Chapter 4 MEET ME HALFWAY

Barachiel took his finger away, and it felt like I came from a long, long journey. I gasped for air and opened my eyes when I finally felt relief.

"Still have questions?" he asked.

"I don't know, but yeah, I remember," I answered. "So . . . if you will send me back to earth, then what will happen to me? Will I go back to being stupid and dangerous?"

"You can't do anything. If you like, you can visit here anytime to recharge or reset of some sort. You can leave your vessel while she's sleeping, but make sure she doesn't do anything 'stupid and dangerous'." He looked straight into my eyes.

"Alright then, what are you waiting for?"

"Take this," he said before throwing a little hourglass at me which I gladly caught. "Do not wait until it's too late. Remember, every second counts. Find Human and bring him back, and resist all forms of temptation from your vessel. Anyway, you have Gideon to guide you."

"Can I look for another vessel?"

"Then why didn't you do it in the first place?"

"I don't know. I just opened my eyes one day and found myself in this woman's body."

"Which looks awkward on him by the way," a voice suddenly interrupted.

"Giddy! You're here!" I threw my arms around Gideon in his tall and manly version.

"Hey, get off me! Your vessel is disgusting in those two huge coconuts!" he said.

"You're here, boy!" I continued to hug him, but he pushed me away. He smelled his garment and wiped it as if I was dirt.

"Jerk!" I muttered.

"Call me jerk, whatever. I am just here to drag you back to earth," he said. "If not for Barachiel, I would have never wasted my time on you, traitor," he muttered to himself.

"Excuse me? Did you just call me a trai-"

"Enough! Now go," Barachiel said before clicking his finger, then it all went black.

***

I felt the sun piercing through my skin and a tongue licking my face. Distinct voices and sirens could be heard while a stinky smell just kept rushing through my nose. Opening my eyes, I found myself lying on a busy street with a cat continuously licking me.

Shoo! Disgusting.

The cat went away, and I was left dumbfounded.

Wait. Did that kitty just hear me speak in my head?

An old woman bent forward and looked at me. "I think she's still alive. Did somebody call 911?"

I got up and held my aching head. I felt something wet and saw blood when I looked at my hand. Feeling dizzy, I stared at the crowd looking at me with anxious and curious faces. Three paramedics in white suits hurriedly put my vessel on a stretcher, lifted it, and moved it in towards the ambulance. When the doors were closed, the vehicle immediately rushed on its way with a shrilling sound of the siren.

My eyes were restless, I could see the paramedics looking at me with concern.

"You're safe," one of them said and smiled, holding my hand.

As if my strength was revived, I quickly got up from the stretcher and forcefully opened the door. The paramedics held my hands and pulled me back, but I managed to throw elbow strikes at their faces, releasing me in the process.

"Hey, what's going on?' the driver asked.

I turned to see the three bleeding and groaning in pain.

"Stop the ambulance! Stop the ambulance!" one of them shouted at the driver while the other two managed to grab my hair.

The ambulance zigzagged that made people crossing the street run as fast as they could. One woman swiftly carried the baby stroller with her baby inside, while others accidentally dropped their food and groceries in panic.

As the vehicle screeched to a stop, I kicked the door open and ran away at the speed of light.

***

Standing in front of an abandoned property, I kicked its rusty high old door and faced the demon disguising as human as it opened. His numerous slaves holding expensive weapons stood at his back, surrounding him.

"Amber! What a pleasant surprise." Mr. Riley grinned before exhaling the smoke from a cigarette. He was sitting comfortably on his cushioned red chair, wearing the most expensive Stuart Hughes Diamond Edition suit. "Or should I call you, Micca?"

"Did you miss me?" I smirked.

"Who wouldn't? I thought you're dead, sweetheart," he answered.

"Oh, I am humbled and touched by your kind words, you piece of junk," I said, touching my chest with fake sadness. "Let's stop this drama, Riley. Give me Human."

"Ha ha ha! Here we go again. I already told you, Human is not with me. That man you've been looking for is not in my hands, Amber."

"Just as I thought. Demons are great liars. What do I expect?"

"And fake angels are great pretenders. Look at you . . . acting like a savior of the world, yet . . . you don't even have your angel wings and powers and a sword. You always depend on your idiot of a confederate, hiding inside a 10-year-old boy's body. Come on, Amber. Have some mercy on the little boy, or shall I say . . . Gideon."

I clenched my fist in anger. Gideon, where are you?

"Did you come here to face your death, archangel Micca? I can kill you in a snap and make it easy for you. I pity this woman's body you are using. Her life on earth was wasted by a sloppy, worthless, and selfish angel like you."

Infuriated, I grabbed the piece of angel feather I kept from my back pocket which magically transformed into a pistol. I aimed it at Riley and shot him, but his men appeared before me and fired their weapons.

I was fast enough to escape from the bullets and fired back at them. How extraordinary! These demons were powerful enough to disappear into thin air. Looking for a spot to hide, I held my weapon and used my senses to feel Riley's demons. Feeling nothing, I thought of moving to another spot and stood up, stepping forward towards a series of empty halls and walls. Aiming my pistol in a firing position, I focused my eyes on every hallway.

One of Riley's men appeared and fired at me, but I dodged his attack. I climbed up the stairs leading to another floor and faced more demons who were firing endlessly at me. I continued to climb up until I finally found an elevator leading to the top of the building.

Gideon! Where are you?! I'm right here at the top of this abandoned building at 67 North Road. Come quick, or I'll end up facing the annoying Barachiel again.

Standing in the middle, Riley's men moved towards me as I slowly moved backwards.

Oh oh, Gideon? Where are you? Sh*t!

I aimed my pistol at them, ready to fire. My heartbeat was racing as I waited to pull the trigger with my eyes focused on them.

"Well, well. Today is your lucky day, Micca. Your sufferings will end here," Riley said as he came into view. "You only have two choices. To die with a failed mission, or surrender yourself to my master. My master has been preparing a celebration for you. If you please, come with me."

"Shut up, Riley. Over my dead body," I said through clenched teeth, aiming my weapon at him.