Remiel the archangel had been secretly sneaking off to Hell for over half a year now, and it wasn't hard for those in Heaven to notice he was rather slacking off in his duties as the Archangel of Hope and Dreams. After all, all of the Angels had lots of work to do in Heaven, plenty of souls to tend to, but Remiel seemed rather…out of it.
It didn't help that the Heavenly Forces knew about that particular town Remiel liked to hang out in. It was a quiet town in Connecticut, nothing special, nothing fancy. Just farmland in a valley between large mountains with loads of forests dotting all about. They WOULD have brought up the fact it was getting to be a problem that he kept shirking his duties…
But then…a real problem occurred. For the one and only Emerald Book of Secrets, the greatest tome in all the universe, with which a single sentence changed could rewrite entire lives…had almost been stolen.
It had been another beautiful day in Heaven when Michael, the Archangel of Justice, War, and Law, had gone in to check on the most important book in all existence, that shimmering, verdant tome bound in deep green, with glittering golden lettering upon it. It was situated in the center of Heaven as always, the building under tight lock and key, and with a shimmering, faintly translucent and transparent field of soft light bathed over it. No demon or devil could get within 100 feet…only an angelic being, a true servant of Heaven, could. The best protection possible!
…and…yet…
SOMEHOW…somebody had gotten in. The seal on the door was broken! Michael had raced inside to find a figure vanishing in a dark cloud of mist, dissipating before his eyes, the book being dropped back down on the pedestal it'd been taken from with a THUNK. Racing to it, Michael brought the book to the greatest source of all to ensure it hadn't been fiddled with…
"Hmm."
God gazed down upon the Emerald Book of Secrets as he sat in a very, VERY nice-looking chair that was made of plush leather, the other Archangels gathered around him and gazing down over his shoulder as he peered through the book. God flipped through the pages, humming slightly, his eyes gazing intently, unblinking.
Then…
"…okay, for real, would you all please step back a few feet? I really can't concentrate when you're staring over my shoulder. It's rather quite annoying." He intoned.
The archangels all immediately bolted a few feet back and blushed or bowed in apology or began quickly muttering out "Sorry! Sorry sorry sorry" over and over as God sighed and went back to reading, shaking his head back and forth. Remiel gazed upon his God, nervously biting his lip, wondering if, perhaps, something had been drastically altered. If but ONE sentence in the book was erased or fiddled with, who knew what might be different in reality? Up could become down! Black could become white! Nazis would ride around on Dinosaurs! The Phillies might become a good Baseball team! DANE COOK COULD GET POPULAR-
"Phew. Nothing's changed." God slammed the book shut and everyone in the cozy, light-blue-painted hall breathed a sigh of relief, turning to one another and looking pleased. "Lovely. Though we really must learn who got inside the Hall of Secrets. Gabe, my dearest heart, I'd like you to start talking to everyone who was at the Hall today and nearby within the past half a day." He asked of a very long-haired, dark-haired angel that, to put it mildly, looked very much in touch with their feminine side. In fact, they were so androgynous that you might easily mistake them for a woman. Gabriel was, indeed, someone who could, and did, pass as a woman upon Earth when they occasionally went down themselves…just the way God made 'em.
They saluted cheerily and smiled. "Absolutely!" They said, God tipping his gigantic hat to her, as his four eyes glittered brightly, and his white tuxedo shone. He had soft, beautiful skin to the eyes of Gabriel, a fine pair of black gloves, and a beaming smile.
"Raphael, I want you to speak to the humans who've recently arrived and ask them if they noticed anybody…acting oddly. We've had this book since literally time immemorial and it's possible that, perhaps, a recent soul rather foolishly brought something up that weakened the protection around the Hall without even realizing it." God added to Raphael, who had hair past his shoulders, thick and brown, and beautifully vibrant green eyes. Raphael bowed to God, the most gentle, softest-furred lamb he'd ever seen, who's tender voice would bring tears to your eyes.
