The Rain
I try to resist. I walked away, I kept my distance, but with the smallest effort, you can pull me back in. I think, that is what bothers me the most, the way that I lose all control when it comes to you. I was fine living with my lost hope. My days were filled with the certainty that comes with having no hope It is a very complacent place, where the only expectations that you have to meet are your own. There is a tranquility that comes with the thought of “that’s all there really is”, but that can all change in an instant.
I always had this feeling, that whenever I was lost, I always knew that I could find myself in you. When you were gone, I became lost. I stayed lost, and I began to enjoy being lost. Being lost, became a warm blanket on a cold dark night. It was sitting in the car as the rain came down, and your favorite song played on the radio.
There you were, standing in front of me once again. I looked into your eyes, and that part of me that was lost, came running at full speed into being found. Being found, can be full of confusion, it can full you into believing in hope. The safety of being alone, means not getting hurt, where as being found has no safety, no promises, it only has chances. Do I, don’t I. Will I, won’t I. If, then what. All choices with consequences.
Where do I go from here? There is an insanity that goes with being a pert of something. We always feel like the insanity comes, when bonds are broken, but it is the loss of insanity that makes us mad. The madness overcomes us and plummets us into control. You never see it that way at the time, but that is exactly what happens. Only when we lose ourselves, can we see who we truly are. Then and only then, are we in control of who we are. We build the walls that create the foundation of who we will become. Only to have someone pick a small hole, and those walls come crashing down.
With the walls shattered, I stand before you now, looking into your eyes, and finding myself once again, and a smile crosses my face. The smile that comes from someone, that has truly gone insane.
I try to resist. I walked away, I kept my distance, but with the smallest effort, you can pull me back in. I think, that is what bothers me the most, the way that I lose all control when it comes to you. I was fine living with my lost hope. My days were filled with the certainty that comes with having no hope It is a very complacent place, where the only expectations that you have to meet are your own. There is a tranquility that comes with the thought of “that’s all there really is”, but that can all change in an instant.
I always had this feeling, that whenever I was lost, I always knew that I could find myself in you. When you were gone, I became lost. I stayed lost, and I began to enjoy being lost. Being lost, became a warm blanket on a cold dark night. It was sitting in the car as the rain came down, and your favorite song played on the radio.
There you were, standing in front of me once again. I looked into your eyes, and that part of me that was lost, came running at full speed into being found. Being found, can be full of confusion, it can full you into believing in hope. The safety of being alone, means not getting hurt, where as being found has no safety, no promises, it only has chances. Do I, don’t I. Will I, won’t I. If, then what. All choices with consequences.
Where do I go from here? There is an insanity that goes with being a pert of something. We always feel like the insanity comes, when bonds are broken, but it is the loss of insanity that makes us mad. The madness overcomes us and plummets us into control. You never see it that way at the time, but that is exactly what happens. Only when we lose ourselves, can we see who we truly are. Then and only then, are we in control of who we are. We build the walls that create the foundation of who we will become. Only to have someone pick a small hole, and those walls come crashing down.
With the walls shattered, I stand before you now, looking into your eyes, and finding myself once again, and a smile crosses my face. The smile that comes from someone, that has truly gone insane.
Getting more work today on my Fluer De Lis. If I get a chance, I'll post some pictures up later...
Update:
Update:
The Amazing Adventures of Special-K & T-LIcious
The sun rises once again on what will be another amazing adventure at the World of Beer.
“Oh really? Anything like the last so called amazing adventure? I thought that one was pretty boring.”
Hey, Who’s writing this? Huh?
“Okay, okay, I see your point. It must seem amazing to you, and you are the one writing it. I’ll just sit here and wait until it’s done to laugh at it?”
You’re a real dick. Shut it! No one asked your for your opinion, now where was I? Oh yeah, the sun rising and all.
Our wonder twins of WOB, seem to have gone missing in action. They haven’t been seen in a few weeks. rumor has it, that they went to the left coast to watch their favorite team for spring training.
I hope they didn’t run into any rabid Red Sox fans. things could get pretty ugly.
Just as I write these last few words our tempestuous titans of total annihilation burst through the doors, hooting and hollering about the knock-down, drag out time they had in Tampa.
There were tales of Special-K knocking one over the left field fence. Turns out, it was a loud mouthed fan. Another tale told of T-LIcious getting so red-faced arguing with a female Big Papi fan, that she ripped her head off, and threw it out as the first pitch. Derek Jeter was quite surprised when it landed with a splat in his glove, but I’m not here to tell you stores that I’ve heard, I’m hear to tell you about stories that I’ve seen. A voyeuristic verbalist if you will.
As always, the crowd at the WOB is boisterous but attentive when listening to the salacious shenanigans of K&T. Everyone that is, except for one hidden, yet somewhat familiar face. Sitting in the corner under the lowered ceiling is a brooding figure, paying what seemed to be a passing disinterest to our duo. A voice booms from the shadowy figure.
“I see you two are up to your same old methods of mayhem.”
What? Who is that? Why don’t you step out here bro?” Says K.
The figure slowly stands up and walks to unveil himself. “Could it be? Could it really be their old nemesis, the Keginator?”
“Now who the hell was that?” Blurts out K with confusion filling his voice.
“Who the hell was what?” Asks the Keginator.
“That voice that was asking if that was really you?”
“Oh yeah, I did hear that.”
I slowly shrunk back into the shadows of the boughs of WOB.
“It was Greg, I recognize his voice.” Declared T.
“Hey, what are you doing up there bro?
Knowing full well that my cover had been blown, I proudly walk back to the edge of the balcony. “Someone has to write this stuff down. I just happen to narrate out
loud when it seems like it’s going to be really good.” I see a look of shock roll across the faces in the crowd. Stunned by my voice and my appearance above them. “ I stand before them like a God, witnessing their folly as they go about their mundane little lives.”
“Dude, that was out loud again. You really need to get a grasp on this.” Special-K said with a chuckle.
“Yeah Greggy, Have you been drinking, You aren’t usually like this.” Asks a reserved T-LIcious.
Seeing my opportunity to get out of an awkward situation, I simply say “Yesh”. With that the crowd turns their attention to the melee that is about to begin. I think I’ll make a point to remember not to move my mouth when I narrate in my head.
***
The crowd slowly tightens around K&T and the Keginator. The tension is as thick as the head on a good stout. The foes begin to circle one another. They eye each other with a ferocity that is only seen in the wild. All three rear back and throw their right fists at each other, and clash with what must be a cosmic collision, but no deafening sound of skin being battered by fists comes. Their hands came together, one lying on top of the other. All of a sudden their heads fling up with wild smiles on their faces, their left hands rise into jazz fingers, and they begin to skip as if going around a maypole. The crowd leaps back in astonishment. How could these bitter rivals being dancing with one another?
“WHAT THE?” Exclaims the crowd in unison. “WHAT’S GOING ON?” Up is down, down is up, cat’s are loving dogs. The world must be at an end. A riotous burst of laughter erupts from the three dancers.
“BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”.
“Sorry everybody, we had this whole thing planned.” Says Keginator in a still laughing but somewhat remorseful tone. “Ever since these two kicked my tail, and had me arrested, I’ve been doing a lot of changing. The one thing that I learned, is that it is much better too share a good beer with many, than it is too try and take it for yourself.”
The crowd has an even more perplexed look on it’s face. You can see the question align on everyone’s face at the same time, only one person verbalizes it.
“How did you guys even get together to plan this?” Said Jeffy, a wily white-haired Beer God.
“Very good question Jeffy.” Says T. “We weren’t at spring training, we were actually at the prison helping Ol’ Keggy out. The Warden had seen a great deal of change in him, since he went in, and he thought that if we went in and made friends with him, that he would have a complete turn around.”
“And he totally did. Right Bro” Exclaimed K while reaching up and high-fiving Ol’ Keggy.
“That I did. I finally saw the error of my ways, and I hope to hang-out here as a patron rather than a thief. Maybe one day, I can be a Beer God too.”
With that, everyone in the bar cheered and each one made their way to Keg and welcomed him to the WOB. The End...
Ok, that’s not really the end. Hell, I haven’t even gotten to K&T’s dog, When they moved into the WOB, and how T got her costume, but that is for another time.
The sun rises once again on what will be another amazing adventure at the World of Beer.
“Oh really? Anything like the last so called amazing adventure? I thought that one was pretty boring.”
Hey, Who’s writing this? Huh?
“Okay, okay, I see your point. It must seem amazing to you, and you are the one writing it. I’ll just sit here and wait until it’s done to laugh at it?”
