"Free Blue" by Leila E. Azzaria

Free Blue


        Prologue

ELK WALTZ was an ordinary girl. Once. She used to hang with her friends, go to school, Everything a normal sixteen-year old would do, she would do. She made statements with the way she dressed, had a boyfriend, and was a straight-A student.

But, one thing that doesn't usually happens to anyone else, happened to her. She died, and came back again. Remembering her own death. But, she didn't come back to life, she became an angel. White wings, white robes, and a halo. A perfect image of an angel. Or an irregular?

This is how she died, lived her death, and found out what the meaning of life really is. This her story. My story, actually.

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Chapter one
        DEATH

I REMEMBER I felt the impact of the car against the truck so suddenly, I thought of nothing else but the pain. And if Douglas was all right. I felt hot fire scalding my arms, legs, face. But most of all, I remember seeing blue. Stars so bright that I felt like I was right next to them. I remember everything. All blue. It's funny; I'm talking about how I died.

Just to tell you, I'm an angel. An angel that goes down to earth and listen to all of the living's wishes, fears, desires. Basically, their thoughts. I used to never wonder why people killed other people, or killed them selves. I never wondered why people did what they did. I never cared. But now, now I don't have to wonder. I now know why.

People want to live. Not die. People want to live forever. Not to die in less than a hundred years.

Can I tell you secret? People don't live forever, I didn't. But, angels do live forever, they can never die. But, one question. Can we die two times? We have to be alive to experience death. So, I guess I'm not really alive then. I guess I just exist. Can I be non-existent?

Life can be short, too short. But death. death is forever. Life is not.

Chapter two
        WINGS

DID YOU know angels aren't just beautiful, celestial-like beings? That they can either be solid, transparent, or not seen at all? That they are just dead people un-living their after-lives in heaven?

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AFTER I DIED, I was brought to pearly white and gold gates that settled in clouds. A bunch of people were around me, waiting for the gates to open. Babies, children, women, and men. I realized we were all the same, that we were all dead.

A boy about my age walked up to all of us. He wore white, silk robes. He had long red hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. He carried a golden trumpet in his right hand, and a single key on a ring in his left. When he got closer, I realized he had great wings on his back. The tips of the feathers looked like they had been dipped in silver and gold.

Suddenly, he played the horn. It sounded strong, yet in it, there was sorrow. A sad, weak voice trying to get through. He stopped once he reached the gate, but the sad voice continued to ring in my ears.

It was then; that I realized that broken voice belonged to me. Once I realized, I couldn't stop. I fell down on my knees and collapsed on the white, cloudy, marble floor. I herd a click and a creak from the direction of the gate. I felt people pass around me and I guessed that they went through it. I didn't know how long I was there, crying on the floor, but it seemed like forever until I first heard his voice.

"Are you coming? Or do I have to come over there and get you myself?"

I looked up to meet the unusual lavender gaze of the red-haired gatekeeper. I was at a loss of words then; that the only thing I could say was, "Why? Why am I here?"

The angel just looked at me with an expression of sorrow. He held out his hand to me.

"Because, it was your time. No one can change that, not even God." He reached out a bit more to me.

I got up shakily and sort of stumbled toward him. I reached out, desperate for something besides the cold floor to touch. When I felt his hand close around mine, I knew I had come to my final destination. When I felt his hand push the hair out of my tear-stained face, I knew that I was to stay here forever.

He led me to the edge of the cloud were the gates rested. I looked down and saw something gold sparkle below, but otherwise, I saw just clouds. He gently whispered in my ear, "Jump."

Chapter three

        Heaven

I LOOKED AT HIM with disbelief. But he just smiled and walked over to the edge. He spread his wings out; they looked like a painting done by the most careful hand. He gave me one more look.

"Jump," he said again and leaped into the air.

His wings flapped strong and sure. I started to run toward him and realized that I had slipped and now was plummeting down. I let out a scream as I felt wind whipping all around me. I shut my eyes and thought I would feel the impact of hard marble floor any second.

But, I didn't. What I did feel, was the feeling of falling into a pile of feathers. I opened my eyes and when I saw what I saw, I couldn't breathe.

Gold, white, and silver towers. Angels walking, or flying by like everything was normal. There were shops, markets. Everything there was on earth was here. The only thing that took my breath away, were the buildings. They looked like as if a castle taken from a fairy tale. The towers were tall; the gate was the same as the first one.

I realized that while I had stood there gaping at the city, the angel- gatekeeper had come up to my left side and stood staring at me.

