The A in Angel

4

In former times, Heaven had been the good place. A gate to Earth, a guide to the world we know today. It had been a place where all celestial beings could live forever in peace and quiet, a place somewhere in the clouds. 

A place with no violence. 

Now, Aziraphale didn't know if he could believe a bit of this. 

He laid on the white marble floor, all chained up so he couldn't escape. Gabriel had taken his clothes away, his wings were the only thing offering him protection. The other archangels were standing in a circle around him, watching the scene in curiosity. 

Their boss bended over Aziraphale, his eyes still glowing and a nasty smile on his lips. He enjoyed himself, feeling like a god. The old Gabriel was gone completely. 

"So, decide for yourself: Talking or torturing! Choose wisely, little Aziraphale...", he hissed and looked him right in the swollen eyes. Michael, Uriel and Sandalphon sniggered, they truly wanted a show. A show where only one could survive. Gabriel told them to shush and turned back to his prisoner: 

"The earlier you talk, the earlier it'll be over!"

Aziraphale gritted his teeth, trying to stand up. The chains around his neck and hands didn't want to cooperate and massive pain was flowing through his weak body as the iron cut in his flesh. He raised his head until his gaze was meeting the archangels', spitting at Gabriel. 

"I won't say anything! What have I done? Tell me...TELL ME!"

At the next moment, he wished he wouldn't have said that. 

Gabriel brought his knee up to his gut, then punching him in the face. The angels' vision faded, stars exploding in his mind. The next punch was way harder, making some ribs crack. Blood spurted out of his mouth, staining the clean floor under his naked feet. 

Luckily, before he could punch him again, Michael intervened. Her voice made Aziraphale shiver altough she was just standing there. Standing and watching, like gawping after a deadly accident. She even would be capable to film it, this sadistic bitch. The other two were just the same. 

"Rumours say that you are in love, Aziraphale!", she said, spitting out love. 

Wasn't it strange that the most loving creatures ever existing showed such an aversion to an emotion from their own doing?  Thanks to them, humanity yearned for each other, cuddling and kissing. Shared a home together. Love made the world a better place - and instead of accepting, Head Office turned their back. Wanted to punish him. 

Aziraphale shouted: "Yes, I am in love! And you know what? I don't care about your plan, whatever you'll do to me. Yes, I love a demon. Right, a rude, evil demon. A creature who likes to harm humanity and has no single emotion, the Fallen One. That's what you think about demons, don't you? That's why you wanted Armageddon to happen, to be at never ending war with your enemies? That's why you sentenced Crowley to FALL?" 

His face went red from yelling, he had forgotten to breathe. But he went on, enjoying to have control. Gabriels face went pale, insanity had been replaced by utter desperation. It was clearly to see that the sudden truth struck him like Hellfire. 

"Am I right? Being in love is not a crime, it's for everyone out there. Whatever gender you are, whatever you choose...your heart decides. But you can't know that and shall I tell you why? BECAUSE YOU'RE ALL BASTARDS! RIGHT, ALL OF YOU!"

Michael, Uriel and Sandalphon fell silent for a while. Their shocked looks met for a second, couldn't believe that an angel not as high as them and yet way clever, had confronted them. Aziraphales gaze rested on Gabriel who stood there, in his fancy grey suit and his good looking hair. 

He hated him. He hated him more than ever, but he had to give up telling lies. Maybe...maybe, something changed right now. Something new was glowing in his eyes...desperation. Sadness. 

Remorse. 

Maybe, he really wanted to change. 

But the archangel changed his mind quickly, dragging Aziraphale back to his feet. The chains vanished, leaving red marks on his burned flesh. Instead of chains, Gabriel wrapped his hand around Aziraphales arm and went through the long corridor with its glass walls and white floors. They reached a staircase and the archangel pushed him down until darkness surrounded him. 

A single lightbulb flickered above their heads and something of deep depression was in the air around them, making Aziraphale swallow hard. 

He knew this place. But in his true body, he had never seen such a place before - and still, it was familiar. 

"Beez!", Gabriel called, seeming to shout at nothing. His look changed again, now something like...like love. True love. 

"I've got a guest for you! Come and see..." 

No answer from the shadows. The archangel shrugged his shoulders and opened the massive carbon door from a cell next to them, throwing Aziraphale to the ground. It was drenched with some form of liquid he didn't want to guess further. Before he could do something, the door was closed, leaving him in pitchblack darkness. 

Only Gabriels voice could be heard through the wall, nasty and insidious. Sarcasm intensifying. 

"You were right, Aziraphale! Love is for everyone...but not for someone like you. You betrayed us, lied to us - who are we that we wouldn't punish you? You comitted a crime, Aziraphale - you fraternized. Remember what I've told you? Remember what I've tried to teach you? You never listened, you rather wanted to build up a BOOKSHOP and live among humans...utterly ridiculous. And here we are now...you have your own cell, isn't that good? A few instructions before I go...please don't spill blood all over the floor, okay? And don't try to scream, the walls are too thick - and maybe, don't try to escape. You know why? Because no one - REALLY no one - is ever going to rescue you!"  

He bended over to the door, so close that Aziraphale could feel his breath. 

"And on Crowleys account...he was a mistake. A huge mistake."

Then, he left. And leaving Aziraphale in tears, about the certainty that he soon would die. In a cold dungeon, in Hell. 

Little did he know that Crowley was already on his way.