1 Near miss {1}

The night was cold, refreshing to those who had waited all year long for the first snow to crystallise their breaths... Waited to bundle in warmth that consisted of layers upon layers of wool riding up to red cheeks, that grew flustered from the temperature... Waited for the white snow to settle, adding an extra blanket over the world- full of so much wonder.

Even now, when the icy weather comes, people love to bunker down on the sofa, a cup of hot chocolate steaming the frosted windows in their hands while they allow the biting cold to melt away with the roaring fire they sit near.

The world was silent, and breathtakingly beautiful at this time every year.

But, what a certain someone didn't know, was that this was the same day he was supposed to die...

December 8th.

Yes I agree, very harsh, unforgiving and down right evil... right?

Wrong.

Fate and destiny work in ways no creature understands or could even begin to fathom. Being curious, I had always questioned its judgement- how could a force unknown ever be allowed to sway so much in the way humans live their lives. Or all living things for that matter.

I had become less fond of fate as it seemed my human grew unluckier with each passing year...

His name? Lev Milos.

19 years old university student; birth sign sagittarius, blood type O and a small scar on his left ankle he got while skating with a pair of ice skates that were a tad too small.

Yes, I realise this information is useless to you, so why would I bother blathering it? Well, there was one who did take interest in everything about him.

No they were not a stalker. It was their job. Her job.

My job.

So there I was, sitting upon a freshly snowed rooftop that I sadly imprinted footsteps into, and continued watching over my human.

Lev Milos.

He was average looking, slightly taller, short-brown straight hair that parted down the side. Beautiful green eyes... but unfortunate luck.

That was my human, and I was dead proud of him too.

Dead proud...

What some may call a blessing, others a curse, as someone like myself who has lived a thousand lifetimes... tasked with the duty of guardian can tell when death is imminent for their humans.

However, with those people like me, there was one rule, one un-breakable rule that at any cost must not be broken.

Do not interfere with your human.

...

I had no intention of breaking the rule, no guardian angel ever does. But the moment he played the hero and tried to help another from robbery...

I could sense it. His imminent death.

My wings behind me fluttered with the chilling breeze, my heart had almost stopped.

I didn't know what to do.

My human.

He was my human- who I had taken a responsibility of protecting over, to watch and stay by his side.

To guide him, to help from the side-lines as he made his choices, had his heart broken- experience... life...

But he. He was different.

Lev Milos..

You changed me.

A stubborn angel who held her head high, unable to materialise tears actually cried for her human.

What was I to do?

I knew in my head as I peered over, the conflict, the shouting taking away another second of those remaining for him, was not changeable.

I could not intervene. I dared not too.

But that went against everything I stood for.. how could a loving angel allow others to get hurt and die when they held the power to heal the broken wounds?

Why in all that exists would a benevolent spirit command this rule?

So I did what I felt was right.

My great wings lifted me from the rooftop, the gusts it created knocked clumps of snow that had nested at the edges over the side.

They were feathery white, spanning a heavy 2 metres.

But they were unfaltering, undeniably resistant while they carried me against gravity at remarkable speeds.

And as I saw the man pull out the gun. I knew time was up... and so grabbing my silk draped dress that showed my bare knees, I flew straight into the fray, landing hastily and encasing my human with a warmth of protection....

-just as the trigger was pulled.

I could feel it, the bullet, but did not stumble; my ethereal body took no notice as my wings wrapped around Lev who froze in fear.

As all angels appear to humans, I had a delicate glow about me, glowing brighter the more I held him safely in my arms.

I could feel his racing heartbeat- could feel time freeze at my actions and the gun behind me drop to the ground with a weighted thud.

The cold had no effect, even on my raw feet as I tiptoed to stay at his height.

Fate, destiny from the stars had been re-written right under its watch... and I was the cause of it.

My own hair entangled in his, his face a bloodied mess; lip, cut at its side.

I could not bare for him to get hurt.

A sense of relief flooded over me knowing I could at least do this for him.

And in that moment, when I brushed my thumb over his cut did I feel the warm tear slide from his emerald eyes.

Oh Lev Milos.

How you changed me.

And how I wish I could let you remember this.

-with love, your guardian angel