The Blue Iris

I couldn't fathom what I was hearing. Sure, I knew the day would come. Everyone's day comes, for it is the price of being human. However, to me, she was no ordinary human. I have loved her since the moment I heard her first cry. I was there the first time she walked, and I have followed her every step. Some say that I am far too attached, that my feelings have clouded my original task, for it is not my will, but my Father's. I am too involved, I must step aside, for her mistakes are her own. I have seen a billion deaths, watched a million lives, been assigned to a thousand subjects. I have watched humans love, hate, win, and lose. I have watched them die for one another, kill for one another, even kill each other. But as soon as I felt her presence, I knew I would never be the same. Some say I am too protective, but they do not realize that I am not only protecting her, but I am protecting my own heart. As we walk down the path of her life, I cushion her falls, because I cannot bear them. I feel every fall, every scratch, as if they were my own. She is the only light amongst the darkness, and now it is time for her to be extinguished. God has removed his presence amongst the Earth, and now it is Lucifer's kingdom. All must bear his mark, and begin their march into the Lake of Fire. As I unseal Heaven's door, I feel a premonition that I will never enter it again. As my feet land amongst Earth's soil, I force myself to begin the march. My task is simple. As one of God's angels, I transport souls from this life to the next. Today, my subject is Ainsley Galloway, and I will be forced to watch the only girl I have ever loved be slaughtered. My name is Gabriel, and this is my story.

Her mother heard them coming, the sound unmistakable. She knew they would. The only question was when, and the answer was today.

Ainsley sat in the corner with wide frightened eyes, trying to look as small as possible. She paused to stare at her one and only daughter; she was so unique, so unlike any of the other children. At age six, she had never spoken so much as one word. Frail, with her long pale blond hair falling forward, and a smudge of dirt on her cheek, she was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Tears pooling her eyes, she ran to her, snatching her up as she sprinted down the hall to the back of the small house.

Opening the door to the safe room, she whispered for Ainsley to go inside."Listen to me, angel. Don't make a sound, and no matter what you hear, do not come outside. Do you understand, baby?" Ainsley nodded her head. One last kiss to her, and she sealed the door before sprinting back down the hallway.

As soon as her feet hit the kitchen floor, they kicked the door in. Two pairs of red eyes... Despite the pounding in her chest, she raised her chin defiantly. This received a smirk from the leader.

Suddenly, fire erupted in her head. The demon had head-butted her, and she was on the ground. She tried to breathe through the fog and remain conscious.

He forcefully jerked her dress up her thighs and ripped her panties from her hips, rolling her onto her stomach. The other demon pushed him aside, as he drug her with him. He found a chair in the kitchen, forcing her to straddle him as he lowered himself. She felt tears run down her cheeks as he began to pull his cock free. He took her in one hard thrust, while he pulled her torso to his chest, pinning her.

"Come now, brother, I am not selfish!" She heard the demon yell in amusement to his companion.

Next, she heard the demon unzip his pants, before suddenly forcing his thick cock in her anus. Screaming out in agony and humiliation, he continued trying to force himself inside. Finally, the head of his cock popped through the tiny hole. He took her dry, with no lubrication to aid his invasion. He continued to thrust brutally through her body's resistance until finally her blood eased his penetration.

The last thing she remembered was hearing her ragged, tormented screams echoing in her head. Then, the blade found her neck.

Gabriel's knuckles were turning white, his nails piercing the skin, sweat beading his forehead. The room was small, and Ainsley sat on his foot, her little body too innocent, too precious. The screaming had subsided, and she began to try to peak through the crack in the door. He could feel her entire body trembling through his boot.

Her mother's sentence had been certain death, because she had refused to bear the mark of the beast. She had believed that Ainsley would have a chance at survival, because no one knew she existed. She had kept her hidden her entire life.

Her mother had been wrong. Gabriel knew this because God didn't make mistakes. If he were sent to retrieve the little girl's soul, there was no doubt they were going to find her.

There was a thud against the wood floor, and Ainsley tried to stifle a sob as she saw her mother's vacant eyes and lifeless form. That little sob was all it took.

Gabriel heard laughter from the demons as they began to make their way down the hallway. In that moment, time seemed to stop. Possessiveness took over every fiber of his being, and his soul was screaming out in primal rage. One thing he was absolutely certain of: she was his and his alone.

He fought to control his emotions, for it took massive amounts of concentration for him to remain concealed from the little girl as well as the demons. Then suddenly, she reached up, clutching his wing, eyes widening in wonder as she saw her hero. The hope and excitement were unmistakable. She believed he was here to save her.

When his eyes met hers, nothing else in the entire universe mattered. He couldn't look away. Everything he was and everything he would ever be were reflected in those pretty blue eyes. Blue eyes that should have never been able to see him.

His control snapped, evaporating his concealment. His light so powerful, it blew the door from its hinges. The demons temporarily blinded, fell to their knees, bullets flying because of their fear of the unknown. They hadn't expected one of the Lord's army to be present. He quickly picked up Ainsley, shielding her small body with his wings.

As the bullets subsided, the silence was deafening. The only thing heard was a whisper of disbelief, "Gabriel?"

Yes, they were correct, and he was going to kill both of them.