Crossroads

by Mary Ting

  “Maybe it’s because you keep saying…almost.”

  He laughed again, “I promise this time, we’re almost there.”

  “Okay, we better be, or else you’ll be in big trouble.”

  “Oh really? What will you do?”

  “I’ll…I’ll…” Then I realized that I didn’t know much about him; his likes or dislikes. “Well, it’s a surprise,” I said, like it was something big.

  “I don’t know if I like surprises. Make sure it’s a good one.”

  The view was magnificent, but the heat was starting to make its way up. Sweat was already dampening my skin. Michael must have noticed because he gently wiped several drops that were trickling down my forehead. I brushed my bangs back with my hands to allow the heat to escape. How was it possible that he didn’t even break a sweat? I knew the answer, but I couldn’t stop marveling at his capabilities.

  We walked while holding hands and enjoying each other’s company. Then, it suddenly dawned on me that I wasn’t wearing any makeup and that I was wearing the sweats I had worn to sleep. I quickly sniffed my sweatshirt to make sure I didn’t smell bad.

  He gave a crooked smile as he eyed my actions. “Don’t worry. You smell nice, even when you are sweating.”

  I blushed from embarrassment. He noticed everything, even when I tried to go unnoticed.

  Timidly I asked, “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course. What’s on your mind?” he asked, giving me his full attention.

  I wasn’t sure if this was the right time or place to ask personal questions; maybe it was because I was afraid of what his answer could be.

  Hesitantly I asked, “How did you know Aden?”

  He looked straight ahead. I thought he was trying to find a way to avoid my question.

  “To make a long story short, Aden strongly believed that we should live freely among humans. Shortly after we were taken to the Crossroads, Aden convinced many alkins, including me, to follow him. This is what I meant when I said he brainwashed us. I thought the world of him. He was like a father to me.”

  He paused, looking heartbroken. I wanted to reach out and console him. I didn’t want to see him like this.

  He continued, “I didn’t like the things Aden did. He killed alkins who wouldn’t follow him, and many of them were my friends. I tried to stop him when I realized what we were doing was wrong. There are two separate worlds for two kinds, angels and humans. Alkins weren’t supposed to be born. We were created in sin.”

  I placed my hand on his arm and said compassionately, “No, Michael. You were created by love. How could you say that?”

  “I shouldn’t exist. We’re nothing. I’m not a human, and I am definitely not an angel.”

  “You were created by two people who loved each other.”

  He interrupted. “Or maybe lust or temptation.”

  “Regardless of the reason, it’s not your fault. You didn’t create yourself. And it’s not like the Earth angels or any of the Twelve Angels who were on Earth were emotionally detached. They were able to feel as humans, correct?”

  “I suppose,” he said nonchalantly.

  “Then in order to understand us, they needed to feel what we feel–anger, hatred, lust, greed, sadness, and even love. And it’s not like they had an emotional button they could just turn on or off.”

  “You need not make excuses for them.” His voice was low.

  “I’m trying to understand them, and so should you. You need to forgive them so you can be at peace with all of this.”

  “I did many bad things for Aden.” His eyes were filled with anger and regret. “I don’t know if I’ll ever find peace in what I did for him,” he said sorrowfully.

  “But you are not that same person.” I cringed for saying the wrong word. “I mean, alkin. So what happened after that?”

  “It becomes hazy after that. Aden knew I was turning against him, and I was attacked by numerous fallen. I know for sure that Aden pierced me with his sword, and I was badly wounded, but then I woke up in Halo City. I don’t know how.”

  “So Phillip, Margaret, and Agnes took you in?”

  “Yes. They gave me a second chance, and I’m very grateful.”

  “They saved you because you are worth saving. They saw good in you as I do,” I said, gazing deeply into his eyes, trying to read his thoughts. Pain and anger were in his eyes. Could he ever forgive them? Could he ever forgive himself? “What happened to Aden?” I asked, changing the subject.

  “Aden was banned from the Crossroads, and his soul was stripped.”

  “What does it mean to have your soul stripped?”

