Whispering Woods. White
sun-bleached husks stretched high into the air, the branches
brittle and gnarled as they warped from the sun's relentless heat.
She was out there, somewhere in the shadows, and she protected them
all. It wasn't just a children's story because he had seen her. In
his dreams, she was there, guarding against the evil that
threatened them all. Deep within him, he knew the truth. One day,
he'd prove it to them all and himself. He would find the angel at
the edge of their darkness.
* * *
She walks toward him. Long legs and soft brunette
hair that flows behind her as if blessed by the word of God
himself. Light shines down from above; the darkness pushed back as
she floats through the brush of the hollow trees toward him. He can
no longer move his arms or legs as he is helpless in her presence.
Her face carries with it a smile, one that melts his heart as her
ruby red lips curl ever so slightly upward toward her dark
eyes.
She is an angel, and he knows it to be true. There
is no question in his heart, the darkness itself cannot approach
her. As she nears him, he can feel his muscles tense. There is
power, and it radiates from her and presses against him like a warm
blanket. The evil that permeates the land can no longer harm him,
she is there to protect them all. She walks this earth to protect
God's remaining children. It is her mission; it is her charge.
Warmth fills his chest as she is almost upon him.
Only a few rotten oak trees, brightened by the approach of God's
champion stands between them. He can feel the sweat running down
his forehead. He tries to wipe it away, but his arms are of no use
as he struggles to breathe. She knows who he is, and he knows she
is real. The others do not understand, they do not believe. But
they also do not love her like he does.
His knees grow weak, and he could not rise to his
feet if he tried. She is almost to him as he can feel the smile
that stretches across his face. Yes, he loves her, and he knows
what she does for them. He will make the others believe, he will
show them, and in the end he will be one with her.
Her feet stop a step before him. Pain burns at his
eyes as the light above shines and blocks the beauty of her face.
Her skin is pale enough to be a ghost, her silk dress so thin he
can see every curve of her body as the cloth hugs her tightly.
"Why do you not show them?" He asks before his mouth
goes dry.
There is no answer as she remains still, though he
can feel a shift in the wind. A dry breeze rustles the leaves as it
dances its way through the forest. He can see that her muscles have
tensed though she has not moved. Shadows encroach the light that
encircles them both though its power is still blinding.
"What is happening?" He chokes out before his the
last of his air seeps from his lungs.
She remains silent as she turns to the shadows that
inch out from behind the graves of Mother Nature's beauty. Light
erupts from her beautiful hand as a blade appears as if by magic.
He tries to breathe, but he can't, his eyes lost to the
magnificence of the weapon she holds. Light and power flows through
the blade, a promise of righteousness and forgiveness that carries
down its sharpened edge.
He can feel the darkness clouding his vision. His
eyes struggle to remain open as he watches her step toward the
approaching darkness. He tries to call to her, but there is nothing
to say. In vain he can only reach out his shaking hand, his love,
and his angel is leaving him.
"Find me," her voice carries into his mind before
his world is lost to darkness.
* * *
Dale shot up in bed, his breathing erratic as his
chest struggled to fill with air. Shivers ran down his back as he
swallowed to fill his lungs, and the clammy feeling of sweat clung
to his skin. Looking around, he could see that it was deep into the
night, and he was still in his bed. Running his hands down his
face, the stickiness of sweat still lingered on his palms as
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