Angel was beside herself. She wanted to kill Jack with her bare hands; but because of Maggie, she couldn’t.
Instead, she tapped Desmond’s arm, signaling him to release Jack. Jack crouched on his knees and gasped for air. He then stood up, straightened his gray suit, and loosened the silver tie around his neck.
“You’re wrong!” was all he could manage to say before Angel lunged for his neck and began to squeeze. Angel never hated anyone as much as her ex-husband. No matter what he said, she felt he was a traitor, a narcissist, and that everything was his fault. She began yelling obscenities at him.
“You Mother Fucker, you’re nothing but a lying piece of shit. You don’t love our daughter; you only care about your stupid-looking self!”
Desmond, Gia, and Maggie tried to break up the fight between Angel and Jack, while everyone else watched.
“I’m not intervening. I’m actually waiting for your mother to kill him so we can be done with this,” said Anu to Jesse.
Jesse folded his arms across his chest, “Yeah, me too!”
Desmond, Gia, and Maggie managed to break Angel away from Jack. Maggie pulled her mother next to Desmond, commanding her to stay put. She stepped in between her parents and scolded them, “You two need to stop this mess NOW! You’re behaving like children. Mom, you need to listen to him, even if he’s going to say things that you don’t want to hear. It’s the only way you’re going to get answers. So, the both of you need to RELAX.”
“She started it,” shot Jack, straightening his suit again. This time he removed the tie and shoved it into his pocket.
Maggie rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t matter who started it, I’m ending it. Now talk like two civilized paranormal beings or else Dad and I are leaving.” Hearing Maggie’s threat, Angel decided to acquiesce. There was no way in hell she was going to lose Maggie again.
“Alright, I’m calm. I’m listening,” she said.
Jack casually walked over to Maggie and gently put his hand on her back. He rubbed his goatee then focused his attention on Angel. Angel stood waiting impatiently.
“I didn’t exactly kidnap Maggie. When that demented woman killed Master Veen and your V boyfriend went delirious, I had to protect our daughter. I took her away because I honestly thought you all were dead. Everyone looked as if they had killed each other back in Switzerland. I couldn’t let Maggie get hurt because of our neglect. Fuck, she was just a child, didn’t you think about that Angel.” Angel remained silent. Jack had a point. Maggie could have been killed; and technically, Angel was dead for an entire twenty minutes. However, it didn’t explain how even when Jack found out Angel was alive, he still would not give her up.
Angel breathed heavily, weighing her words. “But then you found out I was alive, that we were all alive, and yet you still ran from us, Jack. You ran for ten years. Why?”
“Because I don’t trust you,” said Jack, pointing to Angel. “And I especially don’t trust Vs. Sorry, but I’m traumatized.” Jack paused then stared at Angel. “I don’t know whose side you’re on here, Angel. Plus, for all I know, you’re the ones who put the bounty on our heads from the demon world. Every time you found us, the demons found us. That’s why I kept running. I was protecting our daughter. You could have gotten us killed, for good,” said Jack, frustrated.
“What?” Angel was shocked.
“A bounty from the demon world? Now, that’s interesting,” said Anu, raising an eyebrow.
Jack grew irritable. “Don’t act as if you didn’t know, Angel. I’m sure the King of all species is in cahoots with them.”
Anu looked inquisitively at Jack then spoke in a mild tone.“No, I’m not working with them. I didn’t even know they were on your tail. This changes everything.” Anu declared. “And if you would have kept up with your current events, you would have realized that I’m not the King of all species, just the Ruler of the Vamps,” said Anu proudly.
“Whatever, man,” retorted Jack.
Jack turned to Maggie with true sincerity in his voice. “Baby girl, everything I do, I do because I love you. I honestly thought your mother was dead; and when she wasn’t, I seriously thought she was working with the demons. I’m sorry I’ve moved you around your entire life and, at times, put you in danger. I should have told you the truth. I never meant to hurt you; I was protecting you. All I know to do is run. I was going to run with you forever if it meant keeping you safe.”
Maggie hugged her father, knowing he meant every word. Jack kissed Maggie on the forehead. Seeing them together under the dark moonlight, opened Angel’s eyes to the truth. Jack was truly trying his hardest to protect her. However, he was doing it all wrong.
“Wait a minute, if demons are tracking you, why do you have Maggie performing in a band in front of an audience? Can’t they find her faster that way?” questioned Angel.
Jack grew defensive, “Maggie loves to sing and perform. You try telling a teenage girl she can’t pursue her dreams. I can’t keep her locked away. I can only keep her safe, which is what I’ve been doing for the past ten years. Besides, they never found us because of Maggie. They found us because of you.”
Jack clutched onto Maggie. Angel could sense his annoyance towards her. “So now we all know the truth.”
Angel’s head was spinning with the amount of information she was receiving. Everything was a complete misconception, a total misunderstanding. Jack was in trouble with the demon world, but why?
