Angel on a Mission

Chapter 10

Gabrielle's POV

"Martinez"

It’s still so early in the morning.

“Martinez,” Alexander repeated for what felt like the millionth time, and I groaned as I finally awakened.

With a reluctant effort, I propped myself up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

“You always wake up late for someone who has to drive two hours to get to school,” he remarked with a hint of amusement, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Good morning,” I replied simply as I swung my legs off the side of the bed and stood up.

I made my way to the bathroom to wash up while he continued to watch me.

“You should probably head back and get going,” I said, pausing to brush my teeth.

“I will,” he responded. I nodded and gave him a casual wave.

“Drive safely,” I mumbled, my mouth full of toothpaste, earning a chuckle from him.

That was a first.

After a brief moment, he nodded and headed out the door.

It took him a while to finally drive off, as I knew he had awakened quite early to retrieve his car from their rest house.

Meanwhile, I followed my usual morning routine, taking my time since I only needed a few minutes to reach school anyway.

Alexander wasn’t aware of that, though.

Once I was confident that Alexander would be long gone in the city, I grabbed my things, left the cabin, and drove to school.

As I mentioned, I arrived in just a few minutes, parking my car in the lot before grabbing my bag and stepping out.

Walking through the hallway, I was met with the familiar sensation of everyone’s eyes on me, just like any other day.

I approached my locker to retrieve some of my textbooks.

“Morning, Elle!” a male voice called out. I smiled as I closed my locker.

“Good morning, Tobi,” I replied with a genuine smile. He returned it.

We walked to class together, and I could feel the envious stares directed at us, both because of myself and my association with Tobi.

These people really need to get a grip.

When we arrived in our classroom, I was greeted with the excited squeal of my friend Mika.

“Elle!” she exclaimed, wrapping me in a warm hug as I reached my seat. I smiled, feeling the warmth of her enthusiasm.

“Good morning, Mika,” I said cheerfully. She beamed back at me.

“Good morning!” she replied, and we both settled into our seats.

Once seated, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Alexander’s gaze was lingering on me from behind again.

There seemed to be many things on his mind.

Most of it, I suspected, revolved around me.

Miss Garcia, our teacher, entered the classroom and made a few announcements.

“Miss Martinez, please see me after class before lunch,” she instructed. I nodded in acknowledgement.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied, and she nodded back as she continued with her lesson.

As our class progressed, I could still feel Alexander's gaze on me.

Finally, the class came to an end, and Mika and I walked toward our next class.

I could sense that Alexander was itching to come up and speak with me.

I understood where he was coming from.

However, I didn’t expect him to grasp that I wasn’t interested in any romantic relationship with anyone at the moment.

The hours flew by in a blur, and before I realized it, it was already lunchtime.

First, I met with Miss Garcia, who tried to convince me to join an academic competition, a proposal I firmly turned down.

Next, I met up with Mika and Bella, just like we did every day. Except this time, Tobi and Alexander were already at the table.

Tobi waved eagerly at me, and I smiled back.

Bella shot him a curious look.

I sat down with them.

“Hey, Elle!” Tobi greeted me with a bright smile.

“Hi, Tobi,” I replied with a sweet smile in return.

Bella glanced between me and Tobi, her expression suggesting she was trying to piece something together.

I knew exactly what was going on in her mind, but I feigned ignorance.

Sometimes I wished I could turn off my ability to intuitively know what others were thinking.

We enjoyed lunch together, and as usual, I stuck to my diet of only vegetables and fruits.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you eat anything besides vegetable salad and fruits,” Bella pointed out.

“I’m vegan,” I explained.

Even though, in my angelic form, I don’t have to eat at all, I choose to adhere to a plant-based diet in this human form.

“Wow! You definitely need to teach me your ways!” she exclaimed with enthusiasm.

As lunch continued, Bella chatted away, filling the air with her lively chatter.

I attended my afternoon classes, and once they wrapped up, I made my way to my locker to put some things back.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket, prompting me to take it out and check.

My heart raced as I closed my locker and rushed out of the school building.

“Martinez!” Alexander called out just as I passed him, but I didn’t stop. Instead, I sprinted out the front doors.

