Radio Romance

Chapter 20: War & Peace

"WHAT?!"

We all sat in shock and dismay after hearing the news. Vaggie explained everything about what went down in their meeting with heaven yesterday. Charlie proposed her case with Angel as the main evidence, and despite showing heaven that he met their criteria for being redeemed, Charlie's claim was denied by the head seraphim, and she learned that the exterminations weren't common knowledge for everyone there.

   On top of that, Adam stated that he and his army of exterminator angels are coming for the hotel and all who inhabit it first. And as if that wasn't enough....Vaggie turned out to be hiding a huge secret from all of us...she was a fallen angel, an exterminator at that. It was no wonder Charlie was in absolute tears the way she was the other night. She'd lost everything. After our initial shock and discussion, we sat in silence for a while. Niffty looked at Vaggie suspiciously.

"So like...where are your wings??" She asked. Vaggie sighed.

"Niffty, I don't have-"

"Did ya ever think that maybe she's sensitive about her lack of wings? Just like her lack of tits?" Angel cut in. I elbowed him in the arm for that one.

"Yeah, where are your tits?" Niffty asked, staring at Vaggie's chest. She sighed in frustration.

"Any other questions?" Vaggie asked. I thought it over, but before I could completely think up a question, Husk piped up.

"I got one. How come every time Charlie talks to heaven, we get in deeper and deeper shit?" He asked.

"It's not her fault. Angels are just..." Vaggie trailed off.

"Liars?" Me and Angel said in unison.

"Difficult." Vaggie corrected. "But Charlie's trying her best." She reminded.

"Yeah, well, her best is...turning out real well so far..." Husk said as he stood up and walked back to his station behind the bar.

"Where is Miss fearless leader anyway? Isn't it about time for another doomed to fail plan?" Angel asked. I gave him a look as if to say watch what you're saying buddy.

"She's upstairs...coming up with something I'm sure. In our room....alone." She said. I sighed.

"I take it you haven't spoken to her since the incident?" I asked. Vaggie looked at the floor sadly and nodded.

"She refuses to speak to me or even look at me. She's been locked away up there the whole time. She won't even open the door for Niffty to tidy up the room a bit." She said. I sighed.

"To be fair, I can't say I blame her. That's a lot to take in one day. But, I'm sure she'll be okay. She's gotta bounce back eventually, right?" I asked. Vaggie didn't respond. She stared at the floor in silence. I gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Finally she looked up at me. As I looked back at her, it seemed like she was fighting back tears, and she moments away from losing it.

    "Hey, it'll be okay. Want me to go make you a cup of tea or anything?" She nodded slowly. I have her a small smile before heading into the kitchen. After brewing some tea, I poured a cup for me and Vaggie, and carried them out to her. I held her cup out and she took it. I sipped on it as she did, and we stood in silence. I glanced over at Al only to find he was no longer in his chair. I furrowed my brow in confusion as I scanned the room for him.

    "What's wrong?" Vaggie asked. I scanned the room further. There was no sign of him.

   "Where's Alastor?" I asked. Vaggie's eyes widened. Just then, a green glow took over the room. On the ceiling, a bunch of neon green veins spread outward across the room. Vaggie dropped her cup onto the ground in shock.