“It was you, wasn’t it? It was always you,” she said softly.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” Michael replied, closing the door and taking a seat on the couch. Shannon followed.
“Every time I made a decision, every time I had a near miss, it was you who helped me, wasn’t it? I think I could feel you near me sometimes.”
“I wouldn’t say every time,” Michael looked at the floor, “but yes, I was there. I have always been there with you, since you were a baby.”
“That’s a little freaky, and comforting at the same time,” Shannon told him, shaking her head gently.
“I know, try being me,”
“What’s going to happen to you now? I know you must have broken some kind of rule, letting me see you like that. I mean, if you have been around for twenty one years, and I’m just now seeing you, that can’t be good.”
“That is not the first time you’ve seen me,” Michael said, “You saw me all the time when you were very small. Children can see us. They lose the ability as they grow. But in answer to your question, no, I wasn’t supposed to let you see me, at least, not with my wings. It’s ok to be seen, just that I must appear to be a human man; and not for any length of time.”
“So, you won’t get in trouble for the restaurant?”
“No, not for that.”
“But for the apartment?”
“Undoubtedly.”
“What will they do?”
Michael bowed his head, staring at the floor, but not seeing anything. He drew in a breath and let it out with a long sigh. When his eyes finally rose to meet Shannon’s, tears were forming, threatening to escape. “I will almost certainly have to leave you.”
“No!” she snapped, jumping to her feet. “That’s not fair! You saved me from Robert. He was going to shoot me; I know it, you know it, and they know it!” she shouted, waving her hand toward the ceiling. “They can’t take you away, you’re my best friend, you love me for who I am, I can tell,” she sobbed.
“I do.”
“Then why should you have to leave? I won’t tell anyone.”
“It doesn’t work that way.”
“Why not?”
“It just doesn’t.” Michael stood and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned into his chest and cried. Michael stroked her hair with one hand and squeezed her tight with the other. If only he could ease her pain. He could, but she would have to deal with it sooner or later. It was best to just get it over with.
When Shannon regained control of herself, she stepped back from Michael’s embrace. She peered up at him through thick, soaked lashes, her lip still quivering. She studied his face, his deep blue eyes, and the deep frown on his lips. Then, as if she were shocked, she jerked back.
“If what you did was so bad, then why haven’t they come to you yet?”
“Time doesn’t mean quite the same thing there; it could be months before I am reprimanded. It could be today. I have no way of knowing.”
“Then may I make a suggestion?”
“Sure.”
“Why don’t we make use of the time we have. Let’s have fun and enjoy ourselves before they find you and take you. I don’t want to let you go this way.”
Michael sighed. “What would you like to do?”
Shannon took leave from her job. She explained that Robert attacked her at her home, and she just needed some alone time. Since she had plenty of vacation time saved up, her supervisor was very agreeable to the idea. They spent the next two weeks going to movies, concerts, and book stores. Michael concealed his wings when they were out in public, but in private, Shannon insisted that he appear in his natural form. She had grown accustomed to his wings. She thought they were beautiful and fascinating.
On a sunny August day, the nearly inseparable pair had an early breakfast, and then headed for Six Flagg’s, Kentucky Kingdom. It was a local theme park, and it was crowded to capacity.
“First stop, Chang!” Shannon exclaimed.
“Who is Chang?” Michael asked.
“It’s not a who, it’s a what. And it is a fantastic roller coaster!” she explained, grabbing his hand and pulling him forward as she skipped lightly toward her goal.
Michael shrugged his shoulders and followed suit. He knew humans loved to be thrilled. By the time they had made their way through the crowd to their goal, a line was already formed. The sign over the steps leading up to where they would board the ride said their wait would be twenty minutes. It wasn’t too horrible, since further back there was a sign explaining the wait from that point was an hour. Michael wondered how many people would wait an hour just to ride a roller coaster. To him, he figured it would be much like flying, only strapped to a seat.
