• So many questioned popped into my head at once, all of them fighting for importance. Where was Angel? What was that thing? Were they connected? What had happened last night? How did I get back to my room? Then they settled, and one simple question bonded them together.
    “Julian, what is Angel?”
    Julian rubbed his hand over his face, most likely thinking of how to answer the question. He was hiding, something that much I could tell.
    “I guess…I should start from the beginning. I haven’t known Angel for that long. I met him when he was about 15. We were both street kids and scrounging for food. I looked out for him and him for me. We’ve been best friends ever since. It wasn’t til the breakers came that we decided to make a gang too.”
    I nodded, it was simple enough, but I wasn’t here for a brief history.
    “Was Angel…was he, that thing?”
    Julian looked down again. “Yes and no.”
    Oh, that clears it all up. “What do you mean?”
    “Well, it’s like this. The Angel you knew before was fairly calm and collected ‘cept for his small temper. He’s someone we all look up to because he’s a strong leader. The Angel that’s, well, the real side of him, that’s what you saw. All I know is that the real him is much different from what we see everyday. His personality becomes, warped. He becomes dangerous and instinctual, almost animal like. His has no rationality left in his head.”
    That made sense. If he had known what he was doing, I’m more than sure he wouldn’t have done it. I knew what he was. But….why?
    “Angel, is he human?”
    “You can say that. To tell the truth, he hates himself. He may act like an animal, but he tries not to hurt anyone. Sometimes, his control fails him. He regrets…” and he stopped, catching himself.
    “He regrets what?” I asked frantically, leaning from my chair. “What did he do?!”
    Julian creased his forehead. “Before I say anything, I want you to know your safe. There are locks on the windows and the doors. My room is also right below this floor and a few others stay there too. We’ll hear anything that happens…”
    “TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED!”
    His hand rubbed over his mouth, “hwese fwerar etwer”
    “What?”
    “Hwes a fwerae etwer”
    “JULIAN!”
    “HE’S A FEAR EATER! He causes fear and eats it!”
    I froze. It wasn’t because of Julian yelling, it was because I had been right. Angel was a monster. My stomach turned flips as I recounted the meeting. IT had trapped me. IT had wrapped me in its deceivingly soft wings. IT had even kissed me! The worst part to realize was that I never fought back. I never thought to. He had me completely entranced. I should have fought back. Everything my parents had taught me about training myself to fight, it had all gone out the window the moment his wings were around me. Though shaken, I had to keep on pressing Julian for answers.
    “You alright?” He asked cautiously.
    I nodded slowly, “think so. Was there anything else that happened?”
    “John and I were able to pick ourselves back up from the floor. That’s another thing that happens to Angel when he…well, you know. Anyway, we went in and you were lying on the bed asleep. Angel was just sitting on the edge staring at you. At first we didn’t want to move you because he snarled at us when we came over. We tried again, and this time we were able to pick you up. For the whole time we were moving you out of the room, his eyes never left your face. After we got out we rushed you to your room so we could make sure you weren’t hurt. When we were sure nothing was wrong, we put you in bed and left.”
    Snarled? I couldn’t even understand how he could be human and animal, and now he was snarling at people who were actually taking care of me? Nothing seemed to fit together. Most of it was answered, so what was my problem?
    “I’m afraid that’s all I can give you. Everything else you need answered is beyond my archive.”
    Not everything. “Were you the one who put me in bed?”
    “Yes”
    “Did you, ummmm…”
    “Take off the jeans? Yeah. You shouldn’t be embarrassed though.”
    “And why is that?” I asked curiously.
    “I’m used to it.”
    I was pretty shocked, I never expected Julian to be a player. “It’s hard to imagine you having a girlfriend, no offence.”
    He laughed “none taken, it is hard to get a girlfriend. But it was easy to snag my boyfriend.”
    My mouth dropped. THAT was an even better shock.
    “What?” he shrugged “a guy can’t be in a gang and be gay? What’s wrong with the world…” He stood up and opened the door. “I’ll be going; I’ve got a recruit class to teach and some training. You’re welcome to come and watch.” He offered.
    I shook my head, “I’ll just have a look around if you don’t mind.”
    He shrugged and walked out.
    I had so much on my mind to sort through. Everything I had just learned had to be settled with my brain.
    The door opened again and Julian peeked in. “Hey, Misty, If you could do me a favour?”
    I nodded.
    “If you feel up to it, could you visit Angel? He’s pretty beat up about the…incident. Just talk to him and, maybe, no never mind. Just talk to him.” He left again as I heard his footsteps clear away upon reaching the elevator.
    Now I had more to think about. I should visit him, and, even if Julian didn’t say it, I knew what he wanted me to do.
    He wanted me to forgive Angel.