3. Michael

"Will we ever see you again?" Jeep's voice caught him up, right at the precipice's edge.

He looked back just to see his face, still showing traces of his recent hardship but full of hope. What had Jeep expected to hear? That it was all over, and now they could live happily ever after, and that that was why he, Michael, would never come back? That was never gonna happen. Nothing was over, it was just the beginning. It was just one battle, not even the hardest one to win. And there would be more. Or maybe he would prefer something like 'Guys, I'm staying to protect you and the Child forever?' Not an option either. He belonged to Heaven, not Earth. And humans should learn how to live their lives decently by themselves. That was their only true hope, and he really hoped they'd take it. Besides… he had something very important to do – he should talk again to his brother. Gabriel. He must deal with their issues.

So he turned his face back, met Jeep's eyes and said the best he was able to say: "Have faith."

And then he took a run and jumped from the cliff-top. It was so good to feel the wind once more singing its song through his wings. So good that he didn't bother to look back when he heard a strange noise, like a scream. Why would he? His mission there was accomplished.

He knew that something was wrong the very moment he reached Heaven. Gabriel wasn't there. He couldn't felt his presence. Not a big surprise though - clearly he needed some time alone. Michael certainly would've, if he'd done something like his little brother had – killed him. Yeah, that kind of stuff would need some time to process, but surely it could not be for long, right? They still had obligations, and the younger archangel was always keen on duty. But more and more time passed and Gabriel didn't show up, and none of their other brothers could tell Michael anything about the missing one. Couldn't or didn't want to. So he went to the source of all knowledge.

xxx

"I'm worried, Father."

"Why?"

"I can't find my brother, Gabriel."

"The one who killed you."

"But he had orders! Orders that You gave him… You didn't punish him for that, did You?"

"Michael, why would I punish so loyal and obedient a son? Of course I didn't. He did what he had to, and you did – what needed to be done."

"I don't understand…"

"Neither does he. You both served a higher purpose."

"But how?"

"You should have more faith in Me."

"I believe You, Father."

"That's not what I'm talking about. Everything happens for a reason. Remember that, Michael."

"Yes, Father. I only want to know where my brother is. That's all I ask."

"Well, he asked me for something too. And I gave it to him. You see, Gabriel always was a true believer, as you know, but now he needs to understand."

Then there was a deep silence. Michael spoke no more to his Father, because he realized exactly where Gabriel was.

xxx

When he got out of the car a sudden flash of bright light almost blinded him, so that he was forced to shield his eyes with his arm. A couple of moments later, he heard a young man's voice.

"Clear," the man said.

And then the light blinked and became more tolerable, so that Michael could drop his hand. When he did so, what he saw… Well, right in front of him was a black SUV, and a young girl with her back and both palms against its hood. She was wearing all black, pants and boots and t-shirt underneath an unbuttoned hoodie. The SUV's doors were open, and behind them he saw Charlie and Jeep, who were pointing guns at him. From their faces it was clear that they had been through some harsh times since he left. And yes, they had grown older. But the most important person was certainly the boy. Or not a boy, actually, but rather a very young man, hiding behind the old crashed track on his left. Good position, the safe one, unlike the girl's, standing right in the firing line. She didn't realize it, didn't care, or was she supposed to be a distraction? Never mind, the girl could wait. The boy – Cain, he reminded himself – could not.

Actually there was another person he had been hoping – eager – to see, and until now he had been almost sure that that person would be here. But he hadn't shown up. His little brother. Gabriel. Was he still mad at Michael – he was so mad back then, despite the guilt he felt, Michael knew that for sure – or maybe he still felt embarrassed? How had all these years spent amongst human beings changed him? Had he changed at all? Why hadn't he come?! He had definitely got the message, for how else would these people have known when and where to meet him? So he was at least in contact with them. Or perhaps not, bearing in mind the history of their relationship – Jeep's father, Bob, shot at Gabriel, who spun rapidly, his deadly wings covering him and protecting him from bullets. It was frightening and beautiful. Then a long cut appeared on Bob's abdomen. – Anyway, it was a lead. The only one he had.

All these thoughts crossed his mind in a flash, ending with this: Focus, Michael. First things first.

So he took a step forward and said with a smile, or at least with his idea of a smile, "It's nice to see you all alive."

To his great surprise it was the girl – Cain's girlfriend? – who answered him, as if she was the one in charge. She straightened up and then took a step forward – not a girl, but rather a woman – and said with a beautiful, deep – angelic – and yet ironic voice, "Well, hey yourself, too, Michael."

And then she took one more step forward, so that he could clearly see her neck, covered with a tattoo. The same tattoo he had on his own. And then he saw her eyes. They were different, but that steady unblinking gaze… he would have recognized that no matter what.

He blinked at her, and all he was able to say, in a husky voice full of such disbelief, was, "Gabriel?..."

Her answer was emotionless. "Surprise surprise."