"Uriel…you were on guard duty that day, correct? Gabriel can speak to you first." God asked of the red-haired angel who nodded and bowed his head, slamming his fist into his chest. Uriel had a slightly sharp chin, and piercing eyes, and wore a bow and arrow upon his back with chain mail armor almost the exact same color as his hair. He towered considerably over most of the other angels in the room, and gave a nod at God. "…and Uriel…please be more…OPEN. I know you're a man of few words, but in this case, make an exception."
"…very well." Uriel said, his voice quite deep and imposing as he looked upon God, who was the most handsomest lion you'd ever seen in your life, with flowing locks of fur, a beautifully thick mane, and more importantly, a voice that so perfectly emulated Liam Neeson.
"And Azrael…"
The others all turned to the scythe-wielding, dark-robed angel of Death who quietly nodded. He had dark skin, and pale eyes, and you couldn't even see what color his hair was because his robe was so huge! As were his wings…like a giant raven! Tattoos of runes stretched across his face and over the bridge of his nose, translated in Angelic Script to read the translation of his name: "Whom God Helps".
"I would like you to pay a visit to Hell, have a little chat with your contacts and inquire whether or not any of them know of any…attempted incursions into Heaven?" God asked politely. "Because if I had to guess as to who might try and get inside Heaven, to get at the book…I'd wager it was Lucifer. After all, he is…in his own way…still one of my servants."
The Angel of Death looked sadly upon the old man. He seemed sadder and more tired than ever, his gentle, wrinkled, bearded face filled with mournful regret as he laid his faintly gnarled hands upon his knees. Even in his age, his frame was muscular and mighty, yet the waves of regret cascading off him almost made HIM weep.
"Yes, our Father." Azrael said. "I'll do as you ask." He intoned, vanishing in a flap of his mighty wings.
In the back, Remiel inwardly gulped. Uh oh. Today was the day he wanted to try and bring Snizzi into Heaven. They'd been friends for so long now, and he thought Snizzi would enjoy a day trip to Heaven…it did get rather boring just relaxing on Earth in that quaint little New England town. But he doubted he could get a visitor's pass now…
…unless…
No. God would never, ever permit it. But…well…
He waited for the other archangels to leave, making like HE was leaving before hanging back, turning, and asking the question on his mind.
"My Lord, may I-"
THWUMPHF. A very gentle something soared through the air and THWAK. It hit him in the face. Remiel stared, before noticing that a cute little white rose was fluttering softly down. He caught it in his hand, and looked up.
"I know what you're going to ask, and yes. Just this once…you can have your little friend come up, if he agrees to abide by our rules." God told him gently with a little smile. "Make sure he's wearing the rose."
"Oh, THANKS!" Remiel beamed with joy, practically bouncing out of the room as God chuckled and picked the Emerald Book of Secrets back up, peering through it a little, licking his fingers and then turning the pages to re-read some of his favorite parts. In this case, his creation of Australia. Boy he'd had fun with THAT one.
"Ahhh, good times…" he sighed. "Now THAT'S what I call made in My image." He chuckled as he looked over the moment when he created koalas. The most sweetest-looking adorable bears you'd ever seen, entirely herbivorous, didn't touch an ounce of meat and slept 20 hours a day...with THE most ludicrously sharp claws you'd ever seen and a vicious dark side if you pissed them off. Perhaps he should go visit the Land Down Under sometime.
…
…
…
… "I'm not going to lie to you, plenty of people want that Book down in Hell."
Vassago's human form rested upon a bench as he smoked on a cigarette. He wore a black, short-sleeve jacket and pants to match, with a chain belt and his long, spiky, fiery red hair flowed way past his waist as he turned to the dark-tux-wearing African American next to him who was leisurely writing down in his journal. Vassago had piercing green eyes as he gazed at Azrael's human form, blowing a bit of smoke off to the side.
