Feathers (16 page)

             
But before he could say anymore, I felt something clamp around my ankle.  I screamed, trying to jump away.  My phone fell out of my hand, but I barely noticed.  Instead, I was staring in horror at the soggy, pale hand that was wrapped around my ankle.  Kicking it away, I managed to get back on my feet and run.  As I pried open the door to slip back out, I looked back to see what looked like a girl crawling out toward me.  Her long hair was matted and dirty, and her skin was a soggy looking blue.  I could see nasty open gashes on parts of her body and in her tattered dress.

             
Needless to say, I was terrified then.  I ran down the long hallway back towards how I’d gotten in.  But to my shock, I could see other figures in the windows of the passing rooms.  Some were beating on them, screaming as if they were in terrible pain.  I finally did manage to squeeze back out, and I wasn’t really planning on stopping.  But as I ran thru the rusted gates, I had to stop to catch my breath.  That was when I heard something jump down behind me.  “You wish to leave so soon?” A female voice hissed.

             
A hard yank on my arm made me fall to the ground.  Looking up, I stared in horror at the thing near me.  It looked like a woman, yet clearly wasn’t.  She had a very long and narrow face and body, with wide white eyes and sharp, shark like teeth.  Both her arms were folded sickles, like one would see on a praying mantis, and they looked very sharp.  I knew instantly that she was anything but human.  And I couldn’t help but think that this was what Raphael had been trying to warn me about.  She was the thing hanging around St. Andrews.

             
“Stay away from me!” I screamed, trying to back up.  I could feel the sharp rocks on the ground cutting into my hands.

             
The thing hissed, raising one of her sickle arms at me.

             
I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the pain that was to come.  But suddenly, I heard a very loud growl.  There was a gust of air in front of me, and I heard the thing screech.  Slowly, I opened my eyes to look.  To my shock, there was now something standing in front of me.  The thing was several feet away where she’d jumped to.  Her one sickle was bleeding now.  Looking up at the silver coat of the animal in front of me, I almost couldn’t believe it.  “Sean?” I whispered.

             
“Get away from her Mantis.  I won’t let you touch her.” I heard him say thru his growls.

             
“Sean?” I repeated, moving to sit myself up.  I was in complete shock now.  He’d come to rescue me?

             
He turned towards me then.  “I told you not to come here.  It’s a very dangerous place.  Run away.  I’ll keep her away from you.” He told me.  I was amazed to realize that I was hearing his voice in my head.  I guessed that was how he communicated in this form.

             
“But what about you?” I asked.

             
“I’ll be fine.  I can handle her.  Just get out of here.” Sean ordered.

             
It took a lot for me to get myself back on my feet.  As I did, I could see the thing coming back.  Only then had I realized that she was walking on six legs.  “You’ve escaped me before Fox.  You will not now!” she hissed.

             
“Run away!” Sean yelled.  I watched in horror as he bent down and bared his teeth, ready to fight.

             
Somehow, I was able to make myself turn and run.  I was scared stupid by now, and worried sick for Sean, but I knew this was my only chance.  If I didn’t run away, that thing would get me.  And Sean wouldn’t have any help coming.  But as I was running up on the cross, I stopped as some figures appeared ahead of me.  Oh God, I thought.  It was the same girls I’d seen in the school building.  Torn and nasty looking, they were lurching towards me.  I looked around frantically, not sure of what to do or where to run.  They were all around me now.  I don’t think I’d ever been so terrified in my life.

             
But as I stood there, Sean suddenly jumped down in front of me.  He growled at the dead girls, making them back up.  “You sure know how to call them out, don’t you?” he grunted.

             
“It’s not like I wanted to.” I cried.  The pain in my back was feeling much worse now.  I couldn’t help but kneel down and hold my shoulders.

             
“Mia, come on.  You have to get out of here.  If you can get past the cross, you’ll be out!” Sean said, nudging at me with his nose.

             
“I can’t.  It hurts too much.” I whispered.

             
I felt him move in front of me.  By then, the thing was coming again.  The girls immediately cowered to her.  I managed to look back up as Sean stood in front of me, growling at her.  “Guess I have no choice then.” He muttered.