You’re a real dick. Shut it! No one asked your for your opinion, now where was I? Oh yeah, the sun rising and all.
Our wonder twins of WOB, seem to have gone missing in action. They haven’t been seen in a few weeks. rumor has it, that they went to the left coast to watch their favorite team for spring training.
I hope they didn’t run into any rabid Red Sox fans. things could get pretty ugly.
Just as I write these last few words our tempestuous titans of total annihilation burst through the doors, hooting and hollering about the knock-down, drag out time they had in Tampa.
There were tales of Special-K knocking one over the left field fence. Turns out, it was a loud mouthed fan. Another tale told of T-LIcious getting so red-faced arguing with a female Big Papi fan, that she ripped her head off, and threw it out as the first pitch. Derek Jeter was quite surprised when it landed with a splat in his glove, but I’m not here to tell you stores that I’ve heard, I’m hear to tell you about stories that I’ve seen. A voyeuristic verbalist if you will.
As always, the crowd at the WOB is boisterous but attentive when listening to the salacious shenanigans of K&T. Everyone that is, except for one hidden, yet somewhat familiar face. Sitting in the corner under the lowered ceiling is a brooding figure, paying what seemed to be a passing disinterest to our duo. A voice booms from the shadowy figure.
“I see you two are up to your same old methods of mayhem.”
What? Who is that? Why don’t you step out here bro?” Says K.
The figure slowly stands up and walks to unveil himself. “Could it be? Could it really be their old nemesis, the Keginator?”
“Now who the hell was that?” Blurts out K with confusion filling his voice.
“Who the hell was what?” Asks the Keginator.
“That voice that was asking if that was really you?”
“Oh yeah, I did hear that.”
I slowly shrunk back into the shadows of the boughs of WOB.
“It was Greg, I recognize his voice.” Declared T.
“Hey, what are you doing up there bro?
Knowing full well that my cover had been blown, I proudly walk back to the edge of the balcony. “Someone has to write this stuff down. I just happen to narrate out
loud when it seems like it’s going to be really good.” I see a look of shock roll across the faces in the crowd. Stunned by my voice and my appearance above them. “ I stand before them like a God, witnessing their folly as they go about their mundane little lives.”
“Dude, that was out loud again. You really need to get a grasp on this.” Special-K said with a chuckle.
“Yeah Greggy, Have you been drinking, You aren’t usually like this.” Asks a reserved T-LIcious.
Seeing my opportunity to get out of an awkward situation, I simply say “Yesh”. With that the crowd turns their attention to the melee that is about to begin. I think I’ll make a point to remember not to move my mouth when I narrate in my head.
***
The crowd slowly tightens around K&T and the Keginator. The tension is as thick as the head on a good stout. The foes begin to circle one another. They eye each other with a ferocity that is only seen in the wild. All three rear back and throw their right fists at each other, and clash with what must be a cosmic collision, but no deafening sound of skin being battered by fists comes. Their hands came together, one lying on top of the other. All of a sudden their heads fling up with wild smiles on their faces, their left hands rise into jazz fingers, and they begin to skip as if going around a maypole. The crowd leaps back in astonishment. How could these bitter rivals being dancing with one another?
“WHAT THE?” Exclaims the crowd in unison. “WHAT’S GOING ON?” Up is down, down is up, cat’s are loving dogs. The world must be at an end. A riotous burst of laughter erupts from the three dancers.
“BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”.
“Sorry everybody, we had this whole thing planned.” Says Keginator in a still laughing but somewhat remorseful tone. “Ever since these two kicked my tail, and had me arrested, I’ve been doing a lot of changing. The one thing that I learned, is that it is much better too share a good beer with many, than it is too try and take it for yourself.”
The crowd has an even more perplexed look on it’s face. You can see the question align on everyone’s face at the same time, only one person verbalizes it.
“How did you guys even get together to plan this?” Said Jeffy, a wily white-haired Beer God.
“Very good question Jeffy.” Says T. “We weren’t at spring training, we were actually at the prison helping Ol’ Keggy out. The Warden had seen a great deal of change in him, since he went in, and he thought that if we went in and made friends with him, that he would have a complete turn around.”
“And he totally did. Right Bro” Exclaimed K while reaching up and high-fiving Ol’ Keggy.
“That I did. I finally saw the error of my ways, and I hope to hang-out here as a patron rather than a thief. Maybe one day, I can be a Beer God too.”
With that, everyone in the bar cheered and each one made their way to Keg and welcomed him to the WOB. The End...
Ok, that’s not really the end. Hell, I haven’t even gotten to K&T’s dog, When they moved into the WOB, and how T got her costume, but that is for another time.
After years of watching friends of mine enjoy the world of art. I decided that it was time for me to give it a try. this is actually the first sketch that I have attempted since I was a kid. I have a long, long way to go, but I think this isn't bad for a first attempt. This is somewhat the image I see in my mind of the cover of the book that I'm writing. There is more to be done to it, but I'm not ready to be that adventurous yet... 
The sun rises on what appears to be another beautiful day. She lies just on the cusp of waking, not realizing the dramatic turn of events that are about to change her entire life, and they aren't all for the better...
Fallen Wings Chapter XIV (A Goodbye to Friends)...
" We have to leave Ron, the woods are going to burn down." Jennifer said as she walked over to where I was kneeling, and placing her arm around my slumped shoulders. I didn't respond, I couldn't. The others slowly gathered around as well. We stood in silence over the slain body of our friend. The fire was beginning to spread more and more, it had already taken our tent, and was working it's way to the oak tree that we layed under so many times in the past. The failed log cabin was not far behind. It seemed like everything was coming to an end, right before our eyes.
I finally looked up at Jennifer, not even trying to hide the tears that were in my eyes. " We can't leave him here. We have to take him out of here with us." It sounded as though my words came from somewhere else, like this was all a dream and they were coming from someone else's mouth.
" I can carry him, but I must tend to my wing first." Emelia said in her soothiing voice. I turned and noticed her wing for the first time. It looked like it was in bad shape. Her left wing went straight down as it always had until it reached her waist, and there it abruptly turned outwards away from her. If she was in pain she did not show it. Paul was standing by her side.
" How can we fix it, can I help?" Paul questioned. He also had pain in his eyes, both for John and for Emelia's broken wing.
" Yes, you can help. You have to set my wing. Once it is set, it will begin to heal itself. It will still be days before I can fly again, but it will heal fine." Emelia said.
"What do I need to do?" Paul asked.
" This may be difficult for you Paul. You will have to place one had above the break, and one below, and when I say that I am ready, you will have to snap it back into position." Emelia said, sounding as strong and confident as ever.
" Ok." Paul said. " I can do that, it won't hurt you will it.?"
" You have nothing to worry about, I will be fine." Said Emelia reasuredly. With this Paul slowly reached for her wing. He did as she instructed and put one had above the break and the other below and looked up at her for her signal. Emelia silently readied herself for the sudden, sharp jolt of pain that was going to come. She had told Paul a small lie, about it not hurting. She knew it would but she had to stay strong.
" Ok Paul, when I say now, you snap it back into place with all your might." Paul nodded his head in acknowledgement. 'NOW". The instant he heard the words he gripped both sides as hard as he could and snapped the wing back. The same loud snap could be heard as he popped it back as when it was sent into it's painful condition. Emelia winced, but made no sound. The wing was back to it's normal state. She tried to spread her wings, but could only manage to get the right one to it's full and glorious height.
" We must be going now." Emelia said still trying to stretch out her injured wing.
" Is that all you can do for your wing?" paul asked. " You can't use the healing light on it?"
" No Paul, I cannot use the healing light on myself. I will just have to be patient and let it fully heal." Said Emelia.
Emelia kneeled down next to me and put her hand on my shoulder and whispered in my ear, "Thank you for saving me. I am sorry I could not save you friend. I will mourn him as I did Gibrel." I silently nodded to her. She then reached down and picked John's limp body up. We slowly and quietly made our way through the trails and to the entrance of the woods. Once we were safe and clear from the fire, Emelia gently place John on the grass of a nearby yard. She slowly stood up and looked around at us. "Thank you all very much. I could not have stopped Azel without your help. I wish I could have been stronger and protected you better. I will remember you and what you did to help me avenge Gibrel's death and that of your friend John's." With that she turned and walked back into the woods. Paul took a quick step after her, and then stopped. We all knew, that we would never see her again.
***
Sirens started to blair in the distance. Soon firetrucks and nieghbors arrived to see the commotion. They were all surprized to see four young kids and a dead body lying on the ground waiting for them. A welcome sight came to us, as Rusty walked through the crowd towards us. "What happened, what is wrong with Jo...." He trailed off as he came to the stark reality of what was now confronting him. He stared at John's body and didn't say another word.
