The Call

Chapter 2

Angel

For hours, the blackness had been Rose's sanctuary, her safe haven. It slowly dicipated though as she stirred, eyes fluttering up and peering out into the room before her, the faint light from a curtained window shining through. It was not the light that she'd woken up to though, but the sound of snoring, her brows furrowing together as she looked around.

"Wha?"

Her eyes fell upon a man in the corner of the room, his body standing up against the wall. She couldn't understand how someone could fall asleep while standing up. She hadn't even realized that she'd been staring for so long, until a voice erupted in the air, causing her to jump.

"You know, it's rude to stare."

Rose felt herself stiffen as she sat there, watching him turning around, eyes falling upon her small form.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean-," she was interrupted before she could finish.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, making to move toward her.

"Hm?" her brows furrowed together.

"I asked if you slept well," he said once more, moving forward until he was in front of the bed, easily pulling out a chair to sit in front of her.

It was curious though because he sat in it backwards, the back of it pressing lightly against his chest.

"Y-yes," she stammered, moving back a bit.

"Good," he smiled, leaning forward against the chair. "Now, come here," he said, gesturing for her to come closer with his finger.

She sat there for a moment, contemplating things, before finally obeying.

"O-okay," she said, slowly crawling forward, until she was in front of him.

She was startled though when he placed his hand on her face, brushing the sensitive skin below her eye and on her cheek, that was no doubt visible in the light.

"That's a nasty bruise," he mused, checking the rest of her face over.

She couldn't help, but shudder ever so slightly as he touched her face. It wasn't exactly that she was scared of him or anything, just unsure. No one was ever really that close to her. Well, strangers weren't anyway.

"Hm..." he started, gently taking hold of her arm and looking at it.

There, he found another bruise in the shape of a hand, the nasty mark marring her lovely skin. At that, she pulled away, almost ashamed.

"You know, who ever did this isn't very nice," Michael pointed out.

"You've no idea," she muttered, gently rubbing her arm, wincing as a result.

After that, Michael started walking around the room, opening up random drawers as though searching for something.

"Nothing here," he said, opening another drawer. "Or here," he continued, leaning down to open another one. "Ah, here we go," he grinned triumphantly, turning around with a pair of slippers in his hand. "I think these should help," he said, offering them to her.

"Huh?"

"You're feet," he pointed out, causing her to look down in response.

She found her feet to be bare, almost raw even. It also reminded her of last night, causing her to flinch. She'd run off last night after he had hit her, not Michael, but another. It was also why she hadn't any shoes on, she'd run off without them. It's what happened when he drank, something that she tried to avoid. Whenever he drank, he'd get mad and start yelling. It was the first time he'd ever hit, but that meant little to her as she set there before Michael. She wasn't going back to that, not now, not ever. Only problem was, he had a key to her apartment, a place where he'd frequently stay at random times. His excuse for staying there was that he didn't like being alone. So, for that, he'd stay out on the couch. Last night though, was one of the few times that she'd been over at his place.

"Rose?"

She jumped upon hearing his voice, turning her attention toward him.

"Huh?" she asked, blinking a couple times.

This time, he merely sat back down in front of her, carefully reaching out and slipping a slipper on her foot. He then did the same with the other one, letting her foot drop back down, a small smile gracing his features.

"Um, thank you," she said, slightly perplexed by his actions.

"Now, why don't I take you home?" he offered, getting up from his chair.

"You don't have to," she said, shaking her hands. "After all, you've already done enough for me."
"Rose, do you even know where you are?" he asked, raising a brow in amusement once he saw the look on her face.

"No," she sighed, knowing that he had beat her.

T

"You know, you really didn't have to walk me home," Rose said, walking along side Michael down the sidewalk.

"Yes, but I wanted to. Besides, what kind of guy would I be if I let a nice young woman walk home by herself?" he asked, a friendly smile on his face.

She couldn't help, but to smile a bit as she walked along side him. He was so different from all the other guys that she'd ever met. At least, that's from what she'd seen so far.

"Michael?" Rose spoke up, turning her head to look at him.

"Yes?" he responded, looking back down at her.

"Why are you so nice?" she asked, before looking back down the street.

"What do you mean?"

"Just what I said, why are you so nice? I mean, I'm sure there's somewhere else that you'd rather be," she said, shoving her hands into her jean pockets, her fingers brushing against her house key.

"Is there something wrong about enjoying your company?" he asked, a charming smile on his face.

That made her stop, a look of confusion raising onto her face.

"How could you possibly enjoy my company?" she asked, a skeptical look on her face. "You barely know me," she pointed out.

"That may be so, but that doesn't mean that you're boring," he told her.

She sighed, shaking her head before continuing forward, dropping the conversation.