             
I stared in shock as he went at her.  Honestly, I didn’t realize until then that as a fox, Sean could fight like one.  He had the strength, but the thing was quick too.  I closed my eyes and prayed.  If Sean died, then I would probably die too.  Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain rip through my back.  And then, a soft weight.  Breathing hard, I couldn’t move for a moment.  But I could hear another ripping sound all at once.  Then gurgling.  Finally forcing myself to look up, I saw Sean standing over the thing that had been chasing us, still clamping down on its bloody throat.  But the thing was obviously dead.  Around me, the ghostly girls disappeared.

             
Sean finally let go, then walked over to me slowly.  I couldn’t help but notice that he was limping slightly.  “I’d ask if you’re okay, but I’m feeling a bit humbled.” He admitted, laying his head down on my lap.

             
I sighed.  Though my back was aching, I felt some comfort in knowing that he was okay for the most part.  He wasn’t bleeding too badly, though he did have a wound on his shoulder.  “Are you okay?” I asked softly.

             
“I’ll survive.” Sean replied.  “Just what were you thinking, coming up here?  I’m certain that if your father knew, he would have warned you to stay away.”

             
I wasn’t sure of what to say then.  My father did know about me knowing of this place.  And I’d known better in the end in continuing there.  But I’d done it anyways.  “I’m sorry.  This is my fault.” I whispered, putting my head down.

             
“Now, now.” Sean said, gently nuzzling my face again.  “It’s all over.  And it seems your father is coming.”

             
At that time, I could hear what sounded like the flapping of large wings.  Looking up through the trees, I could see a figure flying down.  It was indeed Michael.  I halfway wondered how Sean could have been able to tell that it was him just by that sound, but I reasoned that perhaps he could smell him on the slight breeze as well.  Either that, or he just knew that my dad was going to come rescue me.

             
Of course, Michael looked more then shocked to see what he did.  I didn’t put it together at the time, but the biggest shock for him was my wings being out.  I’d sprouted them very quickly.  Probably much more then I should have.  But my life had been in danger.  And in the end, it seemed my body had sensed it.

             
Still, be as it may, Michael immediately hurried over to us.  “Mia, what in the world are you doing out here?  I told you this place was very dangerous!” he said.  He should have been saying it as scolding me, but it came out at more of being absolutely shocked and terrified.

             
“I’m sorry.” I apologized in a whisper.  “I didn’t mean to.”

             
At that, Sean stood himself back up.  “She came here by accident.  I followed her scent when I came to the trails and noticed that she seemed lost.  By the time I’d caught up to her, the Mantis had already found her.  My apologies.  I should have moved quicker in finding out where she was headed.” he explained.

             
“It’s all right.  You protected her, and that’s all that matters.  Although this may be a bit of a problem now.” Michael sighed, holding me close and looking at my new wings.

             
“You didn’t come alone.  I can’t imagine the others would allow it.” Sean reasoned, laying himself down again. 

             
“No.  They’re coming.  But it looks like you’re hurt as well.” Michael noted, looking back over at him.

             
“I’ll survive.  Right now, it’s better for her to be taken home.” Sean replied.

             
By then, I could hear other wings flapping.  Near us, Raphael and Gabrielle landed.  Raziel landed down near Sean.  As usual though, he was more then ready to blame Sean for all of this too.  “You just had to tell her about this place, didn’t you?  You stupid fox.” he said.

             
“That’s enough Raziel.  What’s done is done.  We’ve already discussed that.  Besides, we have enough to deal with now.” Raphael said.  I watched as he walked over and nudged the dead thing with his foot.  “I’m impressed.  For a fox, you’ve proven quite tough against a naturally stronger enemy.”

             
“I had something worth fighting for.  But I’m a little worse for the ware anyways.” Sean admitted.

             
Gabrielle sighed, walking over to Michael and I.  He was now helping me to stand.  “What do we do Michael?  We can get Mia home, but I don’t think it would be a good idea to have Sean transform back out here.  In that form, the injury won’t be as deep as the human one.” she said.

