Heavenly Disaster Productions presents:
Archangel

A non technicolor film

Written by Darkranger12

With assistance from:

Strife Aileron

Shanejayell

And Liliandra

Prologue: Rainy Day.

The slender man sat in a small waiting room, idly fingering a plain folder that was in his hands. He had short neatly combed brown hair, a pair of round glasses, tan slacks and a pair of scuffed up Nikes. A light brown old navy jacket hung open revealing a maroon long sleeve shirt.

He was eying the company logo pensively as he played with the edge then took in the surroundings. It was a new office space with drab grey carpeting, and a fresh coat of dark grey paint. The seats were a bit too firm, and there were some business magazines from four months ago on the table. The air was a bit stuffy in the lobby which made him want to take off his jacket.

A wiry thin man with pasty white skin and very short straight hair sat at the receptionist desk. His he wore an all too tight dress shirt, drab gray pants and a matching gray vest. His eyes were dull and his mouth was expressionless as he manned his post. His fingers worked slowly over the keyboard of his laptop.

He clutched his folder gently now, hoping that he had landed the job. This was the new home office of a gaming company which had risen to fame in the past five years. Gaining employment with this software firm would definitely put him in the black again. Not to mention put the more recent past behind him.

The door opened and a fresh faced, heavy set girl walked out of a door marked employees only. She had her dark hair pulled out into a ponytail and was dressed rather casually in a pair of jeans, a beat up pair of sneakers, a white tee and a dark jean jacket.

He noted the small smile on her face, and her lazy gait as while she jammed her hands into her jacket pocket.

The door swung open again and a woman with blonde hair and pasty white skin slipped out of the office.

'I wonder what the personnel director wants?' Dan thought, gazing at the woman who had interviewed him over a half hour ago.

"Simone, will you be able to work tomorrow?" The blonde woman asked the heavy set woman.

'Ah damn,' Dan thought as his heart sank into his stomach, knowing full well he had lost the position to the girl. 'There goes this job. Had my heart set on it too.'

"Sure thing Ms.LaCroix." Simone turned and grinned at the blonde. "That'd work just fine." She looked at the slender man and then jabbed a thumb at the blonde. "I think you should go talk to her, kid. She might let you down easy."

'Kid?' He thought and then smiled sheepishly as he stood up. 'Ah to be deceptively young. Heh, at least I have that going for me.'

He trudged over to the blonde who was waiting for him. LaCroix looked him over, and then tried to put on her best apologetic smile as he approached.

"I'm sorry Mr Wisner," The blonde began, trying to console him. "But the site author and site management position went to Simone."

"I see..." Dan sighed and gazed at her, slightly curious of where he erred. "May I ask why?"

"Your designs were good, but they lacked oomph." LaCroix explained. "Also, you have a serious lack of knowledge in regards to server management. We may be a large company, but here at the home office, you would have been handling the server yourself."

"Mm, yeah, that could be a real detriment." Dan sighed softly. He looked up and nodded to her then offered a hand. "Well best of luck to you and your company, Ms.LaCroix"

"Best of luck to you as well, Mr. Wisner." She nodded, taking his in hers and offering a bland smile while giving his hand a firm handshake.

"Thank you." Dan nodded and let go, then turned away from the blonde and trudged over to the exit. It was made of glass and had a single bar for a handle. He grabbed a hold of the handle it and pushed hard to exit into a dimly lit hallway.

He trudged down the hallway lobby and found himself standing in an enclosed lobby. Its walls were slate grey while its floor was a mix of drab carpeting and brown brick. It was occupied by several wooden benches and a pair of trees to give the slate gray lobby a bit of color. A wall of tinted opaque glass surrounded a pair of heavy doors. They were made of steel and had a little portal for a window.

All of the benches were occupied by other visitors to the building. They were all bundled up in warm clothes. Dan ignored them and made his way over to one of the trees. It was a rather tall ficus which had gnarled branches and sickly yellow-green leaves.

He sighed and trudged over to the thick doors, deciding not to stay any longer. When he reached the door, he was almost knocked over By a harried man in a trench-coat. He staggered back while he felt his folder escape his grasp. It fell to the floor and slid a few inches. Dan stared at the man's back and noted that he hand a cell -phone to his ear.

He furrowed his brow in contempt, then shook his head and looked for the folder. He found it pointing towards the sickly fichus and strode quickly to retrieve the item. He leaned down, picked the folder up and hastily fingered through its contents.

The cd-rom looked intact in its generic jewel casing, and the cover letter and resume sat snug in the folder. He breathed a sigh of relief and trudged over to the door. He pushed one of the heavy doors open carefully and peered outside.