Anu walked over to Jack and placed a hand on his broad shoulder. “It’s concerning when your own kind is after you, and you don’t know what to do. We’ll take Maggie off your hands while you figure it out. Okay, good chat!”
Anu patted Jack on the shoulder and grabbed Maggie’s hand, bringing her over to Angel.
Jack protested, “No, you don’t understand. If you’re not working with them, then someone in the demon world is after us.”
“And why is that?” shot Angel angrily.
Jack’s forehead began to sweat and wiped the perspiration off with his sleeve. Looking up to the sky and fearing to say aloud what he always knew, he sadly replied, “It’s Maggie, it has to be.” Jack continued, “Demons never go after anyone unless someone has something they want. Maggie’s the first half angel-half demon to walk this earth; and once I got her, it’s been game on. They want her power.” Jack sighed, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders after he confessed. He then remembered one key detail.
“Demons are not good trackers, but they manage to find ways to piggyback. I’m sure they’ve been following you, Angel. You’ve been leading them to us the entire time. For all I know, they can be here, right now,” said Jack, looking around frantically as fear began creeping inside him.
“Sorry this reunion has to be cut short, but Maggie and I need to go,” Jack said hurriedly, trying to rush past everyone with Maggie in hand.
“Jack, stop,” said Angel. Anu quickly moved in front of Jack, blocking his path. Everyone gathered at Anu’s side.
“Jack, stop. Just come with us,” implored Angel. It was all she could think of, knowing it was the only way to bring back Maggie.
“You can’t run anymore. The truth is, you’re not leaving here with Maggie. Once they find you, you will be as good as dead when they see you’re alone. Then the demons will be our problem and we can’t fully protect Maggie without you. Think about it, Jack; but think quickly.”
Jack looked at the people around him, he despised them all except for Maggie and Jesse. Jesse was, for sure, the one that he needed to spend more time with. He’s grown up to be a man he didn’t recognize.
“Dad, please. I don’t want to run anymore. Since this is about me, I need my mom,” said Maggie, speaking earnestly to Jack. Jack turned to look at Angel then back at Maggie.
“Dad…please,” repeated Maggie with watery eyes.
“You go with them, Maggie. I will run from the demons as long as I can to get them off your tail.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan. Let’s go, Maggi
e,” said Jesse, taking his sister’s hand. Angel stopped Jesse in his tracks and looked at him with a motherly ‘You’re not going anywhere either look.’
“As if I was the only one thinking it,” he said to everyone.
Anu spoke up, “That’s suicide and just plain stupid.”
Jack turned to Anu and looked directly into his eyes. “Stupid is me agreeing to stay in the same house with my ex-wife, two kids, and her new husband. I’d rather commit suicide,” he responded angrily.
Anu thought for a moment. Feeling the cool summer night breeze on his skin made him think of his old home, which brought him to his next thought, “We all wouldn’t be in the same house. I own several properties,” replied Anu, nonchalantly. “But my wife has a good point. We won’t be able to defeat whomever is after Maggie unless we work together. And if you love your daughter the way you claim, you wouldn’t take the easy way out again. You would stick around and fight; be a man for once in your life.”
Hearing Anu speak those words made Angel so proud of him. There was a time when Angel was in love with Jack. She would do anything for him because of the love he had for her and their family. It didn’t occur to her then that Jack was not mentally strong. He is a coward, a brain-washed coward at that. He ran from his problems in the past and he is still running in the present. He never gave Angel the chance to fight by his side, and she wasn’t sure if she would get it now, even when Maggie’s life was at stake. A part of Angel wanted Jack to go off into the night alone, but another part of her felt sorry for him. In reality, he saved Maggie. He was also willing to sacrifice himself for her in a heartbeat. He didn’t deserve a second death or to be tortured again.
Angel’s compassion kicked in along with her anger. “Enough is enough, stop letting others dictate your life. Stand up for yourself and fight, show them what you’re made of. You already lost a family, were tortured, and have been on the lam for ten years. It’s time to take back your life. We can’t change what happened, but we can start a new chapter, one that consists of a future of peace, living freely, with no more running.”
She couldn’t help to say what she said to Jack. She was so angry with him, and he needed to find the motivation within himself to fight for his identity.
Jack sighed and embraced Maggie. “Dad, no more running. Let’s fight. Whatever power I have, Master Anu and Keiko will show me how to control it. You may not trust them, but I do.” Maggie looked over at Anu and smiled warmly. “You have to trust me on this. Let me protect you for once. You’re not alone this time.” Maggie’s words were spoken like a reasonable, mature adult. She gets it from me, thought Angel.
The night's moon was gleaming on the rooftop. The crowd below had dispersed the moment the sirens arrived. Jack considered Maggie’s words. She was right. He didn’t trust anyone but Maggie. His daughter was the only one keeping him going. The only thing Jack ever wanted was to have his family back. But things had changed. He knew he would never have Angel back, and he was fine with that. Leaving with Anu and Angel meant he could have his children back in his life. That was good enough motivation for him to fight.