"Fact is, we've had quite a few Lords and Ladies talking about how amazing it'd be if they got their hands on it. Lucifer, yes, included…because frankly, it's obvious he misses Heaven." Vassago added. "If he didn't…he wouldn't have kept his last name."
Azrael said nothing. He just kept writing, raising a pencil-thin eyebrow up as the wind softly blew through his short-cut hair.
"And the thing is, all of us in the Upper Rings of Hell were supposed to be meeting for a check-in yesterday, but nobody showed up. EVERYONE had a convenient excuse…" Vassago chuckled. "Even me. Course, my excuse was I was busy on Earth, murdering people."
"…yes. I know."
The Angel of Death did not like Vassago. The fiery-haired demon hid himself as a McDonalds worker in the local town and he'd been using his position there to check out humans he thought deserved to die…almost all of them were people who abused or mistreated children. Now, yes…that sort of person was a wretched being, and yes, Azrael was in fact the Angel of Death, but that didn't mean he wanted people dying before what was supposed to be their time. There was, in general, a certain period that folks were supposed to die, spaces between years, sometimes even months. Vassago however kept cutting them short because he felt that a woman who kept sending her children to bed without supper deserved a knife to the chest, or a man who took a belt to his toddler deserved to have his heart cut out.
The only reason Vassago was not obliterated was because he despised his fellow demons…at least, most of them…and was so high up the chain he could give valuable information to Azrael. So he was useful…for now.
"…do you feel no pity for any of your victims?" Azrael asked.
Vassago extinguished his cigarette on the bench and quietly looked off into the sky, blinking slowly.
"…it's so damn pretty when the wind blows like this." He murmured. "You see the clouds softly ambling by overhead, and you feel at peace when a soft breeze goes through your hair. I like Earth, you know." Vassago admitted. "…kids deserve to live happily here. Anyone who'd mistreat them doesn't deserve to live at all." He added. "…I know, intellectually, it ain't right. But…" He shrugged. "…I just don't care. Guess that's why I'm a demon. I'm not a good person. But I like to think I do a bit of good…if it means I get a kid away from a shithead."
"…I'll take your words into consideration." Azrael snapped his journal shut, walking off, past a familiar figure. He halted, turning to see Remiel of all people…though wearing a plain green t-shirt and white pants…bringing a red-haired, nervous-looking human into a nearby bookstore. Frowning slightly, he silently followed after as Remiel led the young twelve-year old boy into the back of the bookstore, and the Angel of Death peered in through the keyhole.
Once inside the back, Remiel gave his friend the white rose, and as the lad took it, a change befell him. His skin shimmered and faded, and now a blue-skinned imp with a red chest and belly stood there, holding the white rose in his gloved hands. "You're…sure it's okay?"
"It's a literal Gift from God." Remiel said gently. "Now come on…let me show you MY world." He insisted as he put a hand on his friend's shoulder, Azrael tut-tutting, shaking his head a bit as a soft, swirling portal of white opened up before them. Snizzi stepped through…
And there they were.
Heaven.
It was…truly…beautiful. Seemingly endless sky overhead. The beautiful gates gleamed and glistened in cascading light from something far greater than any sun. It was as if the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow opened up in the distance and was eternally shining over all you saw. Merely stepping closer to those pearly gates made Snizzi feel oddly…at peace. The closer he got to it, the less terrified and frightened he became, all his worries about not feeling like he belonged were dissolving as a soft and smiling face stood there and bowed, wearing a very fancy outfit, a big smile on his features and with well-kept brown hair and tanned skin. He was wearing a cross not upon his neck…but it was wrapped around his head, bouncing slightly against his forehead as he bowed a bit.
"Heya Petey! How are you?" Remiel inquired. "I've got a visitor I'd like to show Heaven to, to see how the other side lives."
"Oh, we've got ANOTHER one…" Saint Peter chuckled. "You know, ol' Morningstar's up here too. God wanted to talk to him first. Obvious suspect and all!"
