:I still remember that dreadful day. The black clouds in the sky, showering down on us below. I remember walking on to the podium. My chains rattled in the wind. A crowd had come to watch, their eager faces told it all. A tear fell from my eye as the executor pulled the halter over my head. My parents wept and hugged each other. My mother mouthed I love you to me. I was only seventeen, sent to death for a crime I did not even commit. I would never murder someone. They only thought it was me because I was at the scene and I was a well-known criminal for stealing food from the marketplace to feed my starving family. I tried to tell them but no one would listen to a young burglar. I stood tall and tried to hide my emotion. Then the trapdoor opened.
The choking pain was quick but horrific. I blacked out for a while and I soon found myself back here, but dead, in an alternate dimension and with a pair of black wings sprouting below my shoulders. Suddenly, a voice spoke to me. It sent a chill down my feathery spine. It said his name was Thebes and that I was to stay on Earth because of the crimes I had done in my previous life. Personally, I would not call taking supplies for family a crime but I did not argue. He seemed all powerful and I would not like to anger him. He told me the rules, regulations and other important knowledge. And so my new life began.
It has been over two hundred years since then and things have changed. I have seen people achieve their goals and their dreams get crushed. Technology has advanced and new inventions have been made. But yet, with all this science and evolution, there is still violence. I have seen blood spill, tears fall and people suffer horrible fates. Humanity has always stayed the same.
For the past five years, I travelled through North America. It seemed like the rest of the world, with cities, people and parts of nature scattered around. Then, during mid-autumn, I saw Camilla. She was stranded in the middle of a gang shooting, crouching down on the street, with her eyes shut tight and her arms wrapped around her body. She looked as scared as me at my execution. I wanted to help her, but there was nothing I could do. The rules state that no spirit must interfere with the real world or show themselves to a living creature. I looked back. Camilla's face was painted with fear and her tears had formed a small puddle at her feet. The bullets were coming closer to her. I couldn't just leave her. I leaped at Camilla, pushing her aside. She was lucky as a bullet just dented the ground she was on. She slowly opened her eyes and saw my face. Quickly, she wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight. "Thank you," she cried. Her tears were no longer sad but joyful. I had not felt warmth for ages. It felt good.
For the past two months, Camilla and I have got to know each other. I have not told her who I really am or of my feelings for her. The shooting and my rescue was written in the newspaper for everyone's eyes; Unknown Hero saves girl from Gang Fight. If anyone from my dimension finds out what I did, I'll be wiped from existence. I should be careful, you never know who could be watching this very minute.
It was the end of autumn. The sky was midnight black. Silver snow rained down on us as Camilla and I strolled through the forest. The snow on the trees looked like sugar frosting. She rested her head on my shoulder and smiled as we entered a clearing. I smiled back. I have never felt this much happiness and joy. Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I spotted something move between the trees, and it had wings! My legs began to shake. "What's wrong, Blake?" Camilla asked. "Nothing, just, the cold." She frowned and continued walking. I felt guilty not telling her the truth but it's for her safety. If she knew of my world then all hell would break loose. Not literally, but you know what I mean. There it was again. "Is something the matter?" What could I say; I'm dead and we're being chased by angels? I saw them again, and again. They were dashing around us. We were surrounded! The angels began to emerge from the shadows. The snow stopped. From the sight of them, Camilla fainted. I caught her with my arms. Only one thought came to mind; I'm a goner.
Hearing mortals entering the clearing, I had to go back to Earth's alternate dimension. Because I had Camilla with me, I broke another law. Camilla began to become conscious. I didn't want to scare her so I whispered the truth. Quickly she got up. Her mouth was wide open and her eyes were big and shocked. "So, you're dead!?" she yelled. "Yes. I'm sorry, Camilla. I should have told you earlier." "But, who are they?" she asked. "I'm not sure." The angels were not familiar but the next person who came was. It was Thebes, the man who spoke to me after my death. He looked outraged and I would too if I was him. "You have broken the rules, Blake." he announced. "I have no choice but I will have to wipe you from existence." "But, but, he's done nothing wrong." Camilla said. "He saved my life!" "I am truly sorry, Camilla." Thebes faced me and began to create an alabaster light in his palms. His long, grey beard floated in a mysterious breeze that then turned in to a frightening roar. Just before the end, I spotted Camilla rushing in front on me. The noise pierced my ears but I could make out what she said. "You saved my life, now I'm saving yours." I remember crying out to her and then temporary blindness.
When my eyes adjusted, Camilla was gone. All that was left were fragments raining down like snow. Tears flooded my eyes and flowed down my body. I tried to stop but she was all I could think about. But then another thought came to mind. The only law more important than the ones I have broken is 'Killing a Mortal'. I looked at Thebes. He was lying on the ground rubbing his head. His accomplices were gone. "You broke the law." I shouted. He seemed shocked but got up and smiled. "I believe I have done worse than you, Blake." he pronounced. "I will bring her back and promise to not erase you for your crimes if you keep this secret between us." I nodded.
I felt so happy when Camilla appeared in front of me. When she saw me, she kissed me. I kissed back and hugged her as well. "Thank you, Blake," Camilla said. "I wish I could be with you but I still have my whole life to live." "I understand." She smiled and kissed me once more. "I guess we'll meet in another life." She turned around and walked away. I backed in to the shadows and drifted away.
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