In the Angel's Embrace

Chapter One: The Ghost of a Dream

Once upon a time, I fell in love with a man. Once upon a time, I knew total and complete happiness. Once upon a time, I met an angel. His name was Erick. This is our story, but I'm sad to say, it is no fairy tale.

The stone was cold beneath my feet as I stumbled down a narrow tunnel, following the voice that called me. My breath came in short bursts as my feet slipped on the mold covered rocks. "NO!" My only coherent thought was "no"? I sped up, my bare feet struggling to find purchase on the ground beneath me as I sprinted down the passage. Turning a corner, I stopped. "NOO!" I screamed. A gunshot rang out, the singing stopped, and all I saw were his eyes as he fell.

"No!" I screamed, sitting bolt upright on the sofa. Sweat dripped down my skin. That was the third time this month that I had that dream. Standing shakily, I swept my soaking red curls off my neck. The cool air in the living room hit my neck, causing a sigh of relief to escape my lips. The TV was still on. I chuckled; fell asleep on the couch again. I clicked off the television and headed towards my master suite. The barely used bed looked warm and inviting, even as the first rays of sunlight trickled in through the windows. I shook my head. It would have to wait. I needed a shower first.

Hot water poured over my aching body. I shook my head, trying to remember the dream I'd had, but to no avail. It slipped away from me like the bar of soap I was reaching for. Except the eyes. Those piercing blue eyes played at the corners of my vision; taunting me. Those eyes that were so full of some unreadable emotion. Why was he looking at me like that? Was I even sure it WAS a guy? No, I was completely certain it was a guy. It had to be. The voice was male; I think. Wasn't it? I shook my head to clear it; leaning down to turn off the water. I stepped out of the steam and wrapped my hair in a fluffy red towel. A few drops escaped from under the soft material, running down my face like tears. I'm being ridiculous. It was only a stupid dream. There's no reason to get so upset over it. Wiping steam from the mirror across the sink, I looked closely at my face. There were big purple bags under my eyes. I looked like I had been hit. I plugged in my hair dryer and unwrapped my damp hair, towel drying it gently before I ran a comb through it. I sighed again as I began to blow dry my hair. The roar of the dryer helped block my thoughts. It was unusually quiet for a Saturday. Usually I could hear the sounds of traffic even as I did my hair. I peeked around the door frame to check the time. I exhaled an exasperated sound. 3:00A.M. Are you freakin kidding me!? I turned off the dryer, suddenly exhausted again, and shoved it into the cabinet on the wall. I'm going back to bed. I swayed over to the big canopy bed and flopped down, still naked and wet. Regardless of that, sleep claimed me in its velvet grasp within moments, enveloping me in a deep dreamless sleep.

I leaned against the wall in the break room, drained, and seeking escape from the most irritating person at my job. Why won't he just leave me alone? I whined inwardly. Then, as if he were called, Dorian entered the employee lounge. A drunken smile was plastered across his chocolate colored face and mischief gleamed in his eye. I moved as far away from him as I possibly could in the small room. "Now hold up a minute baby, what'cha runnin' away for?" Dorian slurred, closing the gap between us in a few strides of his long legs. His breath reeked of alcohol and he stood at least half a foot taller than me. I wrinkled my nose at the stench. "Please leave me alone," I hissed. "Now, that's not very nice. One of these days you're gonna stop bein so cold to me," he chuckled, gripping my chin in his strong hand and stroking my bottom lip with his thumb. I shivered in revulsion. "See? You're already trembling for me," he whispered leaning in slowly. I ducked under his bulky arm and backed away as he turned to face me again. He stepped towards me, his tall muscular figure was intimidating to say the least, and his light brown eyes were glowing with intentions that I didn't even want to consider. Thankfully another of our coworkers walked in, rescuing me from another advance from him. He glared at the poor soul who walked in, and stormed out of the room. A breath of thanks passed my lips, as I sagged into a chair. I felt like I had just finished climbing a mountain.