***
We all went our seperate ways after that summer. Joe's body was found a few days after the fire. Some teenagers were walking through the woods near the rollercoaster trail when the heard a loud crack from above them. A single white feather spiraled down towards them, and then they saw it. High in the tree slung across a large branch, was Joe. I like to think that it was Emelia that brought the teens attention to the gory sight. Her last act, to bring closure to our adventure.
Paul moved away, and became an artist. He is pretty well known now. He concentrates on images of angels, and there is always one particular red haired angel in every one of his paintings. Rusty still lives in the old neighborhood. He was never the same after that night. He felt a large amount of survivors guilt for not being with us to help out. We tried to tell him, that he was better off, for not being there, but we could never reach him. Dennis and Jennifer moved to Jacksonville. Dennis lived his dream of being in the Navy. He is the captain of a battleship that is docked somewhere off the coast of Japan now.
I moved with my family to New Orleans. I own a restaurant in the french quarter. I have lived an adventure free life, since that night. That is until now. I found an old friend of mine recently. I'm gettting on a flight to Jacksonville. Jennifer should be at the airport to pick me up when I arrive. " One more adventure John, This ones for you." I said quietly under my breath as I boarded the plane.
***
" We have to leave Ron, the woods are going to burn down." Jennifer said as she walked over to where I was kneeling, and placing her arm around my slumped shoulders. I didn't respond, I couldn't. The others slowly gathered around as well. We stood in silence over the slain body of our friend. The fire was beginning to spread more and more, it had already taken our tent, and was working it's way to the oak tree that we layed under so many times in the past. The failed log cabin was not far behind. It seemed like everything was coming to an end, right before our eyes.
I finally looked up at Jennifer, not even trying to hide the tears that were in my eyes. " We can't leave him here. We have to take him out of here with us." It sounded as though my words came from somewhere else, like this was all a dream and they were coming from someone else's mouth.
" I can carry him, but I must tend to my wing first." Emelia said in her soothiing voice. I turned and noticed her wing for the first time. It looked like it was in bad shape. Her left wing went straight down as it always had until it reached her waist, and there it abruptly turned outwards away from her. If she was in pain she did not show it. Paul was standing by her side.
" How can we fix it, can I help?" Paul questioned. He also had pain in his eyes, both for John and for Emelia's broken wing.
" Yes, you can help. You have to set my wing. Once it is set, it will begin to heal itself. It will still be days before I can fly again, but it will heal fine." Emelia said.
"What do I need to do?" Paul asked.
" This may be difficult for you Paul. You will have to place one had above the break, and one below, and when I say that I am ready, you will have to snap it back into position." Emelia said, sounding as strong and confident as ever.
" Ok." Paul said. " I can do that, it won't hurt you will it.?"
" You have nothing to worry about, I will be fine." Said Emelia reasuredly. With this Paul slowly reached for her wing. He did as she instructed and put one had above the break and the other below and looked up at her for her signal. Emelia silently readied herself for the sudden, sharp jolt of pain that was going to come. She had told Paul a small lie, about it not hurting. She knew it would but she had to stay strong.
" Ok Paul, when I say now, you snap it back into place with all your might." Paul nodded his head in acknowledgement. 'NOW". The instant he heard the words he gripped both sides as hard as he could and snapped the wing back. The same loud snap could be heard as he popped it back as when it was sent into it's painful condition. Emelia winced, but made no sound. The wing was back to it's normal state. She tried to spread her wings, but could only manage to get the right one to it's full and glorious height.
" We must be going now." Emelia said still trying to stretch out her injured wing.
" Is that all you can do for your wing?" paul asked. " You can't use the healing light on it?"
" No Paul, I cannot use the healing light on myself. I will just have to be patient and let it fully heal." Said Emelia.
Emelia kneeled down next to me and put her hand on my shoulder and whispered in my ear, "Thank you for saving me. I am sorry I could not save you friend. I will mourn him as I did Gibrel." I silently nodded to her. She then reached down and picked John's limp body up. We slowly and quietly made our way through the trails and to the entrance of the woods. Once we were safe and clear from the fire, Emelia gently place John on the grass of a nearby yard. She slowly stood up and looked around at us. "Thank you all very much. I could not have stopped Azel without your help. I wish I could have been stronger and protected you better. I will remember you and what you did to help me avenge Gibrel's death and that of your friend John's." With that she turned and walked back into the woods. Paul took a quick step after her, and then stopped. We all knew, that we would never see her again.
***
Sirens started to blair in the distance. Soon firetrucks and nieghbors arrived to see the commotion. They were all surprized to see four young kids and a dead body lying on the ground waiting for them. A welcome sight came to us, as Rusty walked through the crowd towards us. "What happened, what is wrong with Jo...." He trailed off as he came to the stark reality of what was now confronting him. He stared at John's body and didn't say another word.
***
We all went our seperate ways after that summer. Joe's body was found a few days after the fire. Some teenagers were walking through the woods near the rollercoaster trail when the heard a loud crack from above them. A single white feather spiraled down towards them, and then they saw it. High in the tree slung across a large branch, was Joe. I like to think that it was Emelia that brought the teens attention to the gory sight. Her last act, to bring closure to our adventure.
Paul moved away, and became an artist. He is pretty well known now. He concentrates on images of angels, and there is always one particular red haired angel in every one of his paintings. Rusty still lives in the old neighborhood. He was never the same after that night. He felt a large amount of survivors guilt for not being with us to help out. We tried to tell him, that he was better off, for not being there, but we could never reach him. Dennis and Jennifer moved to Jacksonville. Dennis lived his dream of being in the Navy. He is the captain of a battleship that is docked somewhere off the coast of Japan now.
I moved with my family to New Orleans. I own a restaurant in the french quarter. I have lived an adventure free life, since that night. That is until now. I found an old friend of mine recently. I'm gettting on a flight to Jacksonville. Jennifer should be at the airport to pick me up when I arrive. " One more adventure John, This ones for you." I said quietly under my breath as I boarded the plane.
***
Fallen Wings Chapter XIII (Blood in the Moonlight)...
The fiery eyes approached the beast at blinding speed. Everything was a blur except for the target. "EMELIA", a might roar lashed out. The beast turned and then dove to get away from the pursuit of the fiery eyes.
***
A shout rang out over the nighttime sky. "Did you hear that guys?" I was sitting bolt upright as I asked the question. The others were soon behind me in my sitting position.
" I heard it." John said as he shot out of the tent. I followed behind him to see where it came from. Paul followed next, with Jennifer and Dennis close behind. None of us had to worry about what we were wearing, we always slept in the clothes that we hadd worn the day before, even our shoes. It made things easier when we got up the next morning.
John was looking all around as I got out of the tent, trying to see where the shout came from." It sounded like it said Emelia's name. " I said, as I to was looking around for the culprit.
" Look, up there." Jennifer was the first to see it. " It's Emelia and something is chasing her." We all could see the sight now. Emelia was being chased by something a slight bet bigger than her. It looked just like her, large wings and the body of a man.
" That must be Azel." Paul said. " We have to help her."
" How?" Dennis said with panic in his voice. " She is way up there. There is nothing that we can do. We can't fly."
" Let's try to draw his attention. Ron see if you can get the fire lit again." John said as he ran off towards the brush that covered the ditch. I ran over and fished my matches out of the tent and went to work getting the fire lit again. It didn't take long since it was still warm and dry from the fire we had put out, maybe ten minutes earlier, but it wasn't very strong.
" Dennis, Jennifer, Paul, see if you can find any small branches to put on this to build it up." I was fanning and blowing the fire keeping it up until we could have more fuel for it. Everyone scattered and I found a few small twigs nearby to put on it. It flared up a little higher, but it still wasn't even enough to cook a hotdog on. Jennifer was the first one back, and she had three good branches with her.
" Here, put these on." Jennifer said as she sprinted back over to me. They were good dry branches. I broke them in half over my knee and started putting them on as Dennis and Paul came back with a few more. After getting all the branches on the fire, it roared to full strength.
***
Emelia dove as she saw Azel heading for her. She spiraled towards the ground just escaping Azel, she felt the feathers of Azel's wing as he passed by her at full speed. She quickly pulled out of her dive a few feet above the tree line and turned to find him. He hovered about twenty yards in the air from her. She could see a sinister smile on his face. "Azel, it is over. I will have my revenge, for you killing Gibrel."
" I don't think so Emelia. This is my playground and you will not spoil my fun." Azel said with a twinge of delight in his voice that he had angered Emelia. " He had a powerful voice that had confidence behind it.
