The Real Story of Heaven and Hell

I sat in my training room legs folded under me staring at the rain. I missed being outside but it had been ruled too dangerous right now. I closed my eyes remembering the last time I had been able to enjoy the rain. It had been one of those freak storms that came out of nowhere and was gone before you knew it. But I had run outside almost the minute it started. I loved the rain, loved dancing in it.

Ever since I was a little girl I had thought of the rain as tears. Tears of joy from heaven from all the people reuniting with loved ones they had lost. I had secretly prayed that it would rain buckets on the day I died. I knew it would the day of my funeral. I would be crying right along with Lil, the grief of our separation a joint agony. How do I know I’ll die first? I can’t put it into words but I just have always known it to be the way it would happen. It just was the truth of things. I know that doesn’t make sense but it is what it is.

It had been further solidified four days before my twentieth birthday. Lil had been at the dance studio and I had been home alone with Grandfather. He hadn’t been doing particularly well that day and so I had stayed home from school to watch over him much to his protest.

I had just poked my head into his room to check on him real quick when it happened. I saw…a man in a white robe standing over him. Tears sprung to my eyes as I realized I was looking at an angel. “Please don’t take him, we need him.”

The hooded figure turned to look at me. It was hard to keep my eyes on him, he was glowing so brightly. “Seraphina.” His voice resonated thorough the entire room so that it sounded like there was more than just the one I could see.

I walked closer to the angel my voice shaking with fear, not of the angel but that I might already be too late. “You can’t have him.”

“I have not come to take him, but to warn him, the time approaches quickly.”

Tears flowed from my eyes as I took what the angel said to mean he was going to pass away soon. Looking back I guess he was right but I doubted that was what he was truly speaking of. “You have warned me and I shall pass that a long. Now please leave.”

I’m strange, believe me I know. But never the less I had ordered the angel to go, of course he didn’t listen. Instead his blinding light intensified even more so that I couldn’t stand to look at him. “There will come a day young one where you must choose between yourself and your twin. We need you to pick yourself that day, no matter how that goes against what you feel. You must let the path of righteousness triumph over evil.”

I stood there imitating a fish as all words seemed to fail me. What on earth could he be talking about and why would he tell me to do what goes against everything I’ve been taught? Before I could form a coherent phrase he vanished making the whole room seem incredibly dark and empty.

I rushed over to Grandfather’s side checking quickly first that he was breathing and then that his pulse was strong. I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding when I realized he was. Four days later he would be lost to me and my whole world would change.

I was so lost in my thoughts I didn’t realize someone was in the room with me until their hand was on my shoulder. Without thinking I grabbed it, twisted and using all my body pulled so they landed on their back in front of me.

I gasped in horror as emerald green eyes stared up at me. Moving to my knees quickly I placed my hands over Zacky’s shoulder. “Oh gosh I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think. I’ll make it better I promise.” My hands went over to his hurt shoulder and I closed my eyes immediately concentrating on the muscle and tissue I had damaged.

“Sera. Stop. I’m fine.” I opened my eyes when I felt Zacky’s larger hand clasp over mine and squeezed gently.

The hot tattooed angel was smiling up at me. One thing you have to know, is that Zacky has the kind of smile you can’t help but return with one of your own. It’s like his happiness is infectious. “Are you sure?”

He chuckled as he sat up, his hand never letting go of mine. “Yeah I’m sure. Now.” He paused looking me over, not in a lustful way but like he was concerned. “Why did you look so sad when I came in?”

I shrugged and looked back out the window. “I was thinking about something sad.”

His thumb started to gently rub small circles on the top of my hand. “Well then I guess it’s a good thing I’m here now.”

I looked back at him and found I couldn’t agree more. It was so easy to be around Zacky. He was so relaxed and peaceful it was comforting to be around him. I had been around Brian so much I had almost forgotten. Although that was rarely an issue now that Cory or Corny as Lil called her, was around. Most of the guys were smitten with her, all except Johnny, he seemed to be more than a little put out with having her here.

Jimmy and Zacky were like awe struck or something. From what I gather she’s some big to do in ‘my world’ as she keeps referring to it. I guess she was like some kind of hero or something to them, who knows. Matt and Brian were giving her equally obsessive amounts of their time. It’s like they’re getting to hang out with their boogey man or something. All of them make me sick, which is why I’ve been mostly chilling in my room, only coming out when Lil asks and for dinner of course.

I’m letting the guys think it’s because of the demon and what he almost did to me. Of course Lil knows the truth, Lil always knows the truth. I can’t stand to be around them when she’s there; it tests my nature too much. I know I should like her being the daughter of God and all but I just can’t do it. Guess I’m more human then Jesus was cause I’m pretty sure he would be okay if he was in my shoes.

“I’ve lost you again.”

I blinked at the sound of Zacky’s voice. I had let myself get carried away again in my head. I gave him an apologetic smile. “Sorry.”

He gathered me into his arms without asking and held me. “I’m the one who’s sorry.”

I looked up at him confused. “What for?”

“For failing you.” He didn’t look at me, instead he stared out the window but I could hear the guilt, the shame in his tone. “That demon, what he did to you, it’s my fault.”

I moved into his line of sight since he wouldn’t look at me. “It was NOT your fault. I went out there willingly by myself. I knew danger was waiting for me but I went, alone, on purpose.”

When he finally let his eyes drop down to mine I could see the pain in them, and it sliced through me like a hot knife through butter. “Why? Why would you endanger yourself like that?”

I stared at the tattoo on his chest that was peeking out from the button down plaid shirt he had on. I could see a part of a skull and that was it. “I had to. They would have ruined her big night. I couldn’t let that happen.”

Zacky raised a brow. “You went out to the demons to keep Lil’s night from being ruined?”

I sighed and lifted my head slightly. “No I went out to the angels to keep her safe. I didn’t know the demons were out there.”

Zacky lifted my chin so that I stared up at him. I didn’t like the stern look in them. “Listen to me Sera. Angels are just as dangerous as demons. The ones after Lil wouldn’t hesitate to take you and use you against her. You need to think before you act. Your life is about so much more then you now.”

My eyes dropped to his full lips. He was right, I knew it. But I had to do whatever it took to keep Lil safe. My voice was resigned when I spoke. “I know the fate of mankind and all that.”

“Sera…look at me Sera.”

I looked up at him even though I really didn’t want to. His whole face had softened, his eyes having gentled.

“I wasn’t speaking about that Sera.” He moved his hand to cup my face with his palm. “I was talking about me.”

I was still blinking up at him completely confused when he kissed me. His lips were soft, his snake bites hard and cold. It was an intriguing combination I hadn’t been expecting. He moved my head and our kiss deepened. His kiss was one of complete honesty and full of emotion. It was slow and lazy and completely wonderful.

When we finally pulled apart I was on cloud nine. I had only ever been kissed by one other guy and the two were completely different. As I sat there quietly comparing the two, I know I shouldn’t but I couldn’t help myself, Zacky’s face grew worried. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”

I leaned up and pressed a brief soft kiss to his lips before sitting back down. “Don’t apologize. It was wonderful.”

The smile that lit up his face was the biggest I had ever seen. “Well then why don’t we go watch A Knight’s Tale?”

I beamed up at him. That was my favorite movie ever. My smile faltered for a second as I realized most likely we would end up with company that would ruin it. “Can we watch it in my room?”

Zacky lifted the hand he was holding to his lips pressing a quick kiss to it. “Of course.”

I blushed as he helped me up to my feet.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I was using Zacky.

I told myself I wasn’t.

Now if only I was sure.