Tonya stood in the shadows at the end of the Vicker Street bridge, staring at Laura in the far distance, who was sitting on the sidewalk, checking her watch every minute or two. Tonya couldn't bear to watch, and she almost ran out to Laura, but she felt a hand gently touch her shoulder. Tonya turned, thinking it was Monica, but saw Kathleen standing there instead.
"Why are you here Tonya?" Kathleen asked quietly. Tonya shrugged sadly.
"I thought, well, just maybe. Maybe I made the wrong decision in quitting." She spoke softly, holding in tears, still feeling a little bit hopeful.
"No honey. You didn't make the wrong decision. You made the right choice. This aggravation is too much for you. You shouldn't even be here." Kathleen said, her voice more convincing every moment. Tonya sighed and a tear rolled down her cheek.
"I-I guess you're right. You're an angel, you should know these things. Why, why can't I be a good angel? Why was I even created if I was going to be this bad? I'm such a horrible angel!" Tonya cried out, now sobbing uncontrollably. Kathleen pulled her into her arms and held her tightly.
"I know you are, but over time, you'll get better." Kathleen smiled to herself as she saw that it was 10 minutes to midnight. 10 more minutes and I've won. She thought as she held the little angel, refusing to let go. But Tonya didn't want to let go either. She just cried and cried and cried into Kathleen's shoulder. She felt so ashamed and felt so scared and needed comfort. Just then, they heard a voice in the darkness.
"Let her go Kathleen!" The voice was calm, yet stern. Kathleen didn't let go, but Tonya pulled herself out of the hug to see who was there. It was Monica.
"Monica." Tonya said, suddenly feeling more ashamed about running away, but Kathleen came up behind Tonya and put her hands on her shoulders.
"Monica, do you mind? We're having a private conversation." Kathleen said, with a raised eyebrow. Monica ignored her as she walked closer, looking at Tonya, who was looking at the ground now.
"Tonya, stop listening to Kathleen. All she's ever told you are lies. Please don't listen to her, a stranger you've only just met. Listen to me. Have I ever steered you wrong?" Monica asked desperately. Tonya finally looked up at Monica and then turned to look at Kathleen. She stood between the two, and finally turned back to Monica.
"Why shouldn't I listen to Kathleen? She's an angel too. She knows just as much stuff as you do." She said, almost angry, but more confused. Monica shook her head.
"No, love. She may be an angel, but a type of angel you don't yet know. She's a fallen angel, working for the Prince of Lies himself, and she too is full of lies and deception. She's not an angel of God like you and I. Her assignment through this whole thing wasn't Sarah. That was a lie. Her real assignment was you. To make you feel like you could do nothing. To make you run away so that Laura would die." Monica explained as she watched Tonya's eyes under the street light. She was so confused. She turned and looked at Kathleen, and then back at Monica.
"Don't let Kathleen win, Tonya. Come with me." Monica held out her hand and Tonya looked at it.
"Don't do it Tonya. What's the point? You've already lost. Look, your assignment is already on the bridge, ready to jump. You've failed. There's nothing you can do now. You're just a bad angel." Kathleen said in a different voice, a meaner voice. Tonya turned and looked at Kathleen again, still somewhat drawn into what she was saying.
"Tonya, come with me." Monica said again. Tonya turned around and started to cry.
"But Monica, she's right. I am a bad angel, and it's too late." She cried out.
"No, that's what Kathleen wants you to think but it's not true, little one. It's not too late. But you have to come with me." Monica still held out her hand. She was feeling more and more desperate as it got closer and closer to midnight. Tonya, still crying, peered back at Kathleen one more time, and then walked forward and took Monica's hand.
"There's my little one." Monica embraced Tonya as she cried.
"No Tonya! You're nothing! You're awful! You're nothing but a horrible little angel! This is all your fault!" Kathleen was yelling out, but Tonya was no longer listening. Monica looked up at Kathleen as she held Tonya closely.
"No Kathleen. You're wrong. You've lost and now it's time for you to leave." Monica said and with that, Kathleen disappeared from their sight.
Tonya continued to cry, but only for a moment, and then she pulled away from Monica.
"I-I'm so sorry." She managed to say as she looked up at her mentor, choking on her own sobs.
"No. You have nothing to be sorry for sweetheart." Monica replied, as she brushed Tonya's brown hair out of her face.
"But...but I was tempted by the devil and his helper. I-I thought she was an angel. How could I be so stupid?" Tonya asked as she lowered her head.
"Listen to me. Even angels can be tempted. That doesn't ever make us stupid." Monica replied. Tonya hesitantly nodded and then seemed to be thinking for a moment.
"So, this is what Tess meant when we started. When I wondered why we were all here for just Laura, Tess said there were more people that needed our help. So, I guess that means I-"
"You were my assignment, little one. That's why I"m here right now. You know, it's amazing, but sometimes even an angel needs an angel." Monica smiled. Tonya tried to smile back, but she was still so hurt and ashamed.
"I guess I'm just not good enough yet. Kathleen said only good, experienced angels could save suicides. Now it's too late. I've just failed my assignment!" Tonya began to sob again but Monica grabbed her hands and squeezed them.
"Listen. It's not too late. You have to trust me. You know I've never lied to you. Kathleen lied to you. You have to know that. It's not true that only good angels can save suicides, because the truth is that God didn't create any bad angels. He sees all of us as perfect, so we are all good angels. It's only God's love that can save Laura now. And you know that. God's love is what helps all of our assignments. But you, Tonya, you need to be God's messenger. You need to show that love to Laura. It's not too late." Monica saw that Tonya was just starting to believe her, when suddenly, they both heard the church bells begin to chime. Monica stared at Tonya, as the bells were still chiming.
