The A in Angel

5

If I just mentioned that Crowley was already on his way to rescue Aziraphale, you got it wrong. I also have to admit that Crowley wasn't a good man for escape plans. He had never rescued someone - not even out of a place filled with angelic bastards. So, he didn't have the faintest idea how he should save his friend. 

Since nearly five hours, he was sitting in his flat, thinking about a possible plan. But nothing wanted to come to his mind whatever he tried. Time passed by and soon, the red afternoon sun casted her bright light over London. 

What would he give now to be at Alpha Centauri with his angel, watching the sky...just them together, for eternity. Nothing would have torn them apart.

The demon curled up on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Tears came again, rolling down his cheeks. He didn't refuse. 

What was life even worth when being so alone? It had been his fault, his one and only fault. He had failed so many people before Azi, why should he make a difference?  

He was alone. Left behind cause he hadn't paid attention when it had been worth. He had been blind to see that his angel wasn't pleased anymore. He hadn't enjoyed his company. He had been all alone - and that was the price to pay for his betrayal. 

Demons were bad. Evil, rude. Nasty, hated. Whatever you would call it, it was always the same. Maybe...just maybe...God hadn't been right. 

He was a creature who didn't deserve to walk on this earth. All knew that, even the archangels. He had deserved to fall, he had been a failure to them. 

And if he didn't right the wrongs, nothing would get better. 

Crowley finally forced to get up, wiping the salt out of his face. He clenched his fists, ruffling his ginger hair. No time to cry. 

He had made his decision and no one could stop him. 

Even if he would die trying. 

"Zira.", a voice whispered in the angels' ear, seeming to come from nowhere. Aziraphale slowly opened his eyes he didn't realize that they had been closed. He had fallen asleep on the dirty floor, the cold stone made him getting goosebumps. He looked round, but he saw nothing and nobody - maybe, it had been just a dream. 

Then, he heard the voice again: 

"I'm here!"

A woman was standing in front of the angel. She wore a short black dress and had short black hair, her eyes glowing in curiosity. And another thing...kindness. Warmth. 

Something he had never realized by looking at the Archangels. And still, he knew who the woman was. He had once seen her at the failed trial. 

This was Beelzebub aka. Lord of Flies. Crowleys boss. But...what did she want from him?

Aziraphale backed away from her, pressing against the wall. He had no idea why, it was just out of reflex. His body was shaking, his heart pounding rapidly. 

When he had already seen how bad the archangels were, how bad could the demons be?

Beelzebub sighed before saying, leaning against the door. 

"I see! You don't trust me cuz I'm a demon, don't you?" 

She paused, scanning the angel. Aziraphale nodded, still trembling. The Lord of Hell smiled, pointing at his naked body - within one blink of the eye, he wore his usual clothes again. Beelzebub remained passive, crossing her arms. 

"Thank me later, Zira! I had to make sure you won't catch a cold - Gabriel wants you still alive, you know. Before the trial..."

Mentioning these words, Aziraphale went pale. His head was spinning around, questions flowing through his mind. He had no clue what was she talking about. 

The angel frowned: 

"I...I don't understand. Which trial? What do you want? And why do you call me... Zira?"

The Lord of Hell rolled her eyes, gawping at him in confusion. 

"For Hells Sake, do I still have to explain this to the new ones?", she snapped, mumbling something he didn't understand. Ruffling her hair, she sighed again and went on. 

"Okay, let's get right to the point. You, Aziraphale, Angel of the Eastern Gate and former guardian of the Flaming Sword, blablabla...well, due to your lack of responsibility AND for preventing Armageddon, along with the demon Crowley - you are sentenced to fall! You'll be a demon, so I thought you might wanna choose your serpent name...or every other animal you'll be able to change into. Anyway..."

Beelzebub talked and talked without stopping. But Aziraphale didn't listen to. His fear had been replaced by oncoming sadness, silence fell between her and him. He felt a lump in his throat he didn't know it had been there for so long. He turned away, to the bare stone wall, not knowing how to answer. Not knowing what to do. 

As she finally left, closing the door behind him, Aziraphale bursted into tears. He cried and cried, losing track of time once more. 

He hadn't wanted this to happen. And yet, it was time to face the truth: It was all his fault. He had failed everybody. Crowley. The Great Plan. The Almighty herself. 

Even his boss. 

Nobody could help him. He would fall, become one of those he hated. Just all because of this thing called Love. Punished for a crime he didn't commit. For a crime never had existed. 

He was doomed.