Okie dokie. I'm going to issue a standard warning now: this is not going to be pretty. If violence offends (don't even wanna know how you got through the movie) then turn away now.
Charm: I would also die without sugar. And sleep is the thing where you lay down and close your eyes, drifting into a blissful state of unconsciousness for about 8 hours. It's really quite nice and refreshing. You should try it some time.
Aurelius: Here's some more!
Vixen: Hehe…they are fun to write.
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When Bethany awoke, Liz was gone. A note was taped to the door warning her not to overexert herself or else. Bethany smiled and gathered her things for the shower. She reveled in the hot water cascading down her back, releasing the tension that had built up. Too soon, she shut it off and toweled dry, putting on sweats to lounge about in.
She had begun blow-drying her hair when a knock sounded through the small room. Sighing, she set the blow dryer down and answered the door. Lying in the middle of the hall was a bouquet of lovely roses. She stepped out, not realizing the door had almost closed completely behind her. Inhaling the scent, she stood and turned to re-enter the room, and came face to face with Brett.
"Hi Bethany. How have you been?" Bethany dropped the flowers and attempted to run when something connected solidly with her stomach, sending her to the ground. She got a glimpse of the hockey stick as it came down on her side, then one more golf swing to her stomach. The pain was so intense, Bethany almost blacked out, crying. Unwillingly, she was rolled onto her back, and Brett smiled evilly down at her, before raising the stick over his head. She turned her head, steeling herself for the blow, and gasped. The Stygian Triplets, adorned with horns, smiled cruelly from their vantage point in the elevator. The youngest was holding it open, smiling as Brett used his stick to destroy the enemy. At that moment, Bethany felt the stick sink into her stomach, and she cried out in pain. Brett tossed the stick back to Dorjan, and knelt down beside her.
"All this could have been averted if you'd just given me a second chance. But no, you had to be all high and mighty. Where's your fearless protector now? Where is he when you really need him? Have a happy life, Bethany Sloane, miserable and alone." He kissed her on the lips forcefully, then walked into the elevator. The last thing Bethany could remember was hearing the ding that signaled its descent, and one thought running through her head.
My babyA steady beeping filled her head, and she groaned, shifting uncomfortably in the hospital bed. The hand that had been gripping hers tightened, and a voice penetrated the silence.
"Bethany? Can you hear me sweetie?" Bethany opened her eyes and saw Liz's blurred features looking down on her, concerned. She groaned to acknowledge the statement, but made no effort to offer any further information. "Bethany, there's a man outside, wanting to see you. Should I let him in?" Bethany nodded weakly, and Liz exited. Seconds later, Metatron came in, his eyes flashing with a rage she'd never seen before. His face, though calm, was filled with loathing and guilt.
"Who?" The soft, deadly tone caught her off guard, and she faltered. Suddenly, the wrathful nature of God flashed through her mind as the angel leveled a gaze that promised no mercy. Bethany closed her eyes, a tear escaping from their depths. In an instant, Metatron's mannerisms changed, and he knelt beside her bed, brushing it away gently. Bethany meant to name the bastard, so all the angels of Heaven would rain down hellfire upon him, but all she managed was a weak croak.
"Why?" The pain and accusation in her voice startled the angel, and he stood, backing away. She tried again, this time more forcefully. "Why would you allow this?" She gazed at him, steely-eyed and determined. She knew she shouldn't take it out on him; it wasn't his fault.
"Bethany, I…" the truth was, there was no excuse, no explanation. God had gone to play skeeball, and Metatron was off talking to the Cardinal. There was really no way anyone could have known. He tried telling her, but the words sounded empty and meaningless on his tongue.
"Brett."
Metatron looked up sharply, the fire returning to his eyes. "What?"
"It was Brett, but he wasn't alone. The triplets were with him, and they had horns."
"They've been made full demons," Metatron stated.
"How did they survive? We dumped them into holy water."
"I don't know," Metatron's resolve wavered, and he sighed. "I will go get your friend." He left without another word, and Liz came back in.
"Who was that Bethany?" Liz took her former place, taking Bethany's hand.
"Just someone I knew." And the door clicked shut, leaving Metatron in the hallway alone. He stepped into the bathroom and blinked back to Heaven, prepared to call upon a new Angel of Death. He informed God, who merely nodded gravely and disappeared into the Throne Room.
