Original Sin

Chapter 18

It was way too far past her bedtime, almost midnight. Hailey yawned, stretching her limbs that were annoyingly stiff. Her eyes felt too heavy. Her hair was messy from what little rest she managed to achieve. She was still wearing the beat-up T-shirt and jeans from the tumultuous days prior.

Despite the shortcomings, she stood beside Alex and mentally prepared herself for the multitude of tasks ahead. They would need to recruit help to execute God's orders. They set out almost immediately after Hailey regaled Alex with the events that unfolded during her sleep.

Alex was furious with God for a few minutes, but that frustration soon gave way to complacency. Hailey calmed his shattered nerves and ferocious temper. 

"God's done interfering in our lives, in everyone's lives. From now until our deaths, we make our own choices. He does not," Hailey whispered just loud enough to be heard while still burying her nose in his back. She did not let go. 

He turned around, still locked in her embrace. He ran his hands down her sides then back up to her luscious blond hair. He raised his thumb to her chin, tilted her head, stared deep into her eyes. "Promise me something, Hailey: Whatever we're going to do, we do it together. Okay?"

"Okay," Hailey whispered before pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. 

They were renewing their marriage, though there was no official ceremony or vows recited. They were on opposing sides in a universal conflict for so long, Hailey had forgotten the feeling of excitement that erupted whenever she saw her love. Those sparks were slowly but surely reappearing. 

It was time to rewrite the untold history of life on earth. They could only do that as a team, as a couple in love, as an unstoppable force that no one dared refuse. 

Hailey now stood in the shadow of an ominous steel building in front of them- Club Ekko, New York City. The building reeked of fine spirits and money. It had more glass windows than the former World Trade Centers and seemed taller than the Empire State Building, with a spire that held an elevator-accessed rooftop floor. It was expensive, not the kind of establishment she or Alex usually frequented. 

"Exactly what kind of help do you hope to find here?" Hailey looked at Alex questioningly before glancing at some female patrons entering the premises. They were dressed in tight-fitting black dresses and at least six-inch stilettos. That jewelry probably cost more than Hailey's annual salary as a teacher. Even the men were well dressed in expensive, personally tailored dress shirts. It also looked like they ironed their jeans, or they had someone do it for them. Ferraris and an Astin Martin were parked via valet at an excruciating cost. While she didn't care what others thought about her and Alex and their relationship, she knew they certainly couldn't walk into an establishment looking somewhat homeless. 

"We're here to find an angel, if you can call him that. Hopefully he's willing to give up the playboy life for some carnage." Alex was emotionless. Hailey glanced at his face. He didn't think he looked too hopeful at all. All the more reason she needed to make sure they gave a good first impression. Whoever this friend was, the name of which Alex refused to give, if he frequented Club Ekko, he was clearly used to the finer things in life. They needed to look the part.  

Hailey sighed holding her hand palm up to Alex. "Credit card please."

He raised one eyebrow. He slowly spoke again, pulling out the piece of plastic. "What are you thinking, Hailey?"

"I'm thinking that we're going to need power outfits." She'd read about this concept while studying interview techniques. The right outfit gave individuals a confidence boost. Hailey felt the need for as much confidence tonight as possible.