The steps trembled and shook as the train whipped past. Michael was surprised at the speed in which it did so. Shannon was wearing a smile that was pure excitement. His heart swelled in his chest just knowing she was truly happy.
Upon arrival at the front of the line, Shannon bounced lightly in anticipation. She had insisted they wait another turn in order to ride in the very front car. Although Michael didn’t understand, he waited with her patiently.
“You get the best view from the front,” she explained.
“As opposed to any other seat?” he asked.
“You have a lot to learn,” she smirked.
“I can fly. Remember?”
“Definitely not the same,” she retorted.
Before Michael could comment further, the train rolled into the platform and stopped. It was then that he realized the passengers were standing, belted to a foam covered back, restraints over their shoulders. Shannon wasted no time leaping into the car and fastening her belts. Michael, however, needed assistance with the seat belt. The attendant whipped it tight enough to cut off circulation, and shoved the shoulder restraints over his shoulders. He winced as it crushed the tops of his wings. Of course, no one could see them, but it didn’t make it hurt any less.
Shannon reached over and grabbed his hand. “Are you scared?”
“No, why?”
“You look scared.”
The car gently moved forward. Michael assured himself that roller coasters rarely lasted for more than two minutes. He could withstand two minutes of pressure on his wings; hell, he had gone through much worse than that in his lifetime. He mused this to himself as the car climbed up an incline that must have been about a forty five degree angle. At the top, it curved slightly to the right, and then, it felt like the bottom just dropped out from under them. Michael never saw the drop coming, and it took his breath from his lungs. They were barreling toward the ground at break neck speeds. Shannon, however, did not lose her breath. She was screaming at the top of her lungs, her hands, one of which still held Michael’s, were thrust into the air.
Michael wanted to rip his hand from hers, to hold on for dear life, but couldn’t seem to let go of her. The car jerked to the left at the last possible moment before slamming into the earth, shuddering and throwing its passengers into each other in its wake. Then up again, through a spiral that flipped them upside down so that Michael was watching the earth below their heads. It looped three times before shooting to the right and turning almost one hundred eighty degrees. Michael was aware of Shannon beside him; he could hear her shouting and laughing. He couldn’t make a sound. All he could do was hope the ride was nearly finished.
And then, just when Michael had all but decided that this was his own personal Hell, the car jerked to a stop. His head snapped forward; giving him whiplash, he was sure. His breath came out in a whoosh, and only then did he realize he had been holding it the entire time. They eased into the platform and stopped.
“Are you ok?” Shannon asked, concerned by the look of sheer terror on her angel’s face.
“Mmm,” Michael replied, trying to undo his restraints with shaking hands. “I feel violated,” he said.
Her chiming laughter forced a smile on his lips as they exited the roller coaster.
; “What now?” she asked as they made their way through the park. “Want to try another roller coaster? This place has three or four. Or if you want, we could ride..”
“Let’s not do roller coasters just yet,” he interrupted. “My wings are screaming for space. I think I bruised one.”
“Oh! I didn’t realize! I’m so sorry! I didn’t think. Let me see,” she said, reaching for his back.
“Now you know I can’t do that, not here anyway.”
“Well, let’s go somewhere else,” she offered.
“No, I’m fine, really. I just need to be more careful. What do you want to do?”
“The Hellavator!”
Michael agreed. If he had known that ride had similar restraints, he would have suggested something else. But at least it was quick. It rose one hundred fifty feet in the air, then dropped your ass straight down, only to jerk to a stop mere inches from certain death. By the time the day was through, Michael’s wings were screaming in pain, and he wondered if he would ever be able to fly again.
After she had all the fun she could handle, Michael saw Shannon to her apartment and made sure she got inside. “Come in,” she said. Michael followed. “Now, let me see your wings.”
