest.

"They did this to us," Marion said. "That's what this Tower does. It takes and it takes. It poisons everything it touches. It will use you up until you are nothing. Then it will move on to the next victim." Of course, Alma already knew this. She didn't know why she asked. Maybe it was to remind her of her situation. But why would she do this to herself? Even she doesn't have an answer.

Does she think she can be saved? Alma is starting to think not. Does she deserve to be saved? Most of the angels in the cage don't think they deserve to be.

"Do you think we deserve to be saved?" Alma asked. Marion sighed and shook her head. She didn't want to answer that.

"I don't know," she lied. "I'm not."

"Why?" the other angel asked.

"Don't," Marion said. "I am not doing this with you." Alma laid her head down and said nothing.

She at least wants to see Kit again.

She is starting to get a little bit of memory back. It was summertime. The bright green grass felt good at her feet. The house was out in the countryside. High noon at least. She didn't remember what she was doing but it didn't matter. This was her moment.

Somebody called her name. She turned and looked toward the house. There was someone standing in the doorway. Oh, he's up already. He? Yeah, that was it. She ran over to him

"There you are," he said. "I've been looking for you."

"It was a nice day," she said. "I couldn't help it." She started laughing. When was the last time she laughed like that? She used to be happy.

Alma wished she could remember more. She wished that she could laugh for real. She wished that she could be happy again. Alma wished she could see Kit again. And then a man came along and gave her a dangerous thing called hope.

Allen Walker.

Marion didn't trust him. Alma followed her lead. But escaping did sound nice. Maybe too nice.

"Will I get to see my Kit again?" she asked.

"Yes," he said. Marion sneered at that.

"You are a monster for what you are doing to her," she told him later.

"What do you mean?" Allen asked.

"Giving her hope like that."

"What?"

"You shouldn't have done that. You don't if it will work."

"I have to try." He sounded serious about this. Alma heard the whole conversation from across the cage. She didn't know what to make of this. It was nice to believe again.

But what happens now?

Alma shivered. She didn't want to have to think about that. The angel already knew what Marion was going to say. Alma just didn't have it in her to hear it again.

She turned her head when she heard the door opening. Alma froze as her breath caught in her chest. Oh no. It was time for another selection. The angel was quick to sit up and freeze into place as those vile twins stood in the doorway.