Fallen

Chapter Two

I woke with a start, nightmares of that dreadful night plaguing my dreams like it had so many times before. Even after seven years it still haunted me like it was yesterday. I would never get away from it. I would always be broken in some way because of it, which is exactly why I needed to get away, stay away from people. I’m sure there were decent people around somewhere, just nowhere near me and I didn’t plan on seeking them out. In just a few hours Gorham, Maine would be in my past and the entire United States my future. I could go anywhere. And I was more than excited about it.

At breakfast I made sure to eat enough to fill me up and tide me over until I got somewhere I felt was a safe distance away. In all honesty, nowhere was a safe distance away from here, even the other side of the world wasn’t far enough. But I’d settle with what I’ve got, and be happy for the opportunity I have in front of me. My head snapped up when the doors to the dining room slammed open. I froze in place as I watched Samuel’s friend Matt walk in, his face a picture of rage.

“Who do you think you are?” He seethed at me.

“Excuse me?” I asked, arching my brow.

“You’re not going anywhere, you’re mine.”

“No, I am not.” I growled. “Now get the hell away from me.” I spat.

He stopped for a split second before he surged towards me. As he attempted to grab my wrist, I dodged his hand and gripped his own wrist in my hand and swiftly bent it until I heard a snap. Matt screamed; his pain filled howls echoing off the dining room walls. I scowled down at him like the pest he was.

“Never. Lay your hands on me.” I hissed. “Next time it will be your neck.”

I rushed past him, grabbing my purse filled with the cash I had stock piled in the house, my keys, and snacks I had packed before rushing out the door. In no time at all I had the RV started and I was gone. I didn’t even look back to see if he was following me. I knew he wasn’t, he would need medical attention for his broken wrist, and probably surgery to fix it. I knew how to break bones that would do the most damage. Some would even require amputation, because the bone would be shattered so completely it couldn’t be fixed. It was probably not something I needed to know, but I still did.

I also knew basic first aid. I knew how to do stitches, correctly clean and bandage wounds. I could take care of almost any wound no matter how big or small. Just not amputations. That was something only a hospital could take care of. I knew how to cauterize the wound, stop it from bleeding. But it was extremely painful compared to what would be done at the hospital. All you had to do was burn it. It stopped the blood flow, although you’d have no hope of ever having that limb reattached.

Regardless, I’m sure I would put things to use in time. A woman traveling alone across the country was unheard of, not that I cared. I knew I could protect myself from nearly any and all threats. With that in mind I smiled, and relaxed into the drive enjoying the scenery as it flew by. I didn’t stop once until I was out of Maine and into Vermont.

I finally stopped in a secluded part of Stowe, Vermont. It was wooded as far as the eye could see, and so very peaceful. I set out the fire pit, lifted the awning, and laid out my chairs. I smiled, pleased with myself and the location. The sun was just setting and I was amazed at the pinks and purples that painted the skies. From here, I had a perfect view of the sun passing over the trees, washing me in darkness. Not completely though. The Moon shone bright, shedding its silver glow over the desolate spans of the forest. Stars twinkled in the sky like millions of tiny diamonds. Never could I see something this beautiful back home. The night was always obliterated by lights.

Cooking a small dinner, I took my plate outside and started a fire in the fire pit. I sat and watched the stars as I ate my dinner, finally feeling content and free of the world and people around me. I never thought it would feel this peaceful, this…..tranquil. I didn’t ever want to give this up, I will definitely be staying here for a little while. I had planned on leaving in the morning, but there was just no way I could give up the beauty of this place so soon. I was scared if I left, I would never get this feeling again. Never feel this peace.

The fire had long since gone out and I didn’t realize how late I’d stayed up until the sun started to rise. Oddly it was then my body finally registered how long I’d been up and exhaustion consumed me. A yawn escaped me as I stumbled to my feet and back into the RV. The master bedroom was at the back of the RV, it held a queen-sized bed, a closet, dresser and small nightstand, with room to spare to walk around. I didn’t really care about any of that right now, I would shower and unpack later. Right now I need to sleep, so that’s what I did. Flinging myself onto the bed, I curled up into the pillows with a groan, my exhaustion winning out as darkness consumed me.

I jerked upright; eyes wide. The blaring of alarm ringing in my ears. What? My alarm only went off on weekdays, last I knew it was Sunday morning. With a furrowed brow I grabbed my phone and opened the time. My eyes widened. 24 hours? I’d just slept for 24 hours? I’ve never slept that long before. I never could, my brother or the maids or the butler would always wake me up at ungodly hours of the morning, so this was a welcome relief.

I stretched my stiff body out with a loud groan, my body arching off the bed as my spine popped and stretched itself out. I just lay there for a minute. Flat on my back as I stared up at the ceiling, relishing in the peace and quiet my new found freedom brought me. I still felt the calm inside me, the relief at being away.

“Thank you God.” I whispered, closing my eyes and smiling. Finally deciding to get out of bed, I made my way to the kitchen and made myself a bacon egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast, alongside my coffee. I didn’t ever drink a lot of coffee, maybe one or two cups in the mornings, but that was it. The rest of the day was water, sweet tea or lemonade. Soda didn’t really appeal to me, though I will indulge in a Dr,Pepper every now and then.

