I stare at the majesty that is the Guardian Tower. It is a tall vertical building extending unimaginable lengths. It is a pure gold building with windows on every floor. I look down at the note Edwin had written to me.
Pin: 4673
Fourth Floor—Ming
I walk up to the glass sliding doors, and immediately a small panel flips open displaying a set of numbers. I type in the numbers, harp music singing from the panel, and the doors slide open. I walk in gasps following my entrance. I look around and there are dozens of angels staring at me with shock and horror. I guess it is easy to recognize the difference between angels and reapers. I beeline for the elevator, ignoring them and their whispers. I stand with the angels by the elevator, waiting. I have to contain my laughter as they back away from me. They are confused, they didn't know what to do. There is like warrior angels if I remember the Bible right, but I guess they aren't around or used that often anymore. I mean what kind of crazy reaper would break into the Guardian Tower.
An angelic ding rings as the elevator arrives. I smirk as I walk into the glass elevator and press the button for the fourth floor. I turn around and wave at all the angels, still too flabbergasted to stop me. The elevator takes off and the speed throws me off. I stumble a bit and I have to lean my hand against the glass when the elevator violently halts. Dang, these angels really don't waste time. I stumble out of the elevator, still trying to get my bearings after that deadly elevator.
That elevator belongs in Hell.
I hear more gasps and whispers, then the distinct sound of something being dropped. I glance over to the noise and see the angel that had been there on the day of David's sentencing. Her gray eyes are as wide as saucers and a box of files were at her feet.
Ming.
I make my way to her and crouch down to pick up the box for her. I grab it and straighten back up and look into her eyes. "Hello, Miss Ming. I have something I wish to discuss with you." I tell her, being formal like Edwin instructed (one of the few times he knows right). Impossibly, her eyes widen further, and she looks around her as a chorus of whispers start up once more.
Finally, she grabs the box from me and nods her head in acknowledgment and starts walking. I follow right behind her, excited that I was finally getting somewhere. We make it to the something resembling a broom closet. Storage? She rests a box on the shelf with delicate care, and then turns to face me.
"Who are you and what do you want to discuss?" She demands, crossing her arms across her chest. Her eyes were fine daggers (she pulls off scary boss a lot better than Edwin).
"You don't recognize me, Miss Ming?" I ask, in my most innocent voice.
"Oh I recognize you, but I don't know your name. Or why you are here." She tells me, not budging an inch.
I sigh, "My name's Emma. And I have two things I want to discuss. First I want to know about the baby David and I saved."
"Oh you mean the thing that got him sentenced." She remarks, rolling her eyes. "You have no need to know."
"Bull—I mean I would just love to know, Miss Ming. I'm really concerned about the boy." I tell her, correcting my almost error. Formal and polite, just like Edwin said.
"As I said, you have no need to know. Reapers are only supposed to be concerned about the dead or dying, not the living." Ming says, done with me and my inability to understand the rules.
"This is a special case—"
She glares at me, looking somewhat hurt. "Wrong. You broke the rules. I know you did, even if David did defend you. And because you broke the rules, you have no right to know anything about that boy." She tells me, looking firm in her decision.
Alright time to change the question then. "Okay. Then the other thing I wanted to discuss is about David." I say judging her reaction. Her face tightens, putting a pit into my stomach. "Listen I want to know if there is any way to save him." I tell her, my voice borderline pleading.
She studies me, contempt clear in her eyes. "David broke the rules and deserved what happened." And there's the punch. All the air whooshes out of me. I study her closely and shudder when I see how cold her eyes are.
"Ming—"
"No. I refuse to break any kind of rules. I suggest you do the same, and just be grateful for what David did." Ming says, her eyes softening the narrowest of bits. "Emma. I know David was a good person, but he broke the most important rule, and nothing will excuse that. Now, please leave before you get into any more trouble." I look down at the floor, tears burning in my eyes.
"Stay here for a few moments and collect yourself," Ming says, resting a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. She then picks up her box and exits leaving me alone.
My only idea. My only idea was dashed. I don't know what to do now. I'm lost. I can't find the boy and make sure he's happy. I can't save David because I'm a damn reaper. The tears flow freely down my face. I failed. I'm still worthless.
BAM!
