azrael_church_walk_on_beach/set?id=226089232

azrael_church_mollys_party/set?id=196007743

It was a few days later when my family would have another run in with Bethany's new friend, Molly. After a very awkward dinner explaining to my little sister about slang we'd heard Ms. Castle, our literature teacher get onto one of the boys about, we decided to go down to the beach to watch the sunset. I changed out of my uniform, happy to be in blue jean shorts and a loose t-shirt instead of the stiff fabric. We'd been walking down the beach toward the town when the ginger girl called out to us.

"Beth! Rae! Over here!"

"I swear, I had nothing to do with that." I told my siblings, referring to the abbreviation of my name.

I was instantly irritated at the new nickname Molly had assigned me if for no other reason than it was a part of her 'Project Azrael'. She and a bunch of other kids I recognized from school were sitting on the beach outside of an ice cream parlor. Normally, it would have been flooded with tourists but since it was August and summer was ending, it was vacant with the exception of the small group.

Molly was sitting in the lap of a boy I'd never seen before, wearing an outfit that was more appropriate for late spring rather than early fall. He was reclined, with a relaxed smile on his face as he stroked her mostly bare back lazily. That's all you need to know about Molly's way of thinking.

Anyway, as she waved us over, Gabriel and Ivy shared the same unhappy look on their faces. This was exactly the kind of social interaction that they'd been trying to avoid. But Molly had already seen us so, Bethany, putting on an uncertain smile, began leading us toward the group. Luckily for me, as we got close, the skin around my wings and fingertips began to prickle-kind of when you feel your leg going to sleep- a sensation that I knew meant that a soul nearby was ready to be reaped.

"Hey...I'll see you guys back at the house. Duty calls." I pretended to sigh, secretly happy to avoid Bethany's new friend.

"Don't be seen." Gabriel said and I knew that was as close to a 'Good Luck' that I was going to get from him.

"Never am." I smiled and made my way off of the beach and toward St. Mary's Hospital.

Walking out of St. Mary's, I sighed and retracted my wings. I always hated reaping the souls of children. They were so tiny. So uncorrupted by the evils of their fellow man. I'd never reaped a child's soul that had gone to hell. In some ways, they were more pure than a few angels I knew. Many didn't have a solid grasp on the concept of death yet either. I always tried to reassure the younger ones, but if a stranger with big black wings and a scythe appeared before you, you'd be scared too.

This time, it had been a nine year old boy named Andrew Milford with leukemia. From the information I'd gathered from school and around town, strange things were happening to good people. Bad things. Things that otherwise would have never happened. And the people of Venus Cove were starting to notice.

There was no one out on the streets and the night was still. The only sounds being the faint roar of the ocean and the chirping of crickets. It wasn't that late yet, but I decided to go ahead and go home. In the time it took to find Andrew, reap him, take him to judgement and then to Heaven, my siblings would have long since gone home. Time in the Kingdom was a little different than it was on Earth. What might seem like a few weeks up there could be a few years here. It made things a little easier on souls waiting on their loved ones.

I was making my way across the cross walk when I nearly had a heart attack. A jet black motorcycle came to a screeching halt a few feet in front of me, blocking my path. The driver's face was hidden because of his helmet but I could tell, despite his leather jacket that he was tall...about Gabriel's height and lanky, but not to the point of being scrawny. In the weeks that I'd been in Venus Cove, I hadn't seen him before.

He turned to look at me and patted the back of his bike. I may have been an angel, but I'd lived on earth long enough to know he was asking me to "ride bitch", as the mortals called it. I scoffed and crossed my arms.

"Sorry. Not interested." I told him, walking around the bike and to the other sidewalk. After walking for another block, I glanced back. Despite the light having long since changed green, the driver was still there, watching me.

The next time I'd see Molly was a bit of a disaster. As I'd predicted, we (meaning Beth and I) were seeing a lot more of Xavier Woods. Every spare moment we had at school, the lacrosse player seemed to be there and worse, he seemed to have an eye for my sister. She was either smart or oblivious though. Gabriel had been liniantt with allowing her to make friends at Bryce Hamilton. Getting a boyfriend would not only endanger the mission but would also really set off Gabriel.

Back on topic, Molly had invited us both over to try out some new cosmetics with her and her friends. I'd prompty refused when she'd texted me. I assumed that she'd gotten my number from Bethany. I still planned on taking my sister there and picking her up when it was over. I wore a simple skeleton hand tank top, jeans, jacket, and a pair of comfortable heels, planning on dropping her off and going back home, but what I saw when we arrived made me stop in my tracks.

The door of the house was wide open and music and light were spilling out of every window. People, some I recognised, some I didn't, were everywhere, drinking, talking, dancing, or making out. "Ohhhh. No. Don't even think about it."

"Come on...Let's go find Molly..."

"Rules!" I grabbed her shoulders, making her look at me, "No alcohol, don't go off alone, don't take anything a boy gives you, and for the love of God, try to stay close to me. We're going in, saying 'hi' and going home. Deal?"
Beth nodded and I let her go. It wasn't that I didn't trust her, but she was innocent and I didn't trust other people.

Inside of Molly's house was much worse than the outside. There was no unoccupied space and the thumping music was making my head hurt and the windows rattle. I spotted a girl from Molly's group...Layla or Leah or something... and quickly grabbed her attention.

"Do you know where Molly is?" I asked her, having to shout over the speakers.

"In the hot tub! SO glad you could make it! Molly throws the best parties!"

I turned back to try too find Beth but she was lost in the crowed. I sighed and slowly made my way outside where Molly and a few other teens were relaxing in her hot tub.

"Molly." I said, making her look up at me, " Change of plans?" I pointed at the house.

"Rae! I thought you weren't coming!" A big smile broke out across her face, "Yeah. My parents went out of town last minute. Couldn't resist the chance to PARTAAY!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose in annoyance, "Look, if you see Bethany, will you tell her to meet me at the door? We're going home."

"Come onnnn, "she pouted,"You just got here."

"No offense, but we didn't sign up for this. As Bethany's big sister it's my job to look out for her."

"Oh...Ok.." She sighed, leaning into the arms of the boy next to her, "I'll let her know."

"Thanks." I walked back into the house, scouring the crowd for a glimpse of my sister.

I continued to circle the crowd for about fifteen minutes before I saw her again, slightly limp, in the arms of a familiar face. I set my sets on Xavier and made my way over to them as they where heading out the door. Getting closer to them, I saw that Beth's face was pale and she looked like she'd either been or soon would be ill. I grabbed Xavier's free arm, stopping him.

"What happened?" I demanded, my amethest eyes glaring into his coldly.

"Azrael. Thank God." he sighed, "I was beginning to think she was here alone."

"She was supposed to be. Answer the question."

"Cocktails. She doesn't drink often does she?"

"Never."

"I was gonna take her home. Need a lift?"

"Yes, please..." I sighed exasperatedly. She was lucky that he'd been the one to find her and not some other creep. I decided from that point on that no matter how much I didn't like Molly, I wouldn't ever leave Bethany alone when she was around ever again. Even if it cost me my sanity.