Chapter 1: A Heavenly Encounter

It was a peaceful evening in Domino City. The full moon rose slowly as a sparkling light appeared slowly from the heavens, lowering to the ground, growing larger The light disappeared, leaving a young man in place, with spiky black hair. He was dressed in a white t-shirt and white slacks and shoes, the black belt hugging his narrow waist the only thing not white. Looking around to make sure no one was watching, he began heading east, toward a house down the block.

Arriving at the house, he stops at the mailbox and closes his eyes. He vanishes on the spot and reappears in a teenage girl's bedroom within the house. There were two beds in the room. One unoccupied and one a brunette girl slept.

Just as the young man was about to approach the occupied bed, he was blinded by a light to his right. "Who are you? And what are you doing in my bedroom." a female voice demanded in a whisper.

Startled, the young man stumbled back. A young teenage girl was standing in the doorway to the bathroom, her hands planted firmly on her shapely hips. She was glaring at him with such a fierce expression that it was unnerving.

"Um…" he stammered.

"Well?" the girl asked, tapping her bare foot.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." The boy managed finally. To the girl, he looked about her age.

"Try me." The girl said. Her mouth was set in a hard line, glaring at him as if her were scum.

"Are you Hali Reynolds?" the boy asked, trying to change the subject.

"Depends on who's asking." Hali answered, her expression unchanging.

"Like I said, you won't believe me." The boy muttered. "The name's Atem." He said finally. "I was sent as your protector."

Hali's expression softened slightly. "Protector? From what?"

"I can't say. Let's step outside so we can talk in private." Atem said, glancing in the direction of the sleeping form in the bed.

Twenty minutes later, Hali was leading Atem outside onto the back porch, now dressed in a pair of jeans and a red top. "Now what are you protecting me from?" She asked finally.

"You're in mortal danger. My boss sent me here to protect you."

"Sorry, I'm not looking for protection. Especially from something I don't even know about."

"Trust me. It's dangerous. I'll protect your whole family." Atem said firmly.

"I don't even know you. How should I trust you?" Hali accused.

Atem didn't answer at first. Finally, he said, "It's faith, Hali."

Hali laughed softly. "How should I expect you to protect me? No one's going to be afraid of you." She went over and grabbed his arm and squeezed, feeling the firm muscles underneath his upper arm, surprised.

Atem watched her, unfazed by this. "I take my job seriously. And that's not all I have in my favor. I'm lightning quick."

Hali watched skeptically as Atem vanished and reappeared right behind her in the porch swing. She spun around to face him. "How did you do that?" She asked, surprised.

Atem grinned. "Magic, my dear." He disappeared again, reappearing right in front of her. "I said you wouldn't believe me if I told you who I was."

"What are you?" Hali asked, curious now.

Atem sighed. "I'm an angel. Guardian to be specific. I protect people in the name of God."

Hali looked shocked. Atem saw that she wasn't expecting him to say that. "But, that means you're…?"

"Dead?" Atem asked, with a small smile. "Yes, been that way for years."

"How? How long ago were you alive?" Hali asked.

"5,000 years ago. I was a pharaoh in ancient Egypt. I sacrificed myself for my people. That's when God chose me for a guardian angel instead of reincarnation, like you."

Hali felt faint. "Me?" she whispered. "I was-?"

"Yes, my true love then. We were happy until you were torn from me. That's the true reason why I personally was chosen for your guardian angel."

Hali sank into the rocking chair on the porch. "Oh God, this is a dream. I'll wake up any minute now."

Atem smiled a little. "No, it's not Hali." He knelt in front of her, taking her hand in his. Hali gasped. She wasn't expecting it to be warm. "I must put the protection on you before it's too late."

Hali nodded slowly, gazing into his crimson eyes. "What do I have to do?"

"Nothing. I have to do everything." Atem said. He stood up and closed his eyes, glowing. He vanished the house and Hali suddenly glowing bright white. Hali closed her eyes against the light. When she opened them, she gasped. Atem was lying on the porch, white as the clothes he was wearing.

"Atem!" She hurried over and knelt beside him. "Are you all right?"

"I'll…be fine…" Atem panted, sitting up. He leaned against a pillar, still white as a sheet.

"You look awful. Did it work?" Hali asked, taking his hand. It suddenly felt ice cold.

"Oh yes…it worked…" Atem panted, closing his eyes.

"Should I call a doctor?" Hali asked foolishly. Atem's eyes snapped open and he gave her a look that said plainly. I'm an angel, remember? "Oh, sorry. Can I do anything to help you?"

"Help me…inside…need rest…" Atem's body shuddered, white mist seeming to come from his body.

"What is this stuff?" Hali asked, horrified and curious at the same time.

"My power…draining…with the spell…" Atem said, his eyes closing again.

"Will it stop?" Hali asked.

"God help me…." Atem moaned.

Hali grabbed him from under the armpits and hoisted him upright. He was surprisingly light and was easy to hold his weight. "I'm surprised you're so light."

"Angel…remember…?" Atem whispered, leaning against her. The mist continued to drain until he collapsed against her, unconscious.

"Atem!" she whispered, patting his cheeks. Cursing under her breath, she half-dragged him inside, laying him on the couch. She covered him with a blanket from the closet and headed upstairs. I hope he'll be all right. I don't know what else to do…' She said before she fell asleep.