PROLOGUE
In a small but quiet room he laid on a hard but comfortable mattress on the floor, eyes shut trying not to think. With no view of the street below the room was dark, so it didn’t matter if they were shut or not, but he could not help but feel that it made it more normal to shut his eyes. In the sweltering heat of this summer he wondered what had he done to deserve this life, this cursed life. The church bells chimed in the distance and he felt a surge of panic flow through his body, this was so unlike the bliss he had once felt when he heard them the first time. Had it been that long ago, it had only felt like mere months in yet here he was looking at the start of his 106th year in which he was cast out. Cast out of the only family he had once known.
In the next door apartment he could hear the couple argue like they had done every night before, it always sounded as if they were in the same room as he, words thrown about like they didn’t mean anything, damn he thought, wish my hearing wasn’t this acute. He raised his hand up to the wall peeling with wallpaper and banged on it yelling “Shut Up!”. He had had enough, when were they going to understand that in life there are more important things than always being right, something he wished he knew the day he chose his.
Slowly the noise dissipated and he lowered his arm back down onto his chest. Trying to get his thoughts back to where they were before the noise had interrupted was completely impossible now. He turned his head to look at the clock beside the bed and saw it was 10:00pm, he had better get up soon he thought to himself. Rolling his head back so he was looking at the ceiling he sighed, why did he care so much about these mere mortals, it’s not like they were as powerful as him, they didn’t care about him but although the fall had stripped him of his wings it didn’t strip him of the compassion he felt for them, it was his job to protect their souls.
He opened his eyes and decided that it was now or never. Lifting the collar of the t shirt he had been wearing all day, the pungent sweat filled his nostrils and he realised that he was well long due for a shower. He raised himself up and every muscle in my body ached, even though he may be immortal the pain was always so bad the next day. Pulling of the shirt he threw it at the corner of the small studio apartment, roughly where his washing pile was, and bang he hears the crash of what was now the samurai sword on the floor once given to him by a ninja teacher named hon shui in 1920s china. He had forgotten it was there.
‘clap, clap’ the light in the room flicks on and he see’s something scutter under the bag of rubbish in the corner of the kitchenette right of the bathroom. “ohh” he moaned, rat traps are last thing he needed to worry about. Raising himself up off the bed he made his way to the bathroom, sliding his hand through warm but greasy hair. Flicking the shower on to hot he gazed at the image that confronts him in the mirror. Haven’t aged a bit since it happened, he thought to himself. His black hair wild and looking dishevelled, greasy to the look not only the touch, hazel eyes with just a touch to wild sea green around the iris, skin light with an olive undertone, his body was perfectly muscled, then again they all were well toned, something else he hadn’t lost.
Looking at his muscular body in the mirror he contemplated all the scars left behind by previous injuries, his immortality didn’t prevent his body from showing the attempts of death. He touched the one on his right shoulder a bar brawl with a sailor in 1940 New York, below his left rib, a mugging in London 1932, a huge claw mark scar just above his heart from a wild wolf in Alaska 1980. He looked down further and noticed the new bruises on his hip bones just above his low rider jeans, and thought thankfully they won’t leave a mark, a couple of scratches on his right arm and a slight gash on his left shoulder, he had got off quite well from last night’s incident. He raised his hand to grab the back of his neck and rolled it down the top of his back, right where is shoulder blades were he could feel the edges of his most important and fateful scars of all, his first scars.
Stepping into the shower the water was hot on his skin, he liked how it soothed his scratches and gashes from last night and made is bruises feel like they were healing quicker, why had he been so stupid to go out last night with Paul, and trying to jump the motorcycle over that bridge, “argh” he hit his hand against the tile in front of him and broke it. Something else to tell the landlord about.
Stepping out of the shower he wrapped a towel around him and sauntered over to the small refrigerator in the apartment, it was small but the buzzing from it was incessant and it had annoyed him on more than one occasion. Opening the door he looked at the contents, a bottle of beer, two week old Chinese takeout, a mouldy half tomato and half a carton of pineapple juice. Grabbing the juice he took a deep long swig. Suddenly his mobile started to buzz. Who was calling him at this time of night, must have been Paul again with another one of his attempts to try and cause trouble for him.
