July 2, 2016

Exactly one day has passed since his return home. There were a lot of questions in his head that he could not answer himself. It seems so... So strange. As if he really feels someone's presence all the time. Clara asked him a lot of questions. She was extremely surprised when she found out that despite the terrible injury, William turned out to be completely healthy only after a day in intensive care.

- I do not know what happened there... - William muttered after another question. - I swear, I don't know! Maybe... look, let's just forget about this as a bad dream. After all, the main thing is that I'm alive, isn't it?

- Forget it!? How can you ever forget such a thing? It's just... Mind boggling! - Clara persisted.

- Am I the first person on Earth to whom a miracle happened? Maybe God needs me? Maybe some guardian angel saved me, huh? - William smiled.

- Anyway, I can't understand! How so?! - on the one hand, the woman agreed with her husband, and William knew about it, because they both believed in God.

- Then stop asking me these ridiculous questions that I don't know the answers to myself.

After these words, William got up from his chair and turned his back to her.

- I'm going to the workshop... I need to revise some schemes and... Maybe I'll call Henry and Scott.

- That's good. - Clara sat up. - They just wanted to know how you were.

Nodding in response, William moved towards the workshop. There is still a lot to think about.

Fortunately, only Clara interrogated him. The children also asked what happened, but the man replied that he just felt sick. Naturally, the children did not believe it, but they did not ask further.

- Daddy just got a little sick. - his wife said to his younger children with a smile. - And he had to stay in the hospital for a while. But now, everything is fine.

Of course...

Kids together tried to figure out what happened.

- Can you ask him again? - Gabriel suggested.

- Yes, we tried, all to no avail. - Elizabeth replied. - Chris, did you try to get Michael to talk?

- I tried... - Chris answered. - But he says he doesn't know anything either, and neither do we. All he saw was that dad had a head wound and that was it.

- Listen, let's close this topic. - Charlie couldn't stand it. - The main thing is that Mr. Afton is alive and well, isn't it?

- If he had a wound on his head, then there must have been a scar... - Naomi said.

- But? - Sammy asked.

- But there was nothing there! - Naomi continued.

- This is all very strange... - Cassidy said.

15 hours 37 minutes

William pondered all this as he descended the stairs. As soon as he was in the workshop, something happened. An incomprehensible hum arose in his head, and eyes became a little cloudy. Suddenly a trickle of blood ran from his nose. His head ached badly, and clutching it, William fell to his knees.

- Are you in pain? - a familiar voice asked him.

The man just looked up. And he saw the mysterious man who had freed him from the darkness.

- No, you don't have to answer. I know it hurts. It always hurts at first. Then you'll get used to it.

And indeed, the pain began to fade. William got to his feet and wiped the blood away with the back of his hand.

- You...

The man grinned.

- It was the right decision to keep silent about me. You're a good friend, William. I'm glad I could help you.

- I still don't know your name.

- Why are you so eager to know it?

- Usually, I know the names of my friends. - the man replied, and a faint hint of a smile appeared on his lips.

There was a short pause after these words. Then, the man approached, and smiled at him.

- You are very persistent, and I like it. - he sat down next to me on a chair in the workshop. - But didn't I say it wasn't time yet?

- Then when will the time come?

- It might sound like it to you... Strange. - his savior began to explain, getting up from his chair and turning his back to him. - You know... My real name... Can kill you.

- What? - William didn't understand.

- Well, I told you. - the man turned to him again.

And he smiled again.

- It's cursed. And neither you nor anyone else will be able to pronounce it, while preserving their lives.

- And who cursed you? - William asked.

- Oh... I've already told you too much.

- Then... What should I call you?

Thinking, the man replied.

- Well, you can call me by my old name...

The stranger bent down slightly, taking off his hat.

- K'hadesh.

As soon as this name was mentioned, blood flowed from William's nose again.

- K'hadesh... - he repeated, covering his nostrils with his finger. - And who are you?

After this question, the figure in the hat in front of him froze. He looked at the man in surprise, as if no one had ever said such a thing to him before.

- I... Doubt that an ordinary person would be able to save me from death... I feel this power coming from you... So who are you? - William added.