The sky was overcast, the cool air smelled dank and there was a light sheen of wetness on the pavement. Shallow puddles collected in the gutters reflecting the light from a nearby neon signs and break lights from passing cars.

'Has it stopped raining?' Dan wondered clutching his folder a bit. He stepped out and felt a fine smattering of wetness on his face. 'Hm...just drizzling.'

He padded away from the building and trudged down the sidewalk merging with the slow yet steady stream of pedestrians walking to and fro from work.

Dan was on the outside of the small group, not wanting to interact. A white Mustang whizzed past and splashed through a puddle. The wall of water splattered Dan, drenching his calf and thigh. Dan looked down at himself and sighed, wishing that he had worn his dark jeans.

'This just isn't my day.' He thought as the other pedistrians all but ignored him. Dan leaned down and wringed out some of the water with both hands. Passersby weaved around him, not once looking back. He righted himself after trying to squeeze the last drop out of his pant leg.

He looked over his shoulder and saw a black Escalade boring down on the puddle. He cursed, not wanting to be splashed again, then scampered into the line of pedistrian traffic. He nearly collided with a few people, stopped short within the lane of to and fro traffic, which gave him the opportunity to receive a lot of nasty looks.

He sighed again, happy that he hadn't knock anyone into the street, yet unhappy that he was pissing off his fellow man. Dan stuffed despondantly stuffed a free hand in his coat pocket and trudged along the sidewalk.

He followed the line of pedestrian traffic for six blocks, then turned down a side street, taking him away from the buisness district of the suburb.

He passed by a pair of convience stores, a drug store, a run down dollar theater and finally a liquor store. A couple of compact cars lazily drove down the lane, emitting faint white clouds of vapor from their tailpipes.

He ambled past a vacant strip mall that was once home to a Quik Coffee shop. The place was now home to stray people as well as dogs and cats.

A few of the felines were in overgrown bushes keeping out of the damp weather. Most looked wet and had dull pelts of fur. A few of the strays were quite emaciated and eyed Dan warily.

Dan eyed then warily as well. A part of him wanted to take one home, knowing full well Miss Suano wouldn't allow it, while another part was ready to flee if one lept out of the bush and attacked him.

He was so engrossed with the plight of the felines that he didn't notice that a larger problem was approaching him at a steady pace.

The low rumble finally reached Dan's ears, and he slowly turned to see a Rottweiler approaching from his left. It was big, a bit emmaciated, had long legs, battle scars on its back and a gnarled muzzle. "Oh Shh..."

Dan held his tongue and stood perfectly still as it came to a a halt a good five feet away from him. 'Oh no...angry dog protecting its territory. This is not good. Not good at all'

The Rottweiler's rumble increased in depth as it took a step further, which made Dan flinch. Sensing his fear, the dog began to bark, showing its toothy maw.

"Ulp.." Dan gulped worriedly. The stray charged at him, making him jump away. The animal was on him quickly, catching the ends of his coat in its mouth. He almost fell over but regained his balance. The Rottweiler tugged a little, but Dan stood his ground.

"Aw..hell." Dan grumbled and reached back and grabbed at his coat. He tugged back, but the animal wouldn't let go.

"Damn it," Dan growled and continued to pull on the end. He looked back at the dog and tried to give it a command. "No 'Spot'...my coat is -not- a chew toy. Now let go."

The Rottweiler did not yield to his command and gave his jacket a vicious tug. Dan almost fell but again regained his balance.

"Damn it..." Dan muttered and then sighed. "Okay...if you won't listen to that...maybe you'll...listen to this!"

Dan lashed out with his left foot. The foot connected with the dogs side, and the stray yelped in pain. Dan watched as the Rottweiler let go of his jacket with a deep throated snarl and lunged at his right leg.

"Oh Shit!" Dan yelped and hastily stepped out of the way, then dodged to the right as the dog went for his other leg. It went for his right thigh and Dan danced out of the way before pivoting on a heel dashing off. The Rottweiler snarled and took off after Dan.

Dan' feet pounded solidly on the sidewalk as he fled for his life with folder still in hand. The Rottweiler barked and snarled as it chased after the fleeing man. He glanced back and saw that the blurry brown-black was nearly on top of him. He growled to himself and increased his stride, hopping to put some distance between the stray and himself.

The stray snarled and galloped after him, causing onlookers to stop and stare as they lazily strolled down the lane.

They continued down the block, passing ma and pop stores, an old gas station with a garage for repairs and a KwikMart. People ducked into the doorways of the shops as the two galloped down the sidewalk.

