I look at the door that Guardian had walked through (had he even been called?). He and I are both finished. We would both go to Hell for interfering and saving the baby's life. I lean my head against the wall. I thought that one day I could go to Heaven and be like Guardian. I thought I could finally be a good person. Guess not.
I think of what could be happening behind that door. Undoubtedly, Guardian would be getting a verbal assault, because guardian angels should know better than to interfere. I can already imagine him revolting against that statement and defending his actions, maybe even give them the bird. My lips twitch as the image of sweet, good-hearted Guardian giving someone the bird, especially angels that have existed for hundreds of years.
Once more, I look at the door and feel a pit settle into my stomach. How I wish I could've gone back there first, but guardians take precedent over reapers. Especially guardians who break the ultimate rule. I HATE THIS. I hate knowing that as soon as those doors open, I'm going to Hell. I can already imagine the pain in Edwin's eyes as I get lead to my doom. What if he is the one to lead me? I wish I had gone first so I don't have to imagine all the terrible things that are going to happen. I close my eyes. Maybe I'll take a nap, it's gonna be my last peaceful one.
BOOM!
My eyes fly open and I jump so hard, I actually fall off the bench and land on the ground. Ugh (it's gonna be a pain to try and get up with my hands in cuffs). I look up to see what in the world made that loud ass noise and I see Edwin. He stands in front of the now once again closed door, a grin stretching from ear to ear.
Our eyes meet and I say the first thing that pops into my head, "You look like the Cheshire cat."
Edwin blinks and throws his head back laughing, "How do you even know who Cheshire cat is?"
"I had to collect a soul that had it playing on their tv. Some other reapers also told me." I tell him, starting to plot on how to get my ass off the ground.
Edwin pauses, absorbs, and then shakes his head. "Good news, Emma! You're free to go." He tells me, his eyes shining bright. I shake my head.
"What do you mean? I broke the law; therefore I am to be sentenced." I tell him, spelling it out nice and slow. Edwin tends to get ahead of himself sometimes, so they had to have told him that I was free to be brought in.
I jump once more as Edwin throws his head back and lets out a howl of laughter, "That's the best part! The guardian is the only one to blame," and his grin of pure joy turned into one of satisfaction. "Show all those guardians that they aren't perfect."
What?
I shake my head. "No, I helped him save the baby. I'm the one who knew where the hospital was located." Edwin's face, which had been the happiest I had ever seen it, turns dark.
"Are you accusing an angel of lying, Emma?" His voice dangerous. Edwin walks over to me, letting his gigantic frame release all the intimidation that it can, but everyone looks intimidating with me in cuffs stuck on the floor. He grabs the scruff of my shirt and yanks me to my feet. "Emma, you aren't trying to say that an angel lied, are you?" His eyes are filled with rage. For once, I actually feel afraid of Edwin, someone who rarely gets angry. But only for half a second. I have seen scarier.
"Yes, I am." Edwin's face furrows deeper, but I plow on. "He's lying. He knows nothing about the city and would have never found a hospital in time. I helped him save the baby. We both agreed that the baby deserved to live." I square my shoulders. Nothing is going to make me waver. Edwin continues to stare into my eyes, and I witness as his face morphs from anger into desperation.
"Don't tell anyone else what you have told me." Edwin tells me, panic clear in his voice. He looks back to the door that leads into the courtroom. I understand him. I do. I am crossing a line. He's been watching over me for so long. But I couldn't care right now. I need to make a stand.
"No, Guardian and I did this together and will face the punishment together." I tell him, shaking my shoulders, to let him know I want the cuffs gone.
"Emma—"
"Please remove the cuffs, Edwin." He stares into my eyes, before finally shaking his head and looking to the ground. Of course not. Edwin loves me and will do anything to protect me.
I'm accusing an angel of lying. I'm confessing to the worst crime a guardian and a reaper can commit. I will be sent to Hell. And... I will go. I made this choice and I will live with the consequences. "Okay." I walk by him straight to the door. I awkwardly try to grab the knob from behind my back.
"David saved you, Emma." Is that Guardian's name? "Don't let his sacrifice go to waste." Edwin whispers, the quietest he's been since I met him. I meet his eyes to see tears.
