by basil! » Sun May 24, 2020 2:21 pm
The night is dark, but buildings brighten the sky, fluorescent lights in thousands of colors dancing along the streets. Each building is high, towering over the grey-splattered pavement. If looked at hard enough, people can be seen moving within the windows, each one a portal into a small private world. Billboards and screens hang in the sky like large stars, their images flickering and changing in an uncoordinated pattern.
A lone figure hurries down the sidewalk, keeping to the darkest alleyways. A dark hoodie is draped around the person’s form, and his steps are almost soundless. He walks briskly, his movements fluid and smooth. Occasionally, he glances behind him, as if checking for followers.
The figure scrambles to a stop at a deserted parking lot. The lights of the city left behind, an oppressive aura fills the space. The figure looks around before pulling his hood down hastily, revealing snow-white hair. He leans against a wall and waits.
Only five or so minutes have passed when a second person walks into the parking lot, a white cloak draped around her slender shoulders. She looks around, eyes skidding over her surrounding and landing on the figure in front of her. With an annoyed sigh, she pulls down her cloak, grey hair cascading down her shoulders and to her waist.
“So, Ali,” the newly arrived person says. “You came as promised.”
“Indeed I did,” the second person, presumably Ali, answers. His voice is smooth and pleasant, but there is something off-putting about it. He runs a hand through his white hair and smiles. “What did you bring me here for, Anahera?”
Anahera looks coolly at Ali, her hair waving in the wind and tangling with her body. “Now, now. That’s no way to speak to a superior,” she says with indifferent amusement. “I am sure you will be very thankful when you hear what I have to say. After all, I have a mission for you," she answers.
“A mission?” Ali thinks in bewilderment. Out of all the things he thought Anahera might say, that was certainly not one of them. “What kind of mission?” Ali asks, cocking his head to the side. He eyes Anahera warily.
Anahera gives a humorless smile.“Well, you are in the lower ranks, yes?” she asks.
Ali nods, frowning. “Yes, I suppose you could put it that way. Why? I would think my position would make me less likely to be chosen for a mission.”
“Well, you see,” Anahera replies, the cold smile on her face unmoving. “The upper angels have been very busy. This has caused some problems, and we have been looking for more people to join the upper ranks.”
Ali scoffs. “To think the almighty angels would be anything less than perfect! How bizarre. It’s almost like you’re not what you’re claiming to be.”
Anahera looks at Ali with disdain. “You realize you’re the weaker one here, right? With just a few words, I could erase you from existence. Even hell would be a better fate than that kind of effacement.”
Ali shakes his head, but doesn’t speak up. Anahera takes that as a cue to continue.
“As I was saying, we need more people. The council and I have decided that you show potential. So, I am here to give you an offer.”
Ali mutters noncommittally, folding his hands across his chest. “Knowing the angels, I don’t think I have a choice in the matter,” he thinks, annoyed. “Their ‘offers’ are more blackmail than decision.”
“We want you to stay on Earth, as you have been doing so far, and help two people,” Anehara says calmly. “Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to change their destinies for several years. We suspect that dark magic is tied to their case. However, their success and cooperation is of utmost importance for our success.”
This piques Ali’s interest. He perks up, raising an eyebrow. “Utmost importance? Why would humans be important to us, when we are a ‘superior species’? And, do you mean that I get to actually do my job and help someone for once? I thought our order was too corrupted to allow things like that.”
Anahera’s face contorts into a frown. “Listen,” she hisses. “We are doing you a favor by offering such a merciful solution. If you are able to help the people within the next two years, we will leave you alone. You can do whatever you want, and you’ll rise in rank.”
“And if I fail?” Ali asks, waiting for the catch in this otherwise ideal offer. “If I refuse to do it?”
Anahera shakes her head. “If you fail, you will be erased. And if you refuse… Well, you have been on thin ice for a while, so I’m afraid we’ll have to kick you out.” Anahera flashes a sickly-sweet smile.
“And no one else could help these people?” Ali asks. “Precisely,” Anahera answers. Ali looks at her in disgust.
“You’re stooping low enough to force a practically impossible task on me? And giving erasure as a punishment for failing?” Ali says, shaking his head. “What kind of angels are you, even?” His words are laced with hatred.
“Will you take the offer?” Anahera asks, unfazed. She looks confident, and Ali grumbles, anger coursing through him. Of course she knew what the outcome would be. She didn’t leave any choice.
“Yes, I will,” Ali answers, rolling his eyes. “I don’t have a choice, and you know that as well as I do.”
Anahera smiles, reaching out her hand to shake Ali’s. Ali does not take it.
“Thank you for your business,” Anehara says. “We will remember your brave deeds and the sacrifice you have made for the mortal beings. You will be attending a college with said humans. More information will come shortly.”
As Anehara is speaking, fog gathers around her. It wraps her legs, her arms, her body, until only her face is visible. Finally, it envelops her completely and then dissipates, revealing an empty parking lot.
Ali slumps against the wall, his face in his hands. “Oh god,” he mutters. “Oh god. What am I going to do? What am I going to do now?” He sighs, running his hands through his hair. “I wish God was real,” he mutters, looking up at the murky sky.
