by Michael Todd
Really? I mean, it’s not that big of a surprise. I always assumed that those things were changing. Do you still feel like that?
I have my moments, I guess.
What’s different?
Pandora took a moment to think about it as Katie blew past a couple of boats and arced higher into the air. I’ve been alive for a very long time. In that time, I’ve met a lot of different people, some good and some not. There were times in the past that I sought love. I looked for it from both men and friendships.
Katie was surprised. Then you do know what it means to love someone.
I thought I did. But now that I look back, I don’t think any of them ever really loved me. It was infatuation. Lust, even. None of it was pure love, the kind where you would give up anything for the other person. I hear a mother’s love is like that, and I know there are higher beings who have that kind of love, but no one close to me.
Katie was saddened by this revelation. She realized that she had never thought about the concept of love in connection with Pandora. Katie spent so much time focusing on the fact that she was a demon, she’d just assumed Pandora never cared about the love of strangers.
Pandora chuckled. Imagine my surprise when I’m down in the bowels of hell, my bastion of power and authority, and an angel pulls me out and gives me my freedom! And then asks me to save her. I’m a goddamned demon, Katie. But you told me to do what I wanted with you.
Katie stayed silent, not really sure what to say. This was a light bulb moment for her, an emotional moment that Katie hadn’t seen before. She didn’t want to scare Pandora away from it. She wanted her to get out what was in her head and her heart. Katie knew it might not ever happen again. Pandora had held this inside for so long that it had taken action on Katie’s part for her to finally open up.
Pandora had finally said fuck it. She wasn’t going to hold onto it forever.
Pandora stayed silent as they soared past the bridge and over the cars honking and creeping toward the city. You told me to do whatever I wanted, and I defied everything about being a demon. I surprised myself, but not at that moment. At that moment, there was no question. I picked you up and saved your life. It wasn’t because I couldn’t stay in hell, or because I was afraid to be there alone. I’m a badass bitch who can take care of my own.
Amen to that. Katie smiled.
I don’t know how exactly to explain it to you. There wasn’t a second thought. I simply couldn’t let you die down there. I couldn’t give those two morons what they wanted, sure. But it was more than that.
Katie made her way to the Statue of Liberty, waving at the tourists on the boats as she approached the grand woman holding the torch. She spiraled all the way to the top and landed for a moment on the statue’s crown. She crouched and watched as the sun sparkled over the water, looking one way toward the crowded metropolis and the other toward New Jersey and beyond.
Pandora blew the air from her lungs. It’s damn beautiful out here. I remember when they put this statue up. There was barely a skyline to look at. Everything changes so fast.
For Katie, the view was a representation of her life before Pandora and after. Although up here it was open and quiet, if you looked closely, there was garbage and turmoil. After, the city was filled with craziness, people, excitement, and lights. It was overwhelming at times, but when the seasons changed, the sun set, and calmness fell over the twinkling lights of the buildings, it was the perfect place for her. It was her sanctuary. It was home, and that was something she hadn’t had in a long time.
When she woke up that morning and Pandora wasn’t speaking to her, things weren’t right. So in a way, Katie knew what Pandora was saying without having to hear an explanation. She had spent a long time not only with this woman in her head but even more importantly, with this woman having her back at almost every turn, no matter what.
Katie cleared her throat and stood up, feeling the wind on her face. You see all those people down there? Some are tourists, some are New Yorkers, and others are just passing through. They all have something strong and vibrant in their lives. They all have something that pushes them. I have someone who pushes me. You do, every single day of my life. I wanted to pay that back, show appreciation, and stop fighting you so damned hard on every single thing. I wanted to give you everything you gave me.
What?
I wanted to give you something for doing what you did. You want guys, so I went out to find them. I was going to find the best dick I could to fill you.
Pandora cackled loudly. You were paying me back with dick?
