Heaven on Earth: Terminus (Book 1)

Chapter 4: Intelligent (Tom)

Camp Seraphic

I remember this one time I went to the mall with my mom and sister and we went everywhere, I remember going to this toy shop and wanting to buy everything in my sight, keep in my mind that I was about nine. I was so rapt withal with all the squeaky clean toys that I drifted away from my family and I ended up shaking out of my wits sitting on the mall fountain with every passerby’s judgmental stares fixated on me. I was lost. It wasn’t long until the mall cops found me though, they took me to their quarters and my mother was there, waiting with my baby sister in her push chair. I cried so hard then, the thought of not seeing my mother’s warm smile and hot chocolate really had the chance to shatter me. I cried tears of joy, relief and assent as my mother told me to never leave her side. I hated malls ever since.

***

My sense of smell and sight are the first to strike me as we walk through the front doors. The smell of pinecones and the sight of my mother and sister waiting for me are both relieving and comforting. I hug both of them so tight and I can hear them both crying, I would be too but I’ve built up so many thick walls that I can’t even force myself to shed a tear. They loosen their grips and I stand in front of them, “Are you alright?”

“We’re fine.” My mother says reassuringly, “They healed us up pretty quickly.”

I nod and turn to Shannon, “What about you kid?”

“I’m good.” She seemingly clutches her left shoulder with her opposite arm, she seems to want to hide something but I catch it.

“What’s that?” I ask and I move her hand away, a shadow of Demitri’s hand taints her skin,

“It’s fine.” She smiles at me, “I wanna keep all my bruises, I think the healing process is beautiful.”

“You are so weird.” I say with a smile, I turn around and notice Gabriel dismissing two angels who have the same uncanny characteristics: chiseled features, perfect dark blonde hair, white loose tanks with high neck lines, white jeans, identical. Twins. I meet eye contact with them and they smile, I give them a gratifying smile back because I know they helped save my mom and sister. They both leave humbly and as soon as they leave, I hear a cluster of wings, I think they just flew away. That’s going to be hard to get used to. I look around and I feel like there’s something missing. I scan the room intensively and my eyes land a red headed girl perched on a stool with her hair braided like a halo. Betsy. I run up to her and give her the biggest hug.

“I heard you got your wings. Impressive.” She says after I let go of her,

“Yeah, it was pretty cool.” I nod, “Hey, how do you know? I just got here.”

“Word gets around quickly.” She smiles,

“Right, we don’t have time to waste.” Gabriel interrupts, “Elena, Shannon, the twins will be back with more help in a minute.” He turns back to me, “Tom and Betsy, follow me.”

I nod and I give my mom and sister another hug before Betsy and I follow Gabriel. Outside on the porch, someone bounds up the wooden stairs and nearly bumps into us, “Oh sorry!” He shouts,

“Michael, watch where you’re going!” Gabriel says, “Tom, Betsy, this is Michael, brother and fellow Archangel.”

I look at Michael and he’s wearing skin tight white jeans with the cuffs rolled up, golden roman sandals, a V-neck T-shirt with a white washed denim jacket over it. His golden hair doesn’t seem like it’s been touched even though it must’ve taken a bit of touching to place the golden laurel wreath on his head. He reminds me of the typical popular boy in high school, quarterback, ladies man. He stretches his hand out to me, “Nice to meet you.” He says with a grin, I shake his hand and a pulse tingles up my arm and makes me warm inside. Michael notices and is quick to pick up on it, “Sorry about that, I was just checking your aura.”