  “Having a soul grants you permission to have life after death. If you have no soul, you simply vanish. Some believe soulless beings are banished to a lifetime of punishment. Humans call this place “hell.” When an angel’s soul is taken, their powers are weakened. That is why Aden needs the fallen to do his dirty work.”

  “Do you have your—?”

  He didn’t let me finish. He knew what I was going to ask him. “Yes,” he said looking down, but his tone revealed he didn’t think he deserved to have one.

  I tried to make him feel better. “See, those evil beings don’t have souls. You’re not like them.”

  He gave a half smile and said, “I see your point.”

  I didn’t believe him; his eyes said otherwise. I could imagine his guilt for killing who knows how many alkins. I could also imagine the pain of trusting someone like Aden, only to discover that he was brainwashing you to do his dirty work.

  “So Aden can’t just appear at the Crossroads like I did,” I confirmed.

  “No, but now he is out for revenge and it doesn’t matter who gets in his way.”

  “Is that why you have that glowing ring around Halo City?”

  “Yes. That glowing ring around Halo City is what keeps soulless beings out. You’re very observant.”

  “It’s not like it’s not obvious or anything. It just sticks out like a sore thumb. How can anyone miss it? It glows brighter than the sun.”

  Michael laughed. “Yes, it is, but it’s not as bright as your smile.”

  I smiled, flattered by his words, and looked away shyly.

  “What pleases your eyes?” he asked.

  “You,” I said without hesitation.

  He smiled. “Besides me, what pleases your eyes?”

  My hands immediately touched the crystal necklace he gave me. “Butterflies,” I said quickly. I didn’t know why he was asking me that question.

  “Butterflies it is, then.”

  I gave him a look that questioned his reply, but he didn’t answer, so I didn’t pursue it. As we continued to walk, I guessed it was probably almost noon. That would explain the rumbling sound coming from my stomach. Suddenly he covered my eyes with his hands. “We’re almost there, and I want to surprise you, so don’t peek.”

  I nodded as he slowly guided me, directing me with his hands. Although I totally trusted him, something about walking blindly made me hesitant.

  “Where are you taking me?” I asked curiously.

  “Shhh…,” he whispered in my ear. “We’re almost there.”

  “Why are you whispering?” I asked, whispering back.

  “We don’t want to disturb them.”

  My mind ran rampant trying to figure out what he wanted to show me.

  “Close your eyes, and keep them closed,” he demanded as he scooped me off my feet.

  I guess I should be used to having him carry me that way, but it amazed me how effortlessly he did it. I wasn’t sure, and my mind could have deceived me, but I felt like I was floating. My sense of smell was out of control. A rich, pleasant scent was filling the air around me. “Open your eyes, Claudia.”

  It took me a few seconds to readjust my sight, but it was worth the journey to be here. I was surrounded by a variety of flowers. The beauty of their colors and the variations were indescribable. I was amazed by the splendor. I stared at Michael smilin
g, and I was speechless.

  “How?”

  “Shhh…”

  Now I knew why he was whispering and hushing me. Gradually he walked away from me, tiptoeing. He started to brush the tops of the flowers with his hands, and hundreds and thousands of butterflies fluttered off the ground right in front of my eyes.

  “Wow!” My whole body exploded with joy and excitement to see this magnificent sight. Overwhelmed by their presence, my stomach fluttered right along with them.

  Butterflies of every color, looking as if they were painted with patches of bold bright reds, oranges, blues, purples, and yellows, all intertwined, overlapping each other. As I continued to follow their path, I squinted at the brilliant sun in the cloudless sky. It blinded me for a split second, and then I saw that the butterflies were returning, circling around Michael and me—all of them dancing in the sky. Each knew its location and position with such precision, never colliding while reaching higher and higher to form a tunnel.

  Countless butterflies, circling around us, gave me chills as I could feel the air gently flowing from their wings. It was incredible to experience such beauty of color and grace so close within reach. Gently Michael embraced me from behind and extended our arms, which allowed them to brush against our skin. I giggled as the soft wings tickled us through and through. Shortly after, they disappeared, moving upward until I could no longer see them. I turned to face him and looked at him inquisitively.

