Night World : Dark Angel Chapter 5

Actu any in ally, it wasnt the light she noticed first. It was an eerie effect that some presence was in herroom with her.Shed had the feeling before, waking up to feel that something had just left, maybe til now in the instant ithad taken her to open her eyes. And that while asleep, shed been on the verge of some expectant disc everyplaceyab issue the cosmea, something that was lost as soon as she woke. unless tonight, the feeling stayed. And as she stared around the room, feeling dazed and stupid and leaden,she slowly agnize that the light was wrong.Shed forgotten to close the mantelpieces, and moonlight was streaming into the room. It had the thin bluetranslucence of new snow. But in one cornerof Gillians room, by the decorate Italian chest of drawers, the light seemed to drive home pooled. Coalesced.Concentrated. As if reflecting mutilate a mirror.thither wasnt any mirror.Gillian sat up slowly. Her sinuses were stuffed up and her eyes felt athe likes of(p) hard-boiled eggs. She breathedthrough her mouth and tried to make sense of what was in the corner.It tone of voiceed like a pillar. A misty pillar of light. And instead of attenuation as she woke up, it seemed to be startleting brighter.An ache had taken hold of Gillians throat. The light was so beautiful and almost familiar. It remindedher of the tunnel and the meadow and Oh.She knew now.It was contrary to be perceive this when she wasnt dead. Then, shed accepted strange things the way youaccept them in dreams, without ordinary logic or disbelief interfering.But now she stared as the light got brighter and brighter, and felt her in all skin tingling and tears poolingin her eyes. She could hardly breathe. She didnt know what to do.How do you greet an ideal in the ordinary world?The light continued to give birth brighter, just as it had in the meadow. And now she could see the shape in it,walking toward her and rushing at the same time. Still brighter-dazzling and pulsating-untilshe had t o shut her eyes and precept red and gold after images like shooting stars.When she squinted her eyes back open, he was there.Awe caught at Gillians throat again. He was so beautiful that it was frightening. slip pale, with traces ofthe light liquid lingering in his features. Hair like filaments of gold. Strong shoulders, tall but graceful body, every line pure and proud and different from any human. He looked more different now than he had inthe meadow. Against the drab and ordinary background of Gillians room, he burned like a torch.Gillian slid off her bed to kneel on the floor. It was an automatic reflex.Dont do that. The voice was like silver fire. And so-it changed. Became somehow more ordinary,like a normal human voice. Here, does this ease?Gillian, staring at the carpet, saw the light that was glinting off a stray safety pin fade a bit. When shetilted her eyes up, the angel looked more ordinary, too. Not as luminous. More like just an impossiblybeautiful teenage guy.I do nt want to scare you, he said. He smiled.Yeah, Gillian whispered. It was all she could get out.Are you scared?Yeah.The angel made a frustrated circling motion with one arm. I can go through all the gobbledygookbe not afraid, I mean you no harm, all that-but its such a waste of time, dont you think? He peered ather. Aw, come on, kid, you died earlier today. Yesterday. This isnt really all that strange in comparison.You can deal.Yeah. Gillian blinked. Yeah, she said with more conviction, nodding.Take a deep breath, get up-Yeah.- joint something differentGillian got up. She perched on the edge of her bed. He was right, she could deal. So it hadnt been adream. She had really died, and there really were angels, and now one was in the room with her, lookingalmost solid except at the edges. And he had come to why did you come here? she said.He made a noise that, if he hadnt been an angel, Gillian would have called a snort. You dont think Iever really left, do you? he said chidingly. I mean , think about it. How did you manage to rec everyplace fromfreezing without even needing to go to the hospital? You were in severe hypothermia, you know. Theworst. You were facing pulmonary edema, ventricular fibrillation, the loss of a few of your bits Hewiggled his fingers and waggled his feet. That was when Gillian realized he was standing several inches offthe floor. You were in bad shape, kid. But you got out of it without even frostbite.Gillian looked polish at her own ten pink fingers.They were tinglingly over-sensitive, but she didnt have even one blood blister. You