Michael caught sight of her stare. "What's on your mind?" he asked.
Macie shifted uneasily. "Th-thank you for saving me," she whimpered. "I'm glad that your Marker is willing to help you. And I... thank you." she lowered her head.
"I couldn't just leave you, could I?" he said with a smile.
"Bullshit! We shoulda left her - she's not worth the trouble!" Mickey cried out. "Now, that girl you're slaving after? She's hella worth it! Aha-haha!"
Macie looked up at Michael again. "Was that Mickey talking? I could hear him through Missy."
Michael glanced at her. "Missy? Is that your Marker?" he sighed. "Salotinni sure liked names with 'M'." Michael stopped pacing around and took a seat next to Macie. She flinched.
"Missy wants to switch with me to meet you," Macie said. "I'll let her, but please make sure she doesn't harm anyone." Macie closed her eyes. Moments later, she opened them. They glowed brightly with a white hue. Her skin darkened to a shade of purple, and her white wings had become bat wings. She turned to Michael with a smile.
"Missy is your name, right?" Michael asked politely. He was tense, ready to restrain her at a moment's notice.
Missy jumped on top of Michael, holding him tight. "Aww - you're so adorable!" Her voice was high pitched and mischievous. "I could just eat you up, hehe!" She pecked him on the cheek multiple times.
Michael pushed her off. "Alright, you've met me. Now switch back with Macie." Michael wiped the side of his face.
"What are you, gay? She's got the hots for ya!" Mickey mocked. "If you're not willing to accep' a lil' gratification, then I'll be happy to take ya place!" He laughed nasally.
Michael slumped against the tree. Missy obeyed him and switched with Macie. The purple skin disappeared, and Macie appeared underneath it. She pulled her knees to her chest again, hugging her jeans. "Michael...?"
Michael stirred. "Hmm?"
"Do you think that we'll be normal angels again?" she asked weakly.
"Of course," he said reassuringly. "When we return to the City of Guardians, Greg will help us." Michael shut his eyes and eased up.
Macie whispered to herself. "I'm glad you came into my life, Michael... I really am."
Beside her, Michael snored softly. Macie smiled weakly, then laid her head on his chest.
---
He tore at his arm with his teeth, biting until it hurt. Black blood rushed out of the wound and into his mouth. He spat the blood out onto his hand then smothered it against a nearby wall.
"No no no, this isn't good. Who's this? Ah, yeah. Her. No no, this isn't good," he mumbled. He spread the dark liquid around, forming letters which became words. These evolved into sentences.
Ryan stabbed his hand into his open wound, widening the injury's opening. He caught more blood as it fell down in lengths and continued to write his predictions. "Perhaps he's to die? What if she, or even he, fails at this point? What happens then - oh, of course! How can that be, though?" Ryan bit his tongue in frustration.
A loud knocking came from behind him. "Duuuude, you a'right?" It was Justin. The sound of a lock being opened echoed behind Ryan. He kept on with his bloody mess, throwing the black liquid this way and that.
Justin stepped in. He wiped long strands of hair from his face. "Dude! Man, you're not supposed to do that anymore. Come on, man, I'm taking you to the Syphies again." He picked up Ryan by the arm and dragged him. Ryan wriggled under his grasp, still throwing blood around.
"No! No! Discovery, discovery! Let me proclaim my news!" Ryan protested. "Damnit - I've lost it!"
Justin tried not to laugh. "You lost it a long time ago, dude. Like seriously, you need to stop hurtin' yourself." He bent down and slung Ryan over his shoulders. The angels who left for battle were back in the city, and daily routine had returned. Angels flew about with tools, provisions, or plans in their hands. There was still work to finish in the city to fully rebuild it.
Sarah caught sight of the trail of blood forming behind Ryan and Justin. She ran up to them and focused her energy to apply pressure on Ryan's wound. The bleeding ceased. She scowled at Justin. "When will you get better at your job?" she said.
"Dude, when will you stop being a bi-" Justin was caught off by a mysterious blow slapping him across the face. Sarah smirked.
"We'll help Ryan to the Syphies' Colony, then I can hurt you, darlin'." Sarah held her hands over Ryan's head, keeping his wounds from opening. Justin walked briskly.
"Did you get your new orders yet, darlin'?" Sarah asked.
Justin shook his head. "Naw. Permanent orders from like, Greg, are to take care of Ryan. What's the problem now?"
Sarah sighed. "Markers are being released in other places, now. They seem to be spawning from one source. Most of the ones we fought here were ones we didn't recognize."
"Damn, damnit! This is why I need to write m-my news down!" Ryan yelled. "I know, I know!"
Sarah frowned at him. "It's so sad what happened to this sweetie. I hope we can fix 'em up. I miss the old Ryan." She sighed.
"So do I," Ryan mumbled.
---
Daniel yelled out in rage. The sound was guttural and hoarse. He turned to one of his nearby servants. The Marker he stared at nodded his head, then knelt down.
"We've already begun sending out drones to other cities," it said. "We have also prepared another wave to assault the city near the angels. May I lead the attack this time? I won't fail, unlike Seth."
Daniel rubbed his forehead, the nodded frantically. He hissed. "Michael... has one inside him. Don't underestimate him, Eight."
Eight pumped a fist to his chest. "I understand, Lord Daniel. If I may, I have a suggestion." Eight smiled. Daniel nodded. "I would like to fight him personally to test his powers. He must not be in tune with his Marker this early on. After our brawl, the second wave shall begin. Do I have your permission, Lord Daniel?"
Daniel snickered. "Go," he hissed. Eight stood up and bowed. He swept his wings up and jumped into the sky.
Macie lifted her head groggily. Lucas stood over her, holding hands with Taylor. "Can you wake him up, please?" Lucas asked. Taylor sent a strange look at Lucas.
"Who are you talking to, honey?" she said sweetly.
Macie rubbed her eyes. She shook Michael gently, and he opened his eyes slowly. He stood up before Taylor, staring up at her face with a smile. "I'm glad you came, Taylor. Thank you, Lucas." Lucas nodded.
Taylor nudged Lucas. "Who are you talking to!?"
Michael lost his smile. "You don't see me anymore, Taylor? I..."
"Switch with me! Maybe I can jog her memory!" Mickey demanded. Michael lost his control, and Mickey took over in an instant. Mickey's appearance overwrote Michael's, and he smiled at Taylor with an insatiable lust.
"Hello, sweetie!" Mickey said. Lucas pulled her back a few steps and held her close. His eyes were wide with surprise. "Once I get rid of that boy of yours, you'll be mine! Aha-haha!" He lunged forward with his claws at Lucas.
Macie grabbed him by his foot, then swung him around and smashed him into the tree. Mickey bent over in pain, and Macie flung him to the ground. She jumped up and stomped on his stomach. Mickey let out an anguished cry, then reverted back to Michael.
Taylor was whimpering. "What's going on!? Lucas, what's going on?" she said. Lucas held her tighter and scowled at Michael. Macie looked at him apologetically.
"You should take her back now," Macie pleaded. "Before he awakens. It's best if there's some distance between them for awhile."
Lucas nodded. He looked down at Michael sympathetically. Lucas grabbed Taylor's hand and led her away. "Nothing's wrong, Taylor. I just wanted you to meet an old friend."
"I didn't see him, though. Who were you talking to?"
Lucas looked back at the two angels. Macie had placed Michael on her lap. She was so small compared to him. She stroked his hair gently, whispering sweet words to him.
"No one," Lucas said.
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