I press the palm of my hand against the cold, glass window and watch as it freezes over. It's always so terribly cold up here, and I should know. I've been living here for thousands of years. I cherish the moments when I am sent on a mission.
There are billions of planets in the universe, and ours is high above the rest. I wouldn't precisely call it a planet, either. It's more of a small kingdom; a heaven above the stars. And that's exactly what it is, a heaven, where angels live and stand by the Lord.
And an angel I am. Although, I am different from the rest of the angels. All of the others were born human, died, and their souls were light enough to allow them to float into heaven, and believe me when I say that they are very small in numbers. I, on the other hand, was born an angel and will continue to be one throughout eternity. But, being the daughter of God himself gives you great responsibilities.
I am often sent down to planets on what my father calls "missions". Basically, he reminds me that on this -what I call "vacation"- I am only to grant one miracle upon the people of that planet and he then summons me back to heaven to resume my duties. My favorite of all of the planets is Earth. Yes, not all of the inhabitants are friendly, but when a miracle happens, the people rejoice. I have never been to Earth myself, but I have watched other angels travel back down to their home planet to help loved ones in a time of crisis.
I hear my father calling from downstairs and I pull my hand away from the window and follow his soft, nice, but demanding voice down the golden staircase and to his throne where he sits busily, putting powders and stardust into the "creation bowl". This is where people are individually crafted.
"Seraphina, yes, there you are! I am sending you on a mission!" he says gleefully.
"Where to, father?" I ask, crossing my fingers behind my back and wishing. Please be Earth! Please be Earth!
He hesitates for a moment and cringes. "I am...sending you to Earth. I know you've been wanting to go for a while but-"
"Oh thank you, father!" I grin from ear to ear and hug his enormous arm only for a moment before darting off to the bridge, but I cannot leave quite yet. I hear a quiet, gentle breath float down the stairs.
I turn around slowly to see my younger half-brother is the sound. His wings are extended, so he is only hovering, letting his sandals skid across the ground. He lands soundlessly on the floor and looks at me with fear plastered on his face. "Earth?" his voice is sweet and kind, but unsure.
"Yes brother, Earth." I reply, almost as unsure as he, because I understand the cause of his concern.
He stands there awkwardly for a few moments and then runs over to me and wraps his arms around me in a strange, but nice hug. "Be very careful, alright?" he whispers over my shoulder.
"I promise, brother." I whisper back, and he breaks from the hug, heading back upstairs. I begin to walk out the door, but I am yet again stopped. This time by my father.
"You need to go to Earth in human form." he says, without glancing up from his latest project. And he's right. I don't exactly have a true form. Some may call me more of an idea. Only angels see me, but looking at me, the humans would see nothing but a floating ball of white light. Luckily, I can change my shape and features by only thinking.
I watch as pale human skin forms into fingertips and toes. I then look in the mirror. Brown, curly hair falls from my head to the middle of my back. My eyes are like emeralds, sparkling in the glassy reflection. I turn my palms up and notice that my fingers are long and thin.
"Is this alright, father?" I ask him. He looks up for a moment and then returns to his work.
"Most humans have two arms." he tells me.
"Of course!" I realize this now and want to slap myself for being so unbelievably dimwitted. The third arm vanishes. "What era shall the Earth be in when I arrive?" I ask.
"The year will be 2014." my father stops for a moment in thought. "You should wear, for your age appearance, you look about twenty-seven, so jeans, a hoodie, and perhaps warm boots. This is the year that the Earth is trapped in an indurated winter."
I glance at my legs as the clothes weave together out of thin air and dress me. I wave goodbye to father and finally take my leave. Stepping out of the door makes me feel strange. My feet feel different as they find their home on the fluffy, white ground. My hair feels different, waving in the wind caused by an exploding star.
As I take my first step on the bridge that will take me to Earth, a new form of power surges through my veins. I start from a fast walk to a sprint and leap onto the platform. I look over at the machine operator a little overdramatically and say in a powerful voice, "To Earth, Charles!"