By this point, Dan's sides were starting to burn as his lungs continued to suck down oxygen. His thighs were aching and his feet were throbbing. His face was contorted in a mask of discomfort and fear. He wanted to slow down, but being caught wasn't an option that he'd like to chance. Behind him, the animal didn't show any signs of duress.

Dan glanced up ahead, really looking at his surroundings and noticed the busy intersection up ahead, the red lights and the greens the other way, the oncoming traffic, the half dozen cars at the light.

'Gotta make it! Gotta make it!' He thought as he sprinted for the crosswalk, hoping he won't be caught in the traffic. The Rottweiler increased its pace and galloped after him, trying to catch its prey. Dan dodged a few onlookers, kept an eye on the light and the don't walk sign that started to flash. 'I can make it! I can make it, can't I!'

the Rottweiler weaved behind him, keeping its eyes on its prey. The onlookers jumped out of the way, causing the animal to dodge their impulsive reactions.

The lights turned from green to yellow just as he was less than a few feet away from the curb.

'I can make it! I can make it!" Dan thought as he surged ahead, ignoring the bold don't walk sign. He passed by those who were standing at the curb and ran into the street.

'Please don't clip me! Please don't hit me.' Dan glanced at the blurry line of cars and the oncoming traffic out of the corner. The animal scrambled to a halt when it reached the curb. It looked on balefully at the retreating figure as he reached the other side.

Dan doubled over and panted heavily as he tried to catch his breath. His sides and his legs felt like they were on fire.

"Oh man...am I ever out of shape." Dan muttered through gasps for air. He looked back and saw, through the traffic that the Rottweiler had turned away and was trotting back down the street. He clenched the side of his folder. "Well...at least that's over."

He took a deep breath and then stood up, trying to breathe normally and hoped that the ache in is sides would subside.Just then he felt a heavy drop of water splash on the bridge of his nose.

"Wha?"

Dan looked up and felt two more splash on his face. "Don't tell me..."

A few more pattered on his coat and hair. His fellow pedestrians looked up at the sky and produced umbrellas from their jackets or turned up their collars.

Dan sighed and slouched off, taking long strides to quicken his pace. He was once again with the pedestrian traffic, but he was weaving his way in and out, as if being first would get him home quicker. Alas a few blocked his way, confining Dan to his spot. Dan frowned at this manuever, but let it go and kept on walking with the traffic.

The sky opened up, and umbrella's unfurled and popped into the air, protecting their owners. Dan let the rain soak his face,
hair and splatter his glasses as he plodded along with them.

"Well if this isn't a kick in the pants." Dan muttered to himself as he trudged along with the pedestrian traffic. "Still no job, then I get splashed by a car, a Rottweiler chases after me now I'm being pissed on by Mother Nature. I tell you, this is the worst day of my life."

Dan heard a mumbles over the patter of the steady rain and looked around him. Most of the pedestrians weren't making any eyecontact with him, or if they were, they were glaring at him.

"Do you think he's homeless?" a woman murmured to herhusband.

"Don't make eye contact, Martha," he muttered back, "it just encourages them."

'Oh great...now everyone thinks I'm crazy.' Dan thought and furrowed his brow. 'Guess I should shut up then.'

He slowed his pace, just ambling along by himself and not with the crowd. He continued on, following the crowd until they came to an intersection. While most crossed the street and continued on, he turned left and slouched into a residential area.

He past a house that had been vacant for some time. Its previous owners left one year ago. Its bushes were hagard looking and the lawn was a sea of tall grass. The shutters were crooked and the paint was faded.

'Thats B grade movie haunted house material right there.' Dan thought as he walked past the building. He trudged on, stepping over deep puddles that formed in the uneven sidewalk. He past a three story house with sky blue paint and black shutters. It used to be a private doctors practice but the house had been for sale for sometime now. He could see oddly shaped shadows moving about within, causing him to quicken his step. He stepped through a deep puddle but ignored it as he walked past a thick unkept hedge. He looked into the gap between the two hedges and saw a gothy couple sitting on the porch.

He ignored the couple who seemed to be enjoying the day and pressed on towards his own abode. He was passing a pair of sickly trees that seemed to attract a lot of insects each year when he was drenched again. This time it was a speeding crown victoria that had tinted windows.

Dan whirled around and growled to the retreating vehicle. "Well, thanks for the shower, asshole! I hope you get t-boned by a transport."

He bent down to wring out his pant leg then blanched when the Crown vic actually took out the mailbox that belonged to the house that was for sale. The mailbox sailed peprindicular to the lawn and impacted against the houses old siding. It bounced off and landed on the ground emptying the contents of the mailbox.

"I can't believe they did that." Dan looked a bit pale as he gazed down the street. "THAT is a federal offense, after all!"