"Do you know what this is?" He asked. His lavender eyes flickering back and forth from me to the city.

"Heaven?" I asked in a weak voice.

He nodded and gestured for me to follow him. We started toward the gates. As we walked through them, I felt myself change. I saw a fountain near by and ran over to it. I looked at my reflection.

I wore gold robes with a silver sash tied around the waist. My usually straight, black hair was curly with a single golden feather tied in the front with silver thread. As I looked a bit more closely, I realized my eyes were bright lime green instead of their usual forest green. I saw a black feather fall into the water; it made tiny ripples that made my reflection go blurry. I picked it up and studied it. On the tip of it, was a dust of white. I tied the black and white feather with the gold one, then I turned around to the gatekeeper. He was staring at me with eyes so serious; I had to blink a few times before I could look him in the eye.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Your wings. My lady." He replied with the curious title.

I went over to the fountain again and looked at the reflection of black and white.

My wings were spread out. They were black, with white speckled all over. I looked back to the gatekeeper and raised an eyebrow as I noticed all the angels around me were staring intently at me. I walked over to the gatekeeper; he just offered the way out of the crowd and followed me as I hurried away from all the stares I was getting.

"What was wrong with them? Why were they staring at me like that?" I asked once we got away from the odd assortment of coloured eyes.

"You are an earth angel, what did you expect?" The young gatekeeper said matter-of-factly.

"W-well. I thought." I tried to give an answer, but none would come. "What's an earth angel?" I finally managed.

"The council will tell you when you see them," He just said. He started to walk off and I followed him. "I will tell you that you're only third in power from God."

I wondered who was in second if I was in third.

"Who is second to God? I mean. I'm just wondering and-" I was cut off by the gatekeeper speaking.

"I am." He replied.

I stopped in my tracks and was a bit dazed. It felt like I was talking to a rock star or something. 'He must be popular.' I thought to myself.

"Just tell me one thing. Who are you anyway? What's your name?" I thought it odd that he hadn't told me his name yet. He just looked at me, a bit surprised at my question.

"I am Gabriel, the Gatekeeper of Heaven. I bet you've heard of me before. Like in. What do humans call them?" His looked like he was trying to figure an impossible equation out.

".A bible?" I offered.

"Yes, that's it!" He smiled. "Well, let's get you to the council."

I nodded and followed him as he led me through the streets of heaven. Awhile later, we reached a pearly white building with gold doors. We walked up the numerous stairs up to the doors. Gabriel was about to knock on the doors when he suddenly turned around to face me.

"If I may ask, what is your name?" He looked at me with an odd look in his eyes.

"Elk, my name's Elk Waltz." I blushed a bit, like I always did when I told someone my name. My first name is Native American, and my last name comes from my dad's side, British.

Gabriel smiled and leaned toward me and then lightly kissed me on the cheek. I blushed even more. He then gently whispered in my ear. "Be brave, honest. But most of all, don't be afraid to jump."

He slowly pulled back. He turned around and knocked on the gold doors. They slowly grated open. I walked inside. I turned around to look at Gabriel, but somehow the doors were closed and he was gone. I saw something floating in the air to the ground. I bent down and picked it up. It was one of Gabriel's feathers. Gold, silver, and white. I tied it with the other gold feather and black feather in my hair. I turned back to the dimly lit hallway and started to walk. On the way, I repeated one word.

JUMP.

  Chapter Five

        Home

Mary walked away from me to go over to the great windows on the other side of the room. I turned over my hand and opened it. A black, onyx-looking key was what she gave me. A key? What door does it go to? What does this key unlock? I looked over to her; she was standing in the sunlight, letting it shine in her hair.

"What is the key for?" I walked over to her and stared out to the sunlight as well.

"Your home, where you will stay." She looked over at me, maybe with a hint of happiness in her eyes this time. "Every thing has an end, every key has undone a lock . I'm afraid heaven will be that lock, and you will be that key."

I looked at her with utter confusion, but she remained quiet.

"Who, may I ask, brought you to this building?" She asked.

"Uh, Gabriel, the gatekeeper." I answered. She looked over to me and smiled. Her face looked radiant when she smiled.

"Ah, he's a nice boy. A bit odd sometimes, but I shouldn't be talking badly about him. He's a good boy." She sadly smiled and looked away. "Well! Let's get you aquatinted with your new home, shall we?" She offered her arm to me, and I accepted.

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We walked out of the building and down the street. Angels stared after us. I hate when people stare, it's rude. We walked on until we get to a small, dusty, dirt road. Flowers surrounded the borders. She led me down the path until we saw four small cottages. They looked so peaceful, with vines growing up their sides.

