The Lost Angel

Chapter 11

“Angel.”

The voice was familiar and it almost sounded like Jake. Instead of calling out to him, I stayed low to the ground and leapt away from the door. Landing on my side, I aimed high but didn’t squeeze the trigger.

“Angel! Thank God.” Jake sounded relieved and excited as he started moving in my direction. Before he could move an inch, I fired. “What the Hell!”

“Haven’t I taught you anything?” I watched as Jake turned. Laying about thirty feet away was one of the guards. I slowly rose to my feet as he turned back to me, understanding flowed onto his face. “How much time left?”

“About ten minutes. Thanks for saving my ass.”

“I’ll add it to your tab.”

I smiled and started towards the unknown staircase. I looked at the stairs and then at Jake. He looked confused but nodded. He would watch my back as we descended into the dark unknown. As we prepared ourselves, a guard appeared to our right. Before either of us could raise our guns, his face took on a surprised expression and dropped to the floor. Thank you, Adam.

“I have to admit, that boy is a crack shot.” I heard awe in Jake’s voice.

I smiled and nodded towards the windows. “He does come in handy.”

“Let’s go Angel.”

Jake grabbed my arm to lead me out but I couldn’t leave. Something told me that I had to go down those stairs and investigate. Whatever it was telling me that, as Jake tried to pull me away, it screamed. Gently pulling my arm out of Jake’s grasp, I headed for the stairs. Jake sighed and proceeded to follow me. We didn’t speak as we took one step at a time. I took the lead as always and strained my ears to hear any noise coming from the bottom. It was far too quiet until we made it half way down. I could hear someone struggling to break free of some sort of cage or cell.

I knew in my heart that I had to help whomever or whatever was imprisoned at the bottom. It could be anyone in that cell and I was not going to leave them alone to be found by someone on Giovanni’s payroll. If it was one of the girls he terrorized, then they were going to die before they left that cell. I couldn’t leave someone to die just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

We descended the stairs slowly, every noise had me on edge and moving faster. Whatever was behind those bars wanted out desperately. Then the noises stopped. My heart dropped; this bastard wasn’t going to claim another life. We were only a couple stairs down from the half way point when the noises stopped. I rushed down the stairs with my stolen gun ready.

“Angel!” I heard Jake’s frantic whisper behind me but didn’t slow down.

I could feel some force swirling in the prison. It felt familiar and somehow foreign at the same time. As my foot hit the bottom of the stairs my eyes started to adjust to the dimmer light. Any guards that were originally stationed down here had abandoned their posts in a hurry. Jake appeared behind me as I saw the source of the noise. In what looked like a silver cage, was a half naked man. It was hard to see his features under a layer of dirt and grime, but I was drawn to him.

“Angel, we need to hurry. I’ll clear a path so we can get out quick. Get him out fast.” Before I could respond Jake took off.

I was standing in front of the cell before I knew what I was doing. I picked up a piece of metal off the floor and started picking the lock the best I could.

“I don’t know who you are or why you’re in here but I’m going to get you out. You can come with me if you choose but you need to get out of here before the police get here.”

I wasn’t sure if he understood me, however, I had no time to make sure. The gun was at my feet because picking the lock one handed was proving to be troublesome. Another piece of metal joined the first in the lock. Just as the lock gave up its hold, a gun c*****g stopped me cold.

“Alright b***h, stand up and turn around slowly.” I knew that voice.

As I stood, I looked at the man in the cell and had to blink twice before turning around. I couldn’t have seen what I thought I saw.

“Good girl, now step away from the cell. He’s a dangerous thing.”

Anthony stood before me with a predatory smile on his face. At that moment, he looked exactly like the bastard I killed. After his comment about the man being dangerous his eyes were all about me. As I moved, he stared harder as if he tried to memorize my body. My stomach turned as heat filled his eyes. Biting back bile to breathe and trying to maintain eye contact, I almost missed the same force building.

Before I could focus on the energy, it dissipated. I was frozen in place trying to search for a memory to identify that energy. It was like being trapped in a maze in my mind. I couldn’t solve it no matter how hard I tried. Growling from my back shook me from my revere. Then everything went silent as if the universe were holding its breath with me. We were both waiting and dreading to find out the source of the growl. The clang of metal hitting metal rang through the room causing me to jump and Anthony to scream.

Three things happened at once. Out of the corner of my eye there was a flash of black, a gun went off, and a growl reverberated through my body, echoing off the walls. Watching in horror and shock, an animal collided with Anthony’s terrified frame. Screaming erupted throughout the dungeon.

It took a moment to realize it wasn’t just Anthony screaming. Shutting my mouth and choking back the screams fighting to be vocalized, I watched the sight before me. The animal looked like a wolf or dog but was the size of a small bear. Anthony’s screams became more frantic as he tried to fend it off. Frozen in fear and unable to move, I watched the animal tear into its prey. Even as my fear froze me, my mind couldn’t help but notice the grace and precision at which this being killed its prey.

My ears had deafened to the screams but the sounds of tearing flesh will haunt my dreams until death takes me. Then my mind jump started as I thought about the man in the cage. I had looked right at him and did not see this creature. Tearing my eyes from the sight in front of me, I looked to my left. The cell door was open and had missed me by less than two inches. Had the animal known that I had moved just enough away so it wouldn’t hit me? There’s no way it could have known.

