Guardian Angel-Hell Over Heaven Completed

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 – Conflict

"Sarah, you are not going, and that's final!" John's voice boomed through the house as he stood with his hands on his hips, his expression a mix of frustration and worry.

Sarah crossed her arms defiantly, her eyes blazing. "That's not fair! Nothing's even happened yet!"

"That's exactly why you're not going. It's only a matter of time before something does happen," John retorted, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. "You're not going to the concert to see Little Big Town. Not with everything going on."

"Fine!" Sarah snapped, her voice cracking. "Maybe it'd be great if I went to the concert and got killed on the way back. Wouldn't that make things easier for everyone?"

John's face fell, the hurt clear in his eyes. "How... how could you say that?"

Instantly, Sarah's anger dissipated as regret flooded her face. "Dad... I'm sorry. I didn't mean that."

John shook his head and walked outside, closing the door behind him, ignoring Sarah's call as she followed him halfway. Sitting on the steps, he buried his face in his hands, the weight of worry and hurt heavy on his shoulders.

"Rough night?" came a familiar voice.

John looked up, startled, and saw Chase standing beside him. He sighed, relieved, and scooted over to let Chase sit down next to him.

"I don't know what happened to my little girl," John muttered, rubbing his hands together. "She used to tell me everything."

Chase nodded, listening to Sarah's heartbeat faintly through the walls, steady but distressed. "She's grown up, John. You've raised an amazing young woman. But she's stressed."

"Yeah, but what for? I just... I want to know why," John said, his shoulders slumping.

Chase gave a small smile. "College, life, her angel—demons trying to kill her..." he trailed off with a chuckle. "It's a lot."

John sighed. "Yeah. I guess it's not easy to focus on normal things when all this... supernatural chaos is happening."

"Don't worry," Chase said reassuringly. "She's on her way out here to apologize."

Just as he finished speaking, the door opened, and Sarah stepped outside. Her face softened with regret as she walked over to her dad.

"Dad, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it," she whispered, wrapping her arms around him.

John hugged her back tightly. "It's alright, sweetheart. I forgive you."

Chase watched the two, smiling at the sight. The moment brought a rare feeling of peace, as if he were watching his own father with him. He heard a soft voice in his mind, a voice he recognized immediately—his father, Adam, speaking from Heaven.

I wish I could be there too.

Chase looked up, a small smile forming on his face as he whispered, "As do I."

"Chase?" Sarah's voice pulled him back to the present.

"Yeah, Sarah?"

"What's going on up in Heaven?" she asked, curiosity and concern in her eyes.

Chase hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "We're preparing for a battle. Hell is planning an attack, so we're gathering forces to defend Heaven."

"Do you need help?" she asked, her voice full of worry.

Chase shook his head. "No. We have enough angels, and more come through Heaven's gates each year—about 1,000, sometimes 500. It depends."

Sarah's eyes widened. "That's... a lot."

"Yes, it is," Chase agreed.

John, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "So... when is this going down?"

"We're not sure yet," Chase replied, his tone serious. "But we have a spy in Hell who'll let us know as soon as he hears anything."

John nodded, though a hint of worry crept back into his expression. "And when it happens, where will you put us? I don't want Sarah anywhere near danger."

"There's an old warehouse nearby," came a voice from behind them.

They turned to see Jackson approaching from around the corner of the house, his expression calm but serious. "We'll use a protective chant over the building to make sure no demons can enter. It'll keep you both safe."

John and Sarah both looked relieved, though Sarah gave Jackson a playful glare. "Could you not sneak up on us like that?"

Jackson smiled apologetically. "Sorry about that."

"It's fine," she replied with a small laugh.

Chase's gaze softened as he looked at Sarah. "This is all just... a lot to take in."

"Especially since you were gone for so long," Sarah said, glancing at him meaningfully.

Chase nodded, a tinge of regret flashing across his face. "Yeah... I guess I was."

Sarah gave him a warm smile, breaking the tension. "Well, come inside. Dad's making your favorite—steak tonight."

John chuckled as they made their way inside, the two angels trailing behind. None of them noticed a figure standing across the street, a man holding the leash of his dog as he watched the house intently. He turned away as the door closed, but not before casting one last, lingering look back.