"Ah! We're almost there!" Mary walked on and seemed to be enjoying the smell of the flowers. She stopped at the side of the road and bent over to pick a lovely, brilliant blue flower. She walked over to me and set the bloom behind my ear. ". If I may ask, what color did you see when you died? What did you see?"

I look at her with a saddened smile. "Blue. I saw stars, they were so bright, I felt like I was right next to them."

"Ah, blue. Well, this flower is called Free Blue. When you settle into your new home, how about starting a small flower garden with these flowers?" She looked at the cottages in the distance.

"Sure, I loved growing flowers at home." I realized that this was my home now, not the city house with the spiral staircase. I looked at the houses with a bit of longing. "Let's go, I want to know who my neighbors are! Hehe."

"Oh, well, you already know one of them. Gabriel's house is right next to yours." She started to walk off, back toward the city.

"Where are you going?" I ran up to her. She looked at me and chuckled a bit.

"I need to get going, others are waiting for me." She suddenly jumped to the air and flapped her wings. "Flying is much faster, why don't you try?"

I looked at her skeptically. She leaned down and grabbed my hands. She started to lift me up, flapping her wings harder.

"Flap your wings! Come on! JUMP!" I looked at her and smiled. Words repeated in my head. 'Don't be afraid to jump'.

I jumped as hard as I could and started to flap my wings. Suddenly, she let go of my hands. I did not fall. I as flying! I flapped harder and I got used to the way I use my muscles. I looked over at Mary, but I could only see a small figure in the distance waving, I waved back and turn toward my new home and started off.

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I LANDED in the middle of the road. I looked around to see if anyone was around. I walked toward one house, but I stopped, I started to hear whistling. I followed the whistling to the back of the house I was going to.

"Hello?" I called out, the whistling continued. I got around the corner of the house when I heard some shuffling. "Hello?"

"Eh?" I heard. Then, someone came around the corner and bumped into me.

"Oh, excuse me, little lady." I looked up to the person I bumped into. It was an angel like me, but it was a guy. His wings were silver with specks of green. He had dark brown hair that hung around his face. His face was handsome, with dark forest green eyes.

"Uh, hi. Um, I was looking for Gabriel." I held out my hand. "My name's Elk Waltz."

He took my hand and kissed the top of it. I felt my cheeks turn hot and red.

"It is my pleasure to meet you, Lady Waltz. My name is Setheus." He suddenly let go of my hand and moved back quickly. "My... God, you're-"

"I told you to stop using God's name!" Someone from behind Setheus interrupted. Another angel stepped out from behind him. She looked at me and her amber-coloured eyes went wide. "Oh my lord! You're an Earth Angel! When did you get here?"

I slightly chuckled at them. "Oh, sorry, hehehe. I was looking for Gabriel, do you know where I might find him?"

The two angels were staring at me strangely. The second angel was beautiful. She had long, flowing fire-red hair. Long, dark eyelashes shadowed her amber eyes. She had a sprinkle of freckles across a small nose. She spoke with dark red lips.

"He's still working." Setheus replied. "He'll be back soon."

"So, what is your name?" The red-haired angel asked.

"My name's Elk Waltz, who are you?" I answered.

"Lady Lanul. Pleased to meet you Elk." She slightly curtsied.

"Well, we better get back to work, gardens don't just grow by themselves!" Setheus bowed and went back behind the house.

"So, uh, which house is the one I'm gonna be in?" I asked Lanul.

She pointed to one with ivy vines growing on one side. I thought it looked. Homely, you could say.

"Well, you better go inside. There will be lots of cleaning to do," Lanul chuckled a bit. "You can eat with us tonight since you don't have anything with you."

"Oh, thank you very much!" I bowed in thanks. I waved good-bye and started across the road.

Chapter Six

        EVIL

I had dinner over at Setheus and Lanul's house. After, I wondered back over to my new home. I went inside and looked around for the hundredth time that day. I went to the back door that led to a small yard with unruly plants growing everywhere. I went over to an old oak that looked as if it had been here forever. It probably has.I sat down and looked up into the night sky, the stars shone. I felt a small breeze and heard a slight rustle behind me. I looked over my shoulder and my gaze was met with a lavender one. I squeaked and scuttled backwards.

Gabriel laughed softly.

"I hadn't meant to startle you," He sat down next to me. "I heard that you met Lanul and Setheus."

I nodded my head. "Yes, I did. I had dinner with them." I replied.

