Pom Pom Angel: Love Rescue pt. 2

Gus sat on the park bench, looking out at the happy people that walked past him.  A part of him wondered if he would ever feel like them again. 

He couldn’t really explain when he had started to feel empty inside.  It just happened slowly, starting sometime in college.  Every day the world managed to disappoint him a little bit more, and every day he lost just that much more hope for his own future. 

He held a cup of coffee in his hands, the warmth taking the spring chill out of his fingertips.  He lifted the cup to his lips and blew, watching the hot steam rise off the murky liquid.  This is one of the few things he still enjoyed.  People watching and a cup of coffee had become his sole joy in life. 

He pulled his cellphone from his pocket, checking the time.  He didn’t need to be back at the bookstore for another thirty minutes.  Good, he thought to himself.  He was going to have peace and quiet for a little bit longer. 

Normally his job wasn’t all that bad.  It was a bookstore, after all.  The place was pretty relaxed, and the customers usually kept to themselves.  Today, though, his boss, Soul, had decided to run a sale on their children’s books. 

That had been a bad idea. 

The store had been a whirlwind of chaos the entire morning, and when Gus’s break had finally come, he had flown out of that store so fast he was pretty sure Soul’s head was spinning. 

It wasn’t that he didn’t like kids.  It as just that he didn’t like being trapped in a small, cramped book store with about fifty of them, all of whom were screaming at the top of their lungs for someone to read them a story.  If they weren’t screaming, they were getting that kid slime, whatever it was, all over everything. 

Gus was planning on taking a full Silkwood level decontamination shower when he got home.  

“You look sad.”  A woman’s voice seemed to chirp from behind him. 

“Huh?”  Gus looked around. 

There was no one there.  Just a bush, and a trash can. 

“I said,” the woman’s voice continued, “you looked sad.” 

Gus’s jaw dropped when he saw the top of a woman’s head peak out from within the bush.  Blonde hair, pigtails and big blue eyes seemed to come out of nowhere. 

“What the hell?”  Gus slowly began to back away from the weird bush lady. 

“You know who can help you with your sad, sad day?”  The bush began to rumble. 

“Listen lady, I don’t have any money, and I’m not looking for Jesus, or Krishna, or…” 

Gus’s heart was pounding now. 

“Your Guardian Angel can help, that’s who!”  A young woman burst out of the bush.  She didn’t land on the ground, though. 

No, Gus watched as the young woman, dressed in some retro 80’s cheerleading outfit, seemed to float above him, two small, white wings flapping behind her. 

“Hi Gus!” The cheerleader waved.  “I’m Missy.  I’m your Guardian Angel!”

Gus took off running.  

A little feedback please!

Hey guys, if you are regularly reading the stories, let me know what you think.  I know both of them are just starting out, but let me know what you've been liking, and what you think could use a little improvement.  I'm already thinking of what to do next, and your input can help me figure out what direction to take things.

Have a great night, and keep reading!

Accidental Demon Slayers: Melody of Light pt. 3

Long after everyone else had gone to bed, Kurt stayed up.  Still sitting in that temple, Doctore sitting across from him, Kurt stared down at the chessboard. 

“I never knew anyone who was such a fan of this game.”  Doctore watched him.  “Although, technically, I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone before.” 

“You might have.”  Kurt contemplated his next move.  “We don’t know your full story, yet.  Your history.” 

“My history may not be real.”  Doctore stretched, his old bones creaking.  “That’s the joy of being a mythological creation.  Your history is not your history.  It can all change with the flick of a pen, or the telling of a story.” 

“Did you not exist before the Scribes connected us?”  The game was forgotten for a moment. 

“I am not entirely sure.”  Doctore smiled.  “Does it really matter?” 

“I guess not.”  Kurt stood, stretching his legs.

He was still not entirely use to being in two worlds at once.  While in his every day world he was lying in bed, sleeping, in this world his body was still activity.  It wasn’t his body, though.  It was a spectral version of him, and yet he could still feel.  It was confusing, but exciting.  It was like a whole new plain of existence was opened up to him. 

“Why do you spend so much time here?”  Doctore was watching him. 

