Chapter Three

Sunlight decorates the inner walls of the open cathedral. Colors dance in pastels and gold, the white marble floors glitter. While to some eyes this place is a sight of galore, to me it's a reminder that I'm a failure. Today my next task was to be given to me by the archangel Uriel, but today I planned also to decline. I don't know the consequences, but I can't take this anymore. Maybe I'll be given a different duty. Maybe I'll receive a punishment, or maybe I will have nothing at all.

A gentle humming sounds from around the corner in the rose garden. I see a beautiful man of golden light swirling around tea in his teacup at a simple table. He's been waiting. As I approach and sit opposite from him, he pretends not to notice; staring at his tea furthermore.

"Isn't it interesting how the same ingredients can combine into different things? Tea, paint, perfume, even poison." He says after a long silence, and finally looks up. "There are times when everything is set to be something ugly. It is up to you how you choose to perceive it."

"What do you m- uh... actually, sir, there is something I wish to talk to you about."

"I tell you each time, I really wish you would just call me by my name. I presume you wish to abandon your next task?"

"I wouldn't say abandon, but... I do wish to switch tasks with someone, if that's alright."

"You can't. Besides, if it's not you, it's nobody. We can't replace guardian angels." He says as he smiles sympathetically.

"Why not? Surely there must be someone!"

"No. I'm afraid not."

"Uriel! I can't take this anymore! They all die tragically! Burned to death, murdered, allergy to WATER?! Am I a joke to you?" I yell, tears in my eyes. He silently shakes his head and closes his eyes to let me weep. After I'm done he slides me a paper and gets up to leave.

"Ray, I never have nor ever will see you as a joke. I'm sorry that nobody else can take your place." There is a pause, as if he wishes to say something else, but then he turns and disappears behind a corner of the floral hedge wall.

Nina Chloe Doron, Wisconsin, US. I don't want to look after another child, but I can't just leave her on her own either. I'm sorry Nina. I tried to get you someone else.