Indeed, even now Lucifer Morningstar was speaking with the Angel of Death as Uriel stood nearby, resting against the wall. Lucifer, here in the halls of Heaven once more, had put on his finest attire for the occasion, and adjusted his big, fancy white jacket. Yet even as he spoke with seemingly clear conviction, Uriel eyeing him thoroughly, one hand nonchalantly peeling an apple with the tip of his arrow in one clean, long strip, there was something in his voice.
"So I was busy with my family. My wife and I are teaching little Charlie how to handle money." Lucifer protested. "I was nowhere near Heaven. Maybe ask Satan, after all, he's technically "me"…I had to put my Bestial side somewhere."
"You look like you want to cry."
Uriel almost cut his finger as he stopped carving the skin of his apple and Lucifer stared, stunned, at Azrael. The dark-skinned archangel quietly rested his hands on his lap as Lucifer blinked his eyes quickly, but not quick enough for even Uriel now to not notice it.
"…I miss Heaven." Lucifer said. "…I miss it a lot. I don't understand why He had to keep me out of it."
"You know why." Uriel said quickly, but then he thought better of it and instead of saying the more biting, cruel response, he took in a deep breath and spoke more carefully, almost kindly. "You know…what Father would ask of you if you did want to return."
"…I just…can't." Lucifer insisted. "…I can't."
Uriel shook his head slightly back and forth and Azrael let loose a very long sigh. "Very well. We will speak with Satan next. Goodbye, Samael."
Lucifer gripped his shoulders, the spot where his beautiful, luscious, downy wings had one sprouted, quietly shuddering before he walked out of the room, Uriel escorting him as Azrael sighed, and then got out a white rose from his robes. Time to call upon that old dragon next.
"So, tell me! What's your name?" Peter asked of Snizzi after Remiel had told his pal Petey all about his new Impy buddy. "I have to admit I was a little skeptical but Remy here says you're actually REALLY nice, and, well, Remiel's never been wrong about a soul before, even a demonic one."
"I'm Snizzi, known as "The Emperor"." Snizzi said with a polite bow, one hand on his chest, the other arm stretching out.
"Well now, that's a horse of a different color!" Saint Peter hopped down from the enormous golden podium he was behind and took hold of Snizzi's gloved hands, shaking them so vigorously the blue-scaled imp thought his arm was gonna fall off! "I've heard so much about you, you're the ME of Hell!" Saint Peter happily intoned. "Well, by all means come in, welcome to Heaven!" he told the imp as he turned with one hand, and as he gestured at the beautiful gates, they slowly opened up, as a gentle breeze began to blow over all of them. It was as if something was being breathed into Snizzi as his red eyes widened.
"It…it feels…" He whispered.
"Like nothing else, right? Wait until you get all the way inside…and brace yourself." Remiel added, patting his friend on the back as they walked along a soft, cloudy pathway that led them further towards that soft eternal light, as buildings began to manifest around them the minute he stepped past the threshold. There appeared to be an enormous, neverending ocean off in the distance to the west, a beautifully lush forest to the east, and to the north, that eternal light cascading over all as people in halos and wings walked by, looking over at the newcomers once in a while.
As Snizzi and Remiel kept walking along this path of clouds, he noticed that somehow he'd joined an enormous CROWD of newcomers. Somehow they'd entered Heaven at the exact same time as they had, but…how? It was like-yes, he could hear it. As he walked further from the threshold, he could hear Saint Peter welcoming not just one or two people but many into Heaven, all speaking in different languages, tones, and at the same time.
The newcomers were eagerly chatting amongst one another, and as they did so, Snizzi was sure that…he could hear music? Soft, gentle guitar music wafting through the air, a slightly bouncy strumming…
"So Ron and Nancy got the house but Sid and Nancy rule! And you?" One of the newcomers asked a welcoming angel who clasped the newbie's hands and chuckled.