deliver me. He gave a half grin and looked sheepish. Well, its my job.To jockstrap people.To help you.A barely acknowledged hope was forming in Gillians mind. He never really left her it was his job tohelp her. That sounded like Could he be Oh, God, no, it was too corny. Not to mention presumptuous.He was looking sheepish again. Yeah. I dont know how to put it, either. But it is true, actually. Did youknow tha t most people think they have one even when they dont? Somebody did a poll, and mostpeople have an inner certainty that there is some particular, individual spirit watching over them. TheNew Agers call us spirit guides. The Hawaiians call us aumakuaYoure a guardian angel, Gillian whispered.Yeah. Your guardian angel. And Im here to help you find your hearts desire.I- Gillians throat dosed.It was too very much to believe. She wasnt worthy. She should have been a better person so that she woulddeserve some of the happiness that suddenly spread out in front of her.But wherefore a cold feeling of reality set in. She wasnt a better person, and although she was sureenlightenment and whatever else an angelthought your hearts desire was, was terrific, well in her caseShe swallowed. Look, she said grimly. The things I need help with-well, theyre not exactly the kindsof things angels are likely to know about.Heh. He grinned. He leaned over in a position that would have unbalanced an ordinar y person andwaved an imaginary something over her head. You shall go to the ball, Cinderella.A wand. Gillian looked at him. Now youre my fairy godmother?Yeah. But watch the sarcasm, kid. He changed to a floating position, his arms clasping his knees, andlooked her dead in the eye. How about if I say I know your hearts desire is for David Blackburn to fallmadly in enjoy with you and for everyone at school to think youre totally hot?Heat swept up Gillians face. Her heart was beating out the slow, hard thumps of embarrassment- andexcitement. When he said it out loud like that, it sounded extremely shallow and extremely, extremelydesirable.And you could help with that? she choked out.Believe it or not, Ripley.But youre an angel. He templed his fingers. The paths to enlightenment are many. Grasshopper. Grasshopper? perchance Ishould call you Dragonfly. You are sort ofiridescent. Therere lots of other insects, but Dung-Beetle sounds sort of insulting. Ive got a guardian angel who sounds like Robin Williams, Gillian thought. It was wonderful. She startedto giggle uncontrollably, on the edge of tears.Of course, theres a condition, the angel said, dropping his fingers. He looked at her seriously. His eyes were like the violet-blue at the bottom of a flame.Gillian gulped, took a scared breath. What?You have to believe me.Thats it?Sometimes it wont be so easy.Look. Gillian laughed, gulped again, steadied herself. She looked forth from his eyes, focusing on thegraceful body that was floating in midair. Look, after all Ive seen after you saved my life-and my bits how could I not trust you? She said it again quietly. How could I ever not trust you?He nodded. Winked. Okay, he said. Lets prove it.Huh? Slowly the feeling of awestruck incredulity was fading. It was beginning to seem almost normal to talkto this magical macrocosm.Lets prove it. Get some scissors.Scissors?Gillian stared at the angel. He stared back.I dont even know where any scissors are.Drawer to the left of the silverware drawer inthe kitchen. A big sharp pair. He grinned like Little Red travel Hoods grandmother.Gillian wasnt afraid. She didnt decide not to be, she simply wasnt.Okay, she said and went tear to get the scissors. The angel went with her, floating just behind hershoulder. At the bottom of the stairs were two Abyssinian cats, curve up head to toe like the Yin-Yangsymbol. They were fast asleep. Gillian nudged one gently with one toe, and it opened sleepy crescents ofeyes.And then it was off like a flash-both cats were. Streaking gloomy the array hall, falling over each other,skidding on the hardwood floor. Gillian watched with her mouth open. Balaams ass, the angel said wisely.I beg your pardon? For a moment Gillian thought she was being insulted.I mean, animals can see us.But they were scared. All their fur-Ive never seen them like that before.Well, they may not understand what I am. It happens sometimes. Come on, lets get the scissors.Gillian stared down the side h all for a moment, then obeyed.Now what? she said as she brought the scissors back to her room.Go in the bathroom.Gillian went into the little bathroom that adjoinedher bedroom and f beat out