He picked up the phone and answered it with a “yeah” on the line there was silence. “Hello?”, nothing no sound no breathing. “Come on Paul, what do ya want?” he said. Finally the silence broke, “Michael Carmicell?” the voice was low and raspy, and not Paul. “Yeah, who’s this?” Michael responded. “I have come to warn you that they know where you are, who you are, what you are, if you value your life it would be best if you head my warning and get as far away from here as you can” “okay man this ain’t funny, did Paul put you up to this”.
He had never heard the voice before and since he had known Paul pranks were an everyday occurrence, this could have been one in the long list of pranks that he had been on the receiving end of. “You think this is a joke, we know you are Michelangelo and they do too, you need to listen to us if you want to survive…..there are legends telling of your type, why you’re here, and how you came to be. There is girl in small town near Springfield called Reedsport, you will find her, she is the key to what you have be looking for, she is the only one who can end your torment and eventually save you”
Now Michael was the silent one how the hell did this person know who he was and why he was there. “Who the hell are you?” he finally responded. “It is not important who we are just what message we bring, do what we tell you or the others will turn you to ash, go to her, find her release yourself from this prison, now…….go now fallen angel”.
CHAPTER ONE
“What did you say your name was?”. “I didn’t” is all he said. She looked deeply into his hazel eyes with just a little green. “I feel like I have known you forever” she said, thinking it sounded like one of those corny lines out of romance movies. “Well I am just happy that I have found you, now I can finally live” what did he mean by that…finally live? He grabbed her by the wrist and suddenly it seemed like they were floating, high above what looked like her school, nah It couldn’t be….. buzz, buzz, what was that noise….buzz, buzz, yet again there it was.
Noel rolled over and slapped the alarm 6.01am. As she sighed she tried to recall the details of the latest instalment of weird if not intense dreams she had been having. They all started since she and her family moved here to Reedsport, Oregon in December last year, since then the dreams had always been so similar with the floating, the hazel and green tinged eyes, but she could never actually see who the person was. Only the way he made her feel, yes those two things she did know, it was a he and the feeling, like absolute lust around him. What did it mean and why was she dreaming about a guy she had never seen before, and she couldn’t actually see now.
She rolled back onto her back and debated whether she should spend her last few days of freedom sleeping in. Eventually she decided not to and pulled herself up off the bed. She walked over to the window and drew open her purple and green paisley curtains letting the last of the summers early morning glow in. It was hard to believe that the three months of summer vacation was nearly over and the first day of school was fast approaching. She could see the trees leave changing from vivid green to a slight yellow green, that was a sure indication that school was on the way. Looking down on the backyard she could see the neighbour’s cat being chased once again but Jasper.
Jasper was a loveable shaggy haired dog, when they chose him from the pound the control officer had said that he was unsure what breed he was, he said “I think he has a bit of this and a bit of that in him…maybe he is a new undiscovered breed, rare and unique” then tried to charge extra because there was only one like him out there. Since then his rare and uniqueness had cost them four basketballs, about twenty tennis balls, three pairs of pa’s slippers and one really disgusting mop head. Not to say the terror he has caused the neighbours cats and the local rubbish bins on rubbish day.
The house was quiet this morning, and as it was Sunday this was nothing unusual. Her ma and pa would still be snoozing and now Jacob had gone off to college the silence was deafening. She tiptoed down the hallway towards the little bathroom in their Reedsport contemporary family home, or so the real estate agent had said. It was four bedrooms, two bathrooms. Knotty pine, and remodelled in 1993. It was a cosy home on a large corner section on Seaview Ave, and it had wonderful views of the river, through the pine trees. The rear yard was fenced with a small garden but that didn’t stop Jasper from escaping to chase cats and rummage.