"Oh I died eight years ago, I'm still a legend at my high school! I stole a Chevy and I wrapped it round a tree, cuz I'd always said "nobody's gonna make the next century"."
"Now you're up in Heaven, and you're all here to stay!" Another angel cheerily told the newcomers, stretching his arms wide as they ambled towards him, eager for a kind of orientation, crowding around as an enormous "Welcome to Heaven" sign was stretched out on royal papyrus that floated in the air, stretching out overhead above this black-haired archangel whom Remiel smiled cheerily at. Good ol' Gabe!
"Where the clouds are really puffy…" Snizzi added, hopping slightly up and down on the balls of his taloned feet, as Remiel pulled him into a slight one-handed hug, and then wheeled him about to face the TRUE splendor!
"And the angels sing everyday!"
And there it was. Not just a few dozen, not even hundreds or thousands, but MILLIONS. Possibly the most beautiful, astoundingly divine creatures you'd ever see…humans. Beyond mere mortals, now angels in Heaven. They weren't beautiful because they looked nice. No, on the contrary, you can have a very nice face and still be ugly, because if a person is always having ugly thoughts, eventually it appeared upon one's face. No high cheekbones or supple chest or tight buns or ripped abs could cover up the ugliness of your soul. ESPECIALLY if you get ugly thoughts every day, week, year. Eventually you get to be so ugly, nobody can stand to look at you.
But if you have good thoughts all the time, it didn't matter if you had a stubby nose, or craggly teeth, a fat ass or zits. No, the good vibes in you will shine out from you like the rays of the sun, and you will look lovely, and here…here in Heaven there was nothing but the pure vibes of goodness radiating from everyone there, as they sang and twirled about.
Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa! Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa!
They clapped their hands in perfect rhythm to the music that seemed to fill up Snizzi's very soul, spinning around in perfect synchronicity.
Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa! Wo-oh-oh…
As Remiel led him further down the cloud path, they entered a positively ginormous, seemingly larger-on-the-inside building. Loads of tables lined the interior, and people were continuing to sing and dance in perfect rhythm to the song! As the imp looked about he realized where they were…and boy, it was…well…
"The cafeteria's got everything, but it's gonna drive you mad. It's like the corniest Hawaiian party that you ever had! It's like the worst Elvis film I've ever seen!" Remiel confessed as they waltzed right on by servers in the cafeteria who were handing out to seemingly endless lines of hungry folks exactly what they'd ordered.
"Yeah, technicolor Luau, and technicolor green!" Snizzi admitted with a laugh, looking over the rather GARISHLY painted walls, if there was one thing that was a bit too hokey in Heaven, it was however did the interior decorating here.
"Course we've got camping trips, donkey rides, singing by the fire…" Staccato admitted as he gestured at a very large set of sign up sheets on billboards next to what appeared to be menus on the wall, and boy, there were quite a load of fine selections of activities to pick. It was as if somebody had combined both a Hawaiian vacation and a trip to an amusement park with a summer camp. "And we can sign you up for SURFING…"
"Sure, but DON'T put me in the choir." Snizzi laughed, as the people at the TABLES began to sing too! They stood up and cartwheeled, they clapped their hands in tune to the tune, they held one another's hands and spun each other about, and of course, several people were playing guitar, big and cheery grins on their faces as they strummed along to the beat!
Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa! Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa! Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa! Wo-oh-oh…
"So there she was this morning getting fitted for her wings! Leather boots, magenta hair and saying nasty things!" Snizzi turned, taking notice of a big, cute, cheery-looking…cherub. It had to be a cherub. Their true forms were animalistic, and yet they had distinctly human features too. The kind of chest and main body of a human but with a very lamblike face, no…no, more like a GOAT for this one. A very cute, fuzzy, white-furred baby goat with little stubby horns, cloven hooves, four wings so vibrant and lusciously smooth-feathered. He was patting a reddish/brown-haired teenage girl who had very rosy cheeks and a oddly creepy smile who was playfully ruffling the cherub's fur atop his head.