Emelia thrust her wings back and launched herself towards him. Azel flipped over backwards as Emelia flew right over top of him. He then went in pursuit of Emelia following her everymove as if it was choreographed. Dipping and diving, spinning and looping. He followed everymove as if he was thinking of them before she was. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash. He stopped his pursuit to see what it was. "Ah, it seems your little friends have heard us playing. Time for a little fun." Azel then charged for the source of the flash. Emelia didn't notice that Azel had dropped his chase until he spoke out his words. When she heard them, she was struck with complete horror. She knew what was coming next.
***
John came running out of the brush with something in his hand and yelling. " Everybody, get down!" I was already squatting next to the fire, but everyone else was standing around me. Then out of nowhere a gust that was very similar rose up, and knocked the gang down, except Dennis, he was launched up into the air and fell near the big tree that the tent was under. Emelia landed skidding across the ground towards Dennis, coming to a halt a foot from him. John yelled again, "Ron, here, catch." he tossed something in air in my direction. In mid flight I realized what it was. John and I had taken old long sticks and made makeshift spears out of them. We had hidden them in the underbrush near the ditch in the small crawl trail. John was always the one to be on top of things. I caught the spear and stood up. I had thought the gust had come from Emelia, but I was wrong. Emelia was not looking at Dennis, she was looking beyond where we were and at something behind us. I turned to see it, John came sliding up next to us. Standing about ten feet behind where Jennifer and Paul were not getting up from the ground, was another angel. he stood about a foot taller than Emelia and had straight long black hair. He was only wearing a pair of tattered jeans. His body was lean but full of muscle. His wings were folded up behind him and were scraping the ground. He had an intense look in his eyes, but a slim smile crossed his lips. His head was cocked to the left and he was staring at us with his hands down to his side.
" Are you kiddies ready to play?' He spoke with a very powerful and frightening voice. Jennifer and Paul scattered when they heard the voice. They had not yet turned to see him, until they got behind John and I with our spears.
Emelia was the first to speak up. " Azel, you have caused enough trouble. This ends now, just us."
" Fine, I will finish with you, and then play with them. Come dear." Azel spoke still with his head cocked he rasied his left arm and gestured with his finger for her to come to him.
Emelia bounded over us with a small flap of her wings, she now stood face to face with Azel. Azel stood still relaxed as if Emelia meant as little as the mosquitos flying around. With one quick movement Azel opened his wings fully, and bent down and spun, whipping his wings toward Emelia as if to cut her down. Emelia reacted and jumped up, just missing being hit by his powerful wings. She hovered above him for a brief second before he reached up and grabbed one of her feet and pulled her down. He slammed her to the ground in one ferocious movement. She struck the ground with a sickening thud. Paul without thinking ran towards them, He bulled into Azel's back and bounced off. Azel slowly spun around to see what the annoyance was. " I said I would play with you later." He said with an angry tone. He grabbed Paul by the neck and lifted him and threw him into some palm froms hear by.
"Paul!" I screamed out as he went flying. I found myself with spear in hand running at Azel. I had no idea what I was doing. Instincts just took over. I could hear Azel laughing as Paul could no longer be seen. He didn't see me coming at him. I had my make shift spear leveled at his side. I went into a baseball slide and took out his legs, as my spear entered his side, atleast that is what I thought it did. The entire mass of his body came crushing down on top of me. I could hear a primal scream of pain. I couldn't tell if it was from Azel or myself. Pain shot though my body from his weight collapsing on me. I could hear Jennifer and John scream out. Azel rose off of me in a quick movement and was standing above me. He picked me up and threw me backwards. I saw Jennifer run up to him and punch him in his side as I was in mid-flight. I slammed into something and slid down in a heap. There was a new pain now, in my back and in the back of my head. everything was begining to blur now. I saw Azel turn to Jennifer, she was screaming something, but I could not make it out. Azel opened his mighty wings and looked ever more intimidating standing over Jennifer, she started to stumble backwards to get away from him. Emelia came flying in from nowhere and grabbed Jennifer and lifted her into the sky. John ran over with his spear and stuck it into Azel's side as he was distracted, by Emelia saving Jennifer. Azel screamed in pain and John took his ax out of his belt loop and hacked at Azels wing. Azel screamed again, and then turned and grabbed John with both hands by the head. He lifted John up, as John was kicking and swinging his arms trying to make contact with anything. Azel rolled his neck and then twisted his arms wrenching John's neck in an awkward motion. John's body went limp suddenly, and Azel tossed him aside like a twig. I saw Azel take the spear from his side just before darkness over took me.
***
Jennifer was standing under Azel when she felt arms grab her and then she was lifted into flight. She turned her head and saw the face of Emelia. " Thank you, I thought he was going to kill me."
" You are welcome, but you are not safe yet." Emelia said in her smooth voice. " I will put you down were you will be safe, but I have to stop Azel before he hurts more of you." Emelia landed just beyond the clearing she looked around to survey the situation." There, over there, that is your friend Ron. He is hurt you need to go help him, as long as you stay quiet you will stay safe from Azel, He will be busy with me. I am going to end this now." With that Emelia took off in flight and bulleted towards Azel.
Jennifer ran over to Ron, he looked in bad shape. He was slumped down at the base of a large pine tree. Sitting with his head on his chest and his hands in his lap. "Ron, are you ok?" There was no answer. Jennifer touched the back of Ron's head to try and shake it. She felt something warm and sticky. She pulled her hand away and saw blood on her hand in the moonlight. She wanted to scream, but she remembered what Emelia had said. " Stay quiet" Jennifer kept mumbling frantically to herself. She looked around to see what was happening. She could see the tent in the clearing, and Azel standing there looking around. He was about 30 yards from where she was. Emelia swooped out of the sky from behind Azel and struck him with all her force. They went tumbling in the dirt and over the fire, spreading burning branches and twigs everywhere. When everything settled Emelia was standing above Azel. The tent started to go up in flames. and a few of the brush around the clearing was sparking up as well. Emelia spread her wings and arched back and let out a scream.
Jennifer witnessed this all from her position. She turned her attention back to Ron. "Ron, come one get up. We have to get out of here. Come on." Jennifer started shaking Ron by the shoulders, slamming him back and forth into the tree desperately trying to wake him.
***
Azel saw Emelia arch back and go into her war scream, when her head was fully raised to the sky, he quickly swept her legs out from under her, throwing her to the ground. Emelia fell on one of her outstretched wings, and a loud snap could be heard. I new scream was coming from Emelia now, one of pain. Azel got up slowly, knowing that he had the advantage once again. Blood was streaming from his side where John had stabbed him with the spear, and you could now see that his right wing had a huge gash at the base where it meets his back. He tried to stretch his wings out but could not move the right one. Azel knew that it would take a great deal of time to heal his wounded wing, but time was something he didn't have right now, and Emelia was laying in front of him, with her own injured wing.
" Play time is over dear." Azel said to Emelia " You will see your precious Gibrel soon." Azel kneeled down over Emelia pinning her arms down with his knees.
***
I started coming to, something was shaking me and I could hear something, but couldn't make it out. My vision was still blurred, but I could make out a shape in front of me, then it hit me and everything cleared in an instant. Jennfer was directly in my face screaming my name and shaking me. " What, what. I'm o.. owe." I felt the sharp pain in the back of my head and in my back. I felt around me to see what I had hit, and felt the base of a pine tree.
" Come on, you have to get up. Emelia is in trouble and we have to get out of here." Jennifer was panicked I could see it on her face.
Another realization hit me. It was the last thing that I saw before going out. Azel tossing John's limp body to the side. I shook off Jennifer and stood up. I couldn't feel the pain anymore. I looked around and saw Azel kneeling on Emelia, it looked like he was talking to her. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dennis come barreling out of the brush with Paul following close on his heels. They slammed into Azel together knocking him off of Emelia. She quickly scrambled to her feet. She shook the dirt off of herself. Paul and Dennis ran back into the brush as quickly as they had ran out. Emelia walked over to Azel and punched him, sending him backwards in my direction. I reached to my side, and pulled out my fake Rambo knife and ran towards Azel as fast as I could. Emelia kicked Azel in his chest and he flew back towards me again, sending my target closer to me. I was about fifteen feet from him. I took a few more running steps and leaped at Azel, plunging my knife deep into his neck. I dropped off of him as he staggered forward. He turned to me. He had a look of pure hatred on his face now, gone was the relaxed look of whimsey. He dropped to his knees, and when he did I saw Emelia standing directly behind hiim. She now had her own intense look. She grabbed Azel's by the top of his wings, and pulled as hard as she could. I saw Azel's right wing come off and fly through the air and drop to the ground, the brush was starting to catch fire now from all the branches that had been strewn about from Emelia and Azels fight in the fire. Azel collapsed on the ground screaming in pain. Emelia stood over him and placed her foot on the middle of his back, and grabbed his remaing wing and pulled again with all her might. She was struggling to rip the last wing. I ran over and grabbed ahold as well. I could feel it tear away from the flesh of his back. Emelia and I fell back as the last tendrils of skin and muscle tore away.