"No." And I throw the door open.
There's no Guardian (David?) anywhere. The panel is here as well as another guardian, who looks shaken up. "Why are you barging in like this, Reaper?" The little boy judge asks, looking livid. I look around the room again. Then a lightbulb goes off. I rush away towards the hallway that leads to the Portal to Hell.
I can hear the panel yelling after me, but I don't care. I only care about David, who is walking into Hell. "GUARDIAN!" I scream. Guardian turns around. The reapers that are escorting him pause as well. The reapers look shocked by me being here. They undoubtedly know the situation.
I hear one of the reapers start to tell me off, but I never take my eyes off Guar—David (it suits him). "Why?" I ask him, and he just smiles at me, turning back around to continue his descent. "Why did you lie, David?" I demand, my voice cold as ice, but my hands are shaking.
"Angels don't lie, Reaper. I have no clue what you are saying." David tells me, not a hint of a lie anywhere on his face. No. He lied.
"Emma, what in the blazes are you doin'?" I hear Edwin scream, grabbing me by my upper arm. David gives me another smile and starts to turn away again. Edwin starts to pull me back towards the judgement room. "DAVID!" I scream. I can't let him go alone. Hell is scary! He shouldn't have to face it alone!
David pauses in front of the Portal and turns to me with a genuine smile of happiness on his face. "I wish you luck, Miss Reaper. I know you'll make it to Heaven someday." And then he walks throw the portal like its nothing.
He's gone.
15 Years Later
"Emma, can you deliver these files for me?" Lolita asks, handing me a stack of files taller than my desk.
"Yes ma'am!" I tell her rushing off. Ugh, I'm done with this runner work. What person in their right mind chose this over field work? It's so boring! All I do is deliver files from one place to another. But this is my punishment as ordered by Edwin (little shit knew what would drive me crazy the most).
After everything with David went down, I was yelled at for my acting up. Edwin was obligated to punish me, and I got stuck as a runner for the last fifteen years. The worst part was the ruling was indefinite, so its whenever Edwin decides that I have been properly punished. And who knows when that'll be. He and I are still arguing over David to this day.
"Thanks Emma!" Johnny says, "Also can you take this over to Johan for me?" He adds on vaguely motioning over towards a box. I nod my head grab the box. "Hold up, Emma!" I turn around to see Johnny leaning out his office, "Almost forgot, Edwin wants to see you." I nod my head and pointedly go towards Johan's office. Johnny busts out laughing.
I'm a petty person.
After five hours of running around, I finally make it to Edwin's office.... with a delivery of files. Edwin frowns at me when I roll in with the box of files. "Did you take the long way around or something?"
I place the box of files on his desk, "I had other things to do. Speaking of, I still got work, so see ya later!" I drop the box, spin on my heel, and practically run to the door.
"Hold it Emma." Edwin says. I pause with my hand on the doorknob halfway turned. So close! "Emma, you do realize if the boss calls on you, that takes priority, right?"
"Aw Eddy... you're not my boss. Remember, you told me the first time I walked into this office, that we were pals." I tell him, sarcasm dripping from my voice. Edwin's frown deepens, probably hurt. He's always wanted us to be friends, which isn't gonna happen. He's always wanted me to call him 'Eddy' to show our friendship...which only happens when I'm petty.
He quickly shakes his head, and composes his face back into angry boss mode, "When your boss requests you, you come immediately."
"Yessir." I tell him, plopping down into the chair across from him, sighing as I do so.
"Now, I have some news for you." Edwin tells me. I wait a beat.
"Okay, and..." I tell him, prompting him. Edwin shuffles some papers and moves his pens around. It takes everything I have not to roll my eyes.
Finally, finally, he clears his throat, "You're clear for field duty." Everything stops for a second. Field duty?? How long has it been since I heard those sweet, sweet words?
"Are you serious?!" I say jumping to my feet, knowing I have the stupidest grin on my face.
"When am I not serious, Emma?" Edwin says, leaning back into his chair with a smirk. I just give him a look. Edwin's face morphs into a grin and he hops up out of his seat. "Alright, let's go get your first mission."
Comments (0)
See all