“Curiosity, I guess.”  Kurt glanced out the doorway to the temple, towards the garden, which was now bathed in silver moonlight.  “Bobby has been able to experience this for a while now.  This is all still new to me.” 

“Is that all?”  Doctore stood up slowly. 

“It’s peaceful here.”  Kurt glanced at him.  “After everything that happened, after our first run in with Grath, and the whole ordeal at Fantasy Land, it’s nice to escape to somewhere that is just… peaceful.” 

“I understand.”  Doctore nodded. 

Kurt could see someone standing at the far end of the garden, bathed in shadow.  The person was walking towards them, slowly. 

“Kurt,” Bobby’s voice drifted through the night air.  “You’re still up?”

Bobby stepped into the light, his arms wrapped around his body as if fighting off a chill.  He looked tired. 

Kurt was starting to notice how much his boyfriend had aged in the past year or so.  There were slight lines forming around his mouth, and little flecks of gray at his temple.  The work was getting to him, both in the real world, and in the world of the deities.  As much as he was putting on a brave face now, Kurt knew that he was still healing, and it was starting to take its toll on him physically. 

Would that happen to him?  Had it happened to him?  He hadn’t asked for this life, but he had taken it, willingly, to be with the man he loved.  What was it doing to him?  He never really thought about the danger he faced every day, or about the risk that Bobby put himself in.  The idea of death, the idea that one of those creatures that they were fighting could kill one of them, had never really crossed his mind.  They had always escaped.  Sure, others had died, but never one of the team. 

Then Brittany was killed.  That changed everything. 

She was strong.  She knew the world of the demons better then anyone, because she was one.  She knew how to fight, and she knew how to kill, and yet that didn’t save her.  All it took was one moment of weakness, and…

“What are you thinking about?” Bobby stepped into the temple doorway, looking up at him. 

“Nothing.” Kurt smiled.  “Doctore and I were just finishing up our game.” 

Kurt glanced over at the old man, who was watching him, his already wrinkled face lined with worry.  He slowly stroked his beard.  He had heard everything that had just gone through Kurt’s mind.  He knew the truth, and he knew he was lying. 

“You sure you’re okay?”  Bobby reached up, gently placing his hand against Kurt’s cheek. 

“I’m fine.”  They kissed. 

“Well, don’t stay up all night.  You may not realize it, but you still need to sleep.”  Bobby smiled, turning back towards the garden.  “I’m looking forward to our trip.” 

“Me, too.” 

“Well, goodnight.”  Bobby gave him another, quick kiss, then walked back through the garden, vanishing into the shadows. 

“You should be honest with him.”  Doctore was standing behind him now.

“I can deal with it.”  Kurt turned towards the old man.  “He doesn’t need to worry.” 

“It doesn’t mean he doesn’t.” 

“Come on, we have a game to finish.”  Kurt walked passed Doctore, and took his seat at the table. 

He could hear the old man sigh, then slowly walk back towards his seat.  

Accidental Demon Slayers: Melody of Light pt. 2

When I got home I found Kurt and Ashtyn both sitting on the couch, spaced out looks on their faces. 

“Training already.” I couldn’t help but smile.  In one month they had both mastered entering the mindscape.  “Well, might as well join them.” 

I plopped down on a chair across from Kurt, and closed my eyes.  At first there was only darkness, and then a soft, white light began to shine, followed by the sound of wind moving through trees.  There was a thunk as a bamboo fountain tipped, splashing its contents into a small pond. 

In a matter of seconds the whole scene became clear. 

A Japanese garden stood before me, a small temple just beyond it.  Tall, green trees surrounded everything, and the garden itself was lush and alive.  Little bursts of color broke through with the small clusters of flowers that dotted the space. 

“They are getting more creative.”  Juktha was standing next to me, smiling.  “It’s nice to get some time with you when there isn’t a crisis.” 

“When isn’t there a crisis?” I laughed. 

“Come on, they’re waiting for us.”  Juktha started down the small stone path towards the temple. 

I followed behind her, taking in a deep breath.  I could even smell the air, damp and fragrant of flowers and moss. 

“I have to ask, even when the three of us aren’t together, can you still spend time with Tabitha and Doctore?”  I caught up to her, nearly tripping on a stone in my half assed jog. 

