A Sliver of Heaven

Chapter One: "Just a Simple Man"

"You'll feel nothing for those five years, and there's no way in wiggling out so don't try." Her words seemed to sear into my brain as I pursed my lips and nurtured the hot, steaming coffee that warmed my rough hand through its' styrofoam cup. Suddenly my phone began to vibrate in my pocket as I sighed and pulled out the device, before sliding it to answer and placed it to my ear.

"What do you want, J? I'm not helping out with-" I began only for J to cut me off with a slightly frantic, shaking voice. "Shut up and let me talk-" He started as if he was trying to gulp down oxygen. I kept the bored look on my face as I exited the small coffee shop, pushing past others while my phone stayed pressed against my ear.

"Okay, okay, okay- so you know how you made that "deal" not that long ago? I might've found a way to-" I rolled my heavy brown eyes while I walked down the sidewalk. The other walkers pushing past me while the winds seemed to pick up from the soft breeze that blew through town; along with the usual blue sky seemed to grow grey.

"No." I shot while rolling my shoulders, my coffee gently sloshing into my mouth as I gingerly took a sip. "Wait, what? Evan, come on you seriously don't want to even hear this?" J practically shouted as I allowed a sigh to leave my lips just as the sudden peppering kisses from above showered over the town. "Dammit." I hissed, as J continued to rant. I tried to cover my head with my jacket while I ran to find cover from the heavying showers.

"Jessie, can you just shut up for two seconds?! It's pouring out here, I'll call you when I get home." I hissed while ending the call and practically throwing it into my jeans' pocket. Brushing my now free hand through my dampened dark, dirty blonde hair. Spinning on my boots' heel I went to walk towards the small apartment building not that far, but I was stopped as I slammed into another body; stumbling backward as the still hot liquid jumped from my cup and leeched onto my grey t-shirt and denim jacket.

"Gah! What the actual hell, can't you watch where you're walking!" I shouted while clenching my jaw tightly as my eyes scanned upwards only to land on the petite and short women that stood in front of me. Her hair a heavy, chocolate brown clung to her face and neck while small water droplets dripped down her brow and made its way down her slightly sharp cheek.

"You need to help me..." She sighed, I simply blinked and tried to contain myself as I stared at her with furrowed brows. The water slightly distracting me as it slipped down her jawline, traveling down her throat as it disappeared down her chest. That's.. Hot... I swallowed thickly as I dropped the cup to the wet sidewalk just as my head was thrown to the left by the sudden smack.

"You... You pig! You disgusting pig!" She shuttered as I snapped my head towards her as I clenched my jaw, grabbing her wrist before she could hit me again. "Okay, you need to chill lady! You're the one that asked me for help!" I slightly hissed as she tried to rip her arm away from me. "No, no, no- you're just like the rest of them! You can't help me get back to heaven!" She shouted, as I finally released her wrist as she stumbled backward some, I looked at her with an arched brow.

"What does that even mean?" I snapped while still holding a plain expression as she ran one of her slender hands through her thick, damp waves. She stared at me with large doe eyes as I noticed they were a heavy, spring green with speckles of ocean blue taking them over. "It... It means.." She paused reverting her eyes to the sidewalk.

"I have no idea what it means.." She whispered as I arched a brow at her and shook my head before I suddenly realized what she was wearing- practically nothing. A single piece of white cloth clung to her wet figure; the material was almost sheer so it did barely a thing to hide her from the world. There was almost a single emotion that almost bubbled into my chest, but it quickly broke. Finally sighing I ran a hand through my own damp locks, as I shrugged off my denim jacket and stretched it towards her.

She just stood there with her petite arms while staring at me with furrowed brows. Confusion clouded her bright green eyes as she tightened her grip on her limbs as I sighed, dropping my arms to my sides as I swiftly moved towards her and dropped the large jacket around her shoulders as she gasped, this causing me to back away with my hands in surrender. "What? Did I hurt you or something?" I quickly asked with my own confusion invading my thoughts until she shook her head 'no'.

"N...No, it's just... It feels nice on my skin." She murmured as she gently pulled it closer. I fought back a small smile as I nodded slowly, grabbing her shoulder gently I pulled her along with me while trying to avoid the stares of bystanders and creeps that were trying to see through the denim and sheer. I fought back growls as we passed them- why the hell am I so protective of this chick?! I mentally scolded myself while I practically wrapped my body around her.

"Where are we going?" She quickly asked when I felt a strong grip on my forearm, my eyes glanced down to see her small hand wrapped around my showing skin. "Uh, I'm taking you to my house so you can call whoever you need too to get home," I mumbled rubbing the back of my neck as I sighed at the mere thought of her actually leaving- strange.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up at the mention of going home, which hurt for some reason, as she quickly spoke, "wait, wait, you can get me home with just a phone call!" She slightly gasped as I arched a brow at her while giving a humorless laugh.

"Uh, yea, as long as it's not across the ocean." I scoffed while shoving my hands into my jeans' pockets as she arched her brow as we came closer to the sad building I called home. A quiet hum left her lips as she looked up at me while the rain slowly began to let up. "I do not understand... You said that I could call someone to take me home, yes?" She asked while gripping the denim tighter.

"Well... To an extent, yes you could call someone to take you home. You don't need to be wandering around here-" I paused while slightly eyeing her figure. "Especially wearing something like that." I nodded down to the sheer piece as the ends of the cloth scrapped against the wet cement. Her head bowed and looked down at her figure before she looked back up at me with squinted eyes. "What is the problem with what I wear? This is what I was wearing when I fell from Heaven, why is it-" She went on before I quickly held up my hand as she went quiet.

"Wait, 'when you fell from Heaven'?" I scoffed but it sounded like a breathy laugh as she furrowed her brows and nodded slowly, a small giggle leaving her thin lips. "Yes, my name is Hanniel and I'm a warrior of God, or well was a warrior." She paused before allowing a small sigh to leave her lips. "I'm now considered a Fallen." She whispered as I arched a brow at her.

"What in the bloody hell are you talking about? Did someone hit you upside the head or something?" I gave a scoff as she furrowed her brows and shook her head. "No, no one hit me but when I fell I did barrel into the Earth at great light speed, along with my wings not working and my Grace seems to not be working." She murmured half to herself and to me.

Shaking my head, my eyes suddenly traveled around and I began to notice how some people were just... staring at us, mainly her. But for somehow I could tell it wasn't for what she was wearing, or maybe even what she was saying... They could sense something I couldn't. Grabbing her forearm somewhat roughly, I pulled her behind me as I walked into my apartment building while I pushed her behind me, and looked out into the world that was continuing to be peppered with kisses from the rain only to quickly slam the dark wooden door behind us; hopefully to stop the sensing stares.

"So much for being a simple man.." I breathed, resting my back against the door before pushing off and going to my apartment.