He stood up and hrmed before turning away from the now mailboxless post and continued on down the sidewalk. He walked slowly along a drab picket fence and gazed at the three story house which was surrounded by a construction crew, lumber and various forms of machinery. He ignored the burly men wearing jeans and plaid shirts and instead gaped at what they were doing to it. They were installing slate gray shingles on the roof, drab brown wooden siding and installing arched windows on all of the floors. In addition they were contructing a slender tower with a flat cone roof.

"Why are they building a tower as an addition?" Dan boggled as he stood there.

"Atmosphere." A rich yet slightly stilted alto voice murmured close to him. "I plan to do the same to my first building as well, Daniel-kun."

Dan gasped at the voice, which was familiar to him, and turned around to face the speaker. She was shorter that he, about five foot five or so, dressed in a black powersuit with a trenchcoat over it. Her stringy hair was pulled into a not to tight hairbun. She was holding an umbrella close to her, protecting her graying black hair as well as her soft face from the rain.

"Michiko-san..." Dan exclaimed and did a half bow. "G-good day."

"Its actually a dreary day...nothing good about it." Michiko Suano murmured.

Dan boggled at her, and Michiko Suano gazed at him evenly.

"You do know about the renovation of your building, yes?" Michiko hummed.

"Er yeah I got word about that in the flier in the maibox in the lobby."

"Ah good, how soon can you move out?" she asked sweetly. "I can't wait to get the strip club in there."

Dan nearly boggled and blushed at that. "Er...ah...uh..." Dan stammered then got the hint. "This is about the rent being a bit late isn't it?"

"Partially, but I can almost taste all that muscled, oiled skin."

"Ah uhm...I'd better get going." Dan took a few steps back, then spun and ran away as if the entire legion of hell was biting at his heels.

Dan reached the small porch of his apartment building and slumped onto the second step. "W...Was that really my landlady?"

He glanced back at the other apartment building, remembered the odd comment that Michiko Suano made, clambered to the solid oak door,
swung it open then rushed inside. He ran into the lobby and panted a bit.

'If that really was Michiko-san then why was she...' Dan thought and shook his head. 'At any rate I have to look for another job. Otherwise,
I'd be out of a home pretty soon.'

With that thought he turned towards a nearby staircase and trudged up the flight of steps. Once on the landing, he ambled down the hall, passing a number of doors He ignored the soft sounds of tv's going, fights occuring and the occasional lurid act...he paid no mind to anything...except for when he saw the note on a nearby door. He rushed over and snatched it off. He looked at the note and sighed, letting his arm hang limp as the weight of the matter increased on his soul.

He sighed and fished out a room key out of his pocket...and worked the lock. It was sticking but Dan has yet to inform Michiko about it. He struggled while the lock made a click-clack sound until it catched. Dan sighed as he twisted the nob and pushed the solid door open. He ambled inside, fumbled for the light switch and held his breath when he flicked it up into the on position.

The track lighting flickered on, illuminating a rather spartan room.
He puffed out a held breath, thanking the heavens that they haven't cut off his power, then trudged over to the kitchenette. Dan tiredly dropped the folder on a small table, which came to rest next to a few unopened bills.

Upon entering the kitchenette, He paused and opened a rectangular cupboard and stared at the three packages of Mr. Noodle he had left. 'God, how am I gonna stretch that over two days?'

He meandered over to the bed in the corner. On his way he passed a small barren table, a pair of chairs and short cabinet. It had once contained a small entertainment center, but now it was empty. The dust on the top left tell tale signs that it was once occupied by a moderate sized television set.

Dan trudged over to the bed ignoring the portable phone on the endtable that has since been disconnected. Not paying to much attention, he slouched down on its comforting softness and heard a crinkle of paper. Dan blinked and stood back up and noticed that he had sat on the want ads that he was looking through earlier.

He hummed and picked up the rumpled guide to jobs, then sat down as he opened up the want ad. He leafed through it, ignoring the ones that he had crossed off...boggled at the fact that his landlady was advertising for a 'Personal Compainion,' then crossed that particular ad off several times.

Dan flinched when there was a solid knock on his door. Dan sighed, figuring it was Michiko-san, here to ask about the rent, but guessed it could be his neighbor in 4c. He put the bowl on the end table and padded over to see who exactly it was.

He opened the door and there stood his landlady in a blue and red kimino made entirely of leather. Her hair was down and the kimino itself was open, showing off her ample bust.

M...Miss Michiko what are you..." Dan stammered when he noticed her come hither stare then her kimino. "I-is that...leather?"

Michiko leaned in and cupped Dan's chin with her right hand. Dan blushed, looking a bit flustered.