I decided to take a walk after breakfast and explore the forest. I couldn’t go far seeing as I didn’t know the area, but I could use my twine to mark my path to help me get back. I reveled in the sounds of the forest, something I could never get back home. All I got there was noise, people pestering me and insistence on doing this or that. So I could really get used to this. Being alone was going to be amazing, I don’t think I could ever give it up again, not for anyone or anything. With the money my parents left me I could live the rest of my life comfortably and at peace. All my power for the RV was run by a generator that recharges itself. I had a built-in septic tank and running water. Though I would have to use that Rid-X stuff often to keep it clean. It emptied itself after a certain point, but I would also get notified of when so I could dispose of the waste properly. Ew! I shuddered, even thinking about it, it was gross. But alas, it was necessary, and a small price to pay for this.

I had turned reluctantly back before the sun started to set, I knew there was no way I could be out here at night, I’d never find my way out. Plus, I wanted to get some archery in while I can. I miss practicing with my bow and arrow, something about it calmed me. Maybe it was just because I had a weapon in my hand, something to protect me. I will never be vulnerable again, never be put in the position I was seven years ago. I can kill someone in several different ways and make it look like it was from natural causes. For example, there is a pressure point on your neck, that if pressed hard enough can send you into cardiac arrest. Again, not something I enjoyed learning but was a necessary evil.

Getting back, I set a fresh fire in the fire pit and got all my archery equipment out. Nothing major, the basics really. A recurve bow, because I didn’t like all these new ones they are coming out with, and practice arrows, with a large foam target. Now I did have arrows that had razors for an arrowhead on them, but that’s not something I will use unless I have to. When I first started, I used something like that and almost killed a cat because the cat’s calico colors blended in with the fallen autumn leaves. Poor cat, I swear it jumped straight out of its skin that day. I felt bad. I finally figured out they had practice arrows, so I’ve been using them ever since.

Exhausted, sweaty and ready for a shower I trudged into the RV. I showered quickly, ate a small something and headed back outside to star gaze. But as I looked up, I furrowed my brow. Something was lighting up the sky in the most brilliant blues and reds. Barely noticeable at first, but quickly becoming more prominent. I watched in awe, stunned by the beauty of it. It was a meteor. I wonder where it's headed.

And, that is when I realized it was headed straight for me. A squealed gasp escaped me as I ducked behind my chair and watched it land a few hundred yards away. The impact was deafening in the quiet night, the shock wave hitting me like a strong wind. I smiled to myself as I jumped to my feet, and ran towards where it hit. I was so excited, I wanted a piece of a space rock and what better chance than to get it now. It would be an amazing story to tell.

My feet stumbled through the darkened woods, or what was left of it. Around the impact zone trees were blown out of the ground by their roots, laying limp and contorted on the ground. Some had been thrown several feet away, while others were completely black from where they had been scorched. It was a sight to behold to say the least.

When I reached the spot a crater the size of a house stood before me, smoke rising and hazing out whatever kind of rock landed. I waited a few minutes for the smoke to clear, and the ground to cool before I took a step. But seeing what was in the crater had me gaping, as I scrambled down to help.

What looked to be an angel lay on his back, his eyes squeezed tightly shut. His wings were deep black and hanging at unnatural angles. He was miraculously still breathing, however rapidly that may be. Beside him was a golden type sword, still gleaming and in perfect condition. I quickly slung that over my shoulder, I’m sure he would want it back. I got down to his level and hooked his arm around my neck, and lifted. I grunted under his weight, struggling to support him and make it out of the crater without hurting him further. That was the hardest part.

Getting him back to the RV and into the bedroom was still a challenge. This man had to have two feet and one hundred and fifty pounds on me. How could someone be seven foot tall? That just seems a little excessive to me. I mean come on. He was intimidating enough with his muscles, why add so much height to it?

Once I got him in bed, I checked him over. Little by little I ran my hands over his body checking for broken bones. Because surely with a fall like that there would be broken bones. But oddly enough, no. He had no broken bones, though his ankle was bruised and sprained. His shoulder was popped out of its socket, and his wings were in terrible condition.

With a sigh I went and got some hot water and a rag and started cleaning the blood and dirt off him the best I could. Once his wounds were clean, I started dabbing his wounds with alcohol and bandaging him up, saving his wings for last. I wasn’t sure how to help the wings, but when I turned him over, I gasped.

One wing was almost torn from his back, while the other just hung brokenly behind him. I didn’t know how angels healed so I stitched his wing back in place hoping it would help it to heal back to how it was supposed to be, before bandaging the stitching so they wouldn’t tear. I gently and methodically stretched his wings out the best I could before laying him flat on his back. He had a massive wingspan, the length not even able to stretch all the way out in the small space of the RV. But it was better than nothing.

Groaning, I made coffee, not willing to sleep while he was in this condition. I would sleep when he wakes up. That way I know he was okay, well as okay as he can be from falling from the stars. Did he fall from heaven like Lucifer did? Or was he attacked and just fell from the sky? There was no way I would know until he woke up, and even then it was not my place to ask.

I propped his sword in the closet before pouring my coffee in my cup and sitting back on the couch. This was going to be a long night.