             
“You’re not leaving him here Dad.” I said softly.  I wasn’t about to let that one happen.  And I knew my power over Michael anyways by now.  If anyone could talk him into just about anything, it would be me.

             
Michael seemed to think it over for a moment.  “We can’t just leave him.” he finally said, sounding a bit exasperated now.  He turned to my uncle.  “Raphael, do you think you could find a way to get him back with us without his being seen?”

             
Raphael sighed.  “I believe I can.  But it’s going to take us a bit longer.  It may be better if you got your daughter home first.” he answered.

             
“All right then.  Come on Mia.  We need to get you out of here.” he said softly.

             
But even as we walked away, I looked back up at him.  “He will help Sean, right?” I asked again.

             
“Of course.” Michael answered.  “We can’t very well leave him like that when he was defending one of our own.  But right now, we need to get you home and take care of you.”

             
I sighed, forcing myself to look away.  This was all my fault.  If I hadn’t been so curious, Sean wouldn’t have been hurt.  That was all I could think as I was lead back to a secluded place and his car.  And I don’t think I’d ever felt so miserable in my life.

Fourteen

              I sat up in my bed and quietly picked through the feathers of my new wings.  It was several hours later, and night was beginning to fall.  A lot had happened since I’d gotten home.  Gabrielle had just left after cleaning up my back and checking over everything.  Really, she’d said I was lucky with all of this.  My wings bursting out in that dirty wildness wasn’t exactly the best thing that could have happened.  But the wounds they caused were clean enough, so there wasn’t too much of a risk for infection.

             
She also told me that Raphael had gotten Sean back to his home.  Sara had apparently been able to patch him up herself once they got there.  Of course, she’d had a bit of help from Raphael as well.  Like Gabrielle, Raphael also had some healing abilities to him.  Hearing that had made me feel a little better, though I still felt guilty too.  I knew I shouldn’t have continued in there.  But I’d just been so damn curious in the end.  I wanted to know just why everyone was saying that an abandoned place like that was so dangerous.  Guess I got what I wished for.  I’d just stared almost certain doom in the face.

             
Hearing the door open, I really didn’t bother looking up.  I had the distinct feeling it was Michael once again.  It was funny, but ever since I’d gotten those wings, I could tell who was coming.  And once again, I was proven right as I felt him sit near me and speak.  “Mia, don’t pick at your wings.  There’s no need.” he said.

             
I looked back over at him, letting the one wing go.  “Is Gabrielle still here?” I asked.

             
“No.  I let her go home.  I think I can take care of you from here.” Michael said, shrugging slightly.

             
I’ll bet, I thought.  “So, you’re going to wring me out now?” I guessed.

             
“I could.  But I really don’t see what good it’s going to do now.  I think you already understand.” Michael said.  Yep, that was my dad to a tee.  He was very reasonable about things.  And he didn’t believe in wasting words.  In that way, he and Raphael were exactly alike.

             
I had to look down though.  The guilt was rising once again.  “I’m sorry.  But I really wasn’t looking for that place Dad.” I apologized once again.

             
“I believe you.” Michael sighed.  “Honestly, I think I know you very well in the end Mia.  You’re not the type to really take such reckless chances.  And, like myself, you’re very curious by nature.  That’s part of the reason I really can’t say much to this one except that I wish you had thought twice.  The truth is, Raphael and I were a bit too curious at one time as well.  Although we weren’t quite in your situation in the end.”

             
“So what was that thing anyways?  I heard Sean and Raphael call it a Mantis.” I said.

             
“That’s what it was.  It’s just one of the nastier things that can slip over to this side.” Michael replied.

             
I sat back a little and studied him for a moment.  No time like the present to ask whatever I wanted to.  “Hey Dad, you and Raphael talk about those things sometimes.  What kind of place do they come from?  Why do they keep coming here?” I asked.