This time the pause stretched out. Perhaps he asked this question in vain? He told him he wasn't ready yet.

- Angel. - suddenly there was an answer.

Now William was in a stupor.

- I heard your conversation. You assumed I was an angel. You can take it as the truth. After all, aren't angels supposed to help people? - immediately after these words, a smile appeared on K'hadesh's face. However, this time it seemed to him slightly... Sour?

- Then why do you have black eyes? - the man said with apprehension and surprise. - And why am I so important to you?

- Like I said, I'm cursed. I am faithful to God. But... He can't help me anymore.

- Isn't God Almighty? - William was surprised.

- Almighty? There is nothing almighty in this world. - K'hadesh replied in a calm voice. - Human stories exaggerate. And I am a clear example of that. God no longer hears me, and I don't hear him. I'm a loner.

And it wasn't over yet.

- You are important to me because you are strong. - he continued. - I've been living in darkness all this time. Until you showed up. I felt a gift in you that could set us both free. That's why we should become friends. I saved you, and you saved me.

Now it all makes sense. The man was still doubtful, but something drove away these doubts. It was probably K'hadesh himself. It was as if William could always trust him. As if they were really friends! So his savior is an angel cursed by someone, eager to help him, in return for his release. Before that, he lived in a kind of darkness. Maybe that's why his eyes are so black. And now, he has taken the form of a human. Most likely, the real appearance is also too dangerous for a mortal.

- And what's yours... A soul? - William asked suddenly.

- Soul? - K'hadesh repeated after William. - God deprived me of my soul, considering that I did not deserve it. That's why I don't have it.

The man did not know where he got these thoughts from. They seemed to come out of nowhere. Like a legend, which he now firmly believed in... Like a fairy tale that existed in reality.

- That's good... - the angel continued to whisper. - Mutual understanding is very important. I hope I've answered all your questions now. And are you ready to listen to me?

- Yes. - William replied quietly.

- Then listen carefully. Like I said, I have a task for you... But you can count it as a request...

15 hours 50 minutes

- How do you feel about the child? - an unexpected question sounded.

- What? - the man asked anxiously.

- That boy Jeremy who asked you to give him an autograph... How do you feel about him?

William frowned. What a strange question? How can he feel about the unknown boy? Or was the fact that he was someone's idol now supposed to embarrass him?

- Nothing.

- This is the wrong answer. - K'hadesh replied, and it seemed to William that these words were whispered in his ear. - Look deeper, William. I see you're hiding something. What's it? What do you feel?

At first, the man almost shouted that he did not understand why to ask him such ridiculous questions. And then, something stirred inside him and... He really felt it... It was...

Anger?

Something strange happened that made William's hand twitch. Anger surged at him with full force, and he barely held on so as not to ruin the workshop to hell.

- Yes! - angel seemed to like it. - Yes, you realize! But that's not all... Dig even deeper!

As if on cue, the anger subsided slightly, and another feeling joined it. Often suitable, and not at all similar at the same time.

Fear.

And where did he get such thoughts from? He just remembered a little boy, with eyes shining with joy, in an orange cap. What could have made him so angry about him? And even more so to frighten?

- I don't understand. - William finally said, calming his mind.

- You understand, you just haven't realized it yet...

- Then explain. - the man asked impatiently.

- First the task. We've gone too far from the terms of the assignment.

- Okay... - he nodded. - I'm ready. What do I need to do?

- Wait. Do not rush. - K'hadesh said calmly. - It might shock you a little.

- You saved my life... Returned to the family. I'm ready for anything.

The angel laughed. In any other situation, this would have seemed suspicious to William. But something kept reassuring him, giving him no reason to suspect K'hadesh. Something seemed to be controlling him, but he didn't think about it. Everything around him seemed sincere and honest, as if he was a child. The laughter seemed friendly and kind.

- That's good. - angel finally said.

Angel. Could an angel really hurt him in any way?

- That's very good. - K'hadesh continued. - Charlotte...

There was a short pause after that, and William frowned again.

- What?

- I see that you know this name well...

- This is the daughter of my good friend... Best friend.

- Better than me?

The man was taken aback. He didn't know how to answer this question and for some reason panicked sharply.