on the light. She licked dry lips.And now? she said, trying to sound flippant. Do I cut off a finger?No. Just your hair.In the mirror over the sink, Gillian saw her own jaw drop. She couldnt see the angel, though, so sheturned around.Cut my hair? Off?Off. You hide behind it too much. You have to show the world that youre not hiding anymore.But- Gillian raised protective hands, looking back in the mirror. She saw herself, pale, delicate boned,with eyes like wood violets-peering out from a cape of hair.So maybe he had a point. But to go into the world naked, without anything to duck behind, with her faceexposedYou said you trusted me, the angel said quietly.Gillian chanced a look at him. His face was stem and there was something in his eyes that almost scaredher. Something unknowable and cold, as if he were withdrawing from her.Its the way to prove yourself, he said. Its like taking a vow. If you can do this part, youre braveenough to do what it takes to get your hearts desire. He paused deliberately. But, of course, if yourenot brave enough, if you want me to go away No, Gillian said. Most of what he was sayingmade sense, and as for what she didnt understand-well, she would have to have faith.I can do this. To show that she was serious, she took the open scissors, bracketed the pale platinum-blonde curtain at a levelwith her ear, and squeezed them shut. Her hair just folded around the scissors.Okay. The angel was laughing. Hold onto the hair at the bottom and pull. And try less hair.He sounded like himself again warm and teasing and loving-helpful. Gillian let out her breath, gave awobbly smile, and devoted herself to the horrible and fascinating business of cutting off long blondchunks.When she was done, she had a silky blond cap. Short. It was shorter than Amys hair, al most as short asJ.Z. Oberlins hair, the girl at school who worked as a model and looked like a Calvin Klein ad. It wasreally short.Look in the mirror, the angel said, although Gillian was already looking. What do you see?Somebody with a bad haircut?Wrong. You see somebody whos brave. Strong. Out there. Unique. Individualist. And, incidentally,gorgeous.Oh, please. But she did look different. Under the ragged St. Joan bob, her cheekbones seemed tostand out more she looked older, more sophisticated. And there was color in her cheeks.But its still all uneven.We can get it smoothened out tomorrow. Theimportant thing is that you took the first step yourself. By the way, youd better learn to stop blushing. Agirl as beautiful as you has to get used to compliments.Youre a funny kind of angel.I told you, its part of the job. Now lets see what youve got in your closet.An hour later, Gillian was in bed again. This time, under the covers. She was tired, dazed, and veryhappy. catch some Zs fast, the angel said. Youve got a big day tomorrow.Yes. But wait. Gillian tried to keep her eyes open. There were some things I forgot to ask you.Ask.That crying I comprehend in the woods-the reason I went in. Was it a kid? And are they okay?There was a brief pause before he answered. That information is classified. But dont worry, he added.Nobodys hurt-now.Gillian opened one eye at him, but it was dear he wasnt going to say any more. Okay, she saidreluctantly. And the other thing was-I still dont know what to call you. I told you. Angel.Gillian smiled, and was immediately struck by a jaw-cracking yawn. Okay. Angel. She opened hereyes again. Wait. One more thingBut she couldnt think of it. There had been some other mystery shed wanted to ask about,something that had to do with Tanya, with Tanya and blood. But she couldnt summon it up.Oh, well. Shed remember later. I just wanted to say-thank you.He snorted. You can say it anytime. Get this through your head, kid Im not going anywhere. Ill behere tomorrow morning. He began to hum a Blind Melon song. Ill always be there when you wake. Yeah, yeah, yeah.Gillian felt warm, protected loved. She fell asleep smiling.The next morning she woke early and spent a long time in the bathroom. She came down the stairsfeeling self-conscious and lightheaded-literally. With her hair gone her neck felt as if it were floating. Shebraced herself as she walked into the kitchen.Neither of her parents was there, even though her father was commonly having breakfast by now. Instead, agirl with dark hair was sitting at the kitchen table, bent closely over a calculus textbook.AmyAmy glanced up and blinked. She squinted, blinked again, then jumped up, standing an inch taller thanGillian. She moved forward, her eyes huge.Then she screamed.