I hurried to my car, quickly jumping inside, starting the engine, and driving off without wasting any time.

I had only ten minutes.

Pressing down on the gas pedal, I felt the urgency in my chest.

I sped through a portal and emerged on the street near my destination.

Spotting the building, I dashed inside and took the stairs two at a time.

I had to reach the rooftop quickly.

After climbing what felt like an endless number of stairs, I finally burst through the door leading to the rooftop.

And then, my eyes locked on her.

“Jade!” I called out, hoping to get her attention. She turned to me, her expression one of shock, as she hurriedly approached the edge of the building.

“Leave me alone!” she screamed, tears streaming down her face.

“Please,” I begged, my voice trembling with urgency.

“Don’t do this. You don’t have to go through with this,” I said as I cautiously approached her.

“I’m ruined! They ruined me! I feel so dirty! No one will want me now!” she cried, her anguished words piercing my heart.

“You were wronged. They hurt you. But this isn’t the solution to your problems. There are people who genuinely love you, people who will accept you no matter what. Please,” I implored. She shook her head vehemently.

“You’re lying. No one will want someone like me. No one,” she sobbed, stepping back from the edge. My eyes widened in panic as I rushed toward her.

Time seemed to slow down as I watched her fall, and I couldn’t reach for her hand in time.

No.

I can’t let her die like this.

Summoning my wings, I felt their familiar power surge through me.

Taking a deep breath, I leaped off the building and reached out for Jade’s hands just before she hit the ground.

I pulled her body close to mine, and together we soared back to the rooftop.

As soon as our feet touched the solid ground, she crumpled into my arms, and I held her tightly.

I sighed in relief, brushing my fingers gently through her hair as I tampered with her memories just enough. She couldn’t know my identity; no human should ever possess such knowledge.

Once I altered just a portion of her memory regarding how I saved her, I quickly dialed 911. Help was on the way.

It took a while for the paramedics to arrive, and during that time, Jade remained unconscious in my arms.

I accompanied her to the hospital, where her parents were promptly notified.

The hospital staff conducted various tests on her, and the doctor thoroughly explained everything to me.

I didn’t bother listening closely, as I found it rude to eavesdrop on such sensitive matters.

Instead, I decided to head to the police station.

Parking my car outside the building, I retrieved an envelope from the glove compartment.

Stepping out of my vehicle, I walked inside, drawing the attention of the people I passed.

“I’d like to report a case,” I stated firmly as I approached the desk and handed over the envelope.

The police officer looked at me with awe but quickly snapped back into focus as he accepted the envelope, opening it with curiosity.

“What would you like to report, miss?” he asked, looking at me with interest.

“r**e and attempted murder,” I declared clearly, watching as his eyes widened in disbelief upon seeing the contents of the files.

Justice will be served.

The officer flipped through the documents as he began to question me.

“What’s your relationship to the victim?” he inquired.

“I’m a witness,” I replied simply.

He nodded, making notes as he processed the information.

I completed the necessary paperwork and provided my personal information, remaining at the station for a while longer.

“We’ll contact you for updates on the case,” the policeman assured me.

I nodded in acknowledgment.

After exiting the police station, I got back into my car and drove straight to the hospital.

I arrived quickly and walked inside, determined to talk to Jade.

As I made my way to her room, I could hear loud noises erupting from behind the closed door.

Oh no.

I hurried to Jade’s room, and upon opening the door, I found chaos unfolding within.

“Leave me alone! I want to leave!” Jade screamed, her voice filled with desperation as she shouted at the doctors and nurses desperately trying to help.

“We’re here to help you, miss,” the doctor insisted, but his words fell on deaf ears.

“You can’t help me! No one can! Why am I even here?!” she shouted, her anguish palpable.

“Jade,” I called softly, and she turned her gaze in my direction.

At first, her expression softened upon seeing me, but it soon morphed back into the furious demeanor I had just witnessed.

“You! It was you! It’s your fault that I’m here!” she screamed, attempting to rise from her bed. However, her knees buckled, and I rushed to catch her just in time, cradling her as I released a sigh of relief.

“Let me go!” she insisted, pushing me away.

I turned to the hospital staff, desperate for a moment alone with her.

“Can you please leave us for a moment?” I asked politely.

