Michael
“Why won’t she wake up?”
I was sitting in the same chair I had been for three days, hoping and praying Cassie would open her eyes. The doctor was staring down at her, his glasses down by his nose, a clipboard in his arms.
“I don’t know. There really is no reason why she hasn’t. She’s taken quite a shock and I think her body is just adjusting.”
I shook my head, worrying she might be suffering. “She was only shot in the shoulder.” I just couldn’t understand what was taking her so long to open her eyes. To see me and let me know she was okay. I already knew that wasn’t the case after what happened to her, but I needed to be with her, speak with her, comfort her.
“She lost a lot of blood. It’s also not the first time she’s been in here, is it?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. It still hurt to think about that. I should have been there for her.
“The good news is she is stable and her vitals are improving every day.”
“Okay. Thank you, Doctor.”
“Don’t mention it. I’ll be round later to check on her again.”
Nodding, I focused on Cassie again. She looked so fragile. I couldn’t help but think about everything that happened. I had been so blind these last few months. I was so used to being perceptive and good at what I did. It had always been my forte.
How could I have not seen who Cassie was from the start? How could I have not seen who Kali was? She was right under my nose the whole time, but I was so busy with my feelings for Cassie, I didn’t even acknowledge her presence half the time. It was silly and reckless of me. I took my eye off the ball, which resulted in Cassie being injured.
The past few days, I had a lot of time to think. I’d started to doubt my meaning on earth. I miss home—now more than ever. I wanted to go back, but I didn’t want to leave Cassie. Stephen sacrificed his life for hers. He deserved her more than I did.
Lost in my own little world, I didn’t even realise there was someone behind me until I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning around, I saw a dear and close angel friend, Luana.
I stand up in disbelief. “Luana, what are you doing here?”
“I came to see you. You’re looking good, Michael.”
I embraced her and instantly felt at home. “Come,” I said, pulling her away from the ward. “We need to talk.”
Walking down to the ground floor, we both bought some coffee and found a seat. “So,” I began, “what have you been up to?”
“I don’t know if you heard, but the girl in America was killed. I took my eye off her for a moment and now she’s dead.”
She looked ashamed. “I did, too, Luana. Look at where Cassie is now.”
“She’s okay, though, isn’t she?” I stared at her beauty as she struggled with her emotions. Luana was always a sight for sore eyes. With her very tall, athletic figure, she was never short of male admiration…even from me.
Clearing my throat, I managed to answer, “Yes, she’s fine. And Stephen’s back where he belongs.”
I watched in appreciation as she flicked a few strands of her luscious golden locks behind her shoulder. “Really? That’s good. I know he did wrong, but he’s been trying hard to make amends.”
I sighed. “I know he has. He saved Cassie’s life. Sacrificed his own to save her.”
Her eyebrow raised slightly, like she was trying to figure me out. “So, he’s back home, and she’s still here.”
“Yes.”
“You know who she is, don’t you?”
Well, that told me everything I needed to know. It made me wonder who else knew before I did. “Yes, I realise that now. It took me a while, but now I know. It changes things.”
“You’ve fallen for her.”
I saw the resignation in her face and couldn’t find it in my heart to lie to her. “Yes.”
Shaking her head, she looked away for a moment before finding my eyes again. “What are you and Stephen like? This is not tit-for-tat.”
“I know. I didn’t know who she was at first, did I?”
“No, but something attracted you to her to begin with. You’ve never felt anything for a mortal before.”
I sighed again, knowing she was right. Luana was always right. “I know. I should have realised it at the time.”
We fell silent for a moment, then her posture changed a little. It was almost as if she were a cat about to seductively lick her paws. “My offer still stands, you know. I understand you were hurt, Michael, but I wouldn’t do that to you.”
“I know.” I smiled at her reassuringly. “I just can’t leave her now. I’m the only one she has left. She seems to cling onto us as we’re the only ones to whom she can really relate.”