Opening the door into the main bathroom it was small and compact with shower over the bath and a single bathroom vanity straight across from the toilet, the walls had out-dated wallpaper that was starting to slowly peel in the corners from the moisture build up. Noel flicked the shower on to hot and thought to herself pa said it was a doer upper but this was a major renovation, she couldn’t help thinking though that the bathroom was more important than the kitchen that he had just remodelled for ma to bake her pies. Noel’s mother Samantha Chensworth was well known in Kansas City for her homemade pies. She had won many competitions for them with her most famous and most winning pie, her pumpkin pie, it was unbeatable in three states. I guess pa wanted her to be comfortable and with the local bakers competition starting in the next few months she would have to practice.
Turning around she slung her dirty pyjamas into the hamper and opened the top window next door to the toilet slightly to let the hot steam out. Looking at herself in the mirror above the vanity, she could see her soft chocolate brown curls framing her face like draping curtains, her eyes were a steel grey colour today, they seemed to change colour by the day and she often referred to them as mood eyes, wonder what mood she was in today, grey was never a good colour. She had what her mother described as a peaches and cream complexion and her lips, what she thought was her best asset if she had to choose one, were slightly pink and perfectly shaped.
Noel wasn’t very heavy set but not skinny like all the supermodels out there, she had never really had body issues but now her body was developing she had been self-conscious about becoming more feminine. She was always a tomboy and having to wear bras and deal with monthly issues was so not tomboyish, she had always wanted to go back to the way she was about six years ago, climbing trees and going to the local skateboard park with her mates, but she couldn’t.
Now that she couldn’t see her reflection so clearly anymore with the build-up of steam, she knew the shower was now at the perfect temperature. Getting into the hot water she could feel how it made her skin tingle, she had always liked her showers extra hot and never known why. As the water flowed over her shoulder blades they started to ache, maybe she slept wrong again last night, they had been aching like this every morning for about two months now and she wondered if a new bed was on the cards.
CHAPTER TWO
Eugene was roughly 56 miles from Reedsport, it sported the valley river center mall, which contained every type of store you could need from an Abercrombie and Fitch to a Macy’s and JC Penny. They searched for hours to find the right outfit for the party with and finally Jasmine picked out the perfect little black sequined mini dress and strappy heels to go with it. However Noel couldn’t find anything.
Jasmine made the suggestion to try a unique little second hand place she had seen last time she was here, and as it was on the way back home just on the outskirts of Eugene Noel thought why not. It was called rags to riches and when they walked through the door, a little bell rang and the smell of sandalwood and amber hit them. It was a musky intoxicating smell which seemed to envelope Noel in a blanket, it was vaguely familiar. The store was dimly lit but not dark at all, there were racks of clothes on hangers down each side of the room with a centre walkway, to the right hand side of the store were two changing rooms with lush velour maroon curtains covering them and directly opposite was a glass display cabinet with a till on the top.
An older lady came out from behind a beaded curtain covering a doorway towards the back of the shop. Her hair was in an old style beehive, and was dressed in a purple sari with a green shawl around her shoulders. She made her way to stand behind the display cabinet. “Do you need any help girls” she politely asked. “Well ….” Jasmine said “We’re looking for the perfect outfit for my friend”.
The lady then slowly made her way down the middle of the store casting long studying glances at Noel. “Well then….what size are we?” she said. “I am usually a …..” Noel tried to respond “never mind I know exactly what size you are, and I know the perfect dress”. After a few minutes of rummaging around in a dress rack to the left of the store she pulled out a denim blue satin dress, with spaghetti straps. It had a bra like top then flared out to a flowing dress which came to just above the knee.
“Ohh! It’s perfect!” Jasmine exclaimed. “Not quite” the lady said and she made her way over to the display cabinet, unlocked it and pulled out a vintage gold necklace and pendant. It was circular with blue gems inlaid in small flower patterns all over it and a large gem right in the center. Noel stared at the pendant, it was so familiar, yet she had never been in this shop before. She couldn’t for the life of her remember ever seeing any pendants like this in the family, so how come it looked so familiar?
“Now….” The lady said “Now it’s perfect, would you like to try it on, or do you trust me?” Noel looked at her and something in her face told her that it would be unwise for to question her sizing eye, and really if it didn’t fit she would just resort to jeans and a top. “No it should be fine” Noel said and the lady smiled large and wide. “I have the perfect shoes to go with that too” Jasmine said “we’ll go round my place and get ready for the party, and then you can try them on”.