- I... He... He didn't save my life, but... We have been friends since childhood.

K'hadesh was silent for a while, like an offended child. It seemed a little strange to William. As if he didn't want the man to have any other friends besides him.

After a minute of silence, the angel spoke again.

- It doesn't matter... You're going to have to do something very important. Remove an extra player from this game.

William hesitated. What could these words mean? A player?

- I still don't understand anything. - he couldn't resist. - If we are friends, then stop talking in riddles!

He literally shouted with impatience, but realizing this, he quietly added.

- Please...

And again a long pause. It was as if every time William surprised K'hadesh, forcing him to think about the answer. Or was the angel testing his endurance?

- Okay. - K'hadesh finally whispered. - Okay... You have to commit murder, William. Have you ever cut someone's throat?

From such a question, the man choked on saliva. And clearing his throat, his pupils dilated with fear, he began to inspect the workshop. Only now did he realize that an unexpected panic had come over him. Except something was drowning it out. His sixth sense was drowning him out.

- No. - William said.

- Then listen to me carefully. I will help you, but... Promise me you won't turn away from this path.

William clearly couldn't find the words to answer. In part, it seemed to him that angel was amused by this.

- I know it's hard for you. I understand that you're scared. In part, it even hurts you. But I'll help you with that. You just have to listen to me.

Swallowing hard, the man squinted left and right a few more times.

- I'm listening to you...

- Great! - it seems that the angel was delighted. - After all, if you don't do this... Request. Your family may suffer.

William froze. Once again. He didn't even dare to stutter, being in complete shock.

- Wh-What? - he squeezed out of himself.

- Stop playing the fool, William, you already ask this stupid question too often! - the angel spoke in a rough voice. - You asked me to be honest with you and speak directly. So that's what I want to tell you. You need to kill Charlotte.

There was no response. The man demanded a revelation, he got it. But he regretted it a thousand times. Now his thoughts were confused, just like when he was in the dark. He was trying to understand why K'hadesh had asked him to do such a terrible thing. Why was the conversation about the boy before that? What was the angel leading to all this time? Angel... An angel cannot harm a person. An angel always tells the truth... Once again, William felt reassured. Once again, he sincerely believed his savior, and this task did not seem terrible to him at all... The sprouts of common sense tried to break through this aura of calm, but the man himself drove them away. He didn't think anyone could control him. Angels can't do evil. So, evil is...

- Charlotte. - K'hadesh whispered and grinned. - An extra player. She's going to get in our way, William. She's a terrible creature who just hasn't shown herself yet. Everything will be fine at first. And then she'll grow up. Evil will manifest. And she will ruin your plans. Your family. You yourself.

- No! - at some point, William was able to free himself from the invisible captivity. - No... She's a child...

The angel growled furiously and, coming up, grabbed the man by the head, pulling him closer to him.

- That boy who almost broke your whole life is also a child! And look where that got you!

- No. - William said again and pulled away. - It wasn't him... He's innocent.

- If he hadn't been begging for your autograph at that moment, you wouldn't have been caught off guard. Look into my eyes, and accept it! A child can also be evil...

K'hadesh's face expressed anger and a certain sadness, which he tried not to show. However, it is not at all clear why this sadness appeared. William was still dazed. His persistent mind was giving him weak signals. In vain. Each time, stronger and stronger, something blocked them. And despite the fact that only he and the angel were in the workshop, guesses did not even think to come to his head. Whatever it was, the man still continued to struggle with himself. Sensing this confusion in his head, K'hadesh smiled and began to press him harder, trying to appear as kind and honest as possible.

- Why is this baffling you, William? Tell me, and I will support you.

- I... I... - the man only managed to squeeze out of himself.

- The thing is, I suggested that you kill the child, didn't I?

- Y-Yes... Partly... I don't understand why? Why her?

- Would you do that if she was an adult? - the angel persisted, as if he had missed the question.

- No, I am... I'm still waiting for an answer. - William answered confidently, though with fear.

There was silence in the workshop for a few seconds, until K'hadesh thoughtfully turned his gaze towards the stairs.

- As I said, even a child can be evil. She's threatening us, William. All of us.