Katie blushed. Well, it’s either sex or donuts, and I tried cramming in five dozen as a start. I figured sex was next, and who knew what else? You not only saved me, but you chose to stay with me. I’ve never been wanted that badly by anyone, Pandora. Only my mom, and she doesn’t count because she’s my mom.
Pandora couldn’t believe she was letting it all out, but since it was on the tip of her tongue, she knew it just needed to roll. Katie, I got thrown out of heaven for wanting something I couldn’t have. I was forsaken because of a soul that was breaking. I was told that hell wasn’t my place, but I knew heaven wasn’t either. I felt like I was sailing the sea with nowhere to land, searching for something I couldn’t find. Something I couldn’t even name.
Believe it or not, minus the hell and heaven thing, that’s not uncommon for us mortals either. We tend to spend our whole lives stumbling from one fuckup to the next. Some of us meet that person who changes it for us, but the rest continue to stumble until the end.
Pandora listened. She realized she was a lot more like humans than she liked to admit. You know what they told me after I left heaven? They said God cried storms into existence when I left.
Thanks for that.
Pandora smirked. The thing is, we all have determination, and I needed to see and feel more than my role in heaven. How are you supposed to be that good and that pure if you don’t understand why you’re doing it? I’ve spent over ten thousand years roaming to find the acceptance you gave me. Your strength, your honor, and your loyalty are beyond any relationship I have ever experienced. At first, I thought it was the angel in you, but then I realized it was just who you were. That touched me from the beginning, and not in the gropy way I was used to. I was just me, and you were just you, and that was enough.
Tears were streaming down Katie’s cheeks. They slid off her chin and cascaded over the side of the statue and down into the water below. Ripples of blue angel magic shimmered in the river every time a tear dropped in.
Katie wiped her cheeks and stood up, letting the wind whip around her.
Pandora sent a comforting feeling through Katie’s body, almost as if she were hugging her from the inside. You are my sister, Katie. When you freed me, I chose to come back to you. I guess that means we’re together forever.
Katie’s lips curled into a half-smile, remembering what Pandora had said when they were in hell. I so swear it.
Just then, a huge flash of lightning blasted through the sky, and the frightened screams of tourists below filled the air. Katie lifted an eyebrow and looked around. Pandora, there aren’t any clouds.
8
Pandora sighed. I’m glad we talked.
Me too. Now that the mush fest is over, I figured we could take a little swoop-swoop around New York to find out what’s going on in the Big Apple today.
Pandora wrinkled her nose. More angel crimefighting, I suppose. I guess you’re feeling better.
Katie smirked. A thousand times better, both physically and mentally. And shit, I’m glad I don’t have to go out tonight searching for tail.
Whoa, whoa. I laughed, but repaying a debt with dick isn’t the worst idea you’ve ever had, sister.
Katie turned down Broadway but stayed high above the buildings. Yeah, let’s just say you loved me when I was sensible, so you’ll still love me when I say no.
Pandora grumped. I knew it was a bad idea to say anything. Now I gotta go back to coercion. That’s fine
. You asked for it.
Katie laughed and shook her head. It’s good to see things are as they should be.
Pandora agreed. Speaking of being back to normal, what’s going on one street over? That’s like three cop cars heading somewhere at high speed.
Katie hovered for a moment, looking down each cross street as she passed. She took a quick left and tucked her wings slightly to avoid hitting the windows on either side of the narrow street. She glided gracefully around the corner and looked ahead, keeping to a normal speed to see what was going on.
Sure enough, rolling fast down the street ahead of her were three cop cars, their lights flashing and sirens blaring. Pandora was excited. She was tired of the bullshit, and it had been days since they’d seen any real action that didn’t involve their own sad feelings. She may have opened up once, but that was going to be the extent of her emotional outbursts for a while. Hot damn, we gots ourselves a real-life car chase.
Katie sighed. I don’t ever want you to use that accent again. You sound like a cross between a Southerner and an Irishman. I’m not Southern, but I’m offended.
