A Chance Meeting

A Chance Meeting

Existence, for many it is a journey filled with success and fulfilled dreams. On the other side of the spectrum, however, life can be nothing more than an endless expanse of nothingness filled with disappointment and grief. There was once an angel, he himself wouldn't know it but he was the chosen one. The key element that would serve as a catalyst for the events that have yet to come. Exiled from paradise he was for he allowed temptation into his heart. He now dwells within the realm of mortals for he no longer has a place to call home.

The angel soars along the endless skies, for neither the clouds nor the birds pass judgment on him. Searching for his purpose he is, but he doesn't know where to look. His mind has been poisoned with self doubt, and his body weary from exhaustion. His wings flap no more, gravity begins to take hold as he plummets to the ground. If only he knew what he was supposed to do. What lesson was he supposed to learn from being ostracized? Slowly his thoughts began to wither away and all he could hear was his heartbeat, its rhythmic pattern counting down the seconds.

The angel opens his eyes, taking one last look at the scenery around him. It was beautiful, it always was but he could never understand how the world could be so beautiful and filled with so much pain and hatred at the same time. He takes one last breath when a figure comes into view. Who was this person he thought, what were they doing here? His descent begins to hasten when the figure of a female could be seen.

He didn't want to collide with her but the force of gravity had already taken hold. In a last ditch effort the angel spreads his wings, veering to right.

The female figure walks, the angel crashes right beside her. Surprised by the sudden crash she approaches the large crater that now paints the landscape. She approaches the smoking crater to find a creature lying facedown in the center. This was a species of creature she had yet encountered. She begins to analyze the creature, poking and prodding him with a stick. "Are you alive?" The female said while she continued to poke him with the stick. The creature began to shift, debris falling from its form.

Dust surrounded the two of them as the creature flapped his wings to rid himself of the debris that had now painted his entire body. He coughed and looked toward the female. The dust cleared to reveal two golden eyes, these eyes were gentle yet serious. His gaze was intimidating; he stood at 6'3" with his wings partly opened. His back was tense as he had no idea where he was. He tilted his head as if observing the female, he opened his mouth and uttered a question, "Are you okay?" The female stood confused, "Why do you care I don't even know who are?"

The creature scratched the back of his head in embarrassment; he forgot that she had no idea who he was. "Yeah I should probably introduce myself." The female stood in a sassy pose, expressing both an attitude of sarcasm and one of arrogance. "It would behoove you you dork." "People call me Angel, on the count of I am an Angel." The angel chuckles to himself, he does this every time he tells a joke that he perceives is really funny. He looks at the female and realizes that he's the only one laughing.

"So I see you're a bit of a comedian" she folds her arms and tips her hips, raising an eyebrow conveying the sense that he should probably shut up now. "Well it helps pass the time you know. I hope I didn't hurt you" the angel bows in forgiveness.

"Yeah about that, what gave you the bright idea to dive bomb into the ground anyway you almost killed me" she gets a bit angry and begins to glare at him. "I don't really have a good explanation for it but I didn't mean to crash land anywhere near you I had no idea anyone would be out here." The angel begins to look around surveying the area, "where ever here is anyway."

The female explained that he was on the outskirts of Las Vegas, which would explain why everything as far as the eye could see is desert. The angel’s wings have brought him to Las Vegas, Nevada a place filled with sin and temptation. A haven for the scum of the earth to run rampant, vagrants line the streets and addicts pour in and out of the police stations. It is an unforgiving place, it takes everything you have and spits you back out with nothing.

“Well I didn’t plan on coming here,” he looked around in disgust for he did not belong in a place like this. It was a veritable hell on earth. Sunshine seemed foreign to a place like this; it reeked of failure and frustration. The inhabitants seemed out of touch with themselves almost as if their humanity was gone but they still acted as humans would. It wasn’t the same though something was a bit off; people here only cared about money. Emotions and other social constructs never held any power in this place.

