AN: Thanks to all the reviewers you're all awesome!
lil Jake - thank you! Yeah I know my grammar and punctuation can be REALLY REALLY bad so I apologise for that. Also yeah I think you're right about the beta-reader I might just give that ago! So anyone reading this if you're interested give me a shout!
Midnight Moonstar - I'm glad you like it and thank you for sticking with me!
cptn-jacks-bonnie-lass - Thanks m8 yep me love making john and Chas have their little arguments!
The rain lashed down pelting the LA streets with the icy water. It was beginning to grow dark, angry storm clouds covering the previously blue sky. The sun no longer shone. I quickened my pace to a brisk walk wrapping my arms tightly around myself. My red hair was covered by the hood on my sweatshirt, my face barely visible.
I REALLY didn't want to bee seen, not by anyone. It didn't look good when I was seen with angel half-breeds let alone Gabriel, archangel and the ultimate of all good! I looked around seeing nothing suspicious. I entered the library making my way to where the angel stood. It was dull here. The little sunlight left outside barely penetrated the large room. Expensive looking bookcases filled the empty space however there was a small seating area up ahead, that's where he was.
"Gabriel" I uttered softly. Gabriel turned fanning her wings out behind her. A small smile placed on her lips. "Good afternoon Faith. Did you do as I asked?" I nodded. She had told me to make contact after John had first saw me, which I had done. "And…?" She asked patiently. "He knows about my past, Balthazar. I think he wants to help me." "Good. Very good. So everything is going to plan." The half-breed smiled the golden glint in her eyes becoming all the more obvious.
"Now what?" I asked unsure where to go from here. "Let him help you." She stated simply. "Help me how? I'm not in any danger! Balthazar wouldn't hurt me, I'm just a meaningless fuck every once in a while he can replace me"
Gabriel didn't respond. Instead she turned and began to walk away. "Come back when you have something to report." She said pausing for only a moment. "Whatever." I couldn't be bothered arguing about the matter. John could help me if he wanted to. I wasn't exactly sure HOW he could help but who gives a shit right?
I left dreading what Balthazar had in store for me tonight. "Baa!" Chas said whilst beeping the cab's horn. "Baa?" John asked raising his eyebrow. Chas grinned. The big goofy grin he always wore when he was please with himself. "Baa." Chas repeated moving several inches forward in the huge traffic jam. "Okay kid, I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this but you are NOT a sheep." Chas grinned yet again. "Why you in such a good mood?" John asked suspiciously. "What?" Chas asked smile till plastered on his immaculate face. "Come on kid spit it out!" John pressed. "What?" Chas asked again this time attempting to choke back his laughter. "Never mind then." John replied taking a large drag of his fag. "Where we goin John?" "Home." "What? I thought we were goin' to Midnite's check out that girl again…" "Chas is that all you think about? Anyway I saw her earlier." "Ah so that's where you were…" "Yep." The traffic cleared a little allowing the teenager to reach a suitable speed. The radio was on some old Jazz crap John listened to. "So you gonna help her?" "Who?" John asked half-heartedly whilst taking another drag of his diminishing cigarette. "Faith! The girl from the bar." "Oh right." John replied dropping his spent fag out the window. "Yeah am gonna help her, why wouldn't I?" "How?" Chas asked eagerly braking at a set of lights. Horns tooted behind him as angry drivers were forced to stop. "The lights red asshole!" Chas shouted out the window flashing his middle finger briefly. "By paying a little visit to my dear old friend Balthazar." John replied. "But not tonight, I can't see them together…" John stopped staring out the window. Why would anyone stick around that guy? John personally despised the half-breed. He was so cocky it was unreal! They neared the Bowl Bowl Bowl where John's apartment was situated above. Chas pulled up to the curb bringing the cab to a slow halt.
He grabbed John's bag following obediently behind the exorcist.
"Thanks kid." John stated taking the bag and walking into the unlocked apartment.
"Oh thanks for the invite John, you're too good to me." He said huffily turning to leave.
"Come in kid." John said before disappearing inside.
Chas didn't need to be told twice, it was either go inside with John or go home to his drunken lout of a father.