While the man's mind still continued to break through the invisible shackles, the situation seemed to him absurd to the point of laughter and terrible to the point of trembling.

- She's just a little, stupid child... - William managed to say before the angel finally got angry. It seems that the way he perceived everything around him did not like K'hadesh very much.

- Pull yourself together, William! Stop taking everything so primitive! - K'hadesh looked like he was on the verge of a breakdown, but then immediately calmed down. - Stupid child. Perhaps you're absolutely right... However, there is a small nuance here. All people were children once, William. And many then began to do evil.

- You mean that damn boy is evil too?

- Evil? It doesn't mean anything. A pathetic grain of sand, which was useful only for an example. I was hinting at something more. Don't you still understand?

- I don't understand. - William replied firmly. - What is her evil?

Throwing away all emotions and calming his mind, he concentrated.

- Okay... I'll explain it to you...

The angel also knew how to look into the future. But only for a few seconds and then not to everyone and not always. He had very little of this magic with moving into the future. But he managed to show it. In just a couple of moments, terrible pictures flashed before William. So terrible that he was thrown into a cold sweat, and a disgusting chill passed through his body, which cramped his legs. He saw death, and far from one. He saw everything through the eyes of a brutal killer who confidently cut the throats of children, for a reason he himself did not understand. He was a psychopath, in whose eyes gradually clouded, flooding everything in front of him with a terrible crimson. He was laughing, he could smell fresh blood and he was happy about it. But it didn't seem like a nightmare to him. In his corrupted soul, he was calm. These children seemed familiar to William for a moment, but it didn't matter to him at all now. Most of all, he was prevented from doing evil by only one being. Radiating light, smiling and kind, it seemed to him a vile slug, not allowing him to move on. It didn't allow him to kill. It did not allow to deprive innocent souls of their lives. It was not alone, it was supported by other creatures equally vile for the killer, who did not allow him to do evil. However, their leader was his main target. He hunted for it, but in vain. Each time the creature deceived him by leading him in circles. Not too long. Whatever is supporting him, it is not almighty. And so, blood spurted from its chest. He didn't do it. He didn't bleed. Something else, slowly crept up from behind. A shadow that watched the fallen body with pity. A shadow that couldn't do anything. But they won't know what happened next, because the angel's powers are over.

The performance stopped, and the unfortunate William fell to the ground, hardly realizing what was happening around him.

- This is the answer to your question. - angel said, waiting for the man to come to his senses.

William couldn't believe it and wouldn't accept it. The vision that the angel showed him turned out to be terribly nightmarish and scary. He saw everything he wanted to see. He learned the essence of what he had never guessed before.

He saw the good that K'hadesh was trying to bring to this world. And, unfortunately, he was convinced that the savior was not lying. Charlotte is an evil that has not yet manifested itself. A violent maniac that only he can stop. Yes, yes, just him. The vision was extremely clear. In it, K'hadesh tries to break through the veil of death and debauchery, where something terrible is hiding in the abyss. All this time he sees murders that he didn't commit. He tries to interfere, to get in the way, but Charlotte is strong. Very strong. Something helps her, something powerful. She lures her victims to her, pretending to be their friend. It affects people, but K'hadesh got rid of it for William. And he will be the savior of the world. The savior of the world from darkness.

After thinking it all over and finally coming to his senses, the man became literally obsessed with the desire to fulfill the will of his savior as soon as possible. How could he be so blind? Even children can be evil.

- You were right! - the man spoke happily. - We were all children once. But children sometimes grow up to be murderers. And they can't be allowed to. Now I understand your impulses. You are looking for children in this world, knowing what they will be capable of in the future, understanding their terrible potential. You are wandering in the dark, finding yourself a faithful guide who will be ready to fulfill your will, no matter how creepy it would not seem from the very beginning. The devil hates you for doing good. God hates you because you kill his children. But you realize, I understand. Even God is not almighty. Yes, otherwise why would he need angels? And he'll bring you back when he sees it.

- Even God is not almighty. - K'hadesh smiled. No, he practically laughed, thinking about this phrase. - You're doing great, William. You're a very good friend. Now you need to get ready. I will help, as promised. But you won't back down now, will you?

- I'm ready. - the man said confidently.