             
Michael shrugged, thinking it over for a moment.  “Well, it’s nothing that’s easy to explain.  To be honest with you, we didn’t know that much about it either until after your uncle first got his wings.  And in gaining our own, all of us ended up wanting to know more about the other world we’d come from.  That’s how we began to learn a little about what we were.  And what existed out there besides ourselves.” He admitted.

             
“You told me once that my great grandfather is an angel.  How’d you find out?  Did he tell you?” I asked.  I’ll admit that I was feeling very curious about it all now.  Though Michael had spoken of our heritage then, he really hadn’t told me that much.  And, of course, now my mind was wandering to Noel Renaldi’s grave again.  Perhaps this would be the time to mention that as well.

             
“No.  In all honesty, none of us even remember meeting him.  He passed back into the Heavens when I was only two.  But Raphael did manage to get a little more out of our dad before he died about all of it.  Your grandfather didn’t know that much in the end, but he did tell us the truth about what he’d been told for most of his life.  And that was that we were born to be the first of the Nephilims.  This family was born with that purpose in the end.  And from what we’ve been able to learn in recent years, there may be two other families that are just like us somewhere out in the world now.” Michael explained.

             
“Really?  Two others?” I mused.  Now that was interesting.  So we weren’t alone in this after all.

             
Michael sat back, looking back at the window again.  “I can’t say we haven’t been interested in finding that out for sure.  But we’ve had a hard time with all of it too.  Like you’ve seen twice now, there are a lot of things on that side of the world that aren’t friendly at all.  Unfortunately, for some of them it just tends to be in their nature.  What you saw this afternoon was what is called a Mantis.  They’re all female, and they are what our insects called the Praying Mantis were originally named after.  They’re basically the same equivalent, as terrible as that sounds.” He went on.

             
“Wait a minute.  Are you saying that thing was a giant bug?” I asked in disbelief.

             
“Not exactly, but close enough.  As I said, the Mantis are all female, and are a type of creature that typically lives in the darkness of the spirit realms.  You can think of those places as mirrors to our mortal one.  Most of what you’d hear about that are considered myths actually do exist there, though most don’t cross over anymore.  And the ones that do are so incognito that normal humans can’t even tell.  Only those like ourselves, with what one once told us was a veil over our eyes being lifted, can tell what they really are, even when disguised.” Michael admitted.

             
That made me wonder just how many of these things I’d really seen in my lifetime before I’d gotten my wings.  Obviously, some must have been very good at disguising themselves.  “So that Mantis, you knew about her before?” I guessed.

             
“It was actually a chance thing.  When we came back to Madison from living in DC, we ended up realizing that she was stalking the area.  If you look back in the papers, you’ll find that over the years there were many unexplained killings and disappearances.  That was all her.  And beings we had come here to settle down then, we decided to stop her.  But Raphael worried about one of us being hurt in the process of actually killing her, so we opted instead to lock her away in the ruins of St. Andrews, which was her original home.  She still had some hapless victims who walked in there, but not half as many.  It was a fair trade in the end.” Michael said.

             
His words did make sense.  And it was a sentiment that I would learn the Renaldi family had come to adapt long ago.  Protect the family first.  You couldn’t save everyone unfortunately.  But I knew I should probably come clean then, especially when I thought of what Raziel had said to Sean when they come to get us.  “Hey Dad, did you know that Sean told me a little about that place before?” I had to ask.

             
Michael shook his head.  “Not really.  It was more of a guess on Raziel’s part.  Although it doesn’t surprise me that Sean would go there and take his chances.  Foxes are known for doing dangerous things simply because they’re bored.  I suppose that was one aspect of his personality that can never be changed.  But I’m not really blaming him either.  After all, he did go after you to make sure you’d be protected.  And a Fox against a Mantis is a bit outmatched a majority of the time.  He must be serious about all of this after all to risk his life like that.” He admitted.

             
“Serious about what?” I couldn’t help but ask.

             
But as usual, Michael avoided my question.  “Never mind.  All that matters now is that you’re safe.  You should get some rest.  You’ve had a long day.” He said, standing up and patting my head.

