Above the Clouds: Night

Chapter Seven: Secrets kept under Lock and Key

Ash's P.o.V

I gazed at Avery's still form. How, after all she'd been through, could she still be happy? Smile? Laugh? After my parents died, I haven't smiled once. When I did, my brothers saw and made sure that I learnt not to feel or show happiness. My head was still reeling from all she'd told me: about angels, as well as herself. There was so much to learn...

For a moment I allowed myself to imagine a future, one where I could live here, with Avery and the rest, happy. But the reality brainwave came back full force.

What would you wear? Just let Avery and the others steal you clothes? What if they got caught? What will you do? Just sit around staring at the sky? You should go.They'll probably get caught anyway.

I'm right, I realised. I should leave, stop putting them in danger... And betray their trust?

Looking at Avery's still form, I sighed, knowing that now I was here, there was no easy way out. Suddenly I smiled, noting Avery's sleeping position.

Her legs were pulled into her chest, arms wrapped around them. She was lying on her left wing, with the tip of her right resting on her shoulder and folded over her curled body. She looked like some kind of angelic, starry bat. And was beautiful even in sleep. The knowledge we were only a few feet apart, and practically alone except for Rachael (who was sleeping like the dead anyway) brought a blush to my cheeks. Startled at the sudden movement, I twitched, watching as the wing Avery had resting over herself extended, and settled atop my sideways form. I hadn't realised how cold it was until I was warm again.

Twitching again, I felt warmth touching my chest. I peered under my t-shirt, relaxing when I saw the cheap brass locket there.

I know, I know. Lockets with keys and necklaces and such are often only worn by girls, or in a really, really cliché story. Well I wasn't a girl, or in any kind of story. But... It was my secret. Under lock and key, you could say.

I reached under my shirt, taking out the locket and key that was with it. Opening the locket, peering at what lay inside.

A golden, pebble sized oval lay there. It was only two or so centimetres large, just small enough to fit in the locket. Clear amber, encasing a piece of dirt, drop of water, cutting of feather and a few specks of burnt ash. The four elements: Earth, water, air, fire. I had next to no idea what it was, or meant, only where it was from.

~~~_flashback_~~~

Ash giggled, his four year old form huddled under the table.

'Ash! I'm coming to...' His mother trailed off.

'Find you!' She yelled, lifting the table cloth and laughing as her small son chuckled breathlessly.

'No! No tickles! Ahh!' He squealed.

'Ash? Ash! Come 'ere son, daddy's got something for you.' His father entered the room, kneeling until he was level with his youngest son.

'Here. Take this, keep it safe in this, and whatever you do, don't lose it.' The father took out a piece of amber, and a golden locket. It was beautiful: but it was confusing. Ash took it anyway, slipping it round his neck, and under his shirt, before bounding off.

'I'm coming to find you mummy!' He yelled. His father smiled fondly at his son's retreating back.

~~~ end of flashback ~~~

The gold locket lasted till a few weeks after their death. My brothers had seen it, and taken it to sell. I remember the panic I'd felt when I thought I'd lost it, the anger when they told me what they'd done. Luckily, they'd kept the amber, but what happened after that was strange enough I still wondered about it to this day.

~~~~ flashback ~~~~

The mail came early that day: and as always, I was sent to collect it. Handing it to my newest foster parent, I took my seat at the table. Joking, I hadn't been allowed to sit at the table since my parents... passing. Instead I took my usual seat on the floor and tried to block out the sound of happy eating.

'Ash! Here. Here, Ash.' My foster mum said to me. I was used to this sort of treatment by now.

'You have mail. Take it then, I don't want it, do I?' she snapped. I hesitantly took the offered envelope, before resuming my seat. Opening it, I shook the open letter gently, catching the small wrapped package and note that tumbled out.

From your guardian Angel }][{ was written in gold ink.

Well then, it appears we've got someone on our side.

I wonder what's in the package.

I scrambled with the tape, picking until it gave way. Only to reveal another layer of paper and tape. Eventually, after few more minutes of picking at the tiny bundle, the wrapping gave way. Out fell a small, cheap but nice locket.

I guess you need this. And maybe your guardian angels broke, that's why its not fancy. And why the angel signature thing was so thin.

I doubted that, but said nothing as i placed the amber inside.

It'll open too easy.

Good point. Very good point.

I shook the envelope once more, and out tumbled a small key that could be attached to the chain of the locket.

No note? Ok. Wonder if it fits.

It did. Putting up with my unhappy life seemed easier after that.

I tucked the locket safely away again.

/-\\//-\ I'm working on a new cover :D not sure when it'll be done but it'll be soon. A locket eh? Its purpose won't be revealed yet, not or a long while. But it's got an important role to play. Who do you think the guardian angel is? Let's find out!

(You won't actually know till... a long time, but anywho.)

See you next chapter!