The walls looked greenish in the poor light. I didn't even want to know what was beneath my feet… Dark shadows were cast around the room causing me to just at even the slightest unexpected movement.
Keep your cool Faith.
He was supposed to meet me here half an hour ago.
Kelm. He violated the balance when he pushed a little girl off a bridge. He almost had her… She wanted death to reach up and take her in its steely grasp, bring her the comfort she had not yet found in life… But she questioned it. Did she really want to die?
Kelm grew impatient and the little girl died by his hand. She was only 11… Julia, a vision of innocence but she was gone now.
I lured him here the promise of providing him with 'the night of his life.' Of course my only intention was to deport his sorry ass straight back to hell.
I couldn't do it. The demons wouldn't trust me if I did but Rachel could.
Rachel was a demon hunter, an exorcist like John. She wasn't well known but she had helped me out in the past I owed her a great deal.
I knew she was waiting outside probably as bored as I was, waiting for my call.
Where the hell was he? It wasn't like Kelm to be late… I had an appointment with Balthazar later and if I missed it I had no rent.
What if he had saw Rachel? What if someone tipped him off? What if… "Faith." Kelm said walking suavely into the room.
"You're late." I said dryly brushing back my hair.
"I saw your friend"
Shit. Rachel. "What did you do"
"Poor exorcist didn't see me coming… She was so sweet!" Kelm laughed.
No. He couldn't have killed Rachel she was a demon hunter for Christ sake! She dealt with half-breeds on a daily basis… Kelm puled out a chain. It was dark but I would recognise that pendant anywhere. It was a semicircle with a line vertically through the middle, almost like a cross. White gold encrusted in diamond's, one of a kind. It was her mothers… A precious family heirloom.
"You bastard!" I screamed lunging at the demon.
I had nothing on him, he was stronger and faster than I was and pretty soon he had me by the throat.
"Trying to deport me Faith? That was low"
I choked back a sob as he ran his tongue down my cheek.
"Get off!" I croaked trying to beak free. It wasn't working, I really was stuck.
Oh God, Rachel. This was all my fault.
"Now bitch what do you think it's like in hell?" He asked cruelly.
I felt like saying: Dunno never been. It was true though I would probably go to hell. I was a prostitute, sold myself to shit like Balthazar. Sure I was trying to help John but I wanted redemption. I was doing the exact same as John, trying to buy my way into heaven.
"Is this all you got Faith?" Kelm asked pushing me up against the nearest wall.
I could smell his putrid breath, his face mere centimetres from mine… "Get off!" I said trying to sound strong, composed instead it came out as a squeak.
Chas heard the crash the second he stepped through the door.
John had a woman… No, maybe a man… WHAT? Well anyway John had the 'person' by the throat straddling him or her on his kitchen table.
"What are you doing here Gabriel?" John spat.
Gabriel? He was an archangel… But Gabriel was a guy! This person looked more feminine than male!
"John," The angel choked.
"This is no way to greet a servant of God!" She struggled.
"GOD!" John spat.
He said the words as though it were venom.
"I don't give a fuck about GOD!" John went on.
"Why should I? He doesn't give a fuck about me"
"I didn't come here to fight." Gabriel said calmly despite her lack of oxygen.
Did angels even NEED to breathe?
"Faith." The angel stated simply.
John loosened his grip, finally letting go and climbing off the table.
"What about her"
"She's in trouble. Tried to set a demon up, lured him away from the crowd. She failed. An exorcist was killed and Faith will shortly follow." Gabriel explained examining her perfect manicured fingernails.
"Why are you telling me"
Gabriel sighed.
"She's in an old warehouse"
"Which one?" John asked.
Gabriel smiled.
"So you do want to help after all"
"Which one?" John repeated irritably.
"The old Jenning's one off Henley"
John nodded grabbed his bad and motioned Chas to follow.
"A thank you would be nice John!" Gabriel called after him.
A huge grin spread across her face.
Kelm had done as he was told, played along with her plan.
Of course he hadn't killed the exorcist she was too good to be outwitted by a half-breed such as himself… No, Gabriel herself had murdered the woman.
The plan was working. John was taking the bait now she needed to make sure they got closer…