"Now, I'd say she was an angel…"
"But that's stupid, and it's obvious. HE says "You'll really hate it here cause we're the only ones like us"!" The rosy-cheeked teen girl laughed.
"Yes, it's crypto-fascist mania! It's silicon deliria!" The cherub chortled.
"And "Yeah", I said. "You're right…but I like the cafeteria"!" The girl laughed as she picked up a VERY nice looking…well…leg of lamb, wiggled it playfully in front of the cherub and CHOMP, bit right into it as the cherub laughed and gave her a noogie as Snizzi chuckled at this sight, he and Remiel walking out of the cafeteria. Snizzi simply took it all in, the way that eternal breath seemed to invigorate him as he kept walking around, never getting tired despite it feeling as though they'd been walking for hours! The way everyone here seemed so simply…happy. Palpably content! The music that swelled about him, making him feel like he wanted to leap up into the sky and fly…
And there He was.
Him. It could be no other. His presence was clear, even if his appearance was so…so oddly…normal. He looked less like God, Alpha and Omega, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth and…well…more like that famous painter Snizzi had seen on VHS tapes in Hell, the one who did happy little trees.
"My Father, thank you." Remiel DEEPLY bowed, getting to one knee and Snizzi felt he ought to do the same, getting on hands AND knees, bobbing his head up and down over and over quickly in a "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy" gesture. "I truly appreciate you letting me bring my friend here."
"I have to admit, I don't feel worthy, sir." Snizzi added as God gently motioned for them to stand and Snizzi gulped a bit. "It feels like a mistake letting me up here."
"Why's that?" God inquired politely.
"I mean, I'm one of the bad kids! We're all nasty mean and e-vile!"
And God, that guidance counselor, had that odd smile. He said…
"Oh, how can this be? How very odd. Guess I'll have to check my records. Silly me, I know. I'm only GOD…" He laughed gently, throwing his hands up in the air.
And with that, he took Snizzi's hand. He led him off, to the side, it only took a couple steps yet somehow they'd made it hundreds of miles away and now were at a beach. People were chatting gently, or drifting along in the ocean. Others were tearing it up on the waves, and quite a few were walking about, drinking fruity-looking drinks in crystal-clear glasses and smiling, but what caught Snizzi's eye was there, before them, was a 15 year old goth kid who'd pierced his ear and had kept his dark eyeliner and lipstick on. He was slightly resting his head upon another kid, a boy his age, who looked to be a newbie. The God kid's robes and wings were somewhat older and more regal-looking, whilst the new kid and his messy hair had more fresh yet frumpled robes with a freckled face.
"Yeah, the waves are perfect, and the sun will always shine, but there's got to be more to death than surfing all the time! I know the signs of self-destruction, so I try to stop each new kid…" The goth sighed. "I say "Don't be like me, forever young, forever stupid"."
"Hey, you found love here." The freckled face kid offered, giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek as the Goth smiled, but sighed sadly.
"Sure, but they can find it there, where they don't ALWAYS make the same joke…"
And then, all at once, everyone around got it and said the exact same thing, God slightly laughing as he too, spoke…
"Gee, you make a HEAVENLY PAIR!"
Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa! Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa!
Now…now Snizzi could hear it. ALL of it. SEE all of it. FEEL all of it. Not in his senses, but in his heart. In what a Demon called their soul. He was no longer there but everything, everywhere, all at once, as if in an enormous ocean, and beyond that, he WAS the ocean, an ocean of stars and swirling galaxies, both within and without, filled with constant light, and warmth, yet cool relief. As if in the deepest, most peaceful slumber, and yet in the brightest of mornings.
Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa! Aaaaalleeeeel-uuuuuuuuu-uuuuiaaaa, alleluia!
God tenderly smiled, and Snizzi found he was crying. Now he knew. Now he knew why they sang. Why they were dancing all around him as God took his hands, gently twirling him about in the soft waltz, in perfect tune to the music.
Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa! Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa! Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa! Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuiaaaa!
If you felt like this all the time…
So would you.
Aaaaalleeeeeluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu-iaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
…
…
…
…meanwhile, back on Earth…
"…fuck me, you're…pathetic."
Vassago couldn't believe it. He had heard all about Ms. Victoria from her son when he'd been preparing his order at McDonalds. He'd been pretending to take care of a very nasty stain on the underside of a table, using it to eavesdrop on the light-skinned Hispanic. Mr. Barrero had talked about how his mother had yelled at him yet again and screamed for him to get out of her damn house and this time she'd started throwing beer bottles at him.
Normally he wouldn't have cared that much because Mr. Barrero was an adult, but…Vassago was rather bored. Nobody else in town had behavior like this, he'd actually found the place oddly quiet these past four months. No whispers of abusive parents, no cruel adults picking on kids. It seemed she was literally all the town had to offer in terms of bad moms.
Yet now as he peered in at her from outside, as the moon hung high in the night sky, barely visible through dark clouds above as freezing rain was starting to fall, he felt pity and revulsion gazing at her. Ms. Victoria Barrero looked to be in her late 70's, with frizzy and curly black hair, glasses, and beer bottles lined the floor about her. She had a rather beautiful parrot that she was stroking the underside of it's beak, and it was bobbing its head, interested in more pets. She looked like she'd gone to seed, and fast. He could SMELL the beer on her. She'd barely even dressed herself, all she had on was a bathrobe that was still open, and slippers.
"…maybe I should just beat her up a little….scare her." Vassago wondered aloud as Ms. Victoria nuzzled the parrot's head with her own.
"I'm Chuckles and I'm a big chicken! I'm Chuckles, and I'm a big chicken!" The parrot squeaked out as Victoria started to chuckle…and then the news she'd been watching changed. It was now talking about how President Perez of Venezuela had been kicked out of office on charges of corruption, and Ms. Victoria spat on the ground.
"PTOO! Serves you right you bendejo, you…you…"
Then she started to cry, just when Vassago began reaching for the window to open it up and climb in through the kitchen. He stared, stunned at her suddenly breaking down when he noticed something he hadn't seen. There, lying to the side of the ratty chair she sat in was a fallen-down picture of what appeared to be her and her husband and-
…oh dear. Two other adults and a boy who couldn't have been older than six. They had the same curly, frizzy hair and skin color she did, the boy even had Ms. Victoria's big ol' ears. Ms. Victoria shut the TV off, her body shaking as she staggered off to her bedroom, and began to sob more loudly. The parrot hopped about slightly on the floor, slowly ambling towards her room, clearly wanting more love. Vassago, in turn, carefully opened the not-locked window, sliding into the house, making towards the chair and picking up the official-looking paper AND the photo. He gazed at the smiling family, looking at the caption.
"Us, in my hometown. February 1st, 1992."
Then he read the paperwork and he almost dropped the photo. No wonder Ms. Victoria had.
"We regret to inform you that our investigation into the 13 people killed in the demonstration against President Perez has yielded some unfortunate information. Four of the bodies have, in fact, been identified, as your husband Marcos Barrero, his son Jose Barrero, Jose's wife Maria Barrero, and, most regrettably, your grandson Romulo Barrero. We've sent a similar letter to your other son Luis about the unfortunate death of his brother and his-"
Vassago bit his lip slightly then put the paper and photo down. No wonder Ms. Barrero was in such an abysmal state. This had only happened just last month. She was drowning in grief and taking it out on everyone and everything.
He looked over in the direction of the bedroom. That stupid little parrot was hopping slightly up and down in front of the bedroom door which Ms. Victoria had closed very forcibly, her clear, loud sobbing ringing out through the door.
Vassago hesitated…then approached the parrot, as an idea slowly, but surely, began to form in his mind…