Episode Eleven: Angel's Calling

The light blinded my eyes and I turned away only to be thrown against the back seat. It felt like a rollercoaster as the car flipped back. One moment when I was upside down my head smashed against the ground and the top of the car and the taste of blood touched my lips. I could hear the screams of my brother and father and as the car finally settled I opened my eyes and saw them lay in front me, twisted in the debris from the car crash. I thought of the driver of the truck and hoped he was okay but I prayed... that my family and I would live...

The pain was so unbearable Sakura never wanted to open her eyes but she heard a whisper calling her name and she had to assure them that she wasn't dead. Or was she? Was she hearing the divine whisper of an angel?

Sakura eyelashes fluttered like a butterfly's wings and her eyes saw a figure before her with a glow that shone as bright as the sun's rays.

"Sakura..." the angel whisper. Sakura's eyes adjusted to the glow and she gasped when she saw the familiar angel's beautiful face.

"Mother?" Sakura said, with tears of joy and sadness running down her rosy cheeks.

"Am I dead?" Sakura asked, not even controling her words. The angel didn't seem to hear her question and flew closer to Sakura.

"My little cherry blossom..." was all the angel said. Her soft wings brushed against Sakura's bare hands and gave her a feeling of warmth and compassion.

"You've been given a second chance, to return to your family and friends. I know you don't want to open your eyes to the world again but you must assure them that you've been reborn," the angel said. Sakura eyes met the angel's and she saw the colour of her mother's eyes and knew that she was the angel that was giving her these words of wisdom. Sakura fell into the angel's arms and quietly let her tears fall like a stream of water.

"I don't... I don't want to go back. I want to stay here with you. Please! I miss you so much!" Sakura explained, looking up at the angel once more. Tears appeared in her sad eyes and fell and softly touched Sakura's skin.

"I miss you too, but you need to go back..." the angel explained. Sakura shook her head and cried out.

"Why aren't I dead? Why have I been given a second chance?"

"Your destiny has already been written and you are not done yet. It isn't your time... but like all living things your time will come soon," the angel said. Sakura sighed and hugged the angel who was delighted to hold her daughter once again.

"Please take care of your father and your brother. I've seen from above all of their problems and feel the pain between them. Help them found the love they once shared, I trust you to take over for me." Sakura nodded.

"I'll do my best but can I ask... if I'll ever see you again?" Sakura asked, afraid of hearing the answer that she already knew but needed to hear.

"No... not until your destiny is completed. But fate will bring us together again, hopefully not in this same situation," the angel replied. Sakura nodded and let go of the angel.

"But... Sakura?" The angel started to say something and then heisatted.

"What is it?" Sakura asked. The angel pulled a necklace off her neck that Sakura never saw before and took Sakura's hand. She put it in the palm of her hand and then clasped Sakura's hand.

"Think of this as a piece of my heart to keep forever. Please take care of it," the angel said. Sakura nodded and held tightly to the necklace in her hand.

"Goodbye, mother."

"Goodbye, daughter, I loved you and always will."