The Fallen Angel

Chapter XVI

"You're right," he blurted as I opened the door. I was taken aback, closing the door behind me and hugging my arms as a cold breeze blew. I had just come back from school and barely had the chance to put my things down when someone knocked unexpectedly.

"What are you talking about?" I sighed. Every time I would see his face now, all I would picture was Sarah's crying face as she found out what I did.

"You're right about everything. I do invent stories and I should've been there for you. God, Olivia, I'm so sorry. I should be the one you run to when you're hurt, when you're scared," his sentenced faded in a whisper. He gazed down at my lips and I looked away. I couldn't kiss him again, no matter how tempted I was. I could still feel the tingle on my lips as I thought of how they molded perfectly to mine. I shivered and he noticed, removing his black jacket and placing it on my shoulders.

"But your wings," I was about to take it off but he held on to the fabric, keeping it on me.

"I don't care," he said and I looked up at him. We stayed silent for a while as I listened to the sound of the trees that cracked under the pressure of the brisk wind. It was growing very cold and the scenery was depressing; all the trees had been ripped of their splendour and were left bare for the merciless weather creeping its way over the town as every new day past us by.

"Let me take you somewhere," he said quietly, our foreheads now pressed against each other.

"Nathan, I don't think..."

"Please," he cut me off, his voice desperate. "I want to show you something."

"Okay," I whispered, my breath turning to mist as it hit the cold air. I stepped inside a few moments, grabbing my own coat in the hall and joining him in the warm car.

"Where are you taking me?" It felt like a déjà-vu, when he told me what he was. It felt like it happened ages ago or as if I had known it my whole life. It didn't faze me anymore, I barely even thought of it. He was just Nathan to me. Nothing more. Maybe it was too crazy for me to except what I had seen.

"You'll see," he smiled, keeping his eyes fixed on the road. I bit my lip and stared outside. The houses were becoming rarer and civilization was growing further away. I eyed his hand on gear shift, his fingers adorned with silver rings. His other hand had them as well. I vaguely remember him telling me about them.

He turned the car sharply to the left, the car rolling along an empty plain. He stopped it and stepped out as I followed behind him. I pulled the coat over my shoulders and slid my hands into my pockets. There was nothing around for miles, only trees and fields. He placed his hand on the hood of the car and under his touch, it disappeared out of thin air. I stared at him wide eyed and he chuckled, gesturing me to follow him.

We walked a long while and eventually we took a turn, heading towards the boarder of the forest. I could feel the exposed skin right under my pant leg beginning to freeze as it brushed against the wet grass. As I got closer, I noticed a small passage leading into the woods. It was barely visible, but you could see a small section that been cleared if you paid close attention. I avoided branches and roots, the carpet of rotting leaves crunching under my feet. He stopped in his tracks and I nearly collided in his back. I stepped beside him and looked up. In the middle of the lifeless forest stood a tall apple tree, its vibrant green leaves and ripe red fruit nearly glowing among the bare trees surrounding it. The roots spread out across the ground, anchored deep into the earth.

"Magical, isn't it?" he commented and I smiled.

"It's beautiful. How is it still alive?" I approached it slowly, pressing my hand against the bark. I felt a pulse of energy flow through me and I pulled away, surprised by the tingling feeling pulsing in my hand. It was bursting with life.