Archangel

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

I sat down on the cold hard floor. I couldn't believe this. This dress belonged to Anastasia. But how could Gabriel still have it after all this time? I let the dress fall to the floor, not wanting to even touch it, let alone put it on again. That dress belonged to a dead angel. And angel that both Michael and Gabriel had been in love with. An angel that Gabriel murdered. Suddenly tears started streaming down my cheeks. I really don't know why. But I just felt this pain for Anastasia and her death that it was as if I knew her and was grieving for a dear friend. I got up from the floor, leaving the dress there. I got out of the bathroom, not caring who walked in and saw me and just went to bed pulling the covers over me and tried to fall asleep.

"Anastasia!" I turned around to see Gabriel coming towards me. I smiled brightly, seeing my dear friend. He has asked me to meet him and I was overjoyed by his invitation.
"Gabriel! How are you?" I said, as I engulfed him in a hug.
"I haven't seen you much these last couple of days. You seemed distant. Are you alright?"
"Yes, everything's quite alright." He replied, as I studied him closely.
"Gabriel I've known you for so long. You know you can't lie to me. I can always tell when something is amiss."
"Yes you can, can't you?" I smiled as I nodded my head at him.
"So then why can't you see how much it's killing me to see you with my brother?! To know that you're in love with him, when I'm in love with you! Don't you see anything amiss in that?!" He's sudden outburst startled me.
"Gabriel we've been over this. I cannot help what I feel. I told you I care for you deeply as a friend. But nothing more. I'm truly sorry."
"So am I." Gabriel said with a regretful expression as he retrieved his sword from his side. Instantly my heart started pounding in my chest.
"Gabriel what are you doing?" I asked, starting to back away slowly.
"I'm sorry Anastasia. But it's clear that you're not gonna realize that you belong with me. And if I can't have you, no one can." My eyes widened. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"Gabriel stop this madness right now! You are acting like a spoiled child." His grip on the sword tightened.
"That!! I have to admit that is something I always detested about you. Sometimes you could be so controlling and self righteous. I got to tell you it gets pretty annoying!" He started laughing. He didn't look like himself. He looked insane.  I expanded my wings and flew off. But before I got the chance to escape, Gabriel grabbed my ankle and pulled me down to the ground. I tried resisting, beating my wings as hard as I could, but Gabriel was always stronger than me. I was getting more tired with every beat. Suddenly I felt searing pain shoot through my whole body, as I fell to the ground. More pain coursed through my body and I screamed in agony, tears blurring my vision. Gabriel stands over me, one of his swords covered in blood...my blood.
"Gabriel...how could you...how...?" I could barley speak. He leaned in towards me.
"The pain you are feeling right now, is what I feel every single day over and over and over. Knowing you would never love me, like you do Michael." I couldn't say anything, I felt dizzy from the pain. My body was trying to heal itself, but his sword punctured the weakest part of an angels body. Gabriel pushed me down to the ground on my stomach. I used every ounce of strength trying to fight him off, but to no prevail. For my wings have lost their strength as well, and were beating slowly, mere inches off the ground. Suddenly, I felt Gabriel grab hold of the base of my wings, and I knew exactly what he was going to do.
"Gabriel please, no....I beg of you....think about what you're doing...have mercy...please..."
"I'm truly sorry Anastasia. You have to experience the pain that I feel." I started sobbing, knowing he wouldn't change his mind. I felt the tip of the blade slice into the lower base of my wing. A shrill scream escaped my lips and filled the air as pure pain engulfed me in it's clutches. I didn't know what was happening anymore, I couldn't feel anything but pure pain. My eyes were clutched tight, just waiting, hoping that the pain will stop. After what seemed like an eternity, the pain subdued a bit. But I still felt throbbing in the middle of my back. Other than that I felt completely dull. I felt completely drained, my body limp. I felt Gabriel's hands around my waist as he rose me to my feet. He had to support me, since I could barely stand. My tears were dried on my face. My eyesight was blurry, until Gabriel turned my body around and my eyes fell on my wings. My once beautiful wings, lay lifeless on the ground all color drained from them. My blood splattered on them. Sadness washed over my body and then only anger. With what little strength I had left I said to Gabriel,
"How you could you? You're a monster. A savage. I hate you with all my heart." He didn't say anything. Instead he held me against him, opened his wings and flew off. Shortly, we arrived at our destination. It was the edge between heaven and earth, the human world. Angels that break the rules, or commit sins have their wings cut off and get thrown from the edge to fall unto Earth. They say that the souls of those angels end up in hell, to be tortured forever and pay for their sins. Their bodies are never found. Gabriel dragged me to the edge. He held me upright by the shoulders facing him. His face was full of remorse.
"I love you Anastasia. More than you will ever know. But I can't live, knowing you will never love me back. I had to do this and I know you will never understand. But this way you'll belong to no one but me." Then he leaned towards me and gently pressed his lips to mine. When he backed away, a tear was falling down his face.
"I hate you and I will never forgive you." Those were my last words to him as he pushed me over the edge and I fell to my doom.