“If we chose to, yes.  We aren’t just trapped in your minds, you know.  In this realm, our realm, we are free to move as we see fit.”  As Juktha spoke she motioned her hand towards the garden.  “I have to say, it is nice to have some company.  No offense.” 

“None taken.”  I smiled, and we both stepped into the temple. 

Inside the room was large, and sparsely decorated.  Off to one corner there was a small table, where Kurt and Doctore sat playing chess.  In the center of the room Ashtyn and Tabitha were sparring, Tabitha with a long sword, and Ashtyn with her fan blades. 

“I see that they are adjusting nicely.”  I stayed by the doorway, watching Ashtyn as she dodged a strike from Tabitha, using her fan blades to catch the long sword. 

“It’s an escape, for them, and for us.”  Juktha’s smile faded.  “While in this realm we take our immortality for granted.  Being reminded that once in the human world we are just as vulnerable as everyone else can be very sobering.  Especially for young deities, such as my daughter.” 

“I know she barely knew Grath, but how did she take seeing him…” I didn’t want to finish the sentence. 

As monstrous as Grath was, the memory of his gruesome death still made him ill. 

“She doesn’t talk about it.”  Juktha glanced at me.  “I don’t think she fully understands it.” 

“You finally made it!”  Kurt’s voice drifted across the room.  He looked at me, smiling. 

Doctore looked away from their game for a brief moment, and waved.  His movements were slow and delicate, hiding the strength of his powers. 

I walked over to Kurt, kissing him gently on the lips. 

“So, I have a little announcement to make.”  I glanced over at Ashtyn, and her and Tabitha paused their battle.  “It looks like Max is taking all of us on a vacation.” 

“A vacation?”  Tabitha looked at me, confused.  “Do we get to go?” 

“Well, if I’m going, you’re going.”  Ashtyn closed her fan blades, and gripped them in her hand. 

“Looks like we are all going to get a little sand and sun.”  I knew I should have sounded more enthusiastic, but part of me felt guilty about the trip. 

Our friend had died, and here we were going to the beach.  It felt somehow wrong, and yet, looking around the room, at all the battle worn faces looking back at me, I knew it was necessary. 

“Well, seeing as how Tabitha and Doctore have gotten so good at creating new environments, we may be taking a little break ourselves.” Juktha put her hand on my shoulder.  “It is earned, Bobby, and needed.” 

I had to remind myself that, even in the mindscape, Juktha was till privy to my thoughts. 

“I guess it is.”  Her words didn’t ease my guilt any. 

“Checkmate.”  Doctore clapped his hands together, cackling with glee.  “Never take your eyes off a battle, young man.  Trusting that your enemy will honor your break leaves you open to attack.” 

Those words seemed to hang in the air like a bad omen. 

“What?  What did I say?”  Doctore glanced around the room, his bushy, white eyebrows raised, making him look like a child who didn’t realize he was about to get into trouble. 

“Nothing.”  Kurt smiled, patting the old man’s hand.  “How about another game?” 

“I will never turn down a challenge!”  Doctore smiled, stroking his long, white beard.  “We have been paired well, young man.” 

I took a breath, cleared my head, and decided that I needed to be grateful for moments like this.  In our world, peace wasn’t a guarantee. 

Pom Pom Angel: Love Rescue pt. 1 (NEW SERIAL)

Missy barely remembered her life. She still had a few memories, of course, but she didn’t really remember the details.  Like, she couldn’t remember someone’s face, or name, or they way their voice had sounded.  When she thought back to her life on earth, her memories seemed to be filled with shadows instead of people.  Still, she remembered two details very clearly.

The first was that she was a cheerleader before she died.  She was a good one, too.  As far as she could tell from the few memories she was able to hold on to, she was all state in cheering, and not just on a high school level.  No, she had made it to the big leagues.  She had managed to make the squad at her college.  She knew it was a big deal, even if she couldn’t actually remember the name of the school she had gone to.

