April 23, 1950

Pontiac, IL

Jimmy Novak sat at dinner with his wife Amelia and his daughter Claire. He had said grace and was having a lovely dinner with his family. Suddenly his beeper went off.

Jimmy was an EMT and he helped people who were hurting. He said goodbye to his family and got in his car and headed to a huge crash site.

"Watch out, Jimmy," his co-worker said. "The plane that went down still has active fuel, and we can't get these people out of h—"

"No! I have to save them!" Jimmy yelled, running in, and pulling out the trapped people. Unfortunately, he also became trapped and the place exploded.

July 3, 1950

Heaven

"Where am I?"

Jimmy was floating, surrounded by orbs of light.

"This is Heaven," a voice said. "You have done something great, Jimmy. Would you like to do more good for people?"

"More than anything!" Jimmy responded.

"Then you will become an angel."

Xxx

I was sitting on my bed meditating.

I got up, paced the room for a second, then began to sing, like I always did when I was upset.

"The sad thing was yesterday

Things that are not easy today

Secret things tomorrow

I want to be with you forever"

The doorbell rang. Over the music, I heard it. I went to the living room, where the front door was. I got the key out of the basket. I looked into the peephole.

I saw a dark haired boy about my age wearing a tan trenchcoat.

"Who are you?" I asked him through the door, my panic still visible.

"I'm Jimmy Novak," he replied. "From the exchange program in Washington?"

"Hold on, I'll check," I said. I went through the dining room into the kitchen and saw a note on the counter: "Kuri-san, let the exchange student in. His name is Jimmy Novak and he will be staying with us for three months."

I should really read these notes she leaves more often, I thought, sighing with relief. It would have saved me all that panic. I stuck the key in the door and unlocked it. I opened the door.

"Sorry about that," I said, closing the door behind him. "Mom didn't tell me we were having a exchange student stay here. But I guess you'll be staying in the guest bedroom."

How did he get here? I wondered. There's no bus, no taxi, not in the suburbs…and everyone's at the hospital.

I didn't ask him however, I felt like I would seem like an interrogator or something.

He didn't say anything else to me, just waited for me to close and lock the door, and then I led him to the guest bedroom.

xxx

That night I woke up thirsty. I went to get a glass of water in the kitchen and I wasn't wearing my gloves, because it was late at night, and I didn't expect to run into anyone. Well I was wrong. I ran into Jimmy, in the kitchen for some unknown reason.

Here's where it gets fuzzy. Either I tripped, or he tripped, but somehow I grabbed his arm to steady myself and-got an electric shock so bad that I flew back and hit the wall.

But what I heard was very clear, but in a voice that wasn't Jimmy's at all. "Stay away."

I got up slowly, and he tried to help me, but I moved my hands away from him.

"D-Did I do that?" he asked me.

"I think it was just some kind of static electricity or something," I said. "Let's just go to bed. Maybe we're dreaming. Maybe this is a nightmare."

I got up, but backed away from him, covering my arms, afraid he would see what I am, that I'm a freak.

"What are you doing?" he asked. "Are you afraid of me?"

"No, no," I replied. "I just…need to sleep. Goodnight."

And then I left him there. When I got to bed I realized that he had heard what I was thinking when my hand wasn't touching him. I had thought "I hope he isn't afraid of me." But he only heard "afraid" and thought I was scared. He must have heard it and interpreted it without noticing it himself.

The next day Mom and Jiro showed Jimmy around town while I went out with friends, since I hadn't known and had already made plans. We had church together, but we haven't really had the chance to talk since what happened. It's been busy. But I keep my gloves on. He starts school with me tomorrow.

Xxx

Jimmy stared at the ceiling. What was going on with this girl?

He rolled over onto his side, staring at the wall.

I thought I could only hear Castiel, he thought. But when she touched my arm, I heard her say she was scared. And what was that weird shock?

Jimmy, you worry too much, Castiel interrupted. But I think that girl is trouble. You should be careful. Whatever power she's not telling you about, I think it might hurt you.

I don't think she's trying to hurt me, Castiel.

I know you want to trust her, but she's keeping something from you.

So…I'm doing the same thing.

Jimmy closed his eyes. He wasn't sure what to think about Kuri. He didn't know if he was ready to be around another girl after coming back...he still remembered his wife Amelia and his daughter Claire.

It was late into the night until he fell into a troubled sleep.