Gabriel looked up and it seemed that the stars sparkled in his eyes. I didn't realize that I was staring at him until he poked my shoulder.

"Huh?" I blinked and Gabriel started to laugh.

After a moment he stopped and frowned.

"I asked if you have met Alexandure." He said.

"No, I haven't. Who is he?" I asked. I heard another rustle behind us. I looked over and I saw an angel with black wings speckled with red, like splattered blood.

"I am Alexandure. Please to meet you Lady Waltz." His voice sounded cold and empty. His eyes were a feral yellow. He walked toward us, so I got a better look at him.

He had long, raggedy brown hair. His face was pale and had a mischievous look on it. He wore a black tunic and baggy black pants. A red sash was tied around his waist.

Gabriel stood and I did the same. I moved closer to Gabriel. For some reason I didn't like this angel. He looks like a demon, like the devil himself. Gabriel looked warily at Alexandure.

"I see that you are an Earth angel." He snickered. "Congratulations on your death."

I looked up at him in anger and shock. How dare he! I moved in front of him and poked his chest hard with my finger.

"How dare you! Dying isn't something to be congratulated for!" I yelled. His eyes narrowed suddenly. He grabbed my wrist and squeezed tightly. I punched him in the face and he let go and staggered a bit.

Gabriel took hold of my other wrist before I could punch him again. I thought of my family, my friends. Of Douglas. My vision blurred and I realized I was crying. I felt Gabriel pull me into his arms. I started to cry harder, but I still heard the flapping of wings. Alexandure had gone, and for that I was grateful. I felt my knees give out, but Gabriel caught me. He sat down and put me down in his lap.

"It's okay. Shh," He wrapped his arms tighter around me. "I'm sorry for what he said."

I looked up him and choked back a sob.

"You shouldn't be the one to apologize," I mumbled.

I looked down and sniffed. Gabriel lifted my chin up with one finger and stared into my eyes. His face was inches away from mine.

"Yes, I should apologize for him. He's my brother after all." He looked to the ground. I was totally shocked.

"Your brother? How can that be?" I gently touched Gabriel's cheek. "He. Seemed, he seemed so-"

"So evil?" Gabriel said in an angered tone. "He is evil, he killed our sister."

I looked up at him with shock. Oh, poor, poor Gabriel.I didn't know. I cupped his face in both of my hands. He looked up to me with eyes full of sorrow.

"It happened when I was ten, Alex was nine. Aidria was Alex's twin, identical twins." He reached into one of his robe's pockets and took out a small blue pouch. He opened it and took out a small sky-blue feather. He started to sob a little; I pulled him into my embrace. He then started to rack with sobs, and I felt so sad.

"She gave me her first feather." He sobbed. "She said that she loved and went to go play with Alex. That was when he killed her."

He started to cry full on. I tried to comfort him, but he still cried. After a while, he stopped and looked up at me. I pulled at my sleeve and wiped his face with it.

"There, now let's go inside and start a nice fire and get warm." He smiled weakly at me.

"Yeah, it is a bit chilly out here, isn't it?" He stood and helped me up.

We walked back inside my new home and sat by the fire. We talked about our childhoods. I was surprised to find out that Gabriel was born in heaven. In fact, his whole family, for more than fifteen generations, were born in heaven.

I must've dozed off, because I didn't remember going to bed.

Chapter Seven
        A Day In Heaven

"Elk!" I felt Gabriel poke my shoulder. "Wake up!"

I rolled over and felt my face impacting on the wood floor. Just how I like to wake up! I heard Gabriel starting to laugh hysterically. That wasn't funny. I heard another thud and looked over my bed. Gabriel had fallen to the floor. Still laughing at me. Bloody Hell. Wait, can I say that?

I picked myself up and walked over the laughing weirdo-gatekeeper. I stood over him until he started to laugh even harder once he saw my face. I shook my head and plucked a feather from one of his wings. He yelped and immediately stopped laughing.

"Do I have your attention, Mr. Gatekeeper?" I wagged the small gold and silver feather in front of his face. I smiled and started toward the door. I heard Gabriel get up from the floor, so I turned around to face him. "Revenge is so sweet!" I smiled comically at him.

He looked at me for a second and then tore his eyes away from mine. "Revenge?" He faced me again, but with a small frown and pain in his eyes. "Revenge be so much bitter than sweet."

I couldn't understand the feeling that was hidden behind the lavender eyes. He smiled, as if painfully. I quickly walked the rest of the way out the door before he could say anything else.