Michael took his shirt off and unfolded his wings from his back. He winced at the pain, but kept quiet. Shannon inspected his whiter than white wings carefully, not knowing exactly what she was looking for. Her eyes traveled over the light feathers, over the arches above his head, down to where they connected to his body between his shoulder blades. She couldn’t help but to also notice the way his skin stretched tightly over rippling muscle. He stretched his arms over his head, and she sucked in a breath as he flexed his arms.
“Can I touch them?” she asked.
Michael only nodded in response. Shannon didn’t know where to start. She trailed a finger lightly along the outer edges of his wings, marveling at the softness of his feathers. They seemed to glisten in the soft light of the lamp, as if they were blanketed in the fine flakes of the first early morning snowfall. She moved her hand gently over the ridge and down to his shoulder blades. She touched the sensitive place where his wings met his back. Michael shivered under her light caress.
“You’re beautiful,” she whispered.
“Men are not beautiful,” Michael snorted.
Shannon moved to face him. “You know what I mean,” she told him, making sure he saw her rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, thank you.” Michael raised his hand to brush an errant strand of hair from Shannon’s face. His gaze dropped from her eyes to her lips. They were full and pouty, just perfect for kissing. Before his rational mind could catch up to his impulsive side, Michael bent his head down and touched his lips to hers.
Shannon gasped and when she opened her mouth, Michael thrust his tongue into her mouth. His arms went around her waist and held her close to his body, and her hands found their way around his neck. She tasted every bit as sweet as Michael had imagined. Inside, his mind was screaming at him that this was wrong. But she felt too good in his arms. He couldn’t have let her go even if he had wanted to.
Michael was lost in kissing Shannon until he felt a familiar pull at his mind. He reluctantly pulled away from her sweet lips to see Gabriel standing behind her. The worried look on his face was all Michael needed. “What is it?” he asked.
“I came to warn you, it’s time,” Gabriel answered, lowering his head. No, No, NO! Not yet!
“Who are you talking to?” Shannon asked, a little breathless.
“Gabriel is here,” he replied. “It’s time.”
“Time for what?” she asked, but the horrified look in her eyes told Michael that she knew.
“I need to tell you something,” Michael said. “No matter what happens, remember that I love you. I always have. I always will.”
“No, Michael,” Shannon said. Michael wrapped her in his arms and hugged her tight. There was so much more he wanted to share with her, but his time had run out. Michael opened his mouth to say something, anything, but he never got the chance. They were suddenly surrounded by several beings. Shannon knew they were angels as well, even though they didn’t show their wings.
“Who are you?” Shannon demanded. “And how did you get in here? This is my house! Get out!”
“They are here for me,” Michael explained in a low voice. “They won’t hurt you.”
“I don’t care! They can’t have you,” she yelled. Then she turned to the five angels standing in her living room, putting herself between them and Michael. “Do you hear that? You can’t have him. I won’t let you take him.”
“Hold your tongue, Human,” one said.
“Be nice Raphael,” Michael warned. “She doesn’t know how things work with us.”
“I know enough,” Shannon spat out. “You can take him over my dead body!” she shouted, lunging for Raphael. Her years of martial arts training kicked into high gear as she landed a jab right to his ribs. Raphael grunted, but was able to restrain her. He grabbed her wrist and jerked it behind her back quickly, then wrapped his arm around her torso.
“I will not hurt her,” he said to Michael. Another angel walked over and waved his hand in front of Shannon’s face. Her expression went blank and her body went limp. “She will not remember any of this. She will not remember you,” he told Michael.
CHAPTER SIX
Michael woke to find himself standing alone in a dirt field somewhere in Texas. He was sore all over and more hungry than he had ever been in his entire life. Everything was brighter, louder. The colors he had seen before were dull and muted compared to his new human vision. The slightest sounds were an assault on his ears.