Azel was as good as dead now. His reign of terror was over. The brush was burning around us, as we stood staring at Azel's squirming body. Jennifer came walking up, and then Paul and Dennis came out from the hideout in the brush that had not yet caught on fire. I quickly looked around, "Where is John". I spotted his lifeless body laying on the ground, not far from where I saw Azel toss him. I ran over to him. He was laying on his stomach, but his head was turned in an unnaturaly way. His eyes stared up at me with nothing in them. I dropped to my knees, lost...
The fiery eyes approached the beast at blinding speed. Everything was a blur except for the target. "EMELIA", a might roar lashed out. The beast turned and then dove to get away from the pursuit of the fiery eyes.
***
A shout rang out over the nighttime sky. "Did you hear that guys?" I was sitting bolt upright as I asked the question. The others were soon behind me in my sitting position.
" I heard it." John said as he shot out of the tent. I followed behind him to see where it came from. Paul followed next, with Jennifer and Dennis close behind. None of us had to worry about what we were wearing, we always slept in the clothes that we hadd worn the day before, even our shoes. It made things easier when we got up the next morning.
John was looking all around as I got out of the tent, trying to see where the shout came from." It sounded like it said Emelia's name. " I said, as I to was looking around for the culprit.
" Look, up there." Jennifer was the first to see it. " It's Emelia and something is chasing her." We all could see the sight now. Emelia was being chased by something a slight bet bigger than her. It looked just like her, large wings and the body of a man.
" That must be Azel." Paul said. " We have to help her."
" How?" Dennis said with panic in his voice. " She is way up there. There is nothing that we can do. We can't fly."
" Let's try to draw his attention. Ron see if you can get the fire lit again." John said as he ran off towards the brush that covered the ditch. I ran over and fished my matches out of the tent and went to work getting the fire lit again. It didn't take long since it was still warm and dry from the fire we had put out, maybe ten minutes earlier, but it wasn't very strong.
" Dennis, Jennifer, Paul, see if you can find any small branches to put on this to build it up." I was fanning and blowing the fire keeping it up until we could have more fuel for it. Everyone scattered and I found a few small twigs nearby to put on it. It flared up a little higher, but it still wasn't even enough to cook a hotdog on. Jennifer was the first one back, and she had three good branches with her.
" Here, put these on." Jennifer said as she sprinted back over to me. They were good dry branches. I broke them in half over my knee and started putting them on as Dennis and Paul came back with a few more. After getting all the branches on the fire, it roared to full strength.
***
Emelia dove as she saw Azel heading for her. She spiraled towards the ground just escaping Azel, she felt the feathers of Azel's wing as he passed by her at full speed. She quickly pulled out of her dive a few feet above the tree line and turned to find him. He hovered about twenty yards in the air from her. She could see a sinister smile on his face. "Azel, it is over. I will have my revenge, for you killing Gibrel."
" I don't think so Emelia. This is my playground and you will not spoil my fun." Azel said with a twinge of delight in his voice that he had angered Emelia. " He had a powerful voice that had confidence behind it.
Emelia thrust her wings back and launched herself towards him. Azel flipped over backwards as Emelia flew right over top of him. He then went in pursuit of Emelia following her everymove as if it was choreographed. Dipping and diving, spinning and looping. He followed everymove as if he was thinking of them before she was. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash. He stopped his pursuit to see what it was. "Ah, it seems your little friends have heard us playing. Time for a little fun." Azel then charged for the source of the flash. Emelia didn't notice that Azel had dropped his chase until he spoke out his words. When she heard them, she was struck with complete horror. She knew what was coming next.
***
John came running out of the brush with something in his hand and yelling. " Everybody, get down!" I was already squatting next to the fire, but everyone else was standing around me. Then out of nowhere a gust that was very similar rose up, and knocked the gang down, except Dennis, he was launched up into the air and fell near the big tree that the tent was under. Emelia landed skidding across the ground towards Dennis, coming to a halt a foot from him. John yelled again, "Ron, here, catch." he tossed something in air in my direction. In mid flight I realized what it was. John and I had taken old long sticks and made makeshift spears out of them. We had hidden them in the underbrush near the ditch in the small crawl trail. John was always the one to be on top of things. I caught the spear and stood up. I had thought the gust had come from Emelia, but I was wrong. Emelia was not looking at Dennis, she was looking beyond where we were and at something behind us. I turned to see it, John came sliding up next to us. Standing about ten feet behind where Jennifer and Paul were not getting up from the ground, was another angel. he stood about a foot taller than Emelia and had straight long black hair. He was only wearing a pair of tattered jeans. His body was lean but full of muscle. His wings were folded up behind him and were scraping the ground. He had an intense look in his eyes, but a slim smile crossed his lips. His head was cocked to the left and he was staring at us with his hands down to his side.
" Are you kiddies ready to play?' He spoke with a very powerful and frightening voice. Jennifer and Paul scattered when they heard the voice. They had not yet turned to see him, until they got behind John and I with our spears.
Emelia was the first to speak up. " Azel, you have caused enough trouble. This ends now, just us."
" Fine, I will finish with you, and then play with them. Come dear." Azel spoke still with his head cocked he rasied his left arm and gestured with his finger for her to come to him.
Emelia bounded over us with a small flap of her wings, she now stood face to face with Azel. Azel stood still relaxed as if Emelia meant as little as the mosquitos flying around. With one quick movement Azel opened his wings fully, and bent down and spun, whipping his wings toward Emelia as if to cut her down. Emelia reacted and jumped up, just missing being hit by his powerful wings. She hovered above him for a brief second before he reached up and grabbed one of her feet and pulled her down. He slammed her to the ground in one ferocious movement. She struck the ground with a sickening thud. Paul without thinking ran towards them, He bulled into Azel's back and bounced off. Azel slowly spun around to see what the annoyance was. " I said I would play with you later." He said with an angry tone. He grabbed Paul by the neck and lifted him and threw him into some palm froms hear by.
"Paul!" I screamed out as he went flying. I found myself with spear in hand running at Azel. I had no idea what I was doing. Instincts just took over. I could hear Azel laughing as Paul could no longer be seen. He didn't see me coming at him. I had my make shift spear leveled at his side. I went into a baseball slide and took out his legs, as my spear entered his side, atleast that is what I thought it did. The entire mass of his body came crushing down on top of me. I could hear a primal scream of pain. I couldn't tell if it was from Azel or myself. Pain shot though my body from his weight collapsing on me. I could hear Jennifer and John scream out. Azel rose off of me in a quick movement and was standing above me. He picked me up and threw me backwards. I saw Jennifer run up to him and punch him in his side as I was in mid-flight. I slammed into something and slid down in a heap. There was a new pain now, in my back and in the back of my head. everything was begining to blur now. I saw Azel turn to Jennifer, she was screaming something, but I could not make it out. Azel opened his mighty wings and looked ever more intimidating standing over Jennifer, she started to stumble backwards to get away from him. Emelia came flying in from nowhere and grabbed Jennifer and lifted her into the sky. John ran over with his spear and stuck it into Azel's side as he was distracted, by Emelia saving Jennifer. Azel screamed in pain and John took his ax out of his belt loop and hacked at Azels wing. Azel screamed again, and then turned and grabbed John with both hands by the head. He lifted John up, as John was kicking and swinging his arms trying to make contact with anything. Azel rolled his neck and then twisted his arms wrenching John's neck in an awkward motion. John's body went limp suddenly, and Azel tossed him aside like a twig. I saw Azel take the spear from his side just before darkness over took me.
***
Jennifer was standing under Azel when she felt arms grab her and then she was lifted into flight. She turned her head and saw the face of Emelia. " Thank you, I thought he was going to kill me."
" You are welcome, but you are not safe yet." Emelia said in her smooth voice. " I will put you down were you will be safe, but I have to stop Azel before he hurts more of you." Emelia landed just beyond the clearing she looked around to survey the situation." There, over there, that is your friend Ron. He is hurt you need to go help him, as long as you stay quiet you will stay safe from Azel, He will be busy with me. I am going to end this now." With that Emelia took off in flight and bulleted towards Azel.
