Fan Fiction ❯ The Good Book Lied ❯ mission.briefing ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

5..mission.briefing.

This is more like church than a mission briefing. What's our mission, continue living here and don't complain? At least it's Angels only. If I see another Demon today I'll have to hurt somebody. Those slimy snakes are just itching to get their butts kicked someday, and when I get my wings, I'll be the first one handing out punishment. Grr.

Bitter? Me? Pleeeeeease.

Harmony IS pretty, though. I guess it's mandatory, when you become an Angel you're automatically granted this Goddess status and everything about you is perfect. I often wonder though, how the Demons in "the other place" see us Angels, at least beauty-wise. Demons will go for anything, whether it has horns sticking out of its face or 3 tails... so does that mean that their standards of beauty are different? Maybe our Angels, who are extremely beautiful in our eyes because they're made in the image of God, look really beastly to Demons.

Wouldn't that just be the epitome of irony?

I'm zoning out again. Better pay attention. Harmony Angel's looking kind of miffed today. "It is our responsibility to endure these accomodations to the best of our ability," I hear her saying. Oh please, Harm, like you have to suffer them too? Big brat. You get to float around in Heaven running gopher errands for the Woman and we're stuck down here.

Wait a second, she's a first class Angel. Better watch what I think. I hate having to keep tabs on my thoughts, but it's a must for an Angel student to not think anything too harsh in the presence of a Seraphim. It's universally stupid. Like cursing in front of a police officer. Only an Angel won't give you a ticket - she'll kick your butt.

"The influx of Demon students in this dormatory is a problem, I know," she continues. "But we have to make the most of it. In order to keep all of our top students in the same place, we had to make a deal with 'the other place', and honestly, I am pleased with the peaceful nature in which the two groups of students seem to be getting along."

Yeah, I think. Too bad we'll be cutting each other's throats in a few years. Merry Christmas.

Harmony goes on a little longer, about the dress code and curfew and contraband. That's funny, I never thought about Angels smoking, drinking, or doing drugs. But considering that we have Demons living in this apartment complex, too, it's kind of a given that those things exist here. Wow... I wonder if any Angel students are doing that kind of thing? Wouldn't that be something for the school reports? Future soldiers of Heaven getting inebriated and being tainted by Demons in OTHER ways.

I shudder. It's too awful to think about. Any Angel that stupid is gonna get it back in spades.

I hear chairs scratching the floor and feel a draft as everyone around me stands up. Why do I zone out so much lately?! I stand up quickly and commence saying the new Lord's prayer with the other students. It's kind of cool, some of the revisions She made to the Book once She came out of the closet about being the Almighty. At least we don't have to say "He" anymore. That was getting kind of silly, if you ask me.

And now the Good Book is much shorter. There's an abridged version for us lazy students. I keep promising to pick up the full book, but between lazing around and complaining, I hardly have time for extra reading. I'll do it soon. I wonder if any stores on Earth carry the Good Book these days.

Probably not. I'll get the Cliff's Notes.

I come out of the briefing room (which is just an empty room, the cafeteria before the people from both places paid to have a better one built) and find Blue standing down the corridor, surrounded by... guys?

Oooh, that can't be good at all. I put my hands in the pockets of my fighter pilot jacket and approach the group nonchalantly. Through the shoulders of the boys, I see Blue's face. She does NOT look happy. I wouldn't either.

"What's going on here?" I smile calmly, tapping one of the boys on the shoulder.

He spins around and looks at me, and I feel smaller. Why are all the Demons so TALL? Maybe I'm just really short. Either way, it sucks. I realize this is the same guy who had asked for my name earlier. He's really cute. But I assume he was picking on Blue, and that's not cool. "Just asking for the tour," he grins, getting uncomfortably close to me. Eww. When it's a Demon in question, boy germs DO exist, and I'm starting to feel kind of gross standing this close to one.

"You wanna buzz off now, little boy?" I growl, reaching for Blue's hand. She's shaking. "C'mon, Blue, let's get back up to the apartment. Got homework to do."

"Not so fast," Icarus says slowly, sticking out his arm to stop Blue from taking my hand. I growl. Not cool. Not cool at all.

