An Angel's Ascent (29 page)

I didn’t talk much on the flight; I was anxious for one reason or another. Aries held my hand and chatted with Cross and Switch. I needed some time before all hell broke loose.

CHAPTER TWENTY

I must’ve fallen asleep because next thing I knew I was having a memory of my childhood, one of almost being hit by a car. I had just lost my mom I think, and I was maybe two or three years of age. I was crying really hard and looked confused. I was looking everywhere, at these strange people thinking that my mom had left, and these people were talking about her. Saying bad things, things like what I had heard about my dad. I don’t remember my dad so I don’t think I knew him.

I just stood there in this pretty dress, dark sweater, and some kind of teddy bear. Tears were streaming down my face. I was not a nurturing person really, but this little girl image of me made my heart break. I desperately needed someone to hold me, someone I could trust. A lady took me by the hand and tried to steer me towards a car, I screamed at her; she was a stranger, and I wanted my mommy. Where was my mommy, I screamed? The woman jerked me towards the car again, and I jerked back. She tried to drag me, but I refused. You know the way little kids twist, turn, and sit when they throw those fits. I took off running and almost got splattered, but the car swerved, and the old woman grabbed me.

The woman smacked my cheek and picked me up and carried me like a bag of flour. I was so angry with this person I could scream. She put me in her car and drove off. Then the dream blacked out and showed me sitting in this chair. The same woman stood talking to people in some room or office. I just stared wide-eyed and pale. I think I must’ve been in shock. The things these people said couldn’t be true. Only one other relative but he was some uncle in the state pen and not the best person to raise me. My mom had not left any amount of money worth saving me from this, and my dad was long gone somewhere.

I found a letter later saying he had died with my mom in a car accident, and his job kept him from coming home. Now I realized he had been preparing the way for me, but died instead. I suspect someone had murdered them. That’s what I gathered from the letter.

There was a large red mark on my face that the old woman had claimed was my fault. I had banged my head somewhere or something. I watched the other person look me over and dismiss it.

I had sat in the chair for two hours before someone was kind enough to feed me crackers and juice. Then take me to the restroom and clean me up.

Another break in the dream or memory and then I was standing just inside a door staring at a row of beds in a long room. I was given a cot at the very end and left alone. Not long after a child came in and helped me make my bed. I cried again and just stood there. I needed some kind of reassurance. The girl smiled and took a hand but did not hold me. She was not much older than me, six years max. I followed her through some hallways and down some stairs where she released me to another woman.

This woman, big and scary, handed me a pile of material, I dropped some, and she snapped at me, which sent me into more crying. Another older child helped me and showed me where to put my things. She didn’t console me either. That’s when I realized that this was a temporary place for kids until another place could be found. No love could be shown because everything was temporary and any attachments would hurt more.

As a toddler, I couldn’t understand this. The older girl showed me the bathroom and took me for lunch. I munched on fruit and Kool-Aid. A boy took my animal crackers and hit me when I tried to cry. The other girl told on him, but I wasn’t given anymore. I was still hungry when they took me outside and pushed me towards the other kids. The boy ran by and pushed me down, and when I cried all the kids laughed.

Another scene flashed, and now I was packing a small bag. I was allowed to keep a change of clothes and given my teddy bear back. I guess they had taken it so that other kids would not.

I was given to another mean looking lady with six other kids. The oldest girl there, she was maybe twelve, was in charge and we all had chores including me. She who could walk could clean. The dark skinned girl with her funny hair was very mean to me and took my teddy. I cried, and she hit me and scratched me. The woman didn’t care and locked me in a closet. I screamed and screamed. They must have forgotten about me because I had fallen asleep inside.

Hours later, another lady found me and took me to the hospital. I had bruises and cuts, and cried when anyone would touch me. I had also had a few accidents and smelled bad. I was so hungry my tummy hurt. After some time, I think someone fed me, and I devoured everything quickly before someone would take it away again. After seeing me do this, they gave me more milk and cookies.

Another scene showed me given to a couple. I was put in a bath, and the next thing I knew there was screaming and fighting. Again I was taken away. This time I was with a couple that had two kids close to my age. One was mean and tried to push me down the stairs. I lay in a broken heap crying. Once again taken to the hospital where they put my arm in a cast and bandaged me.

Another scene flashed, and I was in a group home with many kids. These were monitored better so I was not hurt for some time.

I must’ve had a nightmare because one night I wet the bed and the girl who shared with me kicked me to the floor. I was cleaned up and put with another girl. I tried very hard not to have accidents because they were rough with me when I did.

Years of the same thing happened, being passed from one place to another, shown no mercy or kindness and forgotten. Somewhere around five I was put into a home that had four teenage kids. They left me alone for the most part, and I decided being picked on was not cool. I finally got to take self-defense lessons. The counselors had seen I was defenseless and thought it couldn’t hurt. I poured myself into it. I had nothing else.

When I woke up I realized I had forgotten all about my earlier childhood. All the tears

I had shed as a child burned once more in my eyes.

“
Are you alright?” Aries asked. He didn’t see anything and figured it was just all of the things that were going on.

I nodded but decided I wanted him to see what I had just seen, if I could show him.

“
Can I try something?”

“
Sure.”

“
You have to let me in your thoughts, merge with your mind.”

He smiled. I placed my hands on his temples and closed my eyes. I sunk within myself and closed out everything. I reached for his emotions and found them easily. From there I pushed until I could sense his thoughts. That’s when I took my memories and let them pour into his.