The noises stopped before I could search for the man I had seen. Closing my eyes to steel myself, I turned back to the gruesome sight that awaited me. I both knew I had to open my eyes and didn’t want to, but it was time to face the threat. Slowly opening my eyes, I could see Anthony laying in a pool of blood barely breathing. Again, numbness engulfed my limbs and held me frozen. The animal began to trot towards me as my mind fumbled for an escape. The cell was open but locking myself in was not an option. Before a good escape plan could develop, the animal stopped in front of me and sat down.

Confusion hit me as Jake yelled my name. Before I could respond the animal whirled around and began to growl. Jake came barreling down the steps but stopped at the sight of this new scene. Anthony dying in a pool of blood, an animal growling at him between me and the body, and me up against the cell, looking fragile no doubt.

“Angel! What the hell is that?”

“Stop Jake. Um, excuse me…animal? Creature? I’m not sure what you are but that guy is with me.” Apparently, my word was enough and the animal stopped growling.

“Angel, we have to go.”

I had to grab the man in the cell first then run. Quickly turning around, I found the cage empty. The animal yipped at me.

“Angel, we have to leave now. Bring your new friend, pet, whatever it is with us and let’s GO!”

I nodded since my voice didn’t seem to work at the moment. The animal was at my side as I stared into the cell. It nudged my hand and whimpered. Looking down I realized it was trying to get me to leave. Without another thought I turned and ran after the animal.

We were in the car before my mind started to work again. “Jake! What about the others?!”

“Brooks and Lee met Sara and Adam at the rendezvous spot while I got you out. Your friend here, waited in the car while I went back in the second time to hurry you and your new pet up.”

The animal had gotten into the back seat with me when we left. It was now laying on the seat next to me with its head in my lap. Without realizing it, my hand had been caressing the incredibly soft fur around its neck.

“Alright. I’m glad they’re safe. Now as for my new friend. What or who are you? And what happened to the man in that cell?”

The animal pushed up on its front paws, which were about twice as big as my hand, but kept its eyes level with mine. Looking into the eyes, I realized that I hadn’t imagined what I saw when I looked at the man in the cell. His eyes were a pale green with a ring of golden brown around the pupils.

“You’re the man that was in the cell, aren’t you?” I couldn’t keep the awe out of my voice.

He dipped his head in answer and then continued to stare into my eyes.

“Can you change back?”

Again he dipped his head.

“Right now?”

He actually shook his head and slightly opened his mouth. His tongue had fallen out during the shake. It was so cute that I couldn’t stop the giggle that came out.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh but you look adorable with your tongue hanging out. If you want you can come with us once we reach the airport or go your own way. Completely up to you. Thank you by the way, for saving me back there. I would love to talk with you once you’re able.”

He dipped his head and laid back in my lap.

“It’s settled then. Jake, how long until we arrive at the airport?”

Travis answered me instead. “About nine to ten minutes.”

“Angel, are you really going to take that thing with us.” I could hear the disgust in Jake’s voice as he said thing. The animal in question heard it too and growled.

“Jake,” my voice was sharp on his name. “That was rude. This ‘thing’ as you call him, saved my ass back there. I owe him my gratitude and life. And I always repay my debts. So I suggest you stop being rude and show him some respect.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry Angel and to your friend as well. I just don’t understand why you think he’s the man from the cell.”

“The eyes are the same between man and beast. He also seems to understand me and tries to communicate back. Let’s keep this information between those of us in the car at the moment. Only time will tell if I’m right or not. I’m exhausted so if you guys don’t mind let’s try to relax and travel in silence.” I just sounded tired so there was no authority in my voice.

“Agreed. We have ten minutes at most until we get there and I need to concentrate.” Travis sounded nervous but I didn’t comment.

Settling back into the seats, I began to caress the fur on my new friend’s neck again. I watched as he closed his eyes and relaxed under my hand. It must have been a long time since anyone had shown him any kindness. Upon closer inspection he looked like a large wolf. Maybe some kind of wolf-bear hybrid. His coat was surprisingly soft and a little dirty. What I thought was black before looked more like a chocolate brown. His nose and tail were tipped in white as if he dipped them in paint. What was bothering me was the lack of blood. I didn’t see or hear any water in the dungeon so how did he clean up. There was so much blood that I had to step carefully around it to get out.

“Angel?” Jake’s voice broke my concentration.

Realizing the car had stopped and the engine wasn’t running anymore, I looked around. We had reached the runway and the rest of the crew were already boarding the plane. I must have been staring at the wolf longer than I thought.

“Sorry Jake. I was a million miles away.”

“I can tell,” the wolf in my lap snorted, “let’s go you two.”

The wolf followed me as I slid out of the car. He followed me as we reached the plane. Jake boarded immediately. John stood by the steps waiting for me. I wasn’t sure if he noticed the wolf at my side but he caught me up in a bone crushing hug. The wolf voiced his displeasure in the form of a growl at my side.

“Angel I was so worried when the others got here and you weren’t with them.”

“I’m fine John just got a little hung up. I’m tired but alive.” The wolf apparently realized that John was no threat so he stopped growling. Pulling away I turned to Travis, “let me introduce Travis. He was the escort’s driver.”

“Travis. So you wanted to meet with me about the prospects of new employment. Well as long as Angel thinks you are worth the time, energy, and money then you’re welcome to join our organization.”

“I believe he is at least worthy enough to audition.”

“Very well. Welcome Travis, please board the plane.” Travis nodded to both of us and began to ascend the stairs.

“John? I have another addition to our crew. He saved my life back there and I want him to come along.”

“Of course, my dear. Any man that saves your life is welcome. However, time is short and Russia awaits so I won’t be able to meet him now. And now that I know you are safe, I’ll be going. Be safe my Angel.”

“And you too John.”