Chapter 1

Levi

Snow was coloring the streets white. People were on their way home, it was getting dark and gloomy in the city streets. Parents held their tired children by the hand and salesmen closed their shops. Nobody really paid any attention to things other than their own, busy lives. It was almost Christmas, that was clear by the way people acted. Quickly going home with the presents bought last moment, going back to their families or loved ones…

Levi was walking down the streets in that cold weather. He wasn't on his way home to his family, nor was he off to meet friends. He seemed to be the only one to look down instead of up at that time. He didn't have anyone to buy a present for, to enjoy this evening with or to smile for. He was on his own.

However, this young man in particular, noticed something unusual. A girl with hair that seemed to be made out of gold, was laying in the cold white snow. She wasn't even dressed properly for this kind of weather. As the raven walked closer, he was sure she was an angel. Her white dress was sprawled out on the snow like wings, while her pale lips slowly inhaled the cold winter air.

But why had nobody helped her yet?

As he approached her, nobody paid any attention to them. The girl was just softly breathing while everyone walked past her. But he didn't. He slowly kneeled down and checked her pulse. Thank God it was still beating at a decent pace. She needed help, but…nobody seemed to even notice her. It was just a feeling Levi had, but somehow, he felt like he should be the one to help her. It was just a feeling he had, not any specific reason.

Levi gently picked her up and started running home. How long had she been there? She felt as cold as ice, but she was still alive. He could feel her warm breathing against his body, her heart softly beating in her chest.

Once they got home, he put her on his bed and got as much blankets as he could. Warm water bottles were placed next to her as a source of heat to warm up from. When he finally felt it was enough, he took a better look at the girl. She was around his age, maybe slightly younger. Her hair seemed to be made out of gold and barely reached her shoulders. She looked so small and breakable at that moment.

A soft noise came from the small figure. Ever so lightly, her eyes fluttered open. Levi didn't even notice he was holding his breath as he watched an angel wake up. She just had to be an angel, the way she looked. So…perfect.

'Who are you?'

It was the first question she asked. That voice nearly hypnotized him.

'…I'm Levi.' He responded. 'What's your name?' 'Petra.' She told him and got up, the blankets shoving off a little. A shiver ran down her spine as she felt the cold air hit her now warm skin.

It was awfully quiet. Not that it was very surprising, what were you supposed to say to someone who you had just picked up from the streets?

'So…how are you feeling?' he asked. 'Better, I think. Thank you…' she mumbled.

Then it became quiet again. Levi had so many questions to ask her, but wasn't that too personal?

'You're probably wondering what I was doing out on the streets…right?' she asked. Levi nodded. 'Well…uhm…promise me you won't…freak out okay?'

Freak out? Why would he freak out?

'Sure, I promise.'

Oh Lord what had he gotten himself into? Black wings appeared from the girl's back, completely out of nowhere. Some of the feathers fell onto the ground. Her teeth changed into fangs and her eyes became a dark shade of red. Without even realizing it, he did a step backwards.

'What…are you…?' he whispered. How could the girl, who looked like an angel, have become such a terrifying creature?

Just like him, Petra seemed to be startled too. Why was SHE looking frightened of all people?

Her dark wings folded around her small frame in a protective manner. How come she behaved so…vulnerable, even in this state, where it looked like she could murder anyone who came near?

'Did I frighten you?' her soft voice spoke.

It was quiet for a moment.

'…A little…' Levi mumbled. 'But…you still haven't explained why you were…and how you can…' he mumbled, but he was unable to form proper sentences.

'I…well…do you know of fallen angels? I mean…the angels who have been cast out of heaven because they sinned?'

'Of course I do…but I've never heard of a fallen angel that looked like…you.' He responded.

Petra bit her lip. 'I'm…you could say…the opposite of that.'

'You mean an angel?'

'No, no I mean…a fallen…demon. I was thrown out of hell…because I didn't want to harm innocent people.'

Levi was stunned. Great…so he got himself a creature descended from hell and now he was supposed to believe her on her word? Those wings were damn real, at least that was sure, but what if she was lying? What if, the moment he started trusting her, she'd turn her back on him and throw him into eternal darkness? Not like he didn't belong in such place, but it was too early for him to die.

'Sorry…I should-…probably go.' She mumbled. She understood his doubt, it was no surprise.

Just as fast as they had come, her wings disappeared, together with all the other signs that she was a demon. Quietly she stood up and walked to the door. 'Thank you for being so kind as to help me…'

But Levi saw something in her eyes that stung him worse than a knife.

He knew that look. That desperate look you get, when your last hopes have been crushed, when you know your life is going to be a living nightmare and there is not a single thing you can do. That look when every single person in the world has turned their back on you.

'Wait.'

He knew too well. He knew too well how that felt. The incredible pain coursing through your body, or even worse, the loneliness devouring you inside and driving you mad.

Without even thinking, he pulled her close. Her tiny frame was pressed against his chest in a warm embrace.

'Please stay.'

It was the beginning of something neither of them could have ever foreseen.