Abandoned Streets

It had long ago grown dark as the number of people out and about gradually lessened until there was almost nobody left on the empty, abandoned streets. The bars were closing down. Signs of life subsided. Cassie shivered violently as she pulled her heavy coat tighter around her rail-thin body, the hood mostly obscuring her face. She would have to find a place to hide away from the world unseen soon, the nightly struggle. Fortunately, she knew just the place.

She walks alone down the sidewalk seemingly aimlessly but in actuality with great focus and determination. She tries to be as invisible as possible. She had to make sure no one followed her, that no-one saw her slip away into the church courtyard where she would finally, wearily, lay down her head and rest. She was so, so tired.

She was always tired. There were never enough hours to sleep when she had to awaken before the sun to avoid being seen coming out of hiding. She was tired of always making sure she wasn't a nuisance or in the way. She stopped expecting anyone to care about her, she knew better now.

On this particular night, the cold was especially bitter. She silently cried herself to sleep as per usual, long ago having given up on any of her prayers being answered by an uncaring God. Ironic, given where she chose to sleep. The courtyard outside of the church was quaint and peaceful nonetheless and she rather liked it there. It gave her a strange sense of calm and she felt safe.

She stares up at the clear night sky and the twinkling stars, the ones that were still visible in spite of the glaring city lights. When she was little before things took a turn for shit, her Mother used to tell her that the stars were angels watching over us all. If only.

Suddenly she hears a rustling like footsteps through the fallen leaves. Alarmed, she sits up with a start and looks around fearful that her peace was about to be disrupted by another squatter. That would be the last thing she needs. She doesn't see anyone, just the sounds of a city at night and the ever enveloping darkness. Alas, she is able to make out a faint glowing form that starts to glow brighter and more vivid, gradually taking on a solid shape and form.

"Do not be afraid, my child", says the angel. "I've come to bring you good tidings that you will no longer have to suffer such a life."

Cassie is suddenly very afraid. "Wha..what the hell do you mean? And..and what the hell ARE you?!" She stares up wide-eyed, mouth agape in near shock.

" I am your Guardian Angel, sent here by God as an answer to your most heartfelt of prayers. I am here to finally grant your deepest, most desperate wish." The angel wears an expression of pure love upon its face, their white robe gently billowing all about them.

' How could this possibly be happening...this isn't real! ', Cassie thinks to herself, figuring that weeks of being sleep deprived had finally caught up with her.

" Oh, it's very real", the angel assures her, having just read her very thoughts she thought safely hidden within her mind. The hairs were standing straight up on the back of her neck and she felt a coldness take over her, suddenly chilled down to the bone. The angel's eyes begin to glow red as the radiant pure white wings turn tattered and black before her widened eyes. The white robe is now stained with what appears to be blood. The teeth grow long, jagged and sharp. Cassie's heart leaps into her throat but before she could scream the creature was already upon her, teeth and claws digging into and tearing at her flesh.

The pain was searing but she knew it would be all over soon. Cassie stares up at the clear night sky feeling hopeful for the first time in a very long time. Her last thought as she drifts off into deep, comfortable oblivion is this: "Maybe God is still in the business of answering prayers, after all."