Within Reach

The Angel

In 24 hours, I will become an angel. 

Midnight

It happened yesterday. It was barely 11 am when the sky was replaced, our atmosphere shrouded in some being. It was milky, and its flesh pulsated. All over, eyes opened up. Then there was a voice, a declaration.

"Some of you I have chosen. You will be marked. By tomorrow, at midnight, you will join me in infinity. You will become separate from me, and part of me. Tonight, you begin your change. Live out your final hours however you wish, but your metamorphosis begins tomorrow." 

It didn't give a name; it didn't clarify. After that, it left. The sky turned blue and people had to go on as they had before. But for those of us chosen, we had a significant weight. A mark on my forehead was enough proof to tell me I was chosen. So now begins my change. I am chrysalis. I must change.

1 am

It is now 1 am. My change begins. At this moment, my skin tingles. It feels soft, and when I prod it, it shudders. The news is like wildfire. It chews and eats whatever bit of fuel it can get. It spits out more and more. Despite all this, there is no change.

2 am

I call my mother. I tell her the news. She sobs and wails, and in the background, I can hear my father choking. He holds back remorse and tears. Relationships with my parents were difficult. But I am nearly 20 now. They have fulfilled their role. If anyone is to be sad, it should be me. My skin continues to change. It's closer to jelly now. It buzzes and tickles. I can start to see my largest veins. My arteries are visible too, but not as clear. 

3 am

Even the tiniest capillaries show through my translucent skin. One of my friends, my closest one, begs to stay with me as I undergo my change. She comes over and brings a couple of beers for us to share. I refuse, however. I don't want to risk it. She'll help ease the pain of leaving.

4 am

She's had too many beers, and now she's poking my strange skin. It tickles her, and every time it does she giggles. But now it's beginning to turn white, and my bones are growing darker, showing through. My parents call as well, telling me they've told the rest of the family. I start to cry, and my friend embraces me. Even then, I can't find the courage to tell them how it was hard to live with them. She holds me tighter. I am terrified.

5 am

My friend leaves. She has work in the morning. I am left alone, so I hug myself. My mind is erratic and my eyes are dry. I have 19 hours to come to terms with what will happen. My finger bones are fusing and elongating. They are becoming dark, elastic structures. My toes are the same. I am still scared.

6 am

The sun begins to rise. My new fingers have formed. They are more like claws, but I can use them now. My skin is still tingly and I can still see my changing bones. I check the mirror to see that my skull remains the same. My face is still mine. My mind drifts to the extremities of this change. What will happen, what will I do and everything in between. My toes have formed three claws, similar to my fingers. More friends call to check on me. I tell them each one thing I like about a different friend. With any luck, they'll tell each other and grow closer, as I open their eyes to new parts I see in them.

7 am

I turn back on the news. I have missed out on many developments. The earth continues as it always has. It makes me laugh, but I watch anyway. In some countries, the 'Selected' are being treated like gods. Perhaps that's what we'll become. In others, they're simply having a day of leisure and goodbyes. Others are hiding away from the public. Like me. My skin is now completely white but my bones continue to change.