The Lost Angel

Chapter 13

My dreams were chaotic but they all came to one place. There were so many different colored lights around me that I wondered if it was Christmas. At first it was peaceful until I felt several forces build and then pull at me. Panic rose like a tidal wave as I fought to find my way out. Someone called my name franticly to my right. It sounded vaguely familiar, but my mind was fighting through fog to recognize it. I tried to go to the voice when I realized my feet were stuck in place. I tried to free myself as fear over took the panic, but no matter how hard I fought my legs wouldn’t cooperate. Someone screamed around me but I could find the source and fell to my knees in an attempt to free myself again.

I heard several voices calling my name now. I had to get to them and let them know I was safe. Somehow, I knew that I wasn’t safe but I kept fighting. Somewhere in my mind a thought formed, this wasn’t death come to claim me but a trap to contain me. The fear that was already sky high kicked up a notch until I thought my heart would burst. Why would anyone try to trap me? It made now sense when I thought about it, but I just knew it was true. It couldn’t be just amnesia, could it?

Just then I spied a dark force creeping toward me. My body gave up the fight without my permission as this darkness slid up my body. My mind refused to give up however, and screamed at my limbs to fight. They wouldn’t cooperate with my mind.

I watched in horror as the darkness devoured every inch it could get to until it reached my shoulders. My mind tried to fight it off and it slowed down but kept coming. I felt tears slid down my cheeks as I prayed to the Goddess to send those I cared for my farewells and love. Just then my vision went dark around the edges when the force reached my head. My mind fumbled and tried to work.

A bright light appeared in the distance. So, this was the end, Death was here to claim my soul. The light grew brighter and my vision cleared. I could feel the darkness sliding away from my face as a wolf came out of the light towards me.

“Don’t give up chere. I’ve come to bring you home.” Jeremy’s voice rang out in the silence that had grown. I realized then that this wolf wasn’t his other form but one half of a whole. He nuzzled my cheek and whimpered until I looked into his eyes. “Fight beautiful. FIGHT!”

My mind jump started my body until they were one again. I began the fight renewed. Every inch I gained over the dark force was a battle until the war was over for control of my body. The wolf yipped happily as I stood and shook the remaining force off my boots. I felt spent and even more exhausted than before I came here, if that was possible. The only thing I could do was smile and drop to my knees to hug my savior. It was a little disturbing feeling the wolf chuckle like Jeremy but I didn’t care at the moment.

“As much as I’m enjoying this chere, we need to go.”

I pulled back but didn’t let go and kissed his muzzle. “When we get back, I’m going to repay you properly for everything. I think a good meal, hot shower, and massage are in order. Then maybe you can help me explain this to myself”

“Let’s get back first then we’ll talk about that.” Although he tried to play it cool, I heard the excitement in his voice.

Before either of us could move the light, he brought with him enveloped us. I came to myself on the floor of the plane with my head in Sara’s lap. I looked at the faces surrounding me with concern looks. I couldn’t see Jeremy though.

“Are you ok Angel? We were so worried about you when you screamed and then we couldn’t wake you up.” Sara’s voice sounded thin and fragile.

“What happened? I remember falling asleep on Brooks and then hearing someone scream as people yelled my name.”

“Well Angel, we landed and I tried to wake you then you screamed. We pulled you to the floor and tried to wake you but no matter how hard we tried you stayed asleep. We became more anxious as your breathing became shallower and more frantic. I don’t know what dream you were in but it had to be bad for us not to be able to wake you up.” Brooks sounded so concerned that I felt a little guilty that I scared them so badly. Jeremy’s face appeared next to Brooks now, he looked as tired as I felt.

“I’m not sure about a dream but I’m pretty sure I’m alright. And if we landed, I want to get off this plane.”

“Ok Angel, but we’re taking you to the handlers to clear you. If they don’t then it’s off to the hospital wing. No arguments young lady.” Jake was using his best no-nonsense voice so I didn’t object. If he was going to lead this crew one day then I had to let him take the lead sometimes.

“As you wish Jake. Jeremy and Travis have to stay with me until we get cleared since they’re my charges.” I looked around at each face in my line of sight and didn’t receive any objects. “After that I need to speak to Jeremy in private so if Jake, Sara, and Lee can watch Travis, I would appreciate it. Jason even if you get cleared by the handlers, I want you to visit the hospital wing to get cleared by them as well.”

“Fine Angel, what about Brooks?”

“I have my orders already Jake. I’ll take care of that and then join you guys on babysitting detail.” It seemed like hearing me issue orders snapped Brooks back to his old self.

“Are you sure you’re alright Angel? Do you need anything?” Sara was still concerned and speaking softly to me. It sounded so loving and caring that I couldn’t help the swell of emotion that came over me. I gave her the first true smile that she had ever witnessed. Filled with all of the love and appreciation I felt for her. I guess our earlier encounter had erased the animosity between us.

“I’m alright now but thanks for the offer. If you could just help me stand, please.”

She smiled back at me and moved to help me to my feet. No one moved to help her because they could all sense that this was her task. I was giving her my trust and that was not easy to earn. Once we were both on our feet, she brushed off my back and nodded. A quick look at the men around me caught my attention. One of Adam’s crew were staring at me with open curiosity on his face.

“Jeff? What’s so curios?”

He looked startled but answered, “you said please and thank you. I’ve never heard a high-ranking agent like you say those words. You’re treating everyone with so much respect and so nicely. It’s astonishing.”

I heard my crew chuckle and Jason out right laughed. “She’s the best agent I’ve ever met, trust me. But she’s tough as nails too. Train with her once and you’ll see. Right Angel?”

Jason looked at me to confirm his statement so I smiled. “Agreed. Now if you guys don’t mind, I want out of this metal bird.”

By the time we were cleared by the handlers I had one nerve left and it was frayed and raw. After the dream (if that’s what you can call it), the commute, and the hour it took them to clear me and mine; I was about to lose my temper. We were unable to land near headquarters so we were herded into vans without our luggage. They claimed it would be following us but I seriously doubted that. So much for a hot shower and my own clothes.

Jeremy and Travis stuck to me like glue the entire time observing everything that happened and every room we passed on our way to the kitchens. We had decided that since we were waiting on our luggage then we’d have a group dinner. Brooks and Lee cooked everything up quickly and served us salad first. Once everything was ready, we dug into the main course. It was exactly what I ordered and it was phenomenal. I wasn’t the only one who thought so, everyone dug in with relish. Jeremy ate seconds probably because they didn’t feed him very well when he was imprisoned.

Sara spoke up once everyone had their fill. “We should all get some rest. Jake, Lee, and I will take Travis with us. Jeremy will stay with Angel, but you should know that she’s important to all of us. If you hurt her in anyway Jeremy, then I’ll enjoy slicing you to pieces.” Her words were angry and protective as she glared at the man in question.

“Don’t worry Princess. I won’t hurt her if I can help it. I give you my word that I’ll protect her if the need presents itself.” He sounded amused. I shook my head as most of my crew laughed.

Jake didn’t find it funny, “she’ll be protecting you buddy. She’s quite capable of protecting herself and people around here know that. Anyone stupid enough to take her on is already dead. She doesn’t treat people very well if they threaten her or us. I almost feel bad for the snitch if she finds them first.”

“Alright everyone. Let’s just try to get comfortable until the lock down is over. Jeremy follow me, the rest of you watch your backs.” I was tired but I knew it would be a while until we could truly relax.