Raven & The Angel

Chapter 5 - Search for The Angel

Jed looked on helplessly as man after man and some of the braver women gathered in the square and launched themselves at the five cloaked strangers. No-one got close. There were screams of anger as well as screams of fear and pain as the invisible force field squeezed their bodies like a boa constrictor, not allowing them within striking distance of the group searching for The Angel.

Raven had stayed in the shadows, watching in horror as families and friends tried in vain to stop the strangers from forcing their way into each and every building in the village. The strangers seemed as though they were desperate, rather than angry or violent.  As they approached where she was hiding, a sudden feeling of anger hit Raven in the stomach and unable to stop herself, she stepped in front of the masked group.

"Who the hell do you think you are coming here and terrorising us? Get out of our village!" she shrieked.

The cloaked leader watched Raven and, as he had done before, tilted his head to one side, but said nothing. Raven was shaking with rage. She ran forward, reached up and slapped the stranger as hard as she could. Gasps rang out all around her and everyone stood very still, waiting for what seemed an age wondering what would happen next.

Dune grabbed Raven's wrist and looked into her eyes through the meshed fabric that covered his face. She felt as though he could see right into her soul and for a moment she stood, mesmerised. It was at that moment Raven had the stark realisation - she had been able to get close enough to Dune to hit him. She hadn't felt a thing, nothing holding her back, no gasping for breath, not like the other villagers.

"Where is The Angel?" Dune asked softly.
"We have no idea what you are talking about!" spat Raven.
"Take us to The Angel and we will leave The Mayor Jed Franklin's village. You will not see us again."
"I have already told you we have no idea what..."
"Oh, I believe you do. Tell Mayor Jed Franklin we will return tomorrow and you will take us to The Angel." With that, as the sun began to set, Dune and his four followers turned and began to retrace their steps back towards the hill they had descended earlier.

Raven stood and watched them leave, panic rising in her stomach and completely confused. She had absolutely no idea who or what The Angel was or where it might be. Jed limped over to her and put his arm around her.

"Raven don't worry. No-one has any idea what's going on here. I take it you don't know what this Angel thing is all about?" he asked quietly.
"No Mr Franklin, I haven't got a clue. I wish I did so those wierdos would leave us alone. Who goes round in big purple capes with their faces masked anyway? But, what if they come back tomorrow and we can't tell them what they need to know?" panicked Raven.
"Honestly Raven, I have no idea what will happen, but it's not your problem. You go home and I'll call an emergency meeting with the village elders to see what the hell we are going to do." said Jed. "Just one thing Raven - how did you manage get so close to Dune?"

"I... I have no idea."