Angel Lies

Chapter 17: The Ugly Truth

Veronica laid in bed staring up at the ceiling, at the light chasing away the shadows as morning started to break through. So she was the Angel of Death, the Grim Reaper, the one who leads the souls to the afterlife. But how? Last she checked, she was an ordinary teenager who had issues fitting in and had lost her family. The boy who she liked was trying to kill her, and the only people she could even trust were two complete strangers she just met.
"Good morning, sunshine, how did you sleep?" Rowan said walking in with a tray of food.
"Good for barely sleeping lately..." She sighed.
"I know it's a lot to take in but it will get better."
"How? I get to take loved ones to the point of no return.."
"Yes but you keep the balance in check and you keep loved ones from turning into monsters."
"Monsters?"
"If a soul is unable to cross over or is trapped in the dead body for too long, they turn hostile or mischievous."
"I see."
"It's a big job and it does get easier. Trust me, your very important and we are here to make sure nothing happens to you."
"I need to see Lily, probably wondering what happened to me last night."
"Me or Star need to go with you so Mr. Axel doesn't attempt to kill you again."
"If I'm this oh so important supernatural creature, shouldn't I have any powers to defend myself?" She asked getting up from the bed.
"Yes but you have to figure them out."
"Me? You can't tell me?"
"Not allowed. If we told you than you wouldn't achieve anything." He chuckled.
"But I'm going to school, it would be weird if a grown man was following me around."
"I'm invisible to mortals."
"Oh, well okay than. Can I have some privacy?"
"Yes you may. I need to let Star know where are." He walked out of the room and closing the door behind him.
Veronica sighed as she started to get ready for school. She looked into the dresser to see clothes about her size, must be some clothes Star left for her. She grabbed a white shirt and a pair of jeans.

Once at school, she hurried to her locker so she could grab her books for English, Rowan following close behind her. No sign of Axel as grabbed her English book and the chapter book they were reading.
"Veronica!"
Turning around she saw Lily stomping toward her.
"Where were you at the dance? I was looking everywhere for you! Did you not show up?" She was very angry with her.
"I had an accident, burned my wrist severely." She showed her the bandaged hand.
"Ouch! Sorry for yelling..."
"It's okay, I be mad too if I didn't know anything."
Lily smiled while hugging her. She seemed mortal since she not once noticed Rowan leaning next to her locker but her soul, it was dark and her time was coming to a close from the way the lines keeping in attached were becoming thin.
"Um, Lily, is there anything at all you did that might make your soul heavy, dark?"
"What brings this up?"
"Well life is short and it's always good to want forgiveness or redemption before dying."
"Oh..."
"So? Anything? I mean I feel guilty for not being able to save my family but I'm finding closure."
"I have to head to class.." She hurried off.
"See you unlocked a power." Rowan would say after observing.
"Yeah and unless she confesses or does something, her soul won't have happiness... And it's just about her time... She's only sixteen..."
"It's rough but it's your job to make sure she makes it to the-"
"Hell. To hell, because as dark as her soul is, it won't be heaven." Veronica would say heading to class not bothering hear how he sugar coats the truth. Once in class, she heads to her desk which was beside Axel's empty one. Rowan was leaning against the wall at the back of the class. They were taking a quiz but she was going to fail since she didn't half the answers. But she guessed and tried to finish. She handed in her test after time was up. Since it was just about time for the bell, she kinda just sat there looking through everyone, to see how think each string was. Happily half the kids had very thick strings which meant they had a long life ahead while a few had strings becoming thin. It was a pretty cool gift but it was a sad gift as well. Once the bell rang she headed out of class toward her locker but was shoved against it by no other than Kelly herself. Rowan had to restrain himself to not get involve even if it was like seeing his own kid being attacked.
"Mom has been worried about you and here you are, at school!"
"Rather me be dead or hurt..." She winced.
"Yes so my mom actually has a reason to be upset over your sorry self."
"Says the washed up pop-star wannabe but will never be since she's too conceited to even know how to entertain anyone but herself." Veronica laughed.
Kelly punched her right in the nose, causing Veronica to cry out in pain.
"Not laughing now half-pint." She smirked.
Anger surged in Veronica as she stared deep into Kelly, only to have her eyes widen and fear sinking in. She looked at Rowan for help as Kelly started to choke her.
"He can't help you," Kelly laughed, "I could see him the whole time, I'm such a good actress."
Veronica noticed time had stopped and everyone was frozen.
"I'm not that stupid, I know not to expose myself or else I'll be in trouble by my boss." When she smiled her smile was full of sharp teeth and she was starting to feel herself slipping into unconsciousness. Rowan was holding a cold bow and arrow, the arrow shooting and penetrating Kelly's back. But nothing. Rowan shot more but still nothing. He ran toward then but was pushed back by the sudden flames appearing.
"Give up, you can't beat me by yourself!"
"No but I can!" Star dropped from the ceiling and punched Kelly in the face. She let go of Veronica and stumbled back, Veronica sliding to the ground not breathing.
Kelly recovered only to have a dagger thrusted into her heart. She screamed as she felt her heart burn.
"Holy water splattered on this blade, does the trick each time." Star would say as she yanked the dagger out, black blood covered it.
Kelly screamed at the top of her lungs until she exploded.
They both rushed to Veronica's side as Rowan crouched down. His hand started to glow as she started to breath life into Veronica's mouth. Just inches apart but not touching. Veronica started to cough as she started to breath again.
"You okay?" Star asked rushing to her side.
"Yeah, Kelly... She was a.."
"Demon, we got that when Star had kill her with a blade covered in holy water."
"I need to get home! Ann and Lola!" She got up but stumbled.
"Careful, you just came back from the brink of death, let us get you there. It will be quicker." Rowan picked her up in his arms and taking off with incredible speed, Star right behind.

Next thing she knew Rowan was setting her on the porch of her Aunt's house.
"Ann! Lola! Are you guys home?" Veronica shouted as she busted the door down, Rowan and Star right behind her.
No answer. She walked into the kitchen to see them both sitting at the table acting as if no one just called for them.
"Ann? Lola? Didn't you hear me?"
"Yes but why should we answer? You never answer me?" Her aunt looked up.
"I'm sorry about that but, Kelly, she just tried to kill me!"
"She's just mad at you for making me worry, now tell me, who are your two new friends? They don't look like their from high school."
Veronica collapsed on the floor, "no... No.... She's one of them?"
"Apparently since she can see us and had a demonic daughter." Star pulled out her holy water splattered dagger.
"Oh shoot, I'm getting bad in my old age, should have known you two were light reapers." Ann would say standing and transforming into an ugly old hag with a mouth full of sharp teeth and hollow eyes.
"You did bad, Veronica, now I gotta kill you." Lola smirked as she transformed into a demonic looking cat with jagged teeth and hollow eyes.
"I knew I didn't have an aunt..." Tears ran down her face which mixed with the blood from her broken nose.
"Can't believe this! This girl has been through enough and you three add insult to energy! By the way, your other kitty is dead!" Rowan yelled as he ran toward the hag.
"You will pay for killing my precious baby!" The hag tapped her Cain causing flames.
Star attacked the cat with her arrows.
Everything was a lie, even her realized we're lies now. She held her head as it pounded, she started to feel her energy being built up so much that she felt she might explode. Next thing anyone knew, Veronica let out a huge scream that shook the whole house and killing both demons. Before she knew it, everything went black.