My Fallen Angel

Chapter Twenty-Three: Flying Away

             My hands were on the doorknob and I was about to turn it around so I could get in. But a familiar voice called my name and I stopped. My head turned to the direction of the voice and there was her.

            “Bella, what are you doing here?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at her outfit.

            She grinned. “Do you like it?” she asked, running a hand on her skirt. Bella was wearing a nurse outfit that really suited her. Her hair was on a bun and she was wearing the cap like all girl nurses have. “I volunteered to be Patrick’s nurse. Isn’t that wonderful?”

            “Okay,” I said slowly. “Um, Bella, are you sure I’m really going to leave at noon?”

            Bella smiled sympathetically. “Yes, Kate. I’m really sorry but you have no choice. Patrick’s good now. There’s nothing you can do.”

            “Well, how about Aeriel? I have a feeling she’s going to stay,” I said, recalling Charisse’s goodbye to her earlier. I mean, she wouldn’t say goodbye to her if she’s going to stay, right?

            “Yes, I also have a feeling,” Bella said, smiling. “I think she met someone she loves now. After ninety-nine years of immortal living… It gets boring.”

            “Well, how old are you?”

            She smiled slyly. “That’s something you wouldn’t want to know. And, besides, a lady doesn’t answer that question,” she said, laughing at herself. “Aren’t you going inside Patrick’s room?”

            I sighed and opened the door. Patrick was closing his eyes, dead asleep. Betty was sitting on a chair beside Patrick’s bed, holding his hand. Carl, however, was nowhere to be seen.

            Betty looked up at me and smiled. “Oh, hello, Kate.”

            I returned her smile. “Hi, Betty.”

            “Are you Patrick’s mother?” Bella asked. Betty smiled and nodded. “Um, sorry to disturb you but there’s a phone call for you.”

            Betty frowned. “Oh, okay.” She stood up and followed Bella out of the room. Before Bella closed the door behind her, she gave me a wink and I smiled.

            I turned back to Patrick and sighed. “It’s our last day, Patrick,” I said softly even though he couldn’t hear me. I sat down on Betty’s chair and I held his hand. “Thank you for making my short life here on Earth memorable. I love you for it. I hope you could find the right girl for you. And I assure you, she’s the luckiest girl in the whole wide world.”

            I sighed and smiled. If someone is looking at me now, they’ll think I’m crazy or something. Talking to a person who is asleep is not what sane people does.

            I put my head on the bed and closed my eyes. I didn’t want to sleep. I don’t want to miss one thing in my last hours here on Earth. But I can’t help sleeping. I was just so tired with every happening.

            I opened my eyes and gave out a yawn. I heard someone laughed and I frowned. I turned to the direction of the laugh and there was Patrick, holding my hand and smiling down at me. I smiled. “Good morning,” I said sleepily.

            “No, Kate. It’s noon,” Patrick said, laughing. “But, the sun is still up so I guess its still morning.”

            “Well, good noon then,” I said. Then realization struck me. My jaw dropped and I stopped breathing. Patrick frowned at me, his eyes questioning. I sighed and gripped his hands tighter. “I’m leaving, Patrick.”