Vespers (Fields of the Nephilim: Interlude)

Chapter 20

No one seemed to notice us in the shadows as the commotion went on in the distance. Security was being summoned for help and fire fighters were on their way. Miki and I stood there face to face without uttering a single word. There was no animosity between us though. It was just like we were giving respect to each other’s silent thoughts. Of course, he knew very well that I was the one who had created that havoc through my mind but he didn’t give any slight reaction about it.

I heard Naoe running to us with canned coffee in her hands. She was beaming like nothing bad is actually happening. He handed us the coffee and we gladly took it from her as we once again took our seat.

“Now why’d you do that?” Naoe said meaning the fire, without any accusation in her tone. I just shrugged my shoulders. Miki just ruffled his hair like some sort of a habit.

“It will give us much warmth down here” he simply said as he took a long draught of the cold coffee.

“It’s going to be a long night…” I murmured as I sniffed the air. I could truly feel them now. I know they wouldn’t let me run around the place like this. And they don’t have the choice but to take me. Surely, they wouldn’t let this guy Miki let loose as well. I believe they’ve already been keeping an eye on him. Miki’s eyes were alert as well. He could definitely feel them as much as I could. He looked at me with questioning eyes on what to do now. I told him silently that we must leave Naoe out of it. The girl is just too simple and kind to become a guardian angel.

I stood up and hesitantly, Miki followed and without other words I grabbed him like Lune always does as we were lifted off the ground in an instance. I know that Naoe would definitely understand the sudden escape. Not long enough, they were all around us and it was like a de ja vu and that I see myself in Miki who was finally able to fly all by himself on impulse. Then there was a blinding light as I saw the frightened expression of Miki as he tried to grope my hand for support. I was suddenly frightened as well of what’s going to happen next but then I felt myself floating and just like the time when I fell down the desert of Thar at the moment I have escaped Gehenna, I saw the bright lights surrounding me and it was like I’ve been carried away by a rushing stream.

When I finally opened my eyes, I knew I was somewhere else and that it felt familiar yet not. This was Gehenna and much worse. The familiar stink in the air has now turned into something more rotten and putrid. The sharp edged rocks looked more menacing than ever and so was the barren stillness. I groped for the ground as I struggled to get on my feet. I could feel the stinging pain where the ground had hit me and I could already imagine the scratches on my bare skin. I heard a coughing not far from where I fell and it was then I remembered Miki. I was quite aghast to realize now his situation and suddenly I felt the responsibility for him.

I searched behind the rocks and I saw him there already sitting up and seemed to be catching his breath. Then, as if his head finally cleared a bit, he started to scan his surroundings. I could feel the tremor in him at the unwelcoming sight and before he could start to panic, I rushed beside him and looked him in the eyes. He just stared back, not knowing what to say. Then I saw the pain he was trying to hide.

“My wings…” he finally whispered and as I inspected it, I could see that his left shoulder was soaked in blood and that his wing was smeared with an ugly crimson as well. He tried to let it vanish and I could see that the pain was just too much for him. He let me help him stand up, still trying not to show much of his agony. I could see that he looked more tattered than I was but I know that he could be as stubborn as Lune, or as anyone like us.

It was no use getting away from our spot or hiding. There is no place for us to go and besides, we didn’t ask to be there just to escape so instead of wasting our breath, I just led Miki to a much open area where we both sat down and wait for our capturers. I didn’t see those who attacked us but I was hoping that it was Merriel or her companions. I looked around for any more familiar spot but all I see was the vast wasteland and rocks and the moon which is bloodier than ever in its crimson hide.