Thunder clapped against the sky. The girl shuddered. She knew something was out there in the night. Something that shouldn't be. A drip of cool water hit her cheek. Her eyes eased open. She slowly sat up, her whole body ached, especially her head.
"Lay down and rest." a comforting voice said.
The girl quickly looked to the owner of the voice next to her.
"Aaliyah!" the girl shouted, throwing her arms around the woman.
"Oh, Layne." she said, hugging the child tight. "I am so glad you're ok." Holding back a tear.
Layne jumped at the boom of another crash of thunder. "Where are we?" she asked looking around.
Sitting together at the base of a large oak tree. Although all Layne could see was the black sky from the tiring storm, and the only light was the warm glow of Aaliyah and random crashes of lightning,she realized where she was she knew this tree. It was her tree far from everyone, on the far end of her family's property. It was her place she ran to when ever the world was too harsh. Her mother too sad, her father too absent, her sister and classmates too mean, her life too lonely. Rain dripped through the leaves. Sprinkling her with each passing breeze. She soaked in her sanctuary and sighed.
"What happened?" the girl asked tears coming to her eyes.
"The lightning grazed my arm, but was conducted away through my sword back at Cole. I'll be fine. Remember I can't die.You'd better be careful though, as she kissed a bruise above Layne's eye" the beautiful woman winced, squeezing the little girl close.
"Where is he?" the girl asked trying to see into the darkness.
"I don't know but he isn't far."
"Who is he?"
"His name is Cole. He is yours, just as I am, we are also Dani's. We are drawn to you. He is after you because... it's who he is."
"I don't understand. My what? Why does he want to hurt me? You don't want to hurt me. Does he want to hurt Dani?"
"Everyone has their own guardian angel and personal demon. Because you and Dani are twins, you both are ours. He doesn't seem to be interested in Dani, but I'm not completely sure. He can't hurt you, or Dani. Only scare you, attempt to put you in danger, and hope for your pain and demise."
"My demise?"
"Death..."
Death. The word caught in the air. Stinging the throat of Aaliyah as she spoke it and the ears of Layne as she heard it.
"Why? Why does he want me dead? I didn't do anything to him."
"He is a cursed soul, we call his type a shadow, humans call them demons. You and Dani are his charge until the next comes along."
"What?" Layne asked feeling overwhelmed. "He doesn't look like a demon. Aren't they supposed to be red with horns?" the girl asked, a small seed of fear building up in her.
"No they look like us, angels, humans... we are all cut from the same cloth, made in the same mold. He only shows you what he wants you to see. It's his only power. Power of manipulation. No matter how big he makes himself he isn't what you see."
"Wait... you said he can't hurt me, but he had me by the throat. It did hurt." Layne spoke. The taste of salt surprised the child as rebellious tear trickled into her mouth.
"He couldn't before... Something is special about you, different. You brought him into the physical world. He hasn't realized it completely yet. But your fear manifested him." the woman said looking far into the storm, a crease in her brow.
"Manifest?"
"Your fear made him real..."
"What? How?" the girl began to panic.
"Your hope brought me into the physical realm as well. You are very special. So don't worry. Nothing will happen to you. I am here with you. I always will be. You are safe." she spoke holding the girl close stroking her hair. Layne's fear quickly vanished in the warm embrace. The woman smelled sweet like honeysuckle. Her soft golden hair, brushed Layne's face and her eyes started to flutter and weigh. Aaliyah's warmth made everything feel safe. She reminded Layne of her few friends.
"We need to get you warm and tucked in before the sun rises, your nan wakes and your mother comes home." the woman spoke, seeing the little girls nightgown was soaked and the sun was nearly up. She stood, lifting the child. Thunder sounded far off.
The woman glared at the storm and the rain stopped. She began to walk.
"What about the house? My bedroom door? What if Cole's there?" the concerned girl asked, her eyes fighting to stay open.
Aaliyah smoothed Layne's hair quietly shushing her.
"All will be fine when we arrive home. Cole won't be there." the angel hoped.
Aaliyah walked tall and slow, through the wet grass from the tree to the farm house. The swaying rocked the girl to sleep just as they arrived at her home. Cautiously she walked into the old farm house. All though she told the girl he wasn't there, she wasn't so sure. The old wooden stairs creaked as she gracefully climbed them. With one touch of the girl's bedroom door the door was repaired. She eased the sleeping child into her bed. Touched the scorched mark on the wall from the lightning hours before, and it vanished without a trace. She brushed hair that had escaped the girl's braids from her face, and her hair and gown dried; her bruise above her eye healed. She pulled the covers up and over Layne.
The child stirred. Her eyes cracked open. "Don't go."
Aaliyah stepped back from the bed, walked to the window and shut it. Standing on the wet wooden floor extended her beautiful white wings. So large that couldn't reach full length indoors. She plucked a single feather from her wing, walked to the girl and placed the large plume in her tiny hands.
"Do you know why people put feathers in their pillows and bedding?" She asked the tired girl. Too tired to answer she shook her head, her eyes trying to stay open. "They put feathers in the places you sleep because birds fly through the heavens and angels bless their wings. The feathers keep you safe. Sleep now, you are safe. I will be back soon I am going to figure out what's going on. I have to find Cole. Sweet dreams." the angel said kissing the child on her forehead lulling Layne back to sleep, then vanishing in a cloud of shimmer.
A low whisper of laughter echoed up from the depths of the cellar.
To be continued ...