Jennifer ran over to Ron, he looked in bad shape. He was slumped down at the base of a large pine tree. Sitting with his head on his chest and his hands in his lap. "Ron, are you ok?" There was no answer. Jennifer touched the back of Ron's head to try and shake it. She felt something warm and sticky. She pulled her hand away and saw blood on her hand in the moonlight. She wanted to scream, but she remembered what Emelia had said. " Stay quiet" Jennifer kept mumbling frantically to herself. She looked around to see what was happening. She could see the tent in the clearing, and Azel standing there looking around. He was about 30 yards from where she was. Emelia swooped out of the sky from behind Azel and struck him with all her force. They went tumbling in the dirt and over the fire, spreading burning branches and twigs everywhere. When everything settled Emelia was standing above Azel. The tent started to go up in flames. and a few of the brush around the clearing was sparking up as well. Emelia spread her wings and arched back and let out a scream.
Jennifer witnessed this all from her position. She turned her attention back to Ron. "Ron, come one get up. We have to get out of here. Come on." Jennifer started shaking Ron by the shoulders, slamming him back and forth into the tree desperately trying to wake him.
***
Azel saw Emelia arch back and go into her war scream, when her head was fully raised to the sky, he quickly swept her legs out from under her, throwing her to the ground. Emelia fell on one of her outstretched wings, and a loud snap could be heard. I new scream was coming from Emelia now, one of pain. Azel got up slowly, knowing that he had the advantage once again. Blood was streaming from his side where John had stabbed him with the spear, and you could now see that his right wing had a huge gash at the base where it meets his back. He tried to stretch his wings out but could not move the right one. Azel knew that it would take a great deal of time to heal his wounded wing, but time was something he didn't have right now, and Emelia was laying in front of him, with her own injured wing.
" Play time is over dear." Azel said to Emelia " You will see your precious Gibrel soon." Azel kneeled down over Emelia pinning her arms down with his knees.
***
I started coming to, something was shaking me and I could hear something, but couldn't make it out. My vision was still blurred, but I could make out a shape in front of me, then it hit me and everything cleared in an instant. Jennfer was directly in my face screaming my name and shaking me. " What, what. I'm o.. owe." I felt the sharp pain in the back of my head and in my back. I felt around me to see what I had hit, and felt the base of a pine tree.
" Come on, you have to get up. Emelia is in trouble and we have to get out of here." Jennifer was panicked I could see it on her face.
Another realization hit me. It was the last thing that I saw before going out. Azel tossing John's limp body to the side. I shook off Jennifer and stood up. I couldn't feel the pain anymore. I looked around and saw Azel kneeling on Emelia, it looked like he was talking to her. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dennis come barreling out of the brush with Paul following close on his heels. They slammed into Azel together knocking him off of Emelia. She quickly scrambled to her feet. She shook the dirt off of herself. Paul and Dennis ran back into the brush as quickly as they had ran out. Emelia walked over to Azel and punched him, sending him backwards in my direction. I reached to my side, and pulled out my fake Rambo knife and ran towards Azel as fast as I could. Emelia kicked Azel in his chest and he flew back towards me again, sending my target closer to me. I was about fifteen feet from him. I took a few more running steps and leaped at Azel, plunging my knife deep into his neck. I dropped off of him as he staggered forward. He turned to me. He had a look of pure hatred on his face now, gone was the relaxed look of whimsey. He dropped to his knees, and when he did I saw Emelia standing directly behind hiim. She now had her own intense look. She grabbed Azel's by the top of his wings, and pulled as hard as she could. I saw Azel's right wing come off and fly through the air and drop to the ground, the brush was starting to catch fire now from all the branches that had been strewn about from Emelia and Azels fight in the fire. Azel collapsed on the ground screaming in pain. Emelia stood over him and placed her foot on the middle of his back, and grabbed his remaing wing and pulled again with all her might. She was struggling to rip the last wing. I ran over and grabbed ahold as well. I could feel it tear away from the flesh of his back. Emelia and I fell back as the last tendrils of skin and muscle tore away.
Azel was as good as dead now. His reign of terror was over. The brush was burning around us, as we stood staring at Azel's squirming body. Jennifer came walking up, and then Paul and Dennis came out from the hideout in the brush that had not yet caught on fire. I quickly looked around, "Where is John". I spotted his lifeless body laying on the ground, not far from where I saw Azel toss him. I ran over to him. He was laying on his stomach, but his head was turned in an unnaturaly way. His eyes stared up at me with nothing in them. I dropped to my knees, lost...
Fallen Wings (Chapter XII) Fiery Eyes...
We made our way back past the crossroads, over the ditch and through the rollercoaster trail, all the while we could see Emelia flying over head. She would make large figure eights, constantly looking from side to side. Every few loops, she would rise higher and then drop back down to just above the tree line. The sunlight was getting very faint as we arrived at the trail that led to our camp. We were pretty quiet up until this point. I guess the feeling that we were near our camp kind of gave us a little of our nerve back.
"Who do you think this Azel is."Jennifer asked. It seemed that Jennifer was always the first to ask the question that was always on our minds.
" I have no idea." said John. " He sounds kind of scary though."
" Considering what he did to Gibrel's wings," I said, " I mean what could do something like that?'
" Something real big, I bet." Dennis said with a bit of a nervous chuckle."Hey Ron, could you turn the flashlight on, It's gettin kind of creepy now."
I turned the flashlight on and we headed up the trail with Emelia flying over us. Paul was starring intently at his angel, how he managed not to trip on any old roots or just over his own feet, was a mystery to me.
" I wonder if Joe and Rusty are back at the camp." John said.
" I'm sure they are trying to set a surprize attack for us, if they do I'm going to punch Joe in the face again." Jennifer proudly proclaimed.
We were getting near the camp now, I could see the tent from where we were. It was only about 30 yards away. Emelia dove out of the sky and landed ahead of us in the clearing. She took a quick look around the camp and waved us in.
" Is anyone else there, Emelia?" Paul yelled out.
"No, there is no one else here. Did you not have two more in your group?"
"Yes we did, they should be there, maybe they are in the tent." John shouted out.
Emelia walked over to the tent and looked inside and all around it, by this time we were entering the clearing, and we could also tell that there was no one else anywere near by.
" I fear the worst for your friends." Emelia said, with her soothing voice, but it didn't matter how soothing her voice was, it still couldn't take away the bite of pain and fear that crept up on all of us.
" May, uh maybe they went back home. Maybe they had enough of an adventure. Thats it, that has to be it, they just went home and they are sitting in Rusty or Joe's room laughing it up right now. Talking about how they got the last laugh on us. We will be so worried about them and then they will sneak out here in the morning and try and scare us before we wake up." Said Jennifer with a frantic tone in her voice.
Emelia saw Jennifer's discomfort, and quickly changed the direction of the conversation. " Have you all eaten, you should have some food and then get some rest. I will watch over you and guard the area for the night. I will protect you from Azel."
***
We got the fire going and started making some hotdogs and beans.We all sat around the fire in silence as we ate, Paul was transfixed on the sky as if he was hypnotized by the mere presence of Emelia.
"Paul, snap out of it, are you ok, you look like a derranged zombie."John said.
" Huh, uh what. Oh, I'm ok, I was just watchin her fly around up there." Paul said, slightly dazed. "Isn't she beautiful? Just like I described her, right?"
"Yes Paul, she is very pretty, just like you described." I said. She was even more beautiful then Paul described. I didn't notice it at first, but when she was in flight, she was the most beautiful creature, that I had ever seen. I understood how Paul was feeling about her. Her grace in the sky would not let you know how powerful her wings really were. She seemd soft and agile, but her wings could blow you over in one wave of them, as they did when we were back at the quarry.
***
We had finished eating, and started getting all the stuff cleaned up and packed away, so that we could leave first thing in the morning. Jennifer, Dennis and Paul were getting in the tent and ready for bed. John and I stayed outside. We had a sort of bond that let each of us now, when we had to talk about something, and this was definitely one of those time. John walked over to where our failed log cabin layed. I followed and we both just starred at it for a while, in silence.
" I'm really worried this time Ron. I'm sorry I got everyone into this. If Joe and Rusty are hurt, it's all my fault." I didn't have to look at him, to see the tears starting to fall down his cheeks. I could hear the tears in his voice.
" I'm sure they are ok, I bet it is just like Jennifer said." I don't know if even I believe what I was saying, but John was always the tough one, and if he broke down, then who was going to keep everyone in the right state of mind. " Plus everyone knew that we would get in trouble, ha ha. You always get us in trouble, in one way or another." I laughed as I said this. John began to laugh as well, letting the laughter drown out the tears.