Even now, as she resided in the Realm of the Angels, she still wore her old cheerleading uniform.  The outfit was a stark white sweater, with blue trim, and a blue and white pleated skirt.  Her short, shoulder length hair was still pulled back into two pigtails that bounced when she ran.  She couldn’t remember her exact age, especially since she was obviously a good deal older then she appeared, but she was pretty sure that she had been around nineteen or twenty when she had entered the Realm, so she still maintained her youthful, some would say even perky, glow.   Honestly, if it wasn’t for her wings, she would probably have resembled a very normal, healthy college student.

The second was that, when she was alive, she was happy.  Obviously she wasn’t happy all the time.  That’s just not possible.  Still, she knew that in her short time on earth, she had been happy.  She didn’t really remember her parents, but she knew they were good to her.  She knew she had friends, too, lots of friends.  Sometimes she missed them, but deep down she knew that someday, hopefully not too soon, she would see them again. 

It was Missy’s cheerful disposition that had landed her in front of the Council of Angels. 

As she sat in a lone chair, in the middle of a large, white room, the council standing around her, she was reminded of that time she had been called down to the principle’s office.  It had been in the last semester of her senior year in high school, and she had gotten caught skipping study hall to go shopping.  Her parents, her teacher and her principal had all stood around her, looking at her the same way the Council of Angels was looking at her now. 

“Missy,” an old man who stood at the center of the small huddle spoke first, “we were wondering… Well, someone had recommended you for the position of Guardian Angel, and while we usually avoid sending someone so young, we just thought that…” 

Missy’s face lit up, “Are you serious?  That would totally be amazing!” 

“It’s not as easy as you would think.”  A woman, who appeared to be in her late forties, spoke next.  “Humans can be very… troublesome.” 

“I don’t mind.”  Missy had to control herself.  Inside she felt like she was about to start jumping up and down.  “Honestly, I kind of miss people.  I mean, you guys are great and all, but…” 

The woman smiled, the lines around her eyes crinkling.  Seeing those lines caused a little twinge of sadness to zap at Missy’s heart.  When she had been back on earth she had dreaded growing old, getting wrinkles.  Now… well, now she would never have the chance.  She got her wish.  She was eternally young, beautiful and full of energy. 

“Then we will assign you your first project. “  The old man stepped to the side, and a large image formed in the very air he had been occupying.  “This is Gus.” 

Gus looked to be about twenty-four, with shaggy brown hair, a face full of stubble, and a general air of despair around him.  His clothes were baggy and well worn.  He had on a maroon hoodie, and a pair of khaki colored cargo pants.  If Missy squinted her eyes she could almost see him as good looking. 

“Well, he doesn’t look to happy.”  Missy leaned forward, squinting her eyes more.  Gus wasn’t exactly the project she had been expecting, but he seemed normal enough. 

“He’s not.”  The woman spoke.  “Missy, our jobs as Guardian Angels is not only to protect our projects, but to help continue the spread of love through out the world.  Gus here, well, he’s completely lost faith in love.  It is your job to help him find it again.” 

Missy looked the woman in the eyes, her face serious.  “I will give you my best!  I promise!” 

The woman smiled again, and for one brief moment she seemed familiar.  “Do I know you?”  Missy stood, trying to get a closer look. 

“Maybe in a past life, my dear.”  The woman laughed.  “Now, we can discuss that later.  You, Missy Everheart, need to get yourself down to earth.  A young man’s heart needs a good dose of angelic power.” 

“Yay!  I’m like a Care Bear!”  Missy leapt up, her fist shooting into the air.  “Well, except I’m not short, furry, and a I don’t shoot stuff out of my stomach.  I guess I’m more like… I don’t know what I’m like. “  She glanced around the council, who were all staring at her, amused.  “Sorry… rambling.” 

“You’re a Guardian Angel.”  The woman stepped towards her, reaching out her hand.  “Be proud of your new title, and take care of your project.” 

Missy reached out, taking the woman’s hand in her own.  Calming warmth seemed to spread through Missy’s body.  The room around her seemed to slip away, fading into a bright, white nothing. 

“Good luck, Missy.”  The woman’s voice seemed distant now. 

Missy closed her eyes. 

“Thanks.”  She smiled, feeling the Realm of the Angels leaving her. 

She was off to earth.