The Demon Within

Waking an Angel

Waking Angels

The first thing I knew was the sound  of a cracking fire. I inhaled deeply and it's woody smoke tickled my nostrils. I heard someone humming a happy tune.

Am I dead?

My side started to throb in reply, telling me I wished I was because it hurt.  A lot. I cracked open my eyes and saw millions of stars winking like tiny little jewels sown onto a velvet blue-black sky way above my head. Turning my head I was greeted with another pleasant sight. Nathaniel, the real Nathaniel, was leaning over a small campfire tending to a pot that was suspended above it by a handmade stick tripod. The light from the fire danced over his face and made his light hair appear golden. He was wearing what looked like a hill walking ensemble, which consisted of heavy tan laced boots, beige khaki trousers and a white long sleeved t-shirt. If he was actually going to go hill walking, he would have froze to death. I didn't recognise the tune he was humming but it was nice.

He glanced in my direction and caught me watching him. He smiled.
"So your finally awake. you could have given sleeping beauty a run for her money."

I tried to sit up but he motioned for me not to move.

"You better lay still, you don't want to harm yourself further."

"What happened?" I asked, confused that i was still breathing.

"That's easy. I lied."

"You WHAT?"

"Lied. Withheld the truth. Deceived you. Take your pick."

"You ass! I thought I was going to die! How dare you!" I screamed at him. My only reward was the throbbing in my side got a sharper edge. I inhaled through my teeth and lay back, turning my head to look back up at the sky.

"You were going to die but the only person who could save you, was you. I made you think that there was nothing we could do so that when I put you to sleep, your body would fight tooth and nail against the poison. You almost gave up to death on a number of occasions and when you finally won, you fell into an a coma so that you could heal."

"I...you what? How long have I been out?"

"Three days."

"Three DAYS! I have to go home! My parents..."

He cut me off, "Am I mistaken to assume that you are classed as an adult in modern day society?"

"Well...I... no, but..."

"Then there is no buts. You cannot go home. Alexander will come to finish the job as soon as he learns you are still alive. So we better not lay you on a silver platter with garnish."

"Why?" I asked, my brow furrowing in confusion and he shot me a look which clearly told me he thought I was stupid. Well screw him.

"Because your the only one who can destroy the portal," he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. God I wanted to take that pot and hit him violently over the head with it. Repeatedly.

"Oh of course. Only one who could open it, only one who can close it. Marvellous," I muttered darkly to myself, "I just want to go home."

"You can't. End of story," he said sharply then started to spoon the bubbling liquid from the pot into a clay bowl, "Soup?"

He offered the bowl to me and I positioned myself in a way that I could take it without hurting my side. The contents of the bowl smelled heavenly and my stomach let its hunger known with a loud growl.

"Thanks," I said gratefully, nabbing the spoon from his fingers.

"Watch out its-!"

I scolded my tongue on the hot liquid but it was worth it for the taste.