" Yeah, I do have that uncanny talent don't I?"
"Yes you do, now come on lets get the fire out and go to sleep." with that we slowly made our way back over to the campfire, punching each other in the arm the whole way. Once the fire was out, I looked up into the sky one more time to see Emelia flying above in her figure eight pattern. Everyone was fast asleep as John and I got in the tent.
" Goodnight John." I whispered.
" Goodnight Ron." John whispered back.
***
Fiery gloden eyes peered out from a tree, starring at two boys standing next to a useless pile of logs. The gaze followed until the two boys put a fire out and then entered a tent. All was quiet now, except for a breeze that was blowing through the trees, and a whoosh-whoosh sound that came from a beast flying in the sky above. The gaze moved slowly from the tent in the clearing towards the beast in the sky. It watched as the beast made a figure eight pattern over the clearing. Then without notice a large branch broke and the fiery eyes were in flight tearing their way towards the beast in the sky...
We made our way back past the crossroads, over the ditch and through the rollercoaster trail, all the while we could see Emelia flying over head. She would make large figure eights, constantly looking from side to side. Every few loops, she would rise higher and then drop back down to just above the tree line. The sunlight was getting very faint as we arrived at the trail that led to our camp. We were pretty quiet up until this point. I guess the feeling that we were near our camp kind of gave us a little of our nerve back.
"Who do you think this Azel is."Jennifer asked. It seemed that Jennifer was always the first to ask the question that was always on our minds.
" I have no idea." said John. " He sounds kind of scary though."
" Considering what he did to Gibrel's wings," I said, " I mean what could do something like that?'
" Something real big, I bet." Dennis said with a bit of a nervous chuckle."Hey Ron, could you turn the flashlight on, It's gettin kind of creepy now."
I turned the flashlight on and we headed up the trail with Emelia flying over us. Paul was starring intently at his angel, how he managed not to trip on any old roots or just over his own feet, was a mystery to me.
" I wonder if Joe and Rusty are back at the camp." John said.
" I'm sure they are trying to set a surprize attack for us, if they do I'm going to punch Joe in the face again." Jennifer proudly proclaimed.
We were getting near the camp now, I could see the tent from where we were. It was only about 30 yards away. Emelia dove out of the sky and landed ahead of us in the clearing. She took a quick look around the camp and waved us in.
" Is anyone else there, Emelia?" Paul yelled out.
"No, there is no one else here. Did you not have two more in your group?"
"Yes we did, they should be there, maybe they are in the tent." John shouted out.
Emelia walked over to the tent and looked inside and all around it, by this time we were entering the clearing, and we could also tell that there was no one else anywere near by.
" I fear the worst for your friends." Emelia said, with her soothing voice, but it didn't matter how soothing her voice was, it still couldn't take away the bite of pain and fear that crept up on all of us.
" May, uh maybe they went back home. Maybe they had enough of an adventure. Thats it, that has to be it, they just went home and they are sitting in Rusty or Joe's room laughing it up right now. Talking about how they got the last laugh on us. We will be so worried about them and then they will sneak out here in the morning and try and scare us before we wake up." Said Jennifer with a frantic tone in her voice.
Emelia saw Jennifer's discomfort, and quickly changed the direction of the conversation. " Have you all eaten, you should have some food and then get some rest. I will watch over you and guard the area for the night. I will protect you from Azel."
***
We got the fire going and started making some hotdogs and beans.We all sat around the fire in silence as we ate, Paul was transfixed on the sky as if he was hypnotized by the mere presence of Emelia.
"Paul, snap out of it, are you ok, you look like a derranged zombie."John said.
" Huh, uh what. Oh, I'm ok, I was just watchin her fly around up there." Paul said, slightly dazed. "Isn't she beautiful? Just like I described her, right?"
"Yes Paul, she is very pretty, just like you described." I said. She was even more beautiful then Paul described. I didn't notice it at first, but when she was in flight, she was the most beautiful creature, that I had ever seen. I understood how Paul was feeling about her. Her grace in the sky would not let you know how powerful her wings really were. She seemd soft and agile, but her wings could blow you over in one wave of them, as they did when we were back at the quarry.
***
We had finished eating, and started getting all the stuff cleaned up and packed away, so that we could leave first thing in the morning. Jennifer, Dennis and Paul were getting in the tent and ready for bed. John and I stayed outside. We had a sort of bond that let each of us now, when we had to talk about something, and this was definitely one of those time. John walked over to where our failed log cabin layed. I followed and we both just starred at it for a while, in silence.
" I'm really worried this time Ron. I'm sorry I got everyone into this. If Joe and Rusty are hurt, it's all my fault." I didn't have to look at him, to see the tears starting to fall down his cheeks. I could hear the tears in his voice.
" I'm sure they are ok, I bet it is just like Jennifer said." I don't know if even I believe what I was saying, but John was always the tough one, and if he broke down, then who was going to keep everyone in the right state of mind. " Plus everyone knew that we would get in trouble, ha ha. You always get us in trouble, in one way or another." I laughed as I said this. John began to laugh as well, letting the laughter drown out the tears.
" Yeah, I do have that uncanny talent don't I?"
"Yes you do, now come on lets get the fire out and go to sleep." with that we slowly made our way back over to the campfire, punching each other in the arm the whole way. Once the fire was out, I looked up into the sky one more time to see Emelia flying above in her figure eight pattern. Everyone was fast asleep as John and I got in the tent.
" Goodnight John." I whispered.
" Goodnight Ron." John whispered back.
***
Fiery gloden eyes peered out from a tree, starring at two boys standing next to a useless pile of logs. The gaze followed until the two boys put a fire out and then entered a tent. All was quiet now, except for a breeze that was blowing through the trees, and a whoosh-whoosh sound that came from a beast flying in the sky above. The gaze moved slowly from the tent in the clearing towards the beast in the sky. It watched as the beast made a figure eight pattern over the clearing. Then without notice a large branch broke and the fiery eyes were in flight tearing their way towards the beast in the sky...
Fallen Wings (Chapter XI) Veiled Visitor...
The dust that was kicked up from the strong breeze, stung my eyes. I blindly felt around on the ground for what had caused the pain in my side. I didn't have to search very far. A large exposed root was the culprit. I landed on top of it in a heap when I was knocked over. I thought to myself ' I am going to have a bruise from that'. My mind quickly went to the others. I looked around but couldn't see anything. The dust still hadn't settled. I called out, "is everyone alright?" The first reply was a voice I didn't know.
" Everyone will be fine, but you will leave this place immediately." The strange voice said. It was a very feminine voice. It rang as if played in song. It was simply beautiful and comforting.
" Emelia is that you?" I could hear Paul say. He sounded excited and terrified at the same time. I could now hear crying coming from where I thought the entrance was. It was Jennifer, I could hear muffled pleas of "please don't hurt us, we didn't do anything". It pained me to hear her so frightened. Dennis was now trying to calm her down. He must have stayed in the entrance with her. The only one I haven't heard yet is John. he was near me when I was knocked down, he must have been thrown to.
"Yes it is me." The voice said. " I saved you once. Why didn't you leave when you awoke?"
" I needed to see you again. You are my angel, my queen in a black gown," I heard Paul say. It sounded as if his voice was getting closer, as if he was moving toward the center of the clearing. Towards the mysterious voice that was named Emelia. I was beginning to make out shadows now as the dust began to thin. About four feet from me, was a large figure that was oddly shaped. Further away was a much smaller human shape moving closer to the other one. I could only guess that it was Paul moving in. Then something amazing happened. The large figure seemed to grow. I heard a woosh and felt that same strong breeze blow past me. I winced at the thought of the dust getting in my eyes again. When I opened them, everything was clear. I couldn't believe what was standing in front of me.
* * *
She was just as Paul described her. Tall with red curly hair. She wore a black gown that was made of lace and silk. The only difference was that now, she was wearing a dark veil as well. On her back was a large pair of wings. I was full of awe as I sat up. I had nearly forgotten about the pain in my side until I tried to stand up. I let out a groan as I rose.
" You are hurt, I am sorry. I did not intend for that to happen." Emelia said. She then began to approach me. I quickly surveyed the area to see if I could run anywhere if I had to, and then I saw him. John was laying on the ground, curled up near the creature. Neither of them were moving at this point.
" John!" I shouted. I ran over to him passing right by the angel that stood before me. She spun as I went by. I got to John and I could see that there was blood coming from a wound on his head. A large branch laid near him. "John, wake up." I cried out.
" I can help him." I heard Emelia say. "I can cure his wound."