Pandora ignored her and continued with her accent. Come on, little lady. Pick up that pace. Move that ass. We gots tractors that move faster than you.
Katie rolled her eyes and flapped faster. Ahead of the cops was a car flying down the street, barely missing pedestrians, cars, and anything else stupid enough to be outside. It looked like someone was hanging out the passenger-side window.
Katie swooped lower and picked up a bit more speed, flying right on the cops’ tail. I need a closer look. I think they’re doing something in that lead car, but I can’t quite make it— Whoa!
A bullet whizzed past Katie’s shoulder and took a couple of feathers off her wings. Pandora growled. Oh no, he did not! Motherfucker almost hit my wings. Let me have him. He won’t have a hand to shoot with or a dick to piss with by the time I’m done with him.
He’s shooting at the cops, but shit if he isn’t going to hit someone on the streets. Remember, we can’t go off half-cocked.
I know. I’ll rip his whole dick off.
You know what I mean. Playing the loose cannon didn’t go too well for me at the bank, and now that I’m over impressing you…
Oh, I get it. We have one talk, and now it’s back to pissin’ on my parade.
At that point, Katie was no longer listening. Another round of shots rang out below, and the cop in the lead lost control of his car, ramming straight into one of the buildings. Katie’s eyes flashed red. She folded her wings and went in for the kill.
The two remaining police cruisers followed the runaway. The new lead officer called in the accident. “Dispatch, this is One Adam Six. I’ve got a 902, officer involved, crashed into the Vietnamese restaurant on Erwin and Main. Can you send an ambulance? We’re still chasing the suspect.”
“Hold one. We have several calls coming in from that area,” dispatch replied.
The cop in the passenger seat, Drew Whitfield, began waving his hands wildly. “Left! Watch out for the puppy!”
Jason started swerving left and then right. “What about the old lady?”
Drew shook his head, his emotions heightened. “Fuck the old lady. She’s had eighty years. That should be good enough. That puppy just started to see the beauty of goddamned life here. So help me, if that bastard gets that puppy run over, you’re gonna have a homicide on your hands, and I’ll have blood on mine.”
Jason chuckled, shaking his head. “Drew, you need to work on your empathy. People are people, too. I’m pretty sure they told you that in school. And again at that special school they sent you to after the incident involving the pig and the farmer.”
Drew snapped his head toward Jason. “Hey, that farmer got himself out from under the tractor just fine. That piglet was trapped in the field, and his bacon would have been splattered everywhere if it weren’t for me. Piglets are smarter than dogs, you know.”
Jason laughed. “I have to be the only motherfucker stuck in a high-speed chase with Dr. Dolittle.”
Drew ignored his comment and picked up the radio. “Dispatch, are you out there? This is One Adam Six. We have a car down. Suspects are fleeing north on— Holy shit!”
A body plummeted from the sky, wings wide. The cops slammed on their brakes, trying to keep the car under control. Katie slammed into the hood of the assailant’s car feet-first, stopping the car in its tracks. The tail end flew up and then crashed back down, showering the street in broken glass. Jason grabbed the wheel and swerved to the side, coming to a complete stop.
“What the hell did she just…” Drew pressed his face against the windshield, his hat having fallen off.
“Was that a she? That was one fucking powerful she.” Jason gaped at her.
“You don’t see those huge tits and that tiny waist? Yes, that’s a fucking she. That’s Katie,” Drew replied, not taking his eyes off her.
The assailant in the passenger seat hung out the window and cursed the driver. “Go! Go! Fucking go!” He screamed with joy as the driver slammed his foot on the gas, shocked when the car started moving again. It sputtered and smoked, but they crawled away from the police. Katie launched herself into the air, rolling into a ball and dodging as bullets cut the air around her. She swooped right and left with a huge smile on her face.
“What the hell is she gonna do now?” Drew asked.
Jason couldn’t turn away. He couldn’t blink, and he could barely move his lips to answer. “Fuck if I know, but I don’t think she’s too happy about being shot at.”
