Chapter 2 DELUSIONAL

My name is Amber-not my real name though. The truth is; I don't really know who I am, where I came from, and who my parents are. I just woke up one day on the side of the street, covered in my own blood and gasping for air.

The dogs and cats nearby were licking my hands and feet like I was their most sumptuous meal ever. No, I wasn't a rotten corpse yet. In fact, I could still feel my heart beating, though I could sense it fading. If I had only known my time of death, I would rather rot in hell than in the garbage. Crap!

Slowly, I opened my eyes and got up realizing that I was lying on an imaginary bed with strangers around me. They were wearing white robes and were looking at me with furrowed eyes. Their faces were so close to mine I could smell their breaths.

"Would you all mind getting out of my face? You look creepy with your stinky nostrils," I said in a low voice.

The strangers looked at each other and moved backwards. And oh, did I mention they all looked the same? Funny. I was starting to think that this place they called heaven is a racist for having no women.

"Ahhh, I miss fresh air. So . . . where am I?" I asked.

"Welcome to heaven." One of the strangers stepped forward.

My eyes narrowed. "And you are?" I asked.

The stranger cleared his throat. "Welcome back to heaven, Micca. My name is Barachiel, head of the army-" he answered, extending his hand.

"My name is Amber. Not my real name though, but it's definitely not Micca either," I cut him off. "And your name sounds hilarious just like the name you're calling me."

Barachiel ignored my comment. "Archangel Micca, have you finished your mission?"

"I told you my name is Amber. And even if it's not my real name, don't you ever call me Micca!" I snapped. "And what mission are you talking about? Why am I in heaven? Am I dead? Holy moly. I never thought that selling drugs in my whole life would send me to heaven! I should have done eviler things then, huh? Perhaps I could go to the rooftop and smoke a cigarette while watching the beautiful view of the earth down below!" I scoffed.

He looked at me and smirked. "Have you forgotten why you were sent to earth? This vessel you are using is not yours, remember? Sooner or later, you'll give up on her," he said. Triggered, I immediately got up and out of the . . . whatever kind of bed.

"What are you talking about?" I said, rolling my eyes. "I am just a human being with a fake name, and all I do is close a deal with those drug people and-"

"And you have corrupted this girl's body, soul, and spirit," he cut me off. "You were too busy enjoying the lust of the earth that you fell for it until you lost your mind. Drugs, theft, sex, murder . . . name "And profanity. The earth has consumed you with its evil nature, and you have forgotten that you used to be pure and the most powerful angel in heaven."

it. You all did it."

"That is absolutely bull-"

"You must be crazy. Most powerful angel, huh? If I was the angel you're bubbling about, then why don't I remember it? Why don't I have wings? Why don't I have powers? Why don't I have that white ring light on top of my head?"

"Enough! As the head of the army, I will send you back to earth. You shall complete your mission or else, we shall all die."

"You tell me what the hell is going on or I'll shoot you with this goddamn pistol!" I raised my voice, pointing my finger at Barachiel while the other angels were anxious. I almost laughed looking at their faces as they reminded me of those yellow minions in a movie. I chose to smirk instead.

"Shoot me with what? Your finger?" Barachiel scoffed.

I looked at my finger and realized I wasn't holding a gun. Surprised, I searched for my weapon in my pocket but couldn't find it.

Before I was able to talk further, the smirking Barachiel touched my forehead with his forefinger. In an instant, I suddenly froze and started to see images in my head-a vivid flashback.

Two years ago

Micca

I was sent to earth to fulfill my mission-to find heaven's most precious soul, Human. However, it was difficult for me to find him since the earth had limitations for angels like me. I tried to look everywhere and asked every living thing I would meet along the way.

"Have you seen Human?" I asked a cat who turned out scared and ran away. I tried to ask other animals-horses, dogs, chickens, pigs, skunks, worms, and ants, but they all ran away from me. Do I look scary?

I traveled further and tried asking the trees, plants, rivers, rocks, and waterfalls, but no one had ever found Human. Surprisingly, I came to a place lit with bright lights and filled with human beings who were clothed with garments but whose minds were full of lustful desires. Of course, I could see darkness in their hearts through my divine eyes.

"Ugh! What disgusting creatures! I thought the earth was created beautiful. Turns out I'm wrong. Pft! I had to find Human and get out of this filthy place," I muttered.

I stood on the sidewalk and looked around. I wondered why I couldn't find trees, rivers, oceans, and other creations our Creator in heaven had made on the fourth day when he made the earth. My eyes caught something wide above me. It had a photo of a half-naked angel with wings, holding something white in her palm. On her side said in bold letters:

Angel Soap.

Cleanse your body. Cleanse your soul.

"Excuse me, have you seen Human?" I asked in a loud voice.

When it didn't respond, Barachiel answered me in my head.

That's an object, Micca. You will never get an answer from that thing. You need to find a vessel. A human being with a pure soul to possess.

"Oh come on, Barachiel. This is unbelievable. We know that possessing a human being is the most dangerous thing ever. Are you going to have my soul tainted and eventually lose myself as an angel?"

You planned for this, didn't you? We all agreed to it. You're supposed to be the angel of intelligence, Archangel Micca. There's not enough time. If there's another way, then do it. But if you can't think of anything better than possession, you have no choice but to find a human being with a good and pure soul. That's the only way to track Human.

"Told you I-"

Suddenly, something bumped into me. It was such an unexplainable force that I fell on the ground faster than the wind. Lying on the ground, I started to feel heavy; both in heart and body. It was overwhelming that it felt like I was a different being. Just then I felt something hit my face and saw two men punching me all over, and I didn't know why.