" Your the one who did this to him, you better help him." I said with a tone of anger and bravery I didn't even know that I had in me. Emelia knelt down beside John. She reached out her hand and covered his wound. It began to glow with a soft blue light. I could see John begin to stir underneath her. First his eyelids began to flicker like his eyes were dancing underneath them, then his head started to nod back and forth. Emelia pulled her hand away and the wound was gone. There was nothing there except for a trickle of blood that ran down his cheek. John now groaned and began to sit up. He shook his head to clear the cobwebs. When he realized what was going on around him, he quickly scurried backwards trying to get away.
" Whats going on? Who are you and...Whats going on?" John said in a panic.
" You are ok, I am Emelia. You were injured when I arrived and I healed your wound." Emelia said with her calm soothing voice. She then turned back to me. She reached out her hand to my side that had the bruise on it. The same blue light came from the spot, and I felt a warmth and a coolness flow through me at the same time. I felt as if I was floating in the very spot I stood. Nothing seemed to matter, except that feeling. "There, you are healed as well." As quickly as the sensation came it went away. I felt as if I had lost the greatest moment I had ever had, and I didn't even know what it was.
" That was incredible. That feeling, what was that?" I asked.
" That was the healing light, we are able to cure small wounds as well as other small things, but we don't have time for this. You need to leave this place. Azel is dangerous and he will harm you if he finds you."
" Azel? He said that as well." I said pointing to the figure on the ground. "Who is he and what are you and why are you here?"
" He is Gibrel, and we are angels. We are here to capture Azel." She said. "Gibrel was injured mortally in a fight with Azel. His wings were ripped from him and has left him in this state. Our wings are the source of our power. Without our wings we wither and die."
"Can't you help him, like you did for John and I?" I asked.
" As I said. I can only heal small wounds. Once an angels wings are removed, their magical bound is broken and they can never be reattached." Emelia said. " Gibrel and I knew the risk when we came after Azel. We accept whatever fate we are handed."
" That is so sad." Jennifer said. " Is he going to die?"
"Yes, he will die." Emelia said, but her voice seemed to quiver at saying this.
" You must go know. I will watch over you as you go back. Azel is searching for prey. He kills with no remorse or care for his victims." Emelia said, the quiver was gone now and a sternness was there that spoke volumes.
" John are you ok to walk?" I asked.
" Yeah, I feel fine." John said as he was now standing and brushing the dirt off his clothes. " Let's do as she says and get back to camp."
Paul was standing at Emelia's side, looking up at her in wide-eyed awe. " Why are you wearing a veil now, Emelia?" Asked Paul.
" I am wearing it in honor of Gibrel. I also hide the shame that I wear for not being able to save him from his fate." Emelia said.
" Come on Paul, leave her alone and let's get back to camp. She said she will watch over us on our way back." I said.
" You will stay with us right Emelia?" Paul asked.
" Yes, I will watch over all of you until you are safe from Azel." She said.
It was now beginning to get dark. The sun was setting. I got out my mini flashlight so that I could see the trail ahead and set out with everyone behind me. Emelia spread her wings and in one giant push of them she was lifted to the sky above...
The dust that was kicked up from the strong breeze, stung my eyes. I blindly felt around on the ground for what had caused the pain in my side. I didn't have to search very far. A large exposed root was the culprit. I landed on top of it in a heap when I was knocked over. I thought to myself ' I am going to have a bruise from that'. My mind quickly went to the others. I looked around but couldn't see anything. The dust still hadn't settled. I called out, "is everyone alright?" The first reply was a voice I didn't know.
" Everyone will be fine, but you will leave this place immediately." The strange voice said. It was a very feminine voice. It rang as if played in song. It was simply beautiful and comforting.
" Emelia is that you?" I could hear Paul say. He sounded excited and terrified at the same time. I could now hear crying coming from where I thought the entrance was. It was Jennifer, I could hear muffled pleas of "please don't hurt us, we didn't do anything". It pained me to hear her so frightened. Dennis was now trying to calm her down. He must have stayed in the entrance with her. The only one I haven't heard yet is John. he was near me when I was knocked down, he must have been thrown to.
"Yes it is me." The voice said. " I saved you once. Why didn't you leave when you awoke?"
" I needed to see you again. You are my angel, my queen in a black gown," I heard Paul say. It sounded as if his voice was getting closer, as if he was moving toward the center of the clearing. Towards the mysterious voice that was named Emelia. I was beginning to make out shadows now as the dust began to thin. About four feet from me, was a large figure that was oddly shaped. Further away was a much smaller human shape moving closer to the other one. I could only guess that it was Paul moving in. Then something amazing happened. The large figure seemed to grow. I heard a woosh and felt that same strong breeze blow past me. I winced at the thought of the dust getting in my eyes again. When I opened them, everything was clear. I couldn't believe what was standing in front of me.
* * *
She was just as Paul described her. Tall with red curly hair. She wore a black gown that was made of lace and silk. The only difference was that now, she was wearing a dark veil as well. On her back was a large pair of wings. I was full of awe as I sat up. I had nearly forgotten about the pain in my side until I tried to stand up. I let out a groan as I rose.
" You are hurt, I am sorry. I did not intend for that to happen." Emelia said. She then began to approach me. I quickly surveyed the area to see if I could run anywhere if I had to, and then I saw him. John was laying on the ground, curled up near the creature. Neither of them were moving at this point.
" John!" I shouted. I ran over to him passing right by the angel that stood before me. She spun as I went by. I got to John and I could see that there was blood coming from a wound on his head. A large branch laid near him. "John, wake up." I cried out.
" I can help him." I heard Emelia say. "I can cure his wound."
" Your the one who did this to him, you better help him." I said with a tone of anger and bravery I didn't even know that I had in me. Emelia knelt down beside John. She reached out her hand and covered his wound. It began to glow with a soft blue light. I could see John begin to stir underneath her. First his eyelids began to flicker like his eyes were dancing underneath them, then his head started to nod back and forth. Emelia pulled her hand away and the wound was gone. There was nothing there except for a trickle of blood that ran down his cheek. John now groaned and began to sit up. He shook his head to clear the cobwebs. When he realized what was going on around him, he quickly scurried backwards trying to get away.
" Whats going on? Who are you and...Whats going on?" John said in a panic.
" You are ok, I am Emelia. You were injured when I arrived and I healed your wound." Emelia said with her calm soothing voice. She then turned back to me. She reached out her hand to my side that had the bruise on it. The same blue light came from the spot, and I felt a warmth and a coolness flow through me at the same time. I felt as if I was floating in the very spot I stood. Nothing seemed to matter, except that feeling. "There, you are healed as well." As quickly as the sensation came it went away. I felt as if I had lost the greatest moment I had ever had, and I didn't even know what it was.
" That was incredible. That feeling, what was that?" I asked.
" That was the healing light, we are able to cure small wounds as well as other small things, but we don't have time for this. You need to leave this place. Azel is dangerous and he will harm you if he finds you."
" Azel? He said that as well." I said pointing to the figure on the ground. "Who is he and what are you and why are you here?"
" He is Gibrel, and we are angels. We are here to capture Azel." She said. "Gibrel was injured mortally in a fight with Azel. His wings were ripped from him and has left him in this state. Our wings are the source of our power. Without our wings we wither and die."
"Can't you help him, like you did for John and I?" I asked.
" As I said. I can only heal small wounds. Once an angels wings are removed, their magical bound is broken and they can never be reattached." Emelia said. " Gibrel and I knew the risk when we came after Azel. We accept whatever fate we are handed."
" That is so sad." Jennifer said. " Is he going to die?"
"Yes, he will die." Emelia said, but her voice seemed to quiver at saying this.
" You must go know. I will watch over you as you go back. Azel is searching for prey. He kills with no remorse or care for his victims." Emelia said, the quiver was gone now and a sternness was there that spoke volumes.
" John are you ok to walk?" I asked.
" Yeah, I feel fine." John said as he was now standing and brushing the dirt off his clothes. " Let's do as she says and get back to camp."
Paul was standing at Emelia's side, looking up at her in wide-eyed awe. " Why are you wearing a veil now, Emelia?" Asked Paul.
" I am wearing it in honor of Gibrel. I also hide the shame that I wear for not being able to save him from his fate." Emelia said.
" Come on Paul, leave her alone and let's get back to camp. She said she will watch over us on our way back." I said.
" You will stay with us right Emelia?" Paul asked.
" Yes, I will watch over all of you until you are safe from Azel." She said.
It was now beginning to get dark. The sun was setting. I got out my mini flashlight so that I could see the trail ahead and set out with everyone behind me. Emelia spread her wings and in one giant push of them she was lifted to the sky above...