"Forget it," she said, turning the corner at the end of the street.

Michael followed right behind her, eyes never leaving her as she continued on. She was such a curious person, that much was obvious. Then again, she was used to one way as far as things working. She didn't expect people to pay her much attention, which is why she was so curious of Michael and his kindness. It was almost to good to be true. All thoughts ended though when they came to stand in front of her apartment building, a slightly stiff look coming from her. It was almost as though she were hesitant about something.

"Um, would you like to come in for a bit?" she asked, biting her lip.

She didn't know why she was asking him something like that, but something told her that she should.

"I'd love to," he smiled, nodded his head.

"Um, alright then. Follow me I guess," she said, pushing open the the main door and walking inside, Michael following along behind her.

The whole way up was quiet, Michael silent counting the number of door, making a mental note of where everything was at. Her apartment was on the third floor, leaving them climbing the steps upward, one or two people standing out in the hallways. There was even a couple kissing against a wall. Rose paid no mind to it though as she pushed by, walking down the hallway to her room.

36

That was her room number.

"Well, this is it," she said, pulling out her key and shoving it into the lock.

It opened a moment later, the door swinging to the side. She stopped short though upon walking in, her eyes landing on the person laying on the couch.

"Rose, there you are. I was wondering where you were," the man said, standing up from the couch and walking toward her.

Without even realizing it, Rose took a step back, walking into Michael. His hands easily found her shoulders, holding them gently in his palms.

"Who's he?" the man asked gruffly, eyes narrowing at Michael.

"A friend," Michael said, eyes watching him closely. "Now, if I may, who are you?" he asked.

"Jake, her boyfriend," Jake said roughly, reaching forward to grab Rose by the arm.

Michael beat him to the punch the moving her and grabbing his wrist.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Michael warned. "I don't think she wants to be touched right now."

Jake glared at him, wrenching his wrist out of Michael's grasp.

"Get off me!" Jake spat. "I can touch her if I want."

It was when he tried to grab her again though that Michael put a stop to it, shoving him away. That only angered Jake more and before Rose knew it, Jake punched Michael in the face, her eyes going wide.

"M-Michael?" Rose choked out, her body leaned up against the wall as she watched.

"Battle," Michael breathed, a happy tone in his voice as he as he dodged a second punch, before throwing one of his one.

All that Rose could do was stand there as Jake was thrown to the ground. He was back up on his feet though before she knew it, charging at Michael and ramming him into the wall, a lamp breaking in the countered though by grabbing Jake's arm and twisting it, shoving him back as Jake hissed. What scared Rose most though was when Jake pulled out a knife, lashing out at Michael without a second though.

"Jake, stop it!" Rose yelled, taking a step forward.

Jake ignored her though, lashing out at Michael again. Michael was quicker though, sliding out of the way as Jake kept lashing out.

"I said stop it!" she screamed, grabbing an empty beer bottle from the coffee table and throwing it Jake's way.

He barely dodged it, the glass shattering against the wall causing both men to stare at her. That gave Jake his chance though, quickly reaching out and grabbing Michael by his coat, the sound of fabric tearing coming to meet Rose's ears. A groan also escaped Michael's lips and Rose felt her eyes widen.

Within seconds, Michael threw Jake out the door, quickly locking it with the flick of his wrist.

"Michael?" Rose whispered, eyes glued to the soft shade of white in front of her.

"Something wrong?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

Rose felt herself slide down the wall, eyes staring unblinking. A few feathers set on the floor, littering the wooden boards. She saw wings, white wings, and they were attached to his back.

"Rose?"

Michael's brows furrowed ever so slightly as he crouched down in front of her, hand waving in front of her face. She just blinked, staring at him.

"It's the wings, isn't it?" he asked.

That's when she opened her mouth to speak, opening it, before closing it again. She wasn't sure how to get the words out or what to say. In fact, she wasn't even sure if what she was seeing was even real.

"How?" she started, eyes flickering between him and the wings on his back, his coat long forgotten on the floor at this point. "What?"

She wasn't really sure where to even begin as she sat there, eyes never leaving him.

"What am I, right?" he said, asked her question for her, watching her slowly nod her head.

A grin slowly formed on his face.

"Well, I thought it'd be obvious," he said. "After all,I'm sure you already know what I am."

"You're...you're an...an," she couldn't seem to finish.

"Angel?"

Alright everyone, that was chapter 2. I hope that everyone liked it. I tried really hard on this one. Anyway, please REVIEW and MESSAGE me with your thoughts, opinions, ideas, and feelings on this chapter/story. I'd REALLY love to hear FEEDBACK on this. That way, I know if I got Michael right or not. Anyway, let me know what you think? Thanks everyone. Also, check out my other stories!