Genesis 2.0 (Monster Apocalypse Survival) Sci-Fi/DarkFan/Horror

~4~ Revised

Soon the air feels both lighter and cooler. My head swims, my vision blurs.

"Just keep your eyes closed and breathe slowly," the angel whispers softly. "We are entering the Ether and your kind wasn't designed to exist there."

"Then why are you taking me there?" I rasp and then swallow against the bile clogging my throat.

"It's the quickest way for us to travel such a great distance," he explains succinctly.

"What's your name?" I ask, trying to think of anything that will keep me from barfing. "I can't keep calling you 'Angel'," I add tartly. Yeah, I get a bit sassy when I'm stressed, so sue me.

"Daniel," he answers, and I mentally roll my eyes since I still hold them firmly shut.

"Well, you're just the talkative sort, aren't you?" I snip. Okay, my temper is getting out of hand, but seriously, how often does a girl find herself being cuddled by an enormous angelic beefcake? Not to mention the fact that we aren't anywhere near the ground now. How can I tell, you may ask? Because like the big dummy I am, I open my eyes.

And see nothing but clouds.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I scream a little bit. I even scratch Daniel's back when I struggle for a better grip around his waist.

I hear a slight rumble in his chest and heat blossoms across my cheeks when I realize that he's laughing. Mortification and anger war in my mind.

"I don't like heights," I manage to croak out and dig my nails deeper into the flesh on his bare back. I refuse to add anything else; he can decide that I am a whimpering, human baby on his own.

"I won't drop you," he murmurs and tightens his own arms around my waist. "I am strong enough to carry much more than just one small, human female." A quick peek up and I see the slight tilt of his lips. He's smiling again. Finally over the shock of realizing Angels exist, now I have to process the fact that they have humanlike quirks, and emotions as well.

"Glad I could make you smile," I grumble and turn my face back into his chest. Instead of a sweaty, musky odor, he smells like...Heaven. I almost smile myself. What does Heaven smell like, you may ask? Well, this particular avenue smells like fresh air after a light rain, like a just-mowed lawn on a Sunday afternoon and almost just like my mom's double chocolate brownies, fresh out of the oven.

This Angel smells like everything I've lost, every memory that once filled me with love, peace and hope. He smells like everything I need him to, right in that moment. Before I realize what has happened, a blanket of peace and safety sweeps over me, enveloping me from head to toe, and I can't stop every muscle in my body before they relax into the strength of the Otherworldly being holding me.

"Sleep, little one," Daniel whispers against the top of my head. "You've earned some respite," he adds and I can't stop my eyes from drifting shut.

~

I dream of Sunday Dinner with my grandparents. The ancient, oblong oak table is covered with an assortment of dishes filled to the bream with steaming, savory foods - my favorite foods, I realize upon closer inspection; fried chicken cooked to a crispy, golden brown, fluffy mashed potatoes with little rivers of brown gravy rolling from the small peaks, homemade rolls and even mom's homemade brownies. Taking a plate, I fill it to spilling before finding a seat at the table. I never take my eyes off the plate while I sit down and dig in with fervor.

I lose myself in the burst of flavors inside my mouth and the happiness of my stomach takes over; sending solace and satisfaction throughout every limb of my body. And just like that, I've forgotten about the past years, surviving as a feral animal. The emptiness in my heart is filled with long-ago memories of solid food, and the company of others.

But just like that, I realize I'm utterly alone. There's is no one else in the dining room. There isn't anyone else anywhere, and the food turns to ash in my mouth.

Jerking awake from the dream, I shoot upright and quickly notice that I lay in a soft, comfy bed, atop a pastel pink comforter. And I know without looking that the rest of the room would be identical to one I'd lost so long ago.

Disgust blossoms in my empty stomach, and I throw my legs over the side of the bed. Nobody has the right to mess with my mind; not like this. I'd vowed that I'd never allow anyone to use my memories against me. Not after everything I've been through.

But before I can lunge from the bed, an invisible weight settles on my shoulders, and a sweet voice brushes across my ear.

"Be still little one, we only meant to offer you some solace by showing you something familiar," the voice disappears as quickly as it arrives.

"Then maybe you should've tried my old school library," I say, not exactly withholding the scorn I've allowed to overtake me.

"Apologies," a male voice announces, and suddenly Daniel materializes before me. "What will make you comfortable?"

Clamping my teeth shut before I can say what I really think, I offer a small smile, and tuck my chin against my chest. Yes, this Angel saved me and yes, he's offered me a brief respite of peace. I owe him more than being the bratty bitch I've come to be. So, I decide to take it marginally easy on him; but for only so long.

"Why don't you start by telling me exactly why you brought me here and what it is I'm supposed to be able to do?" I ask.

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