“Well come on you can stay at my place for a little bit until you figure out where you’re going” she looked at him with eyes of a helpful nature. It made him feel safe for some reason, he didn’t question it instead he followed it. “Sure lead the way” he smiled, sure why wouldn’t anyone he got a free room out of it. The two of them traversed the dangerous streets of Vegas, Angel always admiring the many different casinos and hotels that littered the streets. Every building had flashing lights on it that advertised some sort of game, profanity, or show that happened to be debuting on that particular day or week. They walked for what seemed like hours and he could feel his legs slowly giving out from exhaustion, “How long till we get to your place I’m dying back here.” The female looked over her shoulder, “Not very far we’re almost there,” she smiled and continued marching forward at a moderate pace. She walked as if she was on a mission; her walk was one of a mature woman. Her back was up straight and her chin held high, it was a very pleasant sight for the angel but also very unsettling. The angel began to question his surroundings, should he be prepared for a sudden attack? He kept his guard up just in case; he turned his gaze to the north and found that they were approaching a small shop.

The shop had a modest feel to it, from the outside the building didn’t have much to it. The overall shape was about the length of a doorway, with the words “Little Witch Shop” printed across the top. The shop itself looked a bit dim on the inside but it was far from anything the average person would be used to seeing. The walls were filled with oddities as far as the eye could see, walking inside the shop made Angel get the impression that it was “bigger on the inside.” It was as if the shop were a doorway into another dimension, the atmosphere held a feeling of loneliness. Angel’s curiosity led him to the many artifacts and antiques that lined the shelves and counters.

“So this is my shop, its kinda where I call home.” She said this and this time her eyes were gentle, they were different from before as if he were talking to a different person entirely. “It’s a bit dark in here don’t you think,” Angel squinted to emphasize his point but the female seemed to take an offense to this statement. “I happen to like it dark thank you very much.” She folded her arms and all Angel could think to himself was, “Well at least I can recognize her again.” He chuckled at this thought and began to marvel over the extensive collection of spell books and enchantments that she had in her possession.

“How exactly did you get your hands on all of this stuff?”

“My mother was also a witch so I inherited this shop from her when she died, I’ve been practicing magic ever since.” This subject must have opened some old wounds, Angel watched as a single tear rolled down her face.

“Listen there’s something I would like to ask you to do,” she gulped nervously when she said this. Angel grew tense at the sudden shift in her tone, “Sure what’s up?” a bit confused Angel felt he had no other choice but to comply with her wishes. She did bring him all this way he might as well humor her for the time being. She begins to explain her situation to Angel and he finds himself to be part of a deadly game.

Unbeknownst to them an interloper lurks in the shadows, he watches with vigilant eyes analyzing his target. He waits in total silence for the precise moment to strike. “Wait a second so let me get this straight, you want me to pose as your boyfriend to get this guy off your back?” After listening to the outlandish request from this female Angel begins to ponder how exactly he got himself into this mess. “It would only be for a week and you’re only posing as my boyfriend so don’t get any ideas,” she then spins a knife around her finger pointing it directly at Angel’s face making him sweat. He raises his hands in surrender, “Yeah of course no copping a feel gotcha. Although I do have to ask you this, what’s your name anyway?” Angel scratched his head in confusion, he was right the female never formally introduced herself to him. The ruse had no chance of succeeding if he didn’t know her name. The female blushes in embarrassment, “Oh you’re right how silly of me to forget, my name is Iris nice to meet you.” She then holds out her hand and Angel shook it as per the social protocol. And with that the plan was now underway, the interloper watches and becomes infuriated, they had no idea he was watching but that was as he intended. He then disappears as quickly and quietly as he came, like the wind gone without a trace.

The week began; it was the start of a new day but this was no ordinary day it was one that would change the course of Angel’s life forevermore. He has now come one step closer to discovering his purpose. The two of them started their day going out to lunch, talking to each other but not in a sense of love. They had not yet unlocked the secret that would pull them closer together, Angel made jokes and Iris laughed at them. Angel and Iris enjoyed themselves, joining the crowd in their cloud of happiness. Dancing to the music and just having fun with each other. The interloper watches the events, growing angrier as time passes.

Angel and Iris decide to go see a movie; it is the last day of their false boyfriend crusade. They walk beside each other, neither knowing that the other feels the same way. Iris reaches out her hand to grasp Angel’s but he does not reciprocate. Iris pulls her hand back, her eyes containing an overwhelming sense of sadness.