I jump and whirl around to the now open door. "Emma!" a guy crows, a huge smile on his face. I look at the wavy brown hair and ocean blue eyes. Oh come on. It's the guy from the Judgement Room. I stare at him, frozen in place. His smile, that could rival a jester's, slowly shrinks as he takes me in. He holds up a single finger and starts digging in his pants pocket.
"What are you doing?" I ask, wiping my tears with the back of my hand, looking to the floor. Suddenly a white cloth appears in my sight. I look over to see the angel holding out a handkerchief with a concerned look on his face. I look into his eyes, and I don't see any kind malice. I begrudgingly accept it and wipe my face.
"Feel free to blow your nose as well." He says, cheerfully. I give him a look but ignore him and instead hand it back to him, damp with my tears.
"Thank you." I whisper to him. He nods his head, a smile forming on his face once more. Is that this guy's specialty or something? "Excuse me." I tell him, ready to leave and mope in peace.
"Hold up," he says, blocking the door with his body (his huge ass body). "Let's talk." I give him a look and back away from him slowly. Does he want a fight or something? Oh no, don't tell me he's a warrior angel. I overtly try to maneuver my hand so he can't see me grabbing the stick that turns into my scythe.
"About what? And who are you exactly?" I ask, continuing to put distance between us. His smile was back, but he looks kinda creepy. Dammit, I really should've listened to Edwin and not come here.
"I'm Michael, and I know what you are looking for." He says, his voice booming in our tight space (making my ears bleed). Does he have an inside voice?
"And what do you think I'm looking for?" I ask. Gosh darn it. He's an angel so I doubt he'll beat the crap out of me. Then again, I am trespassing on guardian territory. I'm where I'm not supposed to be. I'm in the freaking Guardian Tower.
"Save David and findthe child you saved." He states matter-of-factly. My body seizes its retreat. How does he know about that? Was he listening to Ming and me?
"And you know this how..." I trail off, giving him a good opportunity to explain his weird self (before I take out my scythe).
"Edwin told me." He says, his grin impossibly getting wider. Edwin....
"Are you the guy who gave him the information?" I ask, a jolt running through my body. Edwin...he's friend with an angel? A guardian to boot.
"Oh yeah, Eddy and I are good...friends," He gets a mischievous smile when he says this, "When he asked for help to get you in here, I couldn't refuse! I loved watching everyone's reaction to you!" He starts to laugh, undoubtedly remembering all the shocked faces. A giggle rises, but I suppress it. I cannot let my guard down.
I decide to turn the conversation back to what's important, "You said you wanted to talk, right? What do you know about David and the baby?"
"Well, first the baby isn't a baby anymore." He pauses giving me another weird smile. I roll my eyes. "Second, he is doing extremely well," A peculiar look of fondness appeared on his face as he spoke of the boy. "Third, I know how we can help David." He says his creepy jester face back.
I freeze. His words keep replaying in my head. 'I know how we can help David.' There is a way. And the child...he's okay. Maybe Michael knows more about him. I glance at him, noticing his faintly glowing halo.
"How do we save David?" I ask, desperation clear in my voice. I take several steps towards him, looking into his deep cerulean eyes. It takes everything I have not to grab onto his shirt.
Michael gives a short bark of a laugh, "I wouldn't say 'save'. But we just have to go talk to Gabriel." He says. My heart stops, while he shrugs like it's nothing. Is this guy a psychopath?
My mouth goes dry, "Gabriel...as in..." I'm afraid to finish the sentence.
"Yep! The Angel Gabriel! He's a good buddy of mine and he might be able to figure out a way to help David!" He cheerfully declares, while my heart stops and pathetically struggles to start beating again. The Angel...Gabriel...how??? He's one of the most known angels. He is believed to be one of the most trusted of the Lord's servants. How are we supposed to just go and talk to him? How does one become his buddy? That makes zero sense. But Michael, he seems to believe it. He is someone Edwin trusts. I study him, noting his relaxed stance and the carefree look in his eyes. Finally I nod my head.
"Yay!!" Michael yells, clapping his hands. "And now my reward!" He says, once again clapping his hands. I snort. What is he five?
Wait..
"Reward?" I squeak out.
"Yep, my little shadow! Meet me in front of the Guardian Tower tomorrow morning." His mouth curls into a mischievous smirk (is this is his signature or something?). He then turns and exits from the room, leaving me in perplexity.
What just happened?
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