Michael tried to sense Shannon, to see where she was, to see if she was alright. Nothing. He could not feel her; could not sense her in any way. He tried to shimmer but also to no avail. His body ached and his back felt oddly bereft. A quick examination told him why. His wings were gone. Human. They had made him human. It was not the punishment he had expected. Surely Father would not make this a permanent thing; surely he knew how Michael needed to return.
He may not have been able to shimmer or fly, but he could still walk. And that is what he did. He walked. Michael knew he would have to find a road; that he would need to get a ride. It did not matter much to him; he would walk back to Kentucky if that’s what it took. Michael walked for hours until his throat was as desiccated as the dirt under his feet. His legs were tired and he was starving. He continued on nothing but sheer determination.
It was nearly dark by the time Michael came upon a road. His heart leapt at the sight, but his hopes quickly dropped. The road was just as deserted as the dirt field. Pushing himself harder, Michael pressed on with the setting sun to his back.
An hour later, he heard the unmistakable sound of an engine. Michael turned to see a car fast approaching him. He did what he had seen so many others do and stuck out his thumb. Inside, he was praying that the soul driving that car would take pity on him and offer a ride. The car slowed and finally pulled over. Michael blew out a relieved breath and jogged to the driver window.
“Where ya headed?” the burly man inside asked.
“Anywhere,” Michael said.
“Get in,” he said, and Michael was quick to do just that. “Got no bags?”
“It would seem not,” Michael said, realizing for the first time that he had nothing at all except the clothes on his back.
“You look like you’ve seen better days,” the man said. Michael nodded. “I’m going to San Antonio. I’ll take ya that far with me. I get the impression that you’re a decent man, so I’ll have the missus fix an extra place at dinner, but I tell you what,” the man trailed off without finishing his thought.
“I won’t cause you any trouble, Sir,” Michael answered through a yawn. “I just need to rest a bit before I get on my way.”
“Alrighty then,” the man said. He continued to talk, but Michael didn’t hear it. He was fast asleep.
“Who i
s he?” a young girl’s voice asked. “Dunno,” a man replied. “Picked ‘em up on the highway. He was in the middle of nowhere, and he looked so pitiful, I just couldn’t leave ‘em out there for the wolves.”
Michael forced his eyes open to see that the car had stopped and he was surrounded by curious faces. He made a sound in his throat that was something between a groan and gurgle. He was parched and sore all over. It was dark outside, but he had no idea what time it was or how long he had slept.
“Get out the way,” a woman said, shooing the curious faces aside. She was petite in stature, but nothing about her said weak. “What’s your name, dear?” she asked Michael.
“Michael,” he croaked.
“You look like you’ve been run through the wringer,” she mused aloud. “I’ll be wantin’ to hear your story, but that can wait. Get you inside first and get ya fed and showered. Then you’ll be feelin’ a bit better to talk.” The woman opened the car door and Michael forced himself out. He got a good look at the woman, noticing at once that she had bright green eyes. She had an air of authority about her, and he guessed that she must be the lady of the house.
Knowing that he probably stunk to high Heaven, Michael graciously accepted the offer of food and a shower. He scrubbed his body clean and donned a set of borrowed clothes. Satisfied that he was presentable, Michael ate dinner with his hosts. He offered a lie about how he came to be alone on the road without so much as a dime or a change of clothes. He told them that he did not remember anything except that he needed to get to Kentucky. They were kind to him, and even offered him a place to stay until he could get on his feet. But Michael refused, accepting only enough money for bus fare.
The bus ride took three, agonizing days. But it was worth the relief he felt when he stepped off the bus onto the streets of Louisville. He breathed in deep, relishing the smell of exhaust and smog that he had disliked so much before. He set out at a steady pace to his own apartment.
When he finally reached his door, Michael realized that the door was locked and he did not have the key. No matter, he could just break in. He raised his hand to force the knob when a strange feeling of vertigo hit him. He reached for the door frame in a feeble attempt to steady himself, but his mind gave under the intense feeling. Michael closed his eyes.
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