I set my head down in my hands and groaned, "why me?" I heard a snicker from across the room. My head snapped up and my eyes lighted on the worker who had chased Dorian away. He was average height with shoulder length brown curls and bright green eyes. "What's so funny?" I hissed at him. "You really are something else you know that?" He chortled. I glared at him, "what exactly do you mean?" The guy shook his head, "you let yourself be bullied by a 6 foot mound of muscle who shows up to work drunk, but you don't take crap from anybody else. At least, not from what I've seen." I stood up suddenly, knocking my chair over in my outrage, "who exactly are you? And why the hell have you been spying on me? You some kind of stalker?" His green eyes filled with shock. "I've been working here for two months. You're kinda hard not to notice. The blood red hair kinda stands out. I'm Gregory." My cheeks burned with embarrassment; I'd never noticed him. "Sorry," I mumbled awkwardly, looking down at my long nails and playing with the small gold ring on one of my fingers. Gregory chuckled softly, "for what? Ha-ha. It's fine that you didn't notice me. I'm not exactly noticeable. Plus I tend to hang around the guys here." I nodded in understanding, a slow smile spreading across my face as my unease dissipated. "How else will I ever find a boyfriend?" He laughed again. I raised an eyebrow in question and he nodded in response. "So back to the topic, why do you let that meathead push you around?" His tone was nonchalant, but it didn't stop the bile from rising in my throat, nor my skin from crawling in fear.

"He scares me," I admitted in a small voice, "there's just something about him that…." I shivered, unable to finish the thought. Gregory nodded, "I understand. Guy's a creeper, for sure. But still…." I held up my hand, "just… drop it…. Please?" The tension between us was palpable. Then, like a blessing, our boss peeked into the room. "What're you two doing lazing around in here?" He demanded, "Amanda, go clean the girls restroom. Some kid ate too much candy during the movie and threw up in there. Greg, pick up your tray and start servicing in theater 11. It's packed in there." Greg and I nodded together and the boss walked away. I looked at Gregory. Barely controlled laughter had twisted his face. I burst out in a fit of giggles. The look on his face had sent me over the edge. The tension in the air vanished and our eyes met again. Greg cleared his throat and composed himself, "well then…. Back to work I guess. Catch you later ginger. Oh and have fun with the cotton candy puke." I snickered as he grabbed a serving platter and strutted away. Shaking my head, I grabbed the mop. Finally, I thought as I smiled to myself, I've made a friend at work.

A few days past, and Dorian had not bothered me even once. At least, not in the ways he used to. I still caught his sulky glares every now and again, and it felt like his eyes were always on me. Since I was always around Greg now, Dorian didn't physically confront me anymore at least. It was an improvement, however slight it was. But not even Dorian's glaring eyes could bring me down today. I was too high up for that. "GREG!" I shrieked excitedly, bursting into the lounge. He looked up, startled, "well somebody's in a good mood today. Good news I'm guessing?" I could barely contain my glee as I shoved the letter at him, bouncing on my toes like a fourth grader expecting some candy. Greg took it in his stubby fingers, and as he read a grin that matched mine spread across his pale face. "You got in?" He whispered. "I GOT IN!" I screamed. Greg jumped out of his chair, trapping me in a huge bear hug, "congrats babes!" I squealed with glee as he whirled me around. Dorian walked in and stared at us moodily, "will you two pipe down? This IS a theater you know?" I shrugged off his comment, dancing around the break room with Greg as Dorian poured himself a cup of coffee. "I can't believe it!" I sang, coming to a slow halt. "I know!" Greg gushed, "THE Performing Arts Summer Session! It's amazing!" Dorian turned and glowered at us again, "what're you talking about queer?" We ignored him, and Greg cocooned me in another giant hug. "I know right!? Paris here I come!" I squealed with delight, returning the hug. Neither Greg, nor I, paid a lick of attention Dorian as his coffee cup smashed onto the floor and he stormed away. We were too happy. But, that was the first sign. I wished I had taken notice of it before it was too late…..