The Guardian

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Realizing I was speaking to a fragile man, I spoke slowly. "Yes. I've been sent here, to help and be helped. But I'm not an Angel. I am human-- well I was, until a day ago. Not going into too many details, I've been changed to suit Heaven's needs."

Father Matthew face registered some disappointment at my non angel status, whilst still looking shocked and awed. It was a bizarre mix. I wished he'd fix his face into a more natural expression, but seriously doubted he could.

His voice, hesitant, soft, pulled me out of my fascinated reverie. I hadn't realized he was talking.

"...So you're not an angel, but you look like one... What are you, exactly? And you've been sent here? By God? And.... "

I held up a hand. We could be here all night at this rate.

"Father Matthew- If I may call you that -I realize you have a lot of questions. I have too, to be honest... But everything will be answered in due time. This is still a confession? "

I continued at his affirmative nod. "Then I will confess this. I'm half and half. I'm sent here by Gabriel, at the Heavenly fathers behest"- Blegh, big words, there, Rach-" And I'm currently homeless, jobless and penniless. I do have a task to complete and would greatly appreciate some help... I'm tired, and I could seriously do some damage to a plate of food right now. "

A half hour later, I've been shown a small room in the chapels adjoining cottage, and been given a plain, but decently hearty meal.

Picking my all but licked clean plate up and rinsing it, I felt a tentative hand almost but not quite, touching my wings. Whirling around, startled, I saw the priest dancing back, blushing a bright red. "I-I'm sorry. I just... wanted to, well...feel. "

Enormously relieved, I cautiously extended a wing towards him -Hey, I'm getting good at this - and gestured to go ahead. Eyes boggling, he extended a shaking hand and touched my wingtip... and then the wing itself. Murmuring to himself, stroked the feathers, felt them and suddenly tugged- hard.

Instinct took over, and I found myself fully uniformed, moving like lightning. When I blinked, he was pinned to the wall with one wing holding him fast, feathers edged in fine, sharp looking gold, at his throat. I held this position for a few long seconds, adrenaline rushing through my veins, before registering his fearful stammering apologies. Horrified, I backed off, willing the armor and uniform to disappear. Rushing over to him, I helped him up, sat him in a chair and got a glass of water before him, all in a space of seconds. Abashed, I looked at him, and saw he was looking straight at me.

"Please, forgive me. Though I understand why, I would ask that you don't do that again....it hurt...These wings are attached to me, and very sensitive. I acted on instinct. "

He heaved a sigh, and stood up. "I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have done that. I just had to make sure. I truly didn't mean to hurt you. "

Looking into his eyes, at the sincerity and truth shining out of their hazel depths, I nodded. He truly was sorry, and I understood his need to make sure. I offered a conciliatory hand, and surprise flashed across his face. He took it, hesitantly, and finally smiled.

"You should go to bed. You look really tired... and me yanking your feathers didn't help."

I smiled gratefully and went up to the room that was mine for tonight. I seriously needed some shuteye... I've been up for more than 48 hours... even if i had to sleep on my stomach.

_______ _______ ________ _____ _________ _______

I woke disorientated and woozy. I sunk deeper into the warmth of my bed, trying to remember my dream... I could still feel feathers tickling me and the weight of wings on my back. I opened my eyes, and froze. It wasn't a dream... It was real... all real. Jumping up, the wings opened fully in my panic and disorientation, I swept a few things off the shelves, causing a racket. The room really wasn't big enough for me and the wings.