“Alright,” said Jack. “Alright, no more running. I’ll come with you.”
“You won’t regret this, Jack,” said Angel. Jack took Maggie’s hand, and she smiled happily at her father.
“Lead the way, mom,” said Maggie.
Angel hugged Maggie and held on to her free hand. “I’m not letting go this time,” she said. Maggie smiled, excited to finally be reunited with her family.
“Hey Anu,” shouted Jack. Jack had one request before they took off. “Wherever I’m staying, can you make sure my house is on the beach, overlooking the water.”
Anu looked over his shoulder at Jack in annoyance. “You’re lucky if I don’t give you the replica of Angel’s old cell.”
Keiko chuckled; the days of Angel being held captive were long gone. Anu held on to Keiko and shot up to the skies. Desmond and Gia held Jesse and shot up next. Maggie, Jack, and Angel followed.
The search for Maggie was finally over. Angel never expected to be taking her ex-husband along for the ride, but she was willing to do anything for her children. Besides, there was a new problem at hand. Angel should have known the demon world wasn’t going to let a half demon-half angel walk freely on earth, especially one that is hanging out with Vs. The question was: how important is Maggie to the demons? What power does she possess that they want so badly? Angel would soon find out; and when she did, they would be ready.
THE END
Back Cover
Master Anu Du’Shun has spent his entire existence researching and educating himself on supernatural creatures; separating the myths from the facts. His discoveries lead him to explore information about a missing angel, that was sent to Earth by the Devine Right, solely to protect humanity from genocide and guide the angles on Earth. When Master Anu realizes that the destruction of humanity is directly entwined to the survival of his species, he embarks on a quest to find the angel.
The problem—the angel has tragically lost her memory and has no recollection of her previous life. Forced to develop a new identity, Angel Quinn Reynolds has been living in ignorant bliss for over a decade, believing she is human. Being trapped inside humanity has caused the death and near extinction of her celestial species on Earth.
Their Journey begins as two unknown worlds collide. Master Anu and Angel’s alliance sparks a daring game where critical decisions are at stake, and an unintentional love affair is formed. They must find a way to overcome boundaries and save the lives of the species they are obligated to protect, or face their ultimate downfall.
Epilogue
Magdalena―“2nd Series to Angel”
“Damn, they were just here.”
“Are you sure? Cause it looks silently dead to me.” Two demons were in conversation, standing on the same roof that Angel, Anu and their friends had been twenty minutes earlier.
“Look, feathers!” said the male demon. Both demons stared and examined the feather to make sure it didn’t belong to a bird.
“Fuck, I think this lead is wrong again. This isn’t an angel feather. This definitely belongs to some type of bird, maybe a white ibis” said the female demon in a hard Spanish accent.
“Are you certain, a white ibis around here?” said the male.
“This is Australia,” she said.
The male demon couldn’t handle any more dead leads for the night. He was exhausted from tracking and wanted to head home. “Agg, I swear when we catch Jack, I’m going to personally kill him. Call this into the black zone. Let them know it’s another dead end. The boss is not going to like this.” The male patted the inside of his leather jacket and retrieved a long white cigarette and silver lighter. He offered one to his female counterpart, but she waved her hand dismissively.
“I’m going to stand over there and smoke a fag.”
The female demon walked over to the edge of the roof away from the smell of the cigarette smoke. She held the feather with one hand and pulled her walkie-talkie out of her leather coat pocket. “Camila to black zone, come in black zone. Over.”
The walkie transferred a bit of static before a voice came in on the receiving end. “Black zone here. Over.”
“We found nothing, no trace of Jack, Vs or the angels. Over,” said Camila, examining the pure white feather in her hand.
“Copy, you and your partner circle back, and retire for the night. We have another lead, but we’ll check it out in the morning. Over.”
“Roger that,” said Camila into the walkie. She crouched down and stared at the feather, holding it to her nose and inhaling its sweet aroma. Keep running, Angel. Please keep running, she silently prayed as she put the angel feather in her pocket and rose to meet up with her partner.
The male demon had finished his cigarette and was waiting patiently for Camila. “What did command say?” he asked.
“We get to retire for the night.”
“Sweet! Le
t’s get some food. I know a really nice restaurant up the street that makes the best meat pies in town,” said the male, enthusiastically. Both demons disappeared into the fog, discussing their dinner plans.
Acknowledgments
Shamaine Henry- You're right! "As a writer, you're giving the reader a piece of who you are." So, here I am! Thank you for all your helpful advice.
Samantha Montavlo- Thank you for being a great friend and reading over the rough draft. Enjoy the finished product!
Stephanie Larkin and the Red Penguin Team- You're all amazing! We are just getting started with great things to come.
About the Author
Bernice Burgos is a hard working mother of two that currently resides in the state of New Jersey with her loving husband. She holds a Master's in Public Administration and works diligently in giving back to the community as much as possible. She has a passion for writing occult fiction and is excited to share her stories with the world.
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