"It's midnight! What if I'm too-"
"Go! Now! You have to run!" Monica watched as Tonya turned without a thought and ran as fast as she could down Vicker Street to where Laura was beginning to step over the guardrail.
"Laura! Stop!" Tonya yelled in a panic. The bells stopped chiming as Laura turned to see Tonya stopping right in front of her.
"What are you doing here Tonya? How did you get out of the hospital?" Laura asked as she stepped back onto the sidewalk.
"Laura, you can't do this. You just can't." Tonya said, as she felt scared that she wouldn't be able to do this, but she remembered everything that Monica had said and felt somewhat better.
"Why not Tonya? Why shouldn't I kill myself? Hm? Life is over for me, don't you understand that? My mom is dead, my dad is always working and never has time to visit his daughter who has problems. And now, my best friend is dead. There is nothing left to live for." Laura was crying, and then saw that Tonya was also crying.
"This isn't right. You shouldn't even be here. We shouldn't be here. We should still be at the hospital." Tonya was talking more to herself than anything.
"What are you talking about Tonya?" Laura asked, somewhat confused. Tonya refused to blame herself anymore. She knew that was what the devil wanted and she refused to believe his lies anymore.
"Laura, you can't do this." Tonya said again, and Laura rolled her eyes.
"Why, Tonya. Tell me why! Give me one good reason." She yelled out, but she was suddenly blinded by a bright light and soon discovered that the light was coming from Tonya. Laura's eyes widened as she stared at Tonya, who was now glowing.
"W-what's going on here?" Laura asked, feeling a little scared, backing up.
"Don't be afraid, Laura. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm an angel, sent here by God to give you a message." Tonya replied, feeling herself calm down, and feel more peaceful. She could really feel God's presence now.
"God? What does God want to tell me? Maybe He can explain to me why He took my mom and my best friend away!" Laura yelled, feeling more angry now than frightened.
"There are some things that you may never understand, but you have to trust that God had a reason. He loves you so much Laura, and He wanted me to tell you that." Tonya replied. Laura's expression completely changed from anger and resentment to one of sadness. Tears began forming in her eyes as she thought about the word 'love.' She crossed her arms, trying to act tough, but the tears were trying so hard to escape.
"How could He love me? A messed up teenager who's about to jump off a bridge. Isn't...He angry at me?" Laura was crying again.
"No," Tonya smiled. "He's not angry. He just wants you to see another day. He wants you to go back to that hospital with your head held high so that you can get better and go home to your dad. He does miss you, you know."
"Yeah right. If he missed me, he'd come and see me, but he never does." Laura looked away as new tears began to form, and the anger seemed to come back.
"Your dad does miss you Laura, but there are some things you don't know. He's afraid to see you. He's afraid that he'll lose you and he's afraid to get close because he doesn't want to lose you too. He lost his wife and at the same time, almost lost his daughter. Now he's scared you'll do it again. Did you know that your father gets down on his knees every night and prays that you'll just survive? Oh Laura, your dad loves you so much." Tonya explained and she saw Laura wipe a tear away.
"But you don't understand Tonya. You don't know what it's like to want to die." Laura sobbed.
"No. You're right, I don't. I'm an angel, but I do know what it's like to almost fall into temptation. Even angels get tempted you know, and I've been there. I know what it's like to hear that little voice tell you nasty things like 'you're no good', or, 'you can't do it', or even 'why not just kill yourself.' But you can't listen. You can't allow temptation to take over. You just can't!" Tonya replied, now speaking from experience. Laura cried and cried, trying to take it all in. It all seemed to be too much to understand.
"But...I don't know how. I don't know how to avoid temptation. It's so hard." She wailed. Tonya tried to stay strong, but seeing Laura this upset was really hard.
"Just trust in God. Hand over all your worries and fears to Him. He's ready to take them and help you but you have to take that step. You have to make that decision to give it all to God. It's hard, but it's completely worth it." Tonya said, with a small smile.
"I want to. I want to get better. I want to let God help me, I really do, but I miss...I miss mom and Sarah so much." Laura started to cry again.
"I know you do, and God knows you do too. Your mom and Sarah are happy now, and they are in no more pain. They want the same for you, but they don't want you to die. They want you to keep living your life. They want you to get the help you need to get better." Tonya didn't know what else to say as she watched Laura who was still crying. But then she heard a whisper and knew that God was giving her the words.
"Laura please. Choose life instead of death, and put God in the centre of it. Please Laura. Choose that life. It may be hard but God loves you and He will be with you every step of the way." Tonya started to cry a little now, as she watched Laura, who seemed to be making a decision. Tonya was feeling scared, so she mentally said a little prayer. Father, please be with Laura. Help her to choose the path You have chosen for her. Let her choose life. Please Lord.
"I-I'll try." Laura whispered suddenly. Tonya looked up and saw Laura walking toward her.
"What Laura?" Tonya asked, not sure she heard her correctly. Laura wiped her tears away.
"I said I'll try. I-I want God to be with me and, and help me feel better. I-I want to...live." She managed. Tonya smiled and gave Laura a long hug.
"You just made the best decision you could ever make." She whispered as her own tears began to fall. Laura cried and cried as Tonya held her, but Tonya was no longer afraid. Laura chose life and she chose God. Thanks God. Thank You so much. Tonya prayed as she held Laura.