  He immediately responded as if he could hear my thoughts, “No, they do not belong in your world.”

  I didn’t ask any more questions about them because I knew it was his way of showing me how much he cared. It was a gift, and I wasn’t about to spoil it. He grabbed my hand and led the way again. “Let’s go. You must be starving.”

  “Not really,” I lied.

  How could I think of food when I was at a place full of magnificence? Even though I had lied to Michael and to myself about not being hungry, loud rumbling sounds gave away the fact that I was starving. He frowned and glared at me for not telling the truth.

  “Okay…I’m starving,” I said while rubbing my stomach as it continued to rumble. We couldn’t help but laugh. As we continued to walk, I had a thought. “So if I told you that frogs pleased my eyes, I would have had countless frogs in front of me?”

  He chuckled, “You don’t look like the type of girl who would actually like frogs.”

  “Well, only if one could turn into a prince,” I said with a smirk.

  “Too bad, princess, because the only frog you’ll ever see is this one,” he said, planting a kiss on my forehead.

  He led me toward some trees, and I was happy that I didn’t have to step on the flowers. Instead, there was a path, one so small that you couldn’t see it from a distance. He led me under a tree and it was impossible not to appreciate its beauty. The grandness of the tree and its leaves provided us shade from the sweltering sun. I was startled by the unusual size of the leaves. They were quite large, like nothing I had ever seen before. Michael was watching me, seemingly amused by my delighted reaction. He pointed to the ground. “Let’s eat.”

  In front of me was a blue blanket with a brown wicker picnic basket on it.

  “How? When?” I asked.

  “I knew you would be hungry, so I asked Davin to whip up something to eat. Are you okay with this?” he asked.

  “Okay with this? This is perfect,” I said, tugging at him to sit next to me.

  The picnic blanket was so soft, and the aroma bursting around me made me spin out of control with hunger. I didn’t want to be rude, so I waited patiently for him to move first. I watched him take a few items from the basket, placing the containers in front of me.

  Wanting to help, I carefully opened the lids so I wouldn’t look clumsy. Inside the containers were various dishes: fried rice, Kung Pao chicken, and vegetables.

  “I can’t believe he cooked all this, but where?” I asked curiously. I made a mental note to myself that I should thank him the next time I saw him.

  Michael looked amused, trying to hold back his laughter. I began to wonder what was so funny.

  “It’s called Chinese takeout,” he finally said, smiling.

  I sat frozen, feeling like a huge dork. I had to redeem myself, but I didn’t know what to say. After I cleared my throat, I said, “Good choice.” Then it dawned on me that I didn’t know if he actually ate. “Are you going to eat with me?” I asked indirectly, hoping he would understand what I was trying to ask him.

  “I’m not hungry,” he said, taking a fork and a napkin out of the basket, placing it next to my plate.

  His answer did not satisfy my curiosity. While I glanced at my plate, I was dying to ask him the question. I wasn’t sure if he would feel comfortable answering, but curiosity overwhelmed me; I had to know. I asked hesitantly, “Can you eat?”

  He gave a big grin. “Took you long enough to ask me.”

  “I…what? I…” I fumbled my words from his unexpected comment. He knew what I was trying to ask him, but he was playing games with me. He didn’t let me finish.

  “Yes, if I wish. But I wouldn’t starve to death like you if I didn’t.” He winked. “One of the perks of being who I am.”

  I grabbed the fork as gracefully as I could, and positioned myself to eat like a lady. I didn’t want to embarrass myself again. He lay on his back, arms behind his neck and legs crossed. He looked relaxed as he watched me eat.

  “This is sooo good,” I said, speaking nervously. He focused his eyes on me more intently, readjusting to his side, lying there comfortably.

  Suddenly, he got up and wiped a bit of sauce from the corner of my mouth with a napkin. How sweet, I thought, relishing this kind of attention. After I ate the last delicious bite, he tapped the blanket next to him, motioning me to lie down. As we lay, he opened a container that was next to him. Inside were the biggest strawberries I had ever seen. My eyes opened with delight, like a child who was given a huge lollipop.