Aries emotions became angry and remorseful. I pulled back out and looked at him.

“
Did that really happen to you?”

“
Yeah, I just dreamed about it; I had forgotten until now,” I told him.

“
I can see why you are the way you are now. I’m sorry. If I had known, any inkling I would have saved you. Not even three yet, your world ripped away, and expected to just get over it. To move on and deal with peoples crap. They should be ripped to pieces.”

“
There were so many kids like me that they had no choice.”

Aries put his arm around me and sighed. I could tell that he was trying to blame himself, and I wouldn’t have that.

“
Well, you get a chance to show all the ones on our island that someone does care. I think most of us will, otherwise we shouldn’t be there. It will be packed, hectic, lots of work, but I think we can handle it. I know you can. You're one of the strongest women I know, look at how much you have been through.” Aries murmured.

I thought about the things he said and agreed.

When we were on the ground, we were shown to a ferry that would take us to the island.

I watched the dolphin’s jump, bird’s swoop, and the cool air affect everyone. City life and sea life were vastly different.

When the island finally came into view it looked huge, even in the dark. I had thought it would be like a ten or fifteen city block radius, at max thirty. This was well, miles long. I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. Aries smiled tentatively at me. I think he had remembered the sheer size of it.

He held my hand as we walked onto the land that we would live on for many years, the land where our daughter would be born and raised.

Nanna was one of the first we met as we disembarked from the ship. She eyed me critically for a moment or two and mumbled something under her breath about tiny fairies being such large hero’s, whatever that meant.

We were shown to a hotel apartment. Until the hut was done, we would stay here. Once we had our things put away we met everyone back outside.

Thorn showed us around. There was a lot accomplished, and many people already working that would live here. I could sense the Lykan’s now. There were quite a few already.

Thorn showed us the fields where the crops were being planted, and then he took us to the stables for the animals. After showing us the grounds, he took us to meet Sister Kara and the nuns.

I felt awed in her presence. She reminded me of someone.

“
I think we should speak alone my dear, don’t you?” she smiled as she said this.

I nodded and objected when the others disagreed and tried to join me.

“
I’ll be fine, guys, give us five minutes, please,” I told them.

“
I have waited many years to meet you, but it is Kali I need to speak with,” she said when we were alone.

“
Yes, honored one?” Kali replied, sleepily.

“
I have kept this place sacred as you have asked, the children are well cared for, and we wait for instructions.”

“
You have done well, have you enjoyed my gift of longevity?”

“
Of course, but I do not wish to linger much longer, all my loved ones have moved on, and I feel my duty is done.”

“
Bear with me awhile longer friend. Our master still has plans for his disciple. He needs all of his people for the upcoming battle. You must help the others with their faith. The times ahead will be hard, and they will come close to breaking but must not do so.”

“
I understand.” Sister Kara nodded.

“
This host will be my mother soon, and does not have faith in god, she feels he deserted her when she was young, you’ll be the mother she never had. While another, Nanna as she calls herself will be like an aunt or teacher. Sen, her defense arts master, is like a father. And Raven her friend, a sister. She will have the family she has needed and always wanted. She feels lonely, and with all she must face she needs her people. Something in which to fight for.”

“
Can she hear us?”

“
No she cannot. I thank you for your courage, strength, and determination.”

“
It was nothing.”

“
Be well...”

“
Angel?”

“
Yes?”

“
Like I said, I’ve been awaiting you. I hope things are well?”

“
As well as can be expected, you remind me of someone...”

“
I came to the states at one time and was a worker at an orphanage. I was the one who took you to one of the last ones. I tried to guide where you would go, and would visit you in the hospital. I could not have any bearing on anything else. Your childhood made you who you are today.”

“
You saw the things they did to me?” I asked appalled.

“
Yes, and I took you to another home. I could not care for you myself; it was forbidden.”

“
I'm sorry I got upset, it’s that there was no one...”

“
But now there is right?”

“
Yes.” I realized that she spoke the truth.

I talked to her a few minutes more and felt that I had found some part of my family. Like with Raven. Like with Sen, I felt I could trust her.

We finished our conversation to keep the others from tearing the door off its hinges.

I then went to meet with Nanna. Who, it seemed, turned out to be quite peeved with me for making her wait and putting Lady Kara ahead of her.

“
Finally child, you have come. They have denied me the most reasonable request of speaking with you, some excuse or another.”

“
I am here now,” I said laughing.

“
There’s so much to discuss. So many things you must learn,” Nanna said trudging along, following us to a room where we could sit and all talk.

“
She is more prepared than she seems, witch,” Sen replied.

“
Who are you?” she cawed.

“
Her martial arts master.”

“
Pshaw...” she said like it meant whatever.

“
Nanna, he has taught me many things, maybe not some of the things you feel I should know, but I want everyone to treat everyone else kindly. Work together,” I told them.

Everyone obeyed for some strange reason. The rest of the night flew by, and before I knew it I was showering for bed. It was seven am and already time to start on things that needed done, but I needed some rest and I figured it was time. No matter how tired I was. Aries was immortal so I thought let him do all the work, but I’m not made that way. Our wedding celebration and honeymoon wouldn’t be so great, but there were more important things to worry about. I didn’t feel any different, yet. I thought being a Mrs. changed things. I had been super busy, so maybe that was why. I mean three days had passed already, and I hadn’t really noticed.