“Iris why don’t you love me?!” Angel and Iris both turn in the direction of the disturbance to find a tank rolling down the street destroying everything in its path.

“That’s your ex-boyfriend?!” Angel exclaims as they both start bolting in the opposite direction of the oncoming tank. “Yeah he keeps stalking me and won’t leave me alone” Iris quickly retorts. “You have to help me!!” Angel then ponders the situation over while dodging the attacks from a homicidal ex-boyfriend. “Well that depends did you tell him it was over between you two?” He looks at Iris and she turns her face the other way, “You never did tell him did you; no wonder he still thinks he has a shot with you. There’s only one way to show him that it’s over between you two,” as these words were uttered the universe felt it appropriate to unleash a round from the turret of the tank that pursued them. Angel spun Iris around and locked eyes with her; she had an expression of surprise about her. He lightly grasped the back of her head and pulled her in, their lips met and they kissed. Iris closed her eyes enjoying every second of this, especially because her ex-boyfriend was watching.

“Iris why, why would you do this to me?!” Iris opened her mouth but Angel interrupted her, “Because she doesn’t love you, I was pretty sure that was easy to see. Who drives a tank anyway?”

“How dare you, if I can’t have her no one can,” the homicidal ex-boyfriend then proceeded to go on a rampage destroying about two-thirds of the strip in the process. The authorities quickly apprehended him after he had dispensed all of his ammunition. The tank was impounded and his face was plastered all over the newspapers, the whole situation turned out to be very comical actually because none of the pedestrians that were in the immediate area actually got hurt.

Both Angel and Iris looked around seeing the damage that had been caused because of them and they sat quiet for a few moments. After a bit they couldn’t help but laugh, “Looks like you’ll be free of him for a while considering he’s going to jail.” Iris sighed, “Yeah that’s true and it looks like our deal is just about finished.” The two of them exchanged glances for what seemed like the last time. Neither one of them knew what to say next but they were hanging on every word, just waiting for the other to respond. “Hey Iris…,” Angel started and Iris looked at him, “Yes what is it?” Angel opened his mouth but couldn’t find the strength to express his feelings in disappointment he said this instead, “Nothing, so I guess it’s all over now huh?”

“Yeah I guess so,” Iris sighed in disappointment and both of them silently agreed to end the deal. They both began walking in opposite directions, every step made them further and further away from each other. Sadness now plagued both their hearts, Angel kept mulling it over. He then walked to the bus stop and sat on the bench, he could no longer see Iris in the distance. He reached into his pockets and just stared into the distance when he felt something in his hand. He grabbed the item and pulled his hand out to reveal a piece of paper. Angel was confused because he didn’t recall putting anything in his pockets to begin with. He opened the piece of paper and it read “Meet me at the café 6:00pm” Angel then looked for the nearest clock and found that it was 5:50 pm. “I still have ten minutes I can make it,” he ran towards the café. He was a man in love and nothing could stop him, meanwhile Iris walks into the café and sits at the counter and orders a drink. Angel ran and he ran, he ran until he got tired and when he got tired he ran some more. Iris finished her drink and she waited and waited, time passed and she noticed that it was now 5:57. Iris paid the bartender and noticed a patch of untouched dust on the table. She couldn’t help but write a message in it, the message read “Angel ♥” she also placed a little note under a coaster and walked out. Angel ran passed the café at 5:59 and walked backwards to read the sign, aware that this was the place that he was looking for he ran in and frantically asked the bartender for a female fitting Iris’ appearance. The bartender told Angel that a female matching that description was in there two minutes earlier. Angel ran out of the café after hearing this, missing the note that Iris had left him on the counter. He looked around screaming her name to see if she was still nearby.

“IRIS!!!!” Angel looked around. As fate would have it Iris was only a few blocks up the street in the other direction. She heard the call and turned around, Angel looked in her direction but a train happened to pass by, it was now 6:00 pm and the trains pass every hour on the hour. As fate would have it neither one saw the other and they walked in opposite directions from each other. Their meeting was one of chance and as fate would have it their eyes would never share gazes once again. They walked never to cross paths ever again…