On Black Wings

by Storm, Sylvia

  “Well,” he says, a pause and his voice choking up slightly, “it’s been an honor Jessica White, you’ve done a great service for your country. You’ve done things to save the world, but your tale shall never be told. Don’t think that we are ungrateful though, I personally owe you my thanks, and I pass along the thanks of the billions that live today because of your actions, even though they may not know the world starts with its second chance today. Thank you.”

  I look over at him and smile. “Thank you for believing in me.”

  “Seraph!” Azrael says, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Jessica, it is time to go.”

  I look back at him and smile. Harris walks over, tussling his hair and shaking the President’s hand. Harris looks over at us, “I guess this is where we part ways, Blackbird. I hope you find peace and happiness.”

  I hug him, and then give him a salute. “I’ll try. Thank you.”

  Azrael takes my hand, and we walk out onto the tarmac together.

  I sigh. “Think they can keep War at bay?”

  “It would be irresponsible if we were not to give them the chance,” he says, “they must prove themselves. It is the one lesson of the Domain of Heaven you must understand, we must never direct, only inspire. The greatest gift we can give to those who believe is responsibility itself, taking that away shows that we do not believe in them in return.”

  We stop together, enjoying the warm desert wind. It blows through my black feathers, and it takes my hair.

  “And the others?”

  “They shall show themselves,” he nods, “and in turn they shall be sent to where they belong. Remember, your prayers have been heard, but only through an act of faith and resolve were they granted. A prayer alone is just a wish, it takes an act of faith to create a miracle. Like times before, I am certain the projections of their hatred shall fade and return to the book.”

  “So they were let out throughout history?”

  Azrael looks over at me and nods. “They are creations of Mankind. They can take form when the world itself is close to the brink of apocalypse. Only through faith itself and the belief in a future where peace and love guide us can they be returned, and hopefully, one day, the book can be sealed forever.”

  “Why didn’t they go back when the book wasn’t opened?”

  “God doesn’t undo our mistakes,” Azrael pats my shoulder, “he lets us learn. He is not a God who undoes wrongs, but he can make them better. Perhaps God did not stop you from opening the book, perhaps he heard your prayer, and in a small part, he put his faith in you to correct this.”

  “I don’t pretend to understand any of this, so maybe I’ll stop asking questions, and start having a little faith.”

  He laughs and smiles. “You are on the same path as I long ago, there are so many questions, and no good answers for the way things are or were. We cannot begin to comprehend the matters of God and the universe, but we can try, and there will always be those questions we cannot answer.”

  “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to this,” I say. “I guess I owe him a thank you, and then maybe get on with my life. Or my life after death. Or whatever.”

  We stand a silent moment together, watching the air crews service their planes, and normal life go on across the base. People with lives, families, jobs, all of them will continue living like normal from this day on.

  “So where are we going?”

  He stares at me, and then smiles. “You have done your part, Jessica. It is time for you to go home.”

  I stretch, letting my wings take the wind for one last time on this world. I look around and say goodbye. I guess here is as good a place as any other.

  “I’m ready, let’s go.”