The Real Story of Heaven and Hell

I sat on the beach in my dirty clothes soaking up the warmth of the sun’s rays. I had made my way down to southern California through hitchhiking. Tomorrow I would try to head to Arizona or Nevada. I could easily get lost in a large city like Phoenix or Vegas. I rubbed at my tired eyes. I hadn’t slept more than seven hours total in the past week.

At least tonight I should be able to stay in a shelter instead of an abandoned building, an alley, or under a bridge. You see I spent what little money I had taken with me and spent it on changing my appearance. I fingered my now short brown locks, it was a necessary evil.

I wondered how long I had to keep moving before I could stay somewhere for more than a day. Taking off my shoes I rolled up my jeans and walked over to the ocean. I smiled for the first time since leaving as the warm water rushed over my feet, splashed my legs. It was warm enough I bet I could even talk Lil into getting in.

My heart sank as I realized that would never be happening. I could never see her or her Guardians again. That’s how I thought of them now, her guardians. I couldn’t remember them separately, I couldn’t think of him.

I wandered aimlessly down the beach until the sun started to set. I headed towards the shelter as night approached. I’m still afraid of the dark, as pathetic as that is. The shelter, as they all, was crowded and I was afraid I had gotten there too late. They only had so many beds and therefore if you got there too late you couldn’t get in.

I thanked dad as I got in. The smell of food had my stomach growling loud enough to remind me I hadn’t eaten in two days. I gladly got in line thankful for the soup and bread they were handing out. I made my way through the tables looking for an empty seat. I finally found one beside a little boy. I quietly sat down my mouth almost watering from the smell of the soup.

I had only eaten three spoonfuls when the little boy spoke up, “Momma I’m still hungry.”

She wrapped her arm around him in a quick hug. “I know baby but we only get one helping.”

“But we haven’t eaten in days.” He whined in the manner all little kids do.

I put my spoon down ignoring the painful protest of my stomach. I picked up my bowl and switched it with his. “Here you can I have mine.”

“Thanks!” The little boy squealed before digging into it.

“Benjamin, stop! You give the nice lady her soup back.”

I gave the mother a warm smile. “Please it’s okay. I’m really rather full already.”

“But you barely touched it.” She said in shock.

I smiled and got up grabbing my slice of bread. I was sure if I stayed there she would insist on him not eating it. Besides I still had food, I had my bread. As I made my way to the sleeping quarters, I was thankful this was one of the nicer ones that actually had little rooms.

I mean sure I would have a roommate for the night but it had a sink and a bottle of soap. I didn’t waste any time washing my face, arms, and legs, anything I could without taking off any clothing. I even washed my hair, which thanks to its short length was a lot easier to do.

As I lay in the metal bunk bed I couldn’t help but wonder about Lil. Was she okay? Was she looking for me? Was Jimmy okay? Had she saved him in time? Were they happy? Please let them be safe and happy.

I closed my eyes trying to fall asleep and as always I imagined a pair of strong tattooed arms surrounding me. I could almost feel his warmth, the feeling of security that I had found in his arms. If there was one thing I had realized since I left it was this. While I missed Zacky, not having Brian near was a pain that rivaled only the pain I felt when I thought of Lil.

I loved Brian. I realized that now, but it was too little too late. He was now part of a life I left behind. Or tried to leave behind. I thought to myself as what I liked to refer to as my ‘demon detector’ went off. I slid off my bed silently and poked my head out the door. The hallway was clear so I snuck out the door closing it quietly behind me.

I didn’t dare breathe as I made my way through the dark hallways. I needed to get away before innocent people got hurt. I squeezed out the back door and ran smack dab into a demon. Before he could grab me I fell to the ground and rolled out from under him.

I scrambled to my feet and raced down the alley the demons hot on my trail. I did a running jump up onto a dumpster and then grabbed the fire escape. I screamed as the demon latched onto my leg and tried to pull me off. I meant to push him off but energy shot from my hand hurling him across the alley onto a broken railing.

I turned my head as it screamed in pain and then when silent. I had taken my first life. I’m gonna be sick. I climbed up the fire escape until I was on the roof. I sagged against the door, my leg burning from where the demons claws had not only shredded my jeans but the skin under it as well.

I stood up wincing as I put pressure on it. I couldn’t stay here. The demons would find their brother and hunt me until I was found. I was smart enough to know they weren’t the ones after me or hadn’t realized who I was. I figured they just sensed the angel in me and had planned on either capturing me for information or outright kill me just for being the enemy.

I walked around the roof looking for an escape route. I saw another demon show up and after a brief roar it headed into the building I was standing on top of. The humans wouldn’t even realize he was here but he would find me if I went inside. I realized, much to my dismay that my best bet was to jump to the next roof top. This is complete crap. I thought to myself before I backed up and ran flat out towards the edge of the roof.

I pushed off the ledge and flew through the air. It wasn’t enough. I realized a little too late. I scrambled grabbing onto the ledge. I looked down. I was at least 10 stories up; no way would I survive the fall. Struggling I pulled myself up onto the roof and just lay there panting for air.

The demon was on me before I could blink. “You killed him!” It screeched in my face, it’s rancid breath making it hard for me to breathe. I was guessing this was a female though it was honestly hard to tell.

“Don’t make me kill you too.” I warned really not wanting to be responsible for another death.

The demon just laughed. “An angel? Kill me? Not likely.” I felt her nails lengthen into razor sharp talons.

I couldn’t help but scream out in pain as they pierced my sides. Again without thinking energy flew out of my hands only this time it allowed my hand to penetrate her chest cavity. The demon pulled back out of reflex and we both screamed the demon in pain, me in horror. I was holding its heart in my hand. I dropped it and scrambled back.

Tears raced down my cheeks as grief overcame me. What had I done? I wiped its blood on my clothing trying to get it off my skin. I was mortified and scared. I broke the lock on the door and raced down the stairs. As soon as I was outside I tried to throw up but there wasn’t anything in my stomach.

I touched my side and my hand came away red. As soon as I saw it pain so great it drove me to my knees took over. I pulled up my shirt gingerly and saw the deep puncture wounds. I gritted my teeth as I pulled my shirt back down. The wounds didn’t just hurt they burned. I had gone to enough schooling that I knew I needed stitches.

I slowly made my way towards town. Where I was no one was going to help me. I don’t know how far I had gone but my vision was going black around the edges. I walked out in front of a car in desperate need of help. They couldn’t stop in time and I ended up on the hood.

“Help me.” I pleaded into the frightened eyes of a boy who was no older then I was.

“Hold on, just hold on!” He said sounding more scared then I was. My vision narrowed more and I could barely see. “Oh God. I need an ambulance I just hit someone!” He all but screamed into his phone.

He said more but I couldn’t focus enough to hear it. I closed my eyes and let everything fall away. He was getting help, I would be okay.