  “Strawberries are my favorite fruit,” I said excitedly.

  “I know,” he replied. He immediately placed one in my mouth. Every bit was amazing, and every bite was sweet as any other.

  After he watched me eat a few, I seductively brushed a strawberry against his lips. He moved slightly forward, ready to take a bite, when I pulled it back playfully. His eyes widened in surprise, and then he gave a loving smile. I teased him once more, but this time he was too fast for me. “Delicious,” he said and ate the whole strawberry.

  “You can eat after all,” I said, giving him a sly smile.

  “Poor Adam. Now I know why he couldn’t resist taking a bite of the forbidden apple from Eve. Women are dangerous,” he said and gave me a playful look. Without warning, he flipped me over onto my back. His hands pinned me down as he straddled lightly on my hips.

  “Hey, no fair.” I tried to wiggle myself out of his hold, but it was no use.

  “You’re hot,” he said, out of the blue.

  I blushed at first, but then understood that he meant the literal meaning of hot. He noticed my flushed face and the dampness on my body. I didn’t care about the heat since I was too absorbed in being with him.

  “I’m fine.” I lied again. “It’s probably the sweats I’m wearing.”

  “You can take it off. I promise not to look,” he said, teasing me as he released me.

  “What?” I said.

  “Well, either way, I can see right through your clothes if I wanted to,” he smiled and turned.

  “What? Seriously?” Quickly I placed both of my arms in front of my chest and grabbed the blue blanket to cover even more. “You’re like Superman or something?”

  “Superman? Who is Superman?”

  “Never mind. He’s not real,” I said, feeling irritated that he didn’t tell me earlier.

  He looked confused. “I guess I didn’t tell you. Don’t worry. That would be an invasion of privacy, and I wouldn’t do that to anyone. I can control my vision.” He blushed.
>
  “That’s some power,” I said, wondering what else he was capable of doing.

  “Sometimes I can’t.”

  “What?”

  “Just kidding. Don’t worry.”

  “Can you see through walls?” I asked, fascinated.

  “Yes, but let’s not talk about it. I know a perfect place to cool off. Here.” He reached for me, wanting me to get up, but I continued to hold onto the blue blanket. I didn’t budge.

  He reached for me again. “Trust me,” he said with a serious tone.

  When I extended my hand, he grabbed it and pulled me up. Unexpectedly, he ripped the bottom half of my sweat pants with his hand. I was surprised how perfectly he cut them. He did it so fast that I didn’t have time to react. Then he took off his T-shirt. It was the first time I saw his perfectly ripped muscular chest. His tight, cut, defined six-pack abs, flawless in form, and chiseled biceps, were unforgettable. The sight of him shirtless made my temperature rise. I had to fan myself with my hands, pretending it was the heat, and not him.

  I felt extremely embarrassed and looked away. It was hard not to stare. He looked so sexy. It took some self-control not to throw myself at him.

  My eyes glued to the ground and I said, “Just because you can see mine doesn’t mean I want to see yours.”

  He chuckled. “Here, put this on.” He grinned as he handed me his T-shirt. “I’ll turn my back. I promise not to look.”

  “Oh, thanks,” I said, wanting to kick myself for saying something stupid.

  When his back was to me, I asked half jokingly, “You don’t have eyes behind your head, do you?” I knew that question was ridiculous, but I asked anyway. After all, I didn’t know what else he could do.

  He laughed again, turning his head slightly and asked, “Do you wish I did?”

  Shocked by his response, I fumbled my words. “I…umm…no…of course not,” I said as I quickly put on his T-shirt. It was more like a dress on me, but wearing something that belonged to him made me feel that much closer to him. “You can turn now,” I said.

  “A bit big, but it will do. Kind of sexy, if you ask me,” he said with a wink.

  His comment was so unexpected that I flushed. He started gathering all his belongings from the blanket and placed them neatly near the tree. Then everything disappeared. Stunned, I looked at him with my eyes bulging out and my mouth dropped to the floor. I had just witnessed something else he could do.