The Prophecy

Maxx

We traveled far everyday, always stopping at about the same time every night. We tried to stay on the same schedule everyday.

One night, something changed. A fallen angel had appeared in front of me while Michael was gathering firewood. His wings were pitch black, yet you could see every feather. He had dark eyes that appeared red and black hair.

"There you are." He spoke in a deep voice. "You do remember me, right? My eyes and wings are different, but I'm still the same guy."

I stood, stunned as he pulled me into his arms. I didn't recognize him, though I felt like I should. He smirked at me as I looked in his glowing eyes. They were the color of blood, his eyes.

"I have missed you,  Athena. You've grown so much since the last time I was you, six years ago." He gently pushed my hair behind my ear.

"I-I'm sorry, but I don't recognize you." I apologized.

"Athena!" I heard Michael's voice call as he began to run towards us.

"Tsk. This guy really annoys me." The dark-haired guy frowned. With a flick of his wrist, Michael froze where he was. "Such a nuisance."

He looked back towards me. "I am so sorry that he interrupted our little rendezvous." His smirk unnerved me. He lifted my chin gently with his finger. "I've been awaiting this day for so long."

"Waiting...for what day?" I asked him. I was confused. What was he thinking?

"It's amazing how long a guy that's in love will wait to see the woman he adores once again. You have became even more beautiful." With those words, he kissed me. It was deep and gentle.

As our lips parted, I murmured the words "Who are you?" A smirk formed on his face once again. The moonlight suited his strong bone structure well.

"The name's Maxx.  Well, I should be off. Until next time, my Dove." Without even letting go of my waist, he disappeared into thin air.

Michael ran to me as he was no longer frozen.  He grabbed my shoulders gently. "Did he hurt you?"

"No. I don't think so." I answered honestly. "Who was that?"

"He was a pure angel until six years ago.  We were best friends. Maxx is my brother."

"Your brother!" I exclaimed. "You look completely different!"

"He used to have blue eyes, like me, but they changed when he fell. My mom was blonde and my dad had dark hair. Maxx is a year older than me."

"He's eighteen?" How could they be brothers? They seemed like they hated each other.

"Yeah. He's an adult. Believe it or not." Michael shrugged. "You sure he didn't hurt you?"

"I'm sure.  He just kissed me and said something about being in love.  What did he do to you? Are you okay?"

"HE KISSED YOU!! I'M GONNA KILL THAT SON OF A—" Michael inhaled slowly. "He froze me in space. He basically froze me and put me to sleep."

"Michael, what were you about to say just now? Son of a...?" I asked him, knowing that an angel wouldn't have the ability to utter a curse word.

"Son of a gun." He replied. "What else would I have said?"

We joked around for a bit longer before cooking something over the fire. I fell asleep immediately after I finished eating. I used Michael as my pillow like I had every other night.

I dreamt about my past. My memories clouded my sleep. They helped me remember. My best friend when I was younger was a boy named Maxx. He was two years older than me. Sadly, he left the village when I was ten.  He had black hair and the brightest blue eyes you could imagine. I don't remember his last name, as we rarely used them.

I woke up to the sun blazing. Michael was combing my hair gently with his fingers.

"Michael..." I spoke quietly. The sensation of his large fingers sliding through my long hair was abnormally calming. I looked up to see a loving expression in his cheerful eyes. I could drown in his sea blue eyes.  Is this...love? I've never loved anyone other than in a family way.

"Hey." He smiled down at me. "You sleep okay?"

"Five more minutes." I begged sleepily.

Michael chuckled. "You are obviously a teenage girl. I hate to break it to you, but we gotta get going."

"Why?" I complained. "I'm tired! I don't want to get up!"

"Too bad, Princess.  We're in the woods where getting pampered doesn't happen very often."

"I'm not a princess." I moaned. "I'm too awesome to be a prissy princess."

"Come on. We gotta get up." Michael urged, smiling. His smile was always graceful, but strong at the same time. He really was exactly how you would imagine an angel.

"Ugh. Fine, but I'm not happy about it." I added emphasis on the word "not" in a joking manner.

I forced Michael to help me get up. Stubbornly, I put all my wait into staying on the ground. He ended up exposing his wings and flying upward to get me to stand up.

"Why are you so dad gum stubborn?" Michael furrowed his brow slightly.

"Because I'm a woman." I shrugged simply. "It's one thing we're pretty good at."

"I know you're good at it.  You are probably the most stubborn person I have ever met." Michael grinned as he finally succeeded at getting me to stand up.

"I'm mad at you." I told him. "You made me get up.  Why would you do that? I thought you cared about me."

"Athena!" Michael laughed. "I do care about you! That's why I'm making you get up! If you don't wake up, you're basically dead!"

"Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify being a meanie." I joked.

We continued on our journey. Michael and I walked for a few hours before stopping for lunch.

Once again, Michael went to gather firewood. While he was gone, Maxx showed up.  Again.