Drew slowly looked at Jason. “She has fucking wings, and she’s a human.”
Jason slapped him on the shoulder. “If she needed saving I’d say she was right up your alley, but she’s the chick who does the rescuing.”
Drew looked at Katie as she rose high into the sky. “She can save me any fucking day of the week.”
Katie looked down at the assailants, who were still firing at her. The bullets whizzed around her, but she paid them no mind. Instead, she bared her teeth and extended her hand, summoning her sword. Onlookers were momentarily blinded by the huge flash of light as her angelic sword appeared in her hand.
Her eyes flashed red. “Oh, boys, you picked the wrong street on the wrong day.”
Get ‘em, Momma, Pandora yelled.
Katie gripped the sword with both hands and turned the blade down. Her wings folded behind her and she dove, moving faster than anyone could see. She slammed into the car at full speed.
A ring of raw energy exploded from the point of impact. The cops held on tight as their car rattled and slid backward. Windows within the radius of the energy ring burst, showering the street with glass.
The angelic sword cut the runaway car completely in two. Katie stood behind the halved car, her blade embedded in the street.
Drew and Jason were absolutely silent as the woman yanked her sword out of the blacktop. She sheathed it, jumped into the air and turned, her wings catching air. Her eyes were shining brightly, and her lips were curved into a malicious smile. The assailants hunkered in their ruined car. Cockeyed headlights lit the buildings on either side of the street.
“What’s your status, One Adam Six?” The voice of the dispatcher crackled.
Drew grabbed the radio, still staring at Katie. “You won’t believe this, but Katie just came out of the sky and went all Thor on their asses. The car has stopped, and she’s walking toward it. We better get over there, or we might not have suspects.”
Drew, Jason, and the other two cops drew their weapons and began to walk over. Katie drifted lazily to the ground and went to the car. She pulled the drivers-side door off and grabbed the guy by the throat, lifting him from the car.
Katie looked at the guy, her narrowed eyes red. “You could have killed that fucking puppy back there.”
Drew snapped his head toward Jason. “See? I told you. I am not the only one.”
Meanwhile, the passenger stupidly reached into the conso
le and pulled out a massive revolver.
Katie’s eyes flashed, and she dropped to the ground with her prisoner as the passenger began firing wildly in her direction. Katie put the tip of her boot in front of her prisoner’s crotch and hissed, “Move an inch, and you won’t have your manhood in prison, my friend.”
She launched herself high, flipping over the halved car and landing on the ground in front of the passenger door. She ripped the door off and threw it behind her before reaching inside and grabbing the passenger. She dangled him three feet in the air. The guy whimpered for a second, then snarled and shoved his gun at her and pulled the trigger over and over. His revolver just clicked, spent. Katie snatched it from his hands.
She looked at the pistol and tossed it toward the cops before grabbing Tom from her waistband. “You think you’re a big man with a gun? Well, I’m a small bitch with a very, very big gun.”
The passenger put his hands up and swallowed hard, closing his eyes. Katie smirked and grabbed both of his hands in one of hers. She flapped her wings and lifted him, crossing back over the steaming car and landing next to the other criminal. She dropped the passenger on top of his teammate and landed in front of them, and her eyes glowed red as she drew her other gun.
Immediately, the two of them scrambled to their feet and ran toward the cops. They screamed like little girls. “Save us!”
Katie laughed and nodded at the cops as they cuffed the guys, and flew away.
Katie put her feet up on the chair across from her and folded a piece of sausage pizza in half. She took a big bite and set it down, the grease dribbling down her chin. Pandora groaned, smelling the donuts just a foot away. You could at least have some fucking manners and wipe your damn chin.
Katie grabbed the napkin. Can’t you see I’m busy here? Who would have thought? I come in here in full getup, and they give me pizza on the house?
Pandora scoffed. Yeah, because they’re afraid of your ass.
Nah, they just appreciate my service to their city.