7-Aug-2020
Catastrophic Angel Response Team (C.A.R.T.)
Guardian Angel: Zeek
Rank: Rookie
Mission: 12
“What do you mean we’ve got big problems?” I asked.
“Shut up and get ready for transport,” Zedekiah said in my ear. My controller sounded even more grouchy than usual.
“Transport?”
“We have to get you out of there before the containment team arrives.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but I felt the tug of transport pulling me away.
When I rematerialized I found myself in an expensive-looking office. A man and a woman were sitting on the opposite sides of a table, each with a lawyer next to them. I wasn’t sure how I knew they were lawyers, but I did.
My wristband, which had gone back to green for a moment, turned bright red.
“Kid, your job is to keep these two from getting divorced.”
Divorce had been a foreign idea to me, and I found it somewhat reprehensible. Especially when children were involved. Yes, I was old-fashioned.
The energy coming off the couple was blood-red. That only happened when pure hate was being felt by one human for another. “Zedekiah, I’m not sure that’s possible.”
“Get the lawyers out of there and then talk to them.”
“I—I’m a rookie. I can’t talk to them.”
“I think you’ll find you can. Whatever you do, don’t let them see you. Don’t flash your sword. Be subtle. I’m going to be gone for a little while. I have confidence that you can handle this yourself.”
“Wait, Zedekiah I—”
But he was gone.
For the first time since I became a Guardian Angel, I was alone.
It felt as if I was a balloon that had just been untied and allowed to float away. My insides twisted, and my mouth went dry.
The conversation in the room became audible. The man was yelling at the woman. “I’m not signing the papers until you agree on this.”
The woman snorted. “Agree that I can’t teach the bird to say bad things about you?”
“Correct.”
They were fighting about a bird?
The woman looked at her lawyer. “This is ridiculous. He agreed to sign the papers this morning. Now this? When does it stop?”
This was a hopeless situation, but I’d do my best until Zedekiah got back. I looked at both lawyers and said, “You need to use the bathroom.”
I must have used a little too much power, because one of them shot to their feet. “We’re taking a fifteen minute break.”
“Good idea,” the other said as he followed the first out the door.
That worked better than I thought it would, and left me alone with the couple. They glowered at one another, the blood-red energy between them got darker, but as I circled the table, I noticed most of it was coming from her. I used my powers to read through the divorce contract in a moment, and frowned when I found that they had three children.
If this was a Guardian Angel mission, then it was probably about the kids. I moved to the woman and whispered in her ear. “Why put the kids through this?”
She snorted.
“What?” the man asked.
“Just wondering if you’re proud of yourself. You’re selfish actions have put the kids and I through hell.”
The man kept his gaze on her. “Janice, you know I love you.” Bright gold energy came from his mouth as he uttered the words. He did love her, and it was a pure love.
What had happened to drive them apart?
“Not enough to keep your hands off of another woman.”
If this hadn’t been a mission, I would have walked away. I didn’t abide those that cheated on their spouses.
“Like you’re one to talk,” the man said.
“I was just talking to him on Messenger. It’s not like I was kissing him.”
“Now you’re lying to yourself and me,” the man said.
This was going downhill fast. “He still loves you,” I whispered to Janice.
She blinked and shook her head. “You only love yourself, Mark.”
I walked through the table to Mark. “This is about the children.”
Mark rubbed his face. “Look, Janice, I know I made a mistake, we both made mistakes, but it’s the kids who are suffering.”
“They’ll suffer less with you out of their lives,” Janice said.
I decided to stay between them. I looked at her and said, “You don’t believe that. Do you want to be a single mom?”
“We can work this out,” Mark said.
That surprised me. I didn’t think either of them would say that on their own. The light on my wristband turned orange.
“I’m tired of trying to work things out,” Janice said, but her heart wasn’t in it.
“This isn’t about a bird,” I said to both of them.
They stared at one another.
“You could try again,” I suggested.
Janice snorted.
Mark’s eyes pled with her to listen to the voice they couldn’t really hear. “We didn’t even try to work it out.”
“That’s because I’m finished with you.”
I leaned toward Janice. “But he still loves you. Don’t walk away from that just yet.”
For the first time the red energy coming from her faltered. Tears gathered in her eyes, and she shook her head.
“You love him too,” I said.
She nodded.
Mark furrowed his brow, not understanding her actions.
“Try again. For the kids,” I said.
Mark spoke first. “Please. Give us another chance. Just six months. If it doesn’t work, then I’ll sign the papers.”
“Do you swear?”
“I swear.”
I raised an eyebrow at the binding green light that flew between them. That was more than a cursory promise. Interesting.
The door opened and the lawyers came back.
“Sorry about that, I—” He stopped when the couple stood.
Janice pushed the papers away. “We’re putting this on hold.”
The two lawyers stared at one another, confused, as the couple walked out together.
I found myself shaking, as if I needed food. “Zedekiah?” I asked.
He didn’t answer.
“Zedekiah?”
Silence.
I glanced around, hoping to see something helpful, but it was just two confused lawyers and I in the room.
What had happened to Zedekiah?
Did you miss the beginning of Zeek’s story? Click HERE to start from the top!