The hospital staff exchanged uncertain glances, but eventually, they nodded and stepped outside.

As soon as the door closed, Jade broke down, crumpling to the floor as she hugged her knees tightly to her chest, tears spilling down her cheeks.

I sighed softly and sat on the floor beside her.

“I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to live. My life is ruined, and I can’t do anything about it now,” she lamented, her voice choked with emotion.

“I shouldn’t have trusted them. I shouldn’t have let them fool me. It’s all my fault. I’m so stupid,” she cried, the pain of her situation evident in every word.

Then, she lifted her head to look at me with pleading eyes.

“Why did you have to stop me? I don’t even know you. Who are you? How do you know me?” she asked, her tone a mix of anger and confusion.

“I’m someone who wants to help you, Jade,” I replied gently.

“Help me? Sure. A stranger I’ve never met wants to help me. Do you even know what I’ve been through?” she retorted bitterly.

I wanted to tell her that I did understand, that I knew the full extent of her pain, but I realized that sharing that information wouldn’t help alleviate her fears.

She felt ashamed of what had happened to her, and the last thing I wanted was to add to her anxiety.

She had been wronged, abused, and hurt in the most profound ways, manipulated by others.

She didn’t need pity or advice; she needed someone who could offer her safety and stability.

I couldn’t provide that for her immediately, but I was determined to try.

“You’re not alone in this battle, Jade. There are people who are willing to fight alongside you, people who will stand by you and help you. It may be tough, but you need to let them help you. Let us help you,” I encouraged earnestly.

Her furrowed brows indicated that she was considering my words, though doubt lingered in her eyes.

“What do you know?” she inquired cautiously.

“Enough. I know enough, Jade. And seeing you like this, I know even more. You’re hurting and afraid, but just remember—you’re not alone,” I stated softly.

“I saved you on that rooftop because I believed that if given another chance to turn your life around, you would realize that your life holds far more value than you think it does. So please, give yourself another chance,” I urged her sincerely.

Tears continued to stream down her face as she struggled with her emotions.

“I can’t. I’m not worthy anymore. They... they ruined me. I can’t,” she sobbed.

“No, they did not ruin you. They ruined themselves, and in time, they will pay for what they did to you. Please, don’t do this to yourself. You are so much more special than you realize, Jade,” I reassured her gently.

In that moment, Jade finally broke down completely, hugging me tightly as I embraced her back, holding her close.

“I don’t know what to do. What should I do? I don’t want to die, but how can I live after what happened?” she cried, her voice muffled against my shoulder.

I caressed her back soothingly.

“The first thing you need to do is rest. You’ve been through enough, and your body needs time to recuperate,” I advised softly.

“But I get nightmares every time I sleep. The memories of that night haunt me. I don’t want to relive it,” she confessed, her voice shaky.

“I can help with that,” I said, gently helping her up and guiding her back to her bed.

Jade lay down, and I carefully covered her with a blanket.

“Who are you?” she asked once more, her curiosity piqued.

“My name is Elle, and I’m here to help you,” I replied simply.

“And how do you know me?” she pressed, her inquiry earnest.

I merely smiled gently as I brushed my fingers through her hair.

At first, she flinched at my touch, but then she relaxed, allowing herself to feel comforted.

“I’ve never met you before. Or have I? I could’ve sworn that I would remember someone like you if I had,” she murmured.

I chuckled softly at her words, feeling an unexpected warmth.

“Let’s discuss that another time, okay?” I suggested, beginning to hum a soft melody.

As I did, I noticed Jade slowly fluttering her eyes, struggling against the pull of sleep.

“Will I see you again?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes, you will,” I assured her gently.

“Good,” she replied, surrendering to sleep.

I continued to hum softly until I sensed her breathing had evened out, her body finally at peace.

Smiling, I watched her with a sense of affection, then gently kissed her forehead.

“Sweet dreams,” I whispered.

I stayed by Jade’s side for a few more moments, feeling the weight of everything that had transpired.

As I sensed her parents were nearing the hospital, I realized it was time for me to leave.

I'd just meet them tomorrow instead.

Looking back at Jade one last time, I felt a renewed sense of determination.

I would make things right.