"What do you want?" I say, my other hand making a fist in my pocket. I won't hesitate to take him out if I have to. I know how to defend myself, and I don't take kindly to jerk Demons pushing around my classmates. I guess I have that vigilante spark.

"If it's okay with you, I'd just like some company. I'm feeling kind of lonely in this big apartment by myself," he grins, that mocking tone in his voice, as he walks around me and stands with his mouth close to my ear. I can't see him. It feels like he's surrounding me all by himself, making me feel small and helpless. Demon tactics. Why don't we get to learn anything like that in class?

Despite my awe at his skill, I'm still pissed off. "Then let Blue go. I'm not as pretty as she is, but I could give you a better conversation." I glance at Blue but she's so worried about her safety that I don't think my comment offended her much. "That is, if you're after conversation. If you're after other things, Blue's not the girl you want. You should try Elspeth in the room across from ours." It's my turn to grin.

Icarus seems amused and he comes back around, looking down at me. He seems to be entertained. Damnit, why does his smile get to me? That's crap. I wish I had big-fat-liar radar. Then again, where a Demon's concerned, it's kind of obvious that you're talking to a big fat liar, you know?

"Sounds fine to me. Talking to you instead, I mean," Icarus smiles, but this time his expression seems almost... sincere. He waves his hand lightly and the other boys step out of Blue's way. She pauses for a moment, looking around, looking at the space they've made for her, and then she darts off in the direction of the stairs, in tears. Poor girl. I'll console her later. Right now I have to save my OWN hide.

"Thanks," I say, putting my other hand back in my pocket. "That's cool of you." I start to walk away, and he catches my arm. Oh no, he did NOT just do that. "What?" I say, looking back.

"You DID say you'd have a conversation with me, didn't you?" His smile is as cool as ice, and just as sharp. "I don't like people who go back on their word."

"You're one to talk," I frown, looking down at his hand clutching my jacket. "Could you let go, please? I won't run away, I'll stay. Just for you, because you're SO special." I have to fight not to roll my eyes.

He lets me go and dusts himself off, clearing his throat. "Yes, well... guys, could you..." Icarus turns to the Demon students, with a gesture of his head towards their sector of the complex. "You know... leave?"

They look disappointed. Ugh, voyeurists. Just what I need - a date with a Demon, and his slobbering friends WATCHING. I've gotta get out of this, somehow.

"I don't have much time to talk," he smiles, and I feel him take my arm and put it in his. We start to walk, and it feels like I'm not even moving my own feet. I'm walking arm-in-arm with a Demon. This is too... weird.

"So why'd you ask me to stay?" I ask, looking up at him. This is so bizarre... I've never been this close to a Demon before. I'm an Angel. This is completely... strange. Why do I have this tingly feeling in the pit of my stomach? It's got to be bad.

Icarus sighs, faking running a hand through his already-perfect hair, and he stops, turning his head to look down at me. "It's just really lonely here. No friends, you know?" God, he's almost pouting. The big liar. I hate liars.

"What about your little cronies that were picking on Blue?" I bark, separating myself from him. "Don't pull that 'poor little me' act. If anyone can complain about having no friends--"

...damnit, I've already said WAY too much. What am I doing here? I've gotta bail. But we're close to my apartment. If I go up there now, he'll know where I live. But I've already mentioned Elspeth being across from me, and I'm sure EVERY guy on campus knows where she's staying... I've gotta risk it, the danger level is going higher every second I remain here with this snake.

"Yes?" Icarus smiles. His voice makes my skin crawl. Or maybe I'm just telling myself that to feel better. I'm trembling for a reason, I know I am.

"Never mind," I say quickly, and start towards the stairs. Feet away from my apartment. It's not home to me, but it's solace from THIS insanity. "I have to go," I say as I reach the stairs. "Catch you later."

He remains silent as I run up the concrete staircase and fumble in my jacket pockets for my key. It's in the lightbulb case, moron. I struggle with the lock for a moment, then open the door. He's still standing there, below me, and I can't see him but I can feel his eyes on the concrete beneath my feet. Creepy.

I slam the door shut and lean against it, relieved for the first time in a long time. As soon as I stop panting from dashing up the stairs, I hear Blue's muffled voice. She is crying in our room, saying her special Prayer.

Come to think of it, I don't think I have a special Prayer of my own.