"So...you want to play...battleship?"

"uhhh..."

"Don't worry honey, if you sink my battleship you'll get a...treat."

'Oh shit...Oh shit...she's really hitting on me!' Dan thought.

"Hm, it's been a while since I drove stick," Michiko muttered, letting her hand trail down Dan's stomach.

"M...Michiko...san." Dan stammered not knowing what to do.

"Oh! You are a big boy!" Michiko cooed, licking Dan's ear.

Ah...don't grasp me there..." Dan nearly whined.

"Why not? Little Danny doesn't seem to mind..." Michiko whispered huskily, grinding herself against Dan's thigh.

"But...Michiko-san...I have to get up early tommorrow for an interview ..."

"Don't worry, my bed is...comfortable," Michiko replied, grnning seductively.

"But If I don't get this job...I won't be able to get the rent...so please..."

"Don't worry, I've got just the job for you. All it requires of you, is to lay on your back..."

"Look...your offer is all well and good but I really need to pay you back..."

Michiko pouted, then perked up, "How do you feel about silk?"

"Ah..whuhuh?"

She pulled a couple of silk scarves from...somewhere. "Now, lie down like a good little boy...and you can pay back for the rent you owe..."

Dan blushed hotly and gently pushed her out the door. "G..GOMEN!" Dan stared at her.

"Oh poo!" Michiko muttered, stamping her foot. "All the good ones are gay!"

Dan blinked "I'm not gay!"

"You're not? Then let me in!"

Dan stood ramrod stiff in the doorway. Leaving him open for any more advances.

"Oh, this'll be fun!" Michiko shouted as she slam tackled Dan and tried to get him onto the bed, silk scarves waving about in one hand.

Dan gahed and then eeped as she tried to get him to the bed. He struggled free and lead her to the door, gasping her by the arm. "Please this just isn't right..." He pushed her out and then closed the door behind him. He leaned against it and shivvered. "Please don't be upset...its...its just not right..."

Michiko sighed, then perked up, "Hey, I can ambu...er, talk to the guy in 6C!"

'Why...why did she have to hit on me...' Dan thought as he slumped down to the bare floor. 'Kami-sama please make the hurting STOP!'

Dan just sat there, staring at a space on the floor as he tried to shake it off.

"W...Why did she pick me?" Dan murmured. "Of all of the people here. Why'd she pick me."

Dan pulled himself off of the floor and shambled over to the bed. He slumped down on its soft surface and gazed at his spartan apartment. "Just what is going on with my life."

Moments later there was another knock on the door. "Who is it?"

"Mr. Wisner? It's me, Miriko. Can I come in?"

"Hai." Dan called out.

The dooe opened and a slim teen poked her head in. Dan once more marveled at how closely resembled her mother.

"Hey," She smiled in greeting, "Did mom take a bite out of your wallet" She asked before mumbling under her breath, "Or anywhere else..."

Dan sweatdropped at the comment. "Theres not much to take a bite out of, really."

The girl hummed then spotted the open cuboard. "What? Uh uh... no way you're having the instant noodle garbage again." She declaired.

"Er...its the only thing I can afford Miriko." Dan offered.

Miriko's face scrunched up in a cutely determined look. "I'll be back in a bit. I see even one package opened I'll make you sorry." She runied it with a bright smile before ducking out the door.

Dan boggled at this and just shrugged and trudged back to the bed.

Miriko almost seemed to 'bounce' back into the room, a wide smile on her face, carrying a large container.

Dan stood up, making a move to help her but Miriko gave him a good natured glare.

"Ok, sorry it's not much, but it was all I could prepare on such short notice."

Dan smiled when the aroma reached his nose. "Mmm...Miriko is that..."

"Yep." Miriko smiled, "Was making steak stir fry for mom and me for dinner, didn't take much to make a third helping."

Dan grinned sheepishly. "Thanks Miriko"

"Your welcome," Miriko chirped, giving Dan a quick peek on the cheek,
then blushed madly.

Dan blushed madly in turn and moved to sit down.

"Enjoy, I'll be back later to get the dishes." The still flushed girl said before nearly bolting out the door. After missing the first time.

Dan stared at the door for a moment then turned to the container. Dan turned from the table to retrieve the want ads. When he returned, he ate frome the container and looked for more jobs. "What's this?" Dan muttered when he found a rather large ad on page 7.

'Wanted: Web Designer for new start-up company...good pay, flexible hours ...must be willing to try new things...contact us at Archangelsynwes.
net.'

Dan gazed at the add then cocked his eyebrow and muttered "What do they mean by 'must be able to try new things'."