The Pariah

Part 1: Chapter 1: City of Angels

In the end, I can't tell if we've won or lost.
Sometimes I think our paths never should have crossed.

But my life is yours to keep.
I know that it's not much, it's so small and so cheap.

As the life fleets from me, it becomes clear.
That I don't want to be in this world if you're not here.

Chapter song: The Cab - Angel With a Shotgun

❗❗❗

"Why do you do this to yourself?"

I remember those words. When she asked me. The night we fought so much that I made her cry. I remember feeling guilty for everything I said.

It didn't matter to me that she was better than me. Smarter, nicer, prettier. I cherish the moments when we are together, even if they are rare.

She looks at me and those amazing blue eyes are watery and shiny in the moonlight. "Why do you do this?"

❗❗❗

A hand shook my shoulder and the world slowly came back together. The colors faded in, shapes and objects. A rattling noise was the first thing I noticed. It took me a second to remember where I was and why I was here. Then all the memories came crawling back and I sighed.

I'm on a train. Headed to Windbreak City. It's my first time ever coming here. But Hazel's told me a lot about it. I just hope that I remember everything she told me about this place. The people there are strange and most likely going to be different than the people in Haven. They are Angels after all. But besides the physically exterior, their minds worked differently.

The person was the conductor who was going around telling everyone that the ride was almost over. People in other carts were shuffling around to gather their things. I move to the end of my seat and grabbed my own things. It was easy to move about, since my things were all in one bag. It was okay with me, though. Hazel kept my things light. She told me never to have too many personal objects since we always sold them to get bus tickets or a hotel room. She and I were always on the move. We would stay somewhere for about a year or two, then we would get going again. She was secretive about her life.

I say was because Hazel was killed just a year ago.

Hazel was my older sister. She was my guardian, teacher and sister. Hazel was just about the only person that I trusted.

I peered out the ice-laced window. The large city was finally coming into view. I had to squint to see it, since it was so cloudy. Mist trailed along the mountains surrounding the city. But I could see the Citadel. The capital of the whole city. A large, pointed building with no windows. But a brick exterior covered over it. This is the place my sister was always going to.

She told me I couldn't ever come here myself. But now that she's dead, I need answers. What better place to get them than from the place that she was always looking forward to going to?

I swing my bag onto my shoulder and stood up.

The isle was already brimming with people coming to visit the ancient city for Angels. I join in the stream and blow out a puff of air. It was finally time. I've spent years wondering what this place was like.

When the train comes to a halt and the line begins moving, my heart begins to race. Here we go.

I step off of the train and have a look around.

A sign catches my attention above. I have to tip my head back to look at it.

"Welcome to the City of Angels!"