A man stepped lightly from the South corridor, making his way to the clock. He pushed his dangling hair back to flop over his head. His eyes, alight with mischief and wonder, stared transfixed at the clock. Drearily, the pendulum swung on. The figure took his steps slowly, milking his entrance. Lily stepped out from behind the large grandfather clock. Her eyes met the man's. He smiled.
He stopped before the end of the South hallway. Turning his figure to the East slightly, he held Lily's gaze. Her eyes did not stray as another man stepped at her side. The newcomer set a hand on Lily's shoulder. It was a familiar touch; namely, it belonged to Surno.
The unnamed man pushed his hair back again. "Fancy meeting you here, Surno. I do not blame Lily's... astounding love for me, be it that the reason she decided to join me here, but you... Go figure!" Lily snorted. The clock chimed again.
"Love? You pathetic fool..." She closed her eyes and crossed her arms. Surno stepped forward; his cloak surged behind him with the small movement. From within his dark clothing, he unsheathed a large, zigzag steel blade. Its metal glimmered as the clock released another thundering boom.
Surno held it, tip pointed downward, before the man. "Peter." Peter raised an eyebrow, examining the blade. Timidly, he reached for the handle, grasping the small space under Surno's wide grip. The latter released the sword, and Peter took full hold of it and placed it at his side. The clock chimed again.
"Why couldn't I have some half-assed... I mean, awesome name such as yours, Surno?" He smirked. Surno's gaze was still as cold as steel. The clock chimed again.
"Watch your tongue," Lily spat. "You have a definite name, at least. I forget mine every century or so. Now..." She circled the grandfather clock, sliding a hand across its smooth oak surface. The ringing had stopped. "The time is six o'clock. Your little device here takes quite awhile to get to its point. A lag of a minute, I say?"
Peter scowled. "Hey, don't touch or insult Mason. He likes to take his time. Oh, no pun intended." He smiled. "What significance does six in the evening have on this little piece of work?" He raised the blade. Surno turned around, and spread his wings. He phased through the ceiling without another word. Lily laughed.
"Isn't it obvious? Can you honestly tell me you haven't figured out what to do yet?""Surno sure needs to find better lackeys. Let me lay it out for you." Her face turned to stone as she grew serious. "Michael was persuaded to become a Soul Angel, like us. Michael became a Soul Angel through death. He is oblivious to Surno's plans. He was stripped of emotions before he became a Soul Angel. And he loves Taylor, even in death." Lily waited, watching Peter's face.
He stared at the ground. A minute or two passed. Peter cast a glance at Lily. "So, uh... he's in love with a girl...?"
"Idiot!" Lily shouted. Peter's face drained of emotion. Lily brought a hand to her forehead in exasperation. A sigh passed between her lips. She pointed at the blade. "He's not supposed to have any emotion. That's what the blade is for."
Peter blinked a few times. "So I stab him?"
Lily spread her wings and phased through the ceiling.
Peter stood silently. He was bewildered, and it showed on his face. "So I... Oh!" He smiled. Malicious intent filled his mind. "I get to kill a girl! Finally, some action!" He laughed maniacally. Soon, his laughter died out. He stopped, realizing an important detail.
He glanced at the clock. "So, Mason... uh, did you hear Lily say where this 'Taylor' was at all?" He buried his face in his free hand.
She closed her eyes and let out a sigh.
---
Michael rushed through the air. The current beat at his face slightly as his wings pushed him toward Taylor. For some reason, he could always... feel her presence. It was as if he had a Taylor tracking device. If he were his old self, he would have laughed at how stalker-like that would have sounded. So far, the closest thing to an emotion he still had was sorrow. That's what he had doomed himself to for her; he wondered if she would ever realize his sacrifice.
He reminisced over old memories. The meadow, six years ago... after that day, nothing was really ever the same. The man named Surno had done him a great deed. Without his emotions, he would never have agreed to his death to save Taylor. What saving did Taylor need anyway? I'll have to ask about that... Unbeknown to Michael, saving Taylor was what he did not do when he died.
More memories flooded his brain. Watching Taylor slowly fade away from their friendship. Without emotions, he couldn't stay a friend to her. Watching Taylor and her first boyfriend. Watching from a lonely lunch table as Taylor walked by with her group of girls. If Michael still had emotions, he would have been shuddering by now.
How long can one go with the knowledge of his own existence bothering him for all eternity and ever more? Michael's flight began to slow. Taylor's presence was stronger now. He was near; therefore, he landed onto the ground slowly, and began to walk briskly toward the tugging in his heart.
A strange feeling rose in the air. He stopped, tensing his shoulders. His fists clenched as his eyes darted around. A man walked toward him, materializing from the air. At his side was a zigzag blade, gleaming in the evening light. A cool breeze picked up as he made his entrance.
The serious expression the man had while he entered disappeared. He broke out into a smile, eyes lighting with a new fire. "Michael! I finally get to meet the new Soul Angel. So, how's it been roaming the earth, knowing you've lost everything you ever had?" The grin grew wider. Michael tensed even more, spreading his legs wide and tightening his fists.
Peter shook his head. "Tsk tsk. It's not good to be bitter for all eternity! I mean, just look at Surno..." He laughed. Michael still stared with hard eyes.
"Who are you?" he growled.
"Looks like I struck a nerve. Well, my name is Peter. You don't need to know me, since all I'll be doing is killing the love of your life, then moving back into solitude. Bye bye, now!" Peter deteriorated. Realization dawned on Michael's face. He bent his body back, then launched into the air, wings flapping madly. His radar started to grow stronger as he flew to the north, pulling him closer...
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