Young Writers Society

The study was a dark and forbidding place. The sun at set upon the outside world and the fire created a soft glow of light against the eerie shadow that seemed to caress the room. The wind howled and the lone window shock with such ferocity that it was as if some fell creature was barred entry, but refused to leave.

Tom stood looming in front of the fire place, a warm glow setting upon his face. He spook without turning, a hint of anger in his voice, “What is it you want from me?”

Mathias sat behind Tom at the table, a cup of tea in his hand. Taking a sip he answered cheerfully, “Ah, the tea is exquisite.” He took a large whiff of the air while putting the cup on the table, “What a lovely aroma, are you burning hickory?”

Tom spun around and slammed is hands onto the table yelling, “Don’t change the subject! What do you want from me?!”

“Easy, easy,” said the angel putting his hands up, “Answers will come in time. Why not take a seat and have some tea?” He motioned towards the cup.

Tom smacked the cup causing it to fall and shatter. He grabbed the angel by the collar and pulled him in close, “I want answers, not your witty remarks!”

Just as Tom was going to say more two white wings suddenly burst out from under the man’s shirt causing it to tear. Tom had no time to be shocked because Mathias grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into the wall above the mantle knocking the wind out of him, the two of them hovering in mid-air. Tom’s expression had gone from the incarnation of hatred to that of a terrified child living one of it’s horrible nightmares.

“Listen to me Tom; I’m not the kind of person you want to mess with. I’m not the bad guy here, but,” he tightened his grip around Tom’s neck causing him to gasp for air, “I’m not about to sit here and be pushed around by a mere mortal like yourself.” He pulled him away from the wall and let go causing Tom to land on his knees. He knelt there gasping for air while Mathias sat back down.

Tom looked at the figure. Still on his knees wheezing, he pondered what he had gotten himself into, what the hell was that? This man, this man is dangerous. What do I do now?

“Won’t you take a seat?” Mathias motioned for the arm chair.

Tom flinched as he waved his arm and for a second there was a pause. Without really thinking he got up and sat down. Tom jumped one last time as he noticed Mathias’s wings were gone, though he took his eyes off of him for only a moment or two.

“Now you wished to know what I want from you.” Tom nodded his head. “I want nothing from you; I came here to help you.” Tom looked confused and Mathias sighed while pulling a journal out of what looked like thin air, “What is it you desire most?”

“Why don‘t you tell me?” Asked Tom more curious now then frightened.

Mathias smiled, “Ha, answering a question with a question a question, I like that. So I’ll respond with another, do you even know what you want most?” Tom thought a moment while Mathias wrote something down in the journal, again acquiring a pencil from this nothingness. His grin began to grow larger, “Elena.”

Tom’s eyes grew wide with shock, “How did you…”

“Know.” He shut the book and set it on the table next to him. “Do you know what that is?” Tom shook his head no. “Well, I’ll tell you a bit of valuable information. The Book of Sorrows as the ability to read people.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Always interrupting,” Mathias sighed before continuing, “It has the ability to dig into a person’s deepest darkest emotions and reveal secrets otherwise left hidden. For example, I wanted to what you desired most. I wrote your name, first and last, in the book and then wrote the question ‘deepest desire.’ It answered by showing the name Elena.”

He picked up the book and tossed it to Tom who caught in awkwardly, “Why are you giving me this? What use could I have for it?”

“Ah now we get to the reason as to why I’m here, why I came to help you. It’s simple really,” There was a pause as Mathias’s face grew stern and his tone serious, “Elena’s soul never made it to heaven.”

Tom jumped out of his seat, “Excuse me, but what the hell do you mean she didn’t make it to heaven?”

The angel looked away from Tom’s glare, “You still don’t know how she died do you? Why she was found in the park cut to ribbons by some unknown weapon and no suspect was ever found?”

Tom took a step forward shaking with anticipation for the answer he thought to come. For years he had searched for an answer. For years he had prayed, but none of them ever seemed answered. Now he was finally going to find out the conclusion to the mystery that had been plaguing him for nearly a year.

Mathias turned to face him now, and evil look in his eye, “She was killed by a demon.”

Tom froze in shock, “A…a demon killed…” he closed his eyes as he started to shed tears and cry silently, but soon he stopped shaking. Slowly he lowered his head so his bangs hid his face. He violently clenched his right hand, “How can I get her back?” Mathias watched a moment as Tom raised his head, the fire of determination in his eyes, “What would you have me do?”

Mathias looked at Tom’s clenched fist. It was turning white. For some reason this made him smile, He no longer has any fear and all doubt seems to be whipped from his mind. Pointing at the book in Tom’s left hand, “I told you the basics to the Book of Sorrow. Tell who you wish, but know this,” he paused as he walked over to the window and opened it, “In three days time your life will change forever.” With that said Mathias the Angel leaped out the window and disappeared into the darkness.

Tom stood looking out the window, the Book of Sorrow in his hand. As a cool breeze blew in cool the sweat upon his brow he looked up into the night sky finding a single star shimmering through the dark heavens above, “God watch over me.”