Chapter 9

Miles exited the diner's bathroom and went out the door. He walked down the street and paused under a streetlamp. He clutched the connection cross and looked about him. Christine had told him that he was able to use Heaven and Hell Gates but under no circumstances was he to use the latter and only use the former in an absolute emergency. Well, I'm pretty sure this is as absolute as it can get. I think Christine told me that there was a Heaven Gate right near the hospital where I was born. With no time to waste, Miles jogged to the hospital and went around back. After straining against a rolling dumpster, Miles had revealed a square of concrete underneath. He stepped onto the square which then lit up with a blue light. A cross shone the brightest in the middle as the whole square began to spin. With a surprised yelp, Miles dropped through the blue swirling mass and found himself falling out of the sky. He fell into a pile of ashes and rolled onto a tile path. He stood up and looked around with his mouth agape as he took in the ruins of Heaven.

Miles appeared to be standing in what seemed to be what had once been a garden. He took a few steps down tile path, turning his head every which way. "Oh my God." Miles managed to croak.

"Young man, you would do well not to use the Lord's name in vain." Miles whirled around to see an elderly mongoose wearing a dirty white robe. Sprouting from his back were weary looking wings with gray feathers and above his head hung a shining halo. The mongoose spoke once more, "Your Christine's mortal aren't you?"

Miles nodded, "Yes sir."

The mongoose nodded himself, "A fine angel, a credit to us all. Tell me young man. We all are dying to know, where is she?"

"She's dead…"

The mongoose's face instantly turned sad, "Oh no, not Christine… Not her…"

Miles took off his connection cross and held it out to the old angel, "Here you seem to know her so I think you should have it."

"Know her? Everybody here knows her! And we all loved her. But no, she gave it to you, so you keep it son. And if I were you, I wouldn't ever take it off again. Now, go home."

"Sir, please, I know that shouldn't be here, but I need help."

The old mongoose thought for a moment before saying, "Come with me." Miles followed him to a more open expanse where angels everywhere were working. Some were sweeping ashes into piles, others were clearing debris, and others still were tending to the wounded. All of them stopped and stared when the mongoose began to guide Miles through the chaos.

Miles could hear them whispering amongst themselves, "A mortal? Here? Impossible!" "Wait no! He is the Gifted Boy!" "He wears Christine's connection cross!" "But why? And why is he here?"

"Silence!" came the loudest voice of all.

Miles turned to see an angel step through the crowd. He was taller than the rest and his wings were as golden as his halo. All of the other angels dipped their heads in respect as he stepped into the middle clearing. The mongoose whispered to Miles, "Dip your head son. That's St. Michael."

Miles immediately did as he was told as St. Michael came up to him, "Miles? What are you doing here?"

Miles looked up, "Forgive me St. Michael but something horrible has happened." Taking St. Michael's silence a cue to go on, Miles swallowed nervously, "Christine is dead." A huge gasp spread through the angels and there was one heartbroken scream. A female yellow cat pushed her way out of the crowd and ran up to Miles.

She grasped both of Miles' hands, "Christine was my dearest friend. Please tell me that what you say isn't true!"

"I'm sorry…" The female angel screamed once more and fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

St. Michael pulled her to her feet, "Calm yourself Margret. It is alright. Christine is in His arms now."

Margret drew in a shuddering breath before asking Miles, "Where is her son Daniel? Christine told me she was taking Daniel to you in the Middle Realm. Where is he?"

Miles sighed before replying, "That's what I'm here. I need your help. Daniel is in really big trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" asked St. Michael.

"Umbra kidnapped Daniel and took him to Hell." Once more gasps rippled through the gathered angels and Margret let out another sob. Miles continued, "That's why I need your help. I want to rescue him."

Immediately St. Michael shook his head, "No. Impossible. It cannot be done."

"Why not?!"

"As angels, we cannot set foot in Hell. It is a place for demons, not us."

Miles clenched his fists and growled, "You're all cowards."

"Speak up." demanded St. Michael.

Miles looked him in the eyes and yelled, "You're all cowards! The demons dared to come into Heaven, the holiest place of all, and all you do is clean up and do nothing! You say Hell is the place for demons right? Well Daniel does not belong there! He is not a demon!" All of the angels were stunned, for no one had ever showed such defiance and anger towards St. Michael.

The old mongoose put a firm hand on Miles' shoulder, "Son, you best hold your tongue and show some respect."

"NO! I have only known Daniel for about a month but in that time, he has become a brother to me! He has spent the majority of his life locked in a room! He was so innocent and naïve! On top of that he watched his mother be killed in front of his own eyes and was powerless to stop it! Yet despite all of that he found the strength and courage to sacrifice himself so I could get away! Would a demon do that?"

St. Michael responded, "Miles, I know you are distraught but it's not that simple. We-"

Miles screamed, "I don't want to hear your excuses! If it was Christine, you would have already been going down there! Daniel needs my help and if you aren't going to assist me, then I'll go by myself!" Before anyone could stop him, Miles turned and ran back to the ashen garden and found a Heaven Gate. He pictured the alley from which he had fled and was immediately transported there.

Miles approached the glowing circle on the wall. He touched it with his hand and it began to shine and black-purple light. But the swirling portal that appeared earlier was absent. Miles looked around and saw that the young angel's corpse was still slumped in the corner where it was tossed. I wonder if Christine's body is still… No. I can't think about that right now. I have to focus on getting this Hell Gate to open. Wait, Umbra got it to open by offering blood. If I do the same… Miles picked up an empty beer bottle that was lying around and smashed it. He then took a piece of glass and cut across his index finger with a wince. He smeared the blood in the middle of the circle and with a whoosh, the Hell Gate opened. Taking a deep breath and glancing up at the stars and moon for could be the last time, Miles stepped forward and was swallowed by the Hell Gate.

Author's Note: Hello! I know there's not much going on in this chapter and because of that, I'm going to post another before moving on to Lost Past, New Friends. Not to mention I'm really excited to get to the end. :D So read, review, and most importantly, enjoy!