Liz watched over Bethany as she drifted back into sleep, then cried silently for her friend's devastating loss.
*Bethany's Dream*
She stood in the center of a large room. She couldn't see the ends, or even if it had any. As she stood, a gap opened in the wall and the Almighty glided out. Bethany bowed humbly as She approached smiling. Bethany could only look up accusingly, with tears in her eyes.
"Why?" she repeated her question to the Deity. Though Her lips didn't move, Bethany heard Her in her head as she was pulled to her feet.
~Why does anything happen, my child? I understand you have had tragedy in your life. I believe you once asked why your plan for your life wasn't good enough? The answer is because your plan was not My plan. If you had continued with your plan, you would have stayed married to Brett Wates; you would have been driven into poverty and despair. I regret, my child, that I was not informed of the actions of Brett Wates, for he was not sent by Lucifer, merely encouraged. The child we have lost cannot be replaced, but perhaps I can help you to heal. Look.~ She waved her hand, and the air next to her head shimmered, then showed Metatron, nearly rampaging through Heaven. ~He is torn. He believes he has failed you, and Me. I have assured him of My forgiveness, but he will not forgive himself. Perhaps I can help both of you.~ Again, She waved Her hand, and Metatron appeared next to Her, looking extremely confused.
"How—?"
~Because I have made it so. I have dispatched several angels in pursuit of Brett Wates~ Once more, the air shimmered, and showed two very pissed off angels flying through the air, fully clad with plate armor and fiery swords. Bethany's forehead wrinkled.
"Is that really necessary?" Metatron coughed.
"Necessary? Bethany no form of torture yet created by man is bad enough for him."
"No, I mean, won't that draw a little attention?" she gestured at the war-ready angels.
"That's the beauty of the Angel of Death. No one sees him." It wasn't a proud statement, merely fact, but said with a cold hatred. Both watched as the car Brett was driving was pushed into oncoming traffic by an angel. The other pulled the driver of a semi out of the truck just before the car slammed into it. Bethany watched as Brett was thrown through the windshield and into traffic. The image faded, leaving the events to her imagination.
"What happened to raining down fire and brimstone?" Bethany scoffed.
"Times change," was the only answer. "What I'd like to know is why I'm here." They both turned to the Deity, who had a very amused look on her face.
~You have served me faithfully for a long time. You deserve happiness as much as the next person~
"What…do you mean?" he asked softly. Bethany heard nothing, but Metatron heard Her.
~I mean that I am allowing you time on earth as a human. I will find someone to replace you temporarily. Help her heal, as I know you want to. When you are ready to come back, pray and I shall send someone~ Then in both heads ~Goodbye, my children. I will be watching over both of you~ Bethany looked over at the angel.
"What does that mean?" Metatron was silent for a moment, trying to regain composure.
"It means she is allowing me on earth as a human for as long as I wish," he stated simply. Bethany was pulled from the rather awkward dream by a hand shaking her. Her eyes opened and focused on Liz.
"Hey, you okay sweetie? Your mother is here. Thought you'd want to see her." Bethany sat up, remembering to support her ribs, and rubbed her face.
"I had the weirdest dream, Liz." She merely smiled and beckoned Bethany's mother in. Carefully, she wrapped her daughter in a hug, sobbing into her shirt. Liz excused herself and stepped out into the hallway, coming face to face with the man from earlier.
"Just who are you?" she asked.
"A friend of Bethany's. My name's Michael," he stuck out his hand, and Liz took it. "Is she awake?"
"Well, her mother's in there right now." Metatron nodded his head and walked to the waiting room. "You know, visitor's hours are almost over. You may just want to come back tomorrow."
"That's ok. I'll wait here till then." Liz's eyes bugged out.
"What about food, and sleep?" He nodded upstairs.
"They have a cafeteria, and this couch is fine." His voice told that he was dead serious, and Liz shook her head.
"Suit yourself. I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." She waved, and he waved back. Metatron watched intently at the door that concealed Bethany and her mother. He would wait right here.
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Wow, am I so getting lynched for that one. Hey, look at the bright side. No cliffhanger. :)