They left the store and headed back to Jasmine’s. Her house was larger than Noels with a winding driveway through cherry blossom trees. When they reached the house they went straight up to Jasmine’s bedroom. Her room was large and totally perfect. She had a four poster bed with a gold satin bedspread, a walk in wardrobe which contained every type of outfit your heart could desire, her own bathroom, a vanity table with different sorts of makeup strewn across it and a desk with an apple i-book placed perfectly in the middle of. Jasmine walked straight to the wardrobe and flung the doors open, while Noel flopped herself on the bed, it had been exhausting following Jasmine around all day. Noel looked up when she heard the noise coming from the wardrobe and saw boxes of shoes come flying out. “Where are they, I know there here somewhere” Jasmine grumbled. “Ah ha, here they are” as she came out with a bright yellow shoe box. She shoved them under Noel’s face and said “here open it” as Noel opened the box there was a pair of black patent leather Christian louboutin heels. Even Noel thought they were perfect.
Two hours later they were nearly ready to leave for the party. Noel looked in the full length mirror and thought that she may have over done it a little bit. The dress was nice but she was still getting use to her new body and it made her feel self-conscious, the arms were exposed and her legs she thought looked all gamely in the short dress and shoes. “Your gorgeous” Jasmine exclaimed behind her. “Thanks” Noel responded, “It’s missing something, I know where’s that necklace” Jasmine said as she rustled through the bag from the store. “Here it is, lift your hair up and I will put it on for you”. As Jasmine slid it on to Noels neck a weird feeling came over her. It was warm to the touch and very familiar, it made her feel safe and she didn’t want to ever take it off. All of a sudden she felt confident and invincible.
Twenty minutes later Noel and Jasmine were pulling up to David’s place. Noel noticed how many cars were parked outside the house, on the lawn and down the road, there would have been at least fifty cars. She could hear the music before they were within forty feet of his house. “I don’t think this is a good idea Jazz” Noel said, “don’t be silly, of course it’s a good idea”. Noel swallowed and then a warm sensation touched her neck and filled her body with confidence yet again. They parked just outside the garage of the house and made their way inside. Just like it had been outside with the cars it was just as bad in here, wall to wall with people all drinking and yelling, all from school.
There was Peter Evergreen, the captain of the football team, surrounded by all the cheerleaders including Patricia Hopes, head cheerleader, leaning on the staircase banister drinking a beer. Jacob Lovedale the junior class president from last year was yelling something in a room to the right, which Noel thought was more than likely to be the living room. All the boys’ varsity baseball team was present, they seemed to be moving as one through from the kitchen to what looked like the family room on the left, closely followed behind by the girls’ softball team.
“Hi girls” said a voice from behind them. They turned around and there was David in all his pomp and glory. Wearing a Brave’s polo shirt with jeans, and his black cowboy boots, he didn’t exactly look like he was heir to his parent’s fortune. His skin was olive, blue eyes and he had curly blonde tousled hair, he also stood about six foot two which meant that even with the heels on Noel still only came to just below his chin.
“Hey David, looks like the parties going off “ Jasmine said “Yeah not a bad turn out, you look great Jazz…..” he then looked to Noel “Geez Louise look at you, Noel is that you under that fabulous dress?” David grabbed Noels hand and twirled her around, she could feel heat surge from the necklace and fill her body. “hmm not bad girl, shame I have my eye on someone else or I would snatch you up right now” David gave a hearty laugh and winked a Jasmine. Maybe Jasmine wasn’t just the only one who had thought she was now a woman and it was time to make a move. Suddenly there was a loud bang from over to the right of the room “There’s food and drink in the kitchen, Mi casa es su casa, so make yourself at home, will catch up with ya later”. He then left making his way through the party guests to the back of the living room. “Did you see that” Jasmine said. “Oh but I’m going to play it cool though” she politely followed up with. “Let’s go get a drink huh?” Noel said, and they made their way to the kitchen.