             
I felt myself sigh, but I didn’t argue the point.  Instead, I opted to do as he said.  Another hour would pass, and eventually, I found myself falling asleep again.  I had a nightmare though about the Mantis I’d seen.  I found myself waking up very quickly.  Taking a few deep breaths, I managed to calm myself down again.  That was right. That thing was dead, and I was now in my room safe.  As if to remind me, I felt my wings shift slightly behind me.  Sighing to myself, I stood up and walked over to the full mirror on my closet doors.  Turning on a small light, I turned and studied them once again.  This was really strange feeling now that I was letting it all sink in.  The feathers of my wings had the same bluish tint that my father’s did, as well as my other family.  He’d told me once that he thought it was something from my great grandfather, but they weren’t really sure.

             
But the thing that caught me as well as I stood there was that I wasn’t wearing my glasses.  The thing was, I was basically blind without them before.  Now, I was seeing perfectly.  In fact, even without that light, I was seeing very well.  Leaning a bit closer, I inspected my face.  It looked the same, yet prettier, somehow.  Was this some sort of by product of these new wings too?  I couldn’t help but wonder.

             
The sound of tapping on my window brought me back to reality.  I stood up straight for a moment, feeling a bit a fear inside of me.  But then, the familiar feeling returned.  Raziel.  Sighing, I walked over and pushed back the curtain to the far window.  As I expected, he was crouched out there on the sill.  His large wings were silhouetted behind him.  “You know, you probably could have used the front door.  You know the alarm code.” I said as I let him in.

             
“Maybe.  But they kept telling me to let you rest, and wouldn’t let me see you until tomorrow.  So I took matters into my own hands.” Raziel said.

             
“You mean you snuck out?” I guessed.

             
“How’d you know?” Raziel joked, giving me the same impish smile he always had when he knew he was probably going to get in trouble.

             
I couldn’t help but smile back though.  “It’s okay.  I’m glad you’re here anyways.  I was lonely.” I admitted, hugging him.

             
I felt him tense up for a moment, then hug me tightly.  “You scared the hell out of me you know.  I really thought that thing might kill you before we got there.” He admitted softly.

             
“I’m okay now.  But why didn’t you just tell me when I asked you before?” I asked, pulling back to look at him.

             
“It’s not like it’s something you’d talk about.” Raziel replied.  “Besides, I didn’t think you’d actually find the place.  Hell, I’ve never been able to find it before.  Guess Dad was counting his blessings with that one.”

             
I couldn’t help but chuckle slightly at that one.  Raziel loved seeing how far he could push his father at times.  They had a very distinct personality clash anymore.  “You know, Sean did manage to find me first.  That means that you might owe him for saving me like that.” I joked, sitting back on the bed.

             
“Yeah.  Maybe.  But I’m not that surprised anyways.  Guess he was telling the truth about it all.  I can’t say much to it anymore.” Raziel admitted, sitting down beside me and bowing his head in defeat.

             
This would be the second time that I was certain someone in my family was alluding to something with Sean.  But where Michael normally avoided telling me about it, I knew Raziel wouldn’t.  “Raziel, just why is Sean being so nice to me now?  Is it because of what I did to him?” I asked.

             
Raziel gave me a funny look.  “You seriously don’t get it?” he asked.

             
“Get what?” I replied.

             
“And here I didn’t think you were this dense.” Raziel mused to himself.

             
“Just shut up and tell me.” I retorted.

             
“Okay, okay.” Raziel lamented.  “But I would’ve thought you could tell by now.  It’s really got nothing to do with you breaking the bad side of his fox nature, or whatever it was.  Sean wouldn’t have spoken to you that first day anyways if he didn’t have some kind of interest in knowing you personally.  Trust me, I know all about that one.  I’ve had to listen to the stories since the day he came here.”

             
“Anna, huh?” I guessed.

             
Raziel shook his head.  “Who else?  Anyways, when I’d heard that he talked to Michael about taking you to the Prom, I decided to ask him about it myself.  I got curious as to why.  He’d attacked you, and now he was acting like he actually cared about you.  It just didn’t sit right with me.  So I went and confronted him myself after school a couple days later.” He admitted.