Chapter 3:
Richie let Eddie lead since he apparently knew the way to the demon.
Bad choice.
"Oh come on, please? We can't just travel and not see places." Eddie complained.
Richie rolled his eyes, "Eddie. That's not what I'm here for. I'm here to find the demon, and return to heaven."
Part of him felt a rush of emotion, the same emotion he felt last night.
Guilt.
Not for denying the demon, but for what might happen after they find the evil demon.
He was sure heaven wouldn't be very pleased that he travelled with a demon, to find a demon.
They'd probably expect him to kill him, or force him back to hell.
Every time he thought of it, he quickly pushed the thought aside.
"Come on. Just one." Eddie continued.
Richie groaned, "If we do, do you promise not to cause anymore distractions?"
The demons' eyes brightened, "Yes yes yes, I promise."
Richie gave him a look. If there was one thing this demon was capable of, was lying.
He sighed, "Okay. What do we do?"
Eddie snorted, "Well, we go inside, decide on a movie to watch and buy tickets."
Richie gave him a look of confusion, but sighed, "Okay. What, pray tell, are we watching?"
Eddie looked up in thought, "Hmm. I was thinking about this movie that just came out. It's about a group of kids that fight to take down an evil clown. Sounds like something similar to what we're doing, hm?"
Richie lowered his brows, confused beyond, "Evil... clown?"
Eddie laughed nervously, "Yeah. It's actually scarier than it sounds."
Richie gave him a look, but sighed, "Fine. Let's go. Get this thing over with."
Eddie grinned, leading them inside the building.
Eddie was almost sure the angel was bound to lunge at the screen, but it was later replaced by...
Was he shaking?
Eddie looked at the screen in time to see the clown lunge at a kid, followed by screams.
He could hear the arm rest squeaking as Richie's hands clamped down on them.
Eddie wasn't sure whether to laugh or be concerned.
He started to feel bad for him, that was a fact.
Taking a deep breath, he carefully edged his hand closer to the angels'.
He gently placed it on top of his, carefully intertwining them.
He expected him to withdraw, but instead his hand clamped down on his.
Eddie nearly jumped at the unexpected pressure put on his hand.
He focused back on the screen.
It was a good thing he was a demon.
If a human tried this, bones would be breaking.
About an hour later, the two left the theatre.
"Well. That was fun." Eddie said.
Richie remained quiet. It seemed he wasn't over the movie.
"Are we finished here?" Richie finally asked.
"Yeah. You know, if I didn't know any better, I would think that you were scared." Eddie joked.
"Shut up." Richie mumbled.
"Hey. It's okay to be afraid sometimes. Everyone feels it." Eddie said, trying to sound somewhat comforting.
Richie didn't answer.
Eddie's smile faltered.
For once, he started to feel guilty.
He sighed, "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't think it'd bother you that much."
"Well. I've learned one thing. I fucking hate clowns."
Eddie didn't answer, simply studying the angels' facial features.
After a few minutes of walking in silence, Eddie came to an abrupt halt.
"Look out!" He suddenly shouted, lunging at the angel, sending them toppling to the ground.
Seconds later, a missile hit the corner of the theatres, where they had just come out.
Richie was stunned for a second, nearly wanting to attack the demon for the attack.
Then, he heard the missile hit.
People were running out screaming.
Eddie was on top of Richie, temporarily shielding them from the attack as debris flew around them.
He pulled back slightly to look into Richie's eyes.
Richie was focused on the scenery behind Eddie, trying to pinpoint the direction the missile came from.
Just as he found an estimated location, he had a split moment to react.
"Look out!" Richie repeated the warning, before switching their positions just as bullets started flying around them.
Shortly after, his wings sprouted from his back, forming a shield around them.
Richie was catching glimpses of humans that were still running, many of them being picked off by the never ending bullets.
Richie groaned in pain as he felt bullets piercing through his wings and skin.
"Hold... onto me." Richie hissed out.
"... What?" Eddie said, confused.
Richie nearly cried out as a bullet punctured his shoulder blade where the base of his wing was attached, "Just grab onto me!"
The demon hesitated for a few seconds before his arms hesitantly wrapped around his middle.
"Hold on tight." Richie managed.
He forced himself to stand, his wings spreading, preparing to take flight.
He winced as he gave the wings one weak flap, forcing them a couple feet into the air.
He continued, ignoring the pain came with every movement.
Soon, they were out of reach of the shots being fired behind them.
Richie continued flying until they were out of any sign of civilization.
They were flying above an open plain now. He wasn't sure he could keep them up much longer.
He was getting closer to the ground.
"Brace yourself!" Richie called out.
Once he was a few inches to the ground, he let go of Eddie, who went tumbling to the ground, rolling a few times before going motionless.
Richie focused ahead of him.
He managed to keep himself up for a few more seconds before his body also made contact with the ground.
He was sent tumbling forward.
He attempted to use his wings for a shield, but it was no use.
He was rolling a couple times, his wings getting tangled around him and he was sure he heard snapping sounds coming from them.
Finally, he came to a stop, but didn't find the strength to get up.
Eddie must have fallen unconscious because he was opening his eyes, grass and dirt buried in his face.
He lifted his head slightly, spitting out some of the grass that had managed to get into his mouth.
Then, he remembered.
"Richie!" He shouted out, forcing himself onto his feet, taking off into a spring before his body was even ready.
He came to the top of a hill, looking down to see a mound of wings covering a familiar figure.
'No.' Eddie whispered to himself.
"Richie!" He took off running, staggering a little.
When he was inches from him, his knees gave out.
He crawled the remaining distance between them.
The figure was motionless.
"Oh my god. Richie!" Eddie called out his name, reaching out to caress the face hidden behind the heap of wings.
He clearly wasn't waking up any time soon.
Eddie desperately scanned their surroundings. They had to get out of the open.
His eyes set on a black mass about a mile away from them.
It looked like... a house.
He looked back down, "Hang in there buddy. I'll be right back."
He forced himself onto his feet again, making his way to the building.
The closer he got, the condition of the building had him assume the place had been abandoned.
When he found the entrance, he peeked inside.
The place probably wouldn't be very comfortable, but it'd have to do.
Once he surveyed to make sure it was empty, he returned to the angel.
He was still unconscious.
Eddie sighed before leaning down to find the other mans' arm, forcing it up around his shoulders.
With a deep breath and a groan of pain, he forced the body onto their feet until he was leaning onto him.
Eddie thought he was going to collapse, but he held on.
How heavy were those wings? He swore when he supported him the other night, he wasn't this heavy.
It took a good 5 minutes, but Eddie managed to get them inside the old shack.
He gently laid Richie down onto a piece of tarp that was laid on the ground. It wasn't much, but it was the best he could do right now.
He carefully ran his hand down one of Richie's battered wing before gently lifting it.
He figured he might feel better if his wings weren't tangled around him.
He maneuvered the wings until they were laying on his side.
Afterwards, Eddie forced himself back on his feet, only to stagger backwards until his back met with the wall.
He slid down to the ground, his feet giving out again.
He was out of breath, and the pain was coming to him tenth-fold.
He rested his head against the wall, watching the sleeping angel.
Why? Why the fuck did he save him? Why did he go through all this trouble?
If Richie had just left him, he wouldn't be in this position.
Eddie looked down.
It... it was all his fault.
Eddie closed his eyes, tears prickling at his eyes.
Richie. You asshole.
You...-
He couldn't find anything else to say.
Soon, he too went unconscious.