Stacked Deck - Chapter 6: The Tempering Of Hope

Stacked Deck - Chapter 6: The Tempering Of Hope

"What the Hell did you do that for?" Carter was very angry. "He was expected to come with us on his own. Do you have any idea how much trouble we'll be in..."

"Relax. You know we're to use force if we have to, so we just say we had no other choice. Maybe they'll look the other way for once rather than treating these Angels as if they were more precious than gold." Dæmien uncurled his fist and removed the brass knuckles he had been wearing. "I knew he'd be the softest of the lot. Hope. Bah, who needs it?"

"We do. To bring the Angel of Hope to the side of Death will allows us to undermine all major religions. Without that competition, we'll rule all matters of the Church. I thought you understood that part of the plan at least."

"Fine. Wake him up and we'll tell him we saved his life from some cutthroat. He'll have to trust us then, just like all the others."

Carter turned the blond onto his back. The boy's eyes were glassy and his breathing appeared to exist between shallow and nothing. Reaching down he felt for a pulse at the boy's neck. After a few minutes he closed the boy's eyes and stood. "You killed him, Dæmien. Now what do you suggest we tell Douglas?"

Dæmien turned away uncomfortably. He looked very worried.

* * *

:Angel, what...:

:Takeru... You've got to concentrate. I can't do this on my own. Concentrate.:

:They said I'm dead, Angel. Are they speaking true? Angel?:

He wasn't answering. My Angel. I felt different, though. Stronger. What had happened to me? What...

:Takeru... It was necessary to remove you from the mortality that bound you so we could come into focus. Relax. You'll wake up soon, and when you do, find the Light...:

With that he was gone and my mind went dark.

* * *

After the mysterious dark-clothed men left the scene, a single person emerged into the light, almost as though appearing from within the woodwork.

Kari. She smiled and left, satisfied.