the fall back

Chapter 1

Gabriel had never imagined he would be in that situation. Things rapidly changed in the Angel's Headquarters the moment Morte had been given permission to enter heaven. He could not even believe when their Father decided to bring him into their fold, all sins forgiven, everything seemed forgotten.

But how could he forget that once-upon-a-time demon entity? The devil he once chased like a haunted shadow had now been branded as his brother. That devil named Morte, who had a two-colored wings, one was pitch black while the other was glistening white, was now an archangel, like him.

Things shifted in three-hundred-sixty degree, and all of a sudden, it didn't much made sense to him.

He took a deep breath, head on a bow as he stood before their King Father.

What is it that bothers you, my son?

Gabriel briefly closed his eyes, clearing his head. "Help me understand, Father."

You understand the whole situation, Gabriel. You just need acceptance.

"Giving him a chance is one thing. Making him an archangel is another." Gabriel's hand balled into a fist. "Isn't it too much, my Father?"

There was silence.

The archangel didn't know how he blurted those words. He felt a tiny hole in his core, as if urging him to make sense of the situation.

"True, Father," he admitted, stretching his balled fist, releasing some stress. "I seek acceptance within me for what has happened."

And no doubt, you will find it.

Gabriel nodded, ready to go. But he remained steady when the King spoke again.

You asked for my help, Gabe, so I will give it.

Something in His words made the archangel tremble. Call it gut-feeling or paranoia, he just knew something was about to happen. To him.

"And I will accept it."

Bring Benedict back home, son. Once his mission has been fulfilled, bring him back to me, to us, for he suffers enough in Earth. Tell him our home has been waiting for him for quite sometime now.

No questions asked, Gabe knelt down, head on a bow. He then stood up after giving respect, released his wings, and with a snap, a swirl of lighting dust took place as he jumped toward Earth to do his mission.

***

Guardian: Amore Lyn David

She stared at her name for a bit longer, feeling the weight of the word before it. Only if her father was man enough to support them, maybe she wouldn't feel that much heaviness in her chest. And only if her mother was mom enough to give them love instead of drugs, then maybe she wouldn't feel so alone and lost.

Well, not everyone's lucky in the parent's department. She kicked the thought away, pretending she wasn't affected by the whole situation itself. After all, she needed to be strong for her baby brother.

Oh, God knew she needs to.

The nurse dismissed her after she filled up some papers and her feet lead the way back to Benny's room. She felt worn out, utterly on the verge of breaking down. One small misstep and she knew she was done.

Her hand trailed on the doorknob and she took a lungful of air before turning the door open. When she stepped inside, she saw Benny awake, his eyes meeting hers.

"Amy!" he called out, tone joyful. His small face had a light aura, his smile reassuring. A dark tone circled his warm eyes, and though it looked tired, little Benny could still made it looked happy and hopeful.

"Hey, little man," she replied, displaying a smile. While she felt so heavy inside, she still looked a bit okay outside, showing smiles as if she could carry her burden without problem. She had the same eyes as her brother, clear brown and wide, too expressive, like their mom's. The dimple on her right cheek rarely turned up now, as if no amount of happiness could draw it once more. "How are you feeling?"

Benny shrugged his shoulder. "Better than yesterday."

"Don't lie, Benedict," she snapped. She wasn't up for cover-ups for today. She wanted to know what his nine-year-old brother really felt.

The boy's shoulder sagged at her tone. "I'm sorry, Amy."

She shook her head and sat on the bed. Swallowing the lump forming in her throat, she reached for his cheek, smoothing it, feeling his cold sweat.

"I didn't mean to snap at you, Benny," she whispered. "I just wanted to know if you're really okay."

The little boy looked at his sister, hope dimming in his tired eyes. "I had a dream last night," he started. "In my dream, you are running so fast, and I kept on calling you to come back. But you just run and run and run. Then you were gone."

Amy looked away, her chest pumping so hard she could feel it under the thin fabric of her shirt. It all came back to her, how she attempted to take her own life only to be brought back to the rooftop of the building, well and very much alive. Unscathed. As if she had easily escaped death.

Benny's lips trembled, trying hard not to cry. It all felt so real in his dreams, seeing his sister gave up on him. "Please don't disappear on me, Amy."

Amy sniffed, biting back her sobs. "I won't, Benny."

"You promise?"

Their mother disappeared on them when she was thirteen, old enough to understand that their mom was an addict. Old enough to act on her own and took the responsibility to take care of her sick brother.

She nodded. "Yeah, I promise."

He smiled and hastily wiped his eyes, drying the tears.

"And you promise not to leave me, too, okay?" Amy said, holding his thin hand. "I want you to get better."

Benny's throat had gone dry. He still smiled despite the dizziness he felt. "I won't go anywhere, silly," he answered.

Amy adjusted the pillow so Benny would be comfortable.

Until that moment, she was still unsure about yesterday's incident. Maybe, just like Benny's, it was just her dream as well. Not real. Maybe, none of it really happened.

But the archangel's face emerged clearly in her mind, reminding her how pure and overwhelming his touch was.

Gabriel.

The same archangel who visited Mary.

And for a moment, she felt like fainting.