I didn't feel any pain. I was numb. The cold, freezing air that blanketed me had stopped hurting a few minutes ago. I couldn't feel much of anything anymore. I could still hear, however. I could hear the poor, old lunchlady gasp as she opened the freezer door to find me.
The principal came shortly after and then the police; my parents were the last to see me, but they shed no tears. Not for me. No, they had three other girls that were 'normal' that would easily replace me.
For that was what I was: replaceable. But, I didn't want them to be saddened by my death. With me gone and out of the picture, everyone would be much happier. And as long as they were happy, I guess, that was okay.
Suddenly, the voices faded. Their voices becoming nothing but a dull whisper that I could hear only if I strained to do so. I found that I was floating into darkness, the light vanishing for the moment. I stood there, my eyes closed, waiting for something to happen.
"Open your eyes, Ana Mercedes," a voice called to me. The voice was soothing, caring. She sounded as though I could trust her. So, I did. Upon opening my eyes, I found a woman with gorgeous silver hair and tribal markings standing before me.
"Who... who are you?" I stuttered. I wasn't frightened, more like surprised. I wasn't really sure what to make of this situation. WAs this the person that was supposed to escort me to my next life?
"My name is not of importance," she smiled warmly at me. "But, for now, you can call me Aunt." Her expression softened even more as she looked at me. "Now, what do you wish to do? I cannot escort you to a place of happiness,” she turned slightly and a large door appeared. “Only a place full of sorrow and vengeance…”
Sorrow and vengeance did not sound like a place I wanted to go. Sure, I was sorrowful, but I didn't want vengeance on any of the kids who had murdered me. It wasn't something they had wanted to happen. It was a cruel prank gone horribly wrong, and no one could have foreseen this.
“My master can give you a do over. But just one,” Aunt continued when I didn't say a word. “What do you chose, Miss Ana Mercedes?” her eyes had gone dark. They were no longer as gentle or compassionate as they had been only moments before. “Turn away, and find true peace. Follow me, and you just might walk with the ones who breathe again.”
I wasn't really sure what to do. I could finally be at peace, in a place where I could be happy. Truly happy. But, if I could be alive again, I could help others that suffered like I had. I could be the voice they needed. I might be able to make a difference.
I reached my hand out and took Aunt's hand. It was cool to the touch, but when we were holding hands fully, her hand was sudden