Original Sin

Chapter 6

"It's never going to stop." Hailey didn't know she could still be shocked at the brutality of human nature. Yet there she stood, mouth hanging open, aghast at the scene in front of her. Tears pricked her eyes, but Hailey refused to let them fall. She didn't want Alex to see her cry.

"Which one- Me loving you? You loving me? Or this?" Alex tilted his head toward the scared mass of screaming students and staff. What used to be Stoneman Douglas High School now represented one of the most traumatic shooting events in the history of southern Florida and American schools. 

Hailey felt the heat from Alex's angel fury, the hate from traumatized students, and the curse upon her shoulders all at once as the wind blew a torrent of shrills in her face. Still, she did not move away. Time came to a stop and assaulted every one of her five senses. Alex held onto her hand. It felt comforting, a familiar safety net. 

However, despite that comfort, Hailey's mind was made up now and she spoke it determinedly. "Do you ever wonder if it's worth the cost, Alex?" 

"No. Do you?"

"Yes. Too often," she admitted. 

The screams began to subside. Hailey had done her best to tune them out, but the echoes remained. She had lived long enough. It was all wrong. 

Time to finish this wretched punishment once and for all. 

Alex spread his wings wide enough to wrap around them both. Hailey became engulfed in a blanket of orange and white. Most humans would be scared of such a creature. Hailey never could be. But Hailey wanted to settle down, have a family, and live a quiet normal life with Alex. She wanted children, a place to call home, and a career she could be proud of. It wasn't much, but it was simple love. What more did she need?

What a fantasy! Such a life was never meant to be her reality! Even now, during a great tragedy, her heart wanted to leap out of her chest and consume Alex, become one with him mind, body, and soul. 

She turned around to face Alex, to look in his eyes again. There was sadness there, and a numbness she understood well. How numb does one have to be to complete such a task as his? She hated God for making Alex leave, forcing him to ferry souls to Hell, just to keep her alive. Yet, though deliverance and salvation could be had with a flick of his wrist, this angel refused to whisk away his lover's soul and separate from her. He would trade all the souls of Earth for Hailey. That was the depth of his commitment, and such the depth of his commitment to his duty as Lucifer. For that, she had grown to loath Alex as much as she loved him.

"Time for me to leave," Alex said mournfully. He didn't unwrap her from his embrace however. She stayed snugly warm for a minute longer before he pulled her chin up to meet his eyes. 

"I know. Just...don't die on me. Please." Hailey wasn't sure why she was making this plea. It just felt like the right thing to do. It felt human. It felt like something a happily married woman would say to her husband before he left for work every day. While she couldn't live the fantasy she desired, Hailey could still pretend, right? Or was it wrong to live in a land of make-believe? 

This love was rare. Hailey realized the word "soulmates" was a more-than-appropriate label for what they had. It was the truth, after all, and she knew Alex felt it too just from the look in his eyes. "As long as you don't leave me, I won't ever leave you," he whispered cupping her face with both hands. He slowly leaned down to place a chaste kiss upon her lips. 

Selfishly, she wanted more. Hailey reached into his hair. Her fingers gripped the long locks to pull him down, deepening the kiss. Her kiss were rough; she wasn't playing around with him. His hands ran down her back to her bottom. Hailey let him feel, pull her closer than what she knew she should allow. 

What a beautiful moment for a bleak romance that would soon come to an end, whether Alex wanted it to or not. Hailey felt a pang of guilt, but she couldn't stop. Hailey would make this kiss last for a minute more, one more minute before they separated. 

When they finally broke the passionate moment, out of breath, Alex whispered a final goodbye. "I love you, you know."

"I know, Alex. I know." Hailey did not return his feelings.  She dared not utter those three powerful words. If she was to move on from him, she could not get caught up in his presence anymore. 

She didn't watch him leave. There was no long, wishful look from either party. They didn't beg each other to stay. This seemed like the end. It was for the best, she knew. Hailey decided that from now on, she was going to do this life on her own, be herself, live immortally, without him. At least, until she could find a way to break the curse that scarred the world forever. 

Hailey walked to her car, parked safely away from the chaos at the end of the lot. However, something felt strange as she approached. She recognized this feeling; an other worldly presence was nearby, perhaps an angel or a demon. This time, the feeling was akin to something from a scary movie just before a character's death. 

Someone was watching her, watching very closely. 

What's this? Tucked underneath the wiper blades of her car was a piece of notebook paper. She carefully unfolded the note. It read:

"To alleviate world suffering is no easy task. Lucifer will try to stop you at every turn.
You will need my help.- Michael"

As she read the note, the paper was still glowing, a remnant of angelic fury. 

"The angel Michael..." Hailey's thoughts were spoken aloud. It made sense he was here. She'd seen him often in the last few centuries. But his attitude toward Alex was questionable based on his word choice and tone. They did not seem to get along. 

Hailey folded up the note and started the engine. Her goal was simple and straightforward- Find a way to break the curse. She would meet Michael and discuss whatever assistance he could offer, but she wanted no part of his anger towards his brother.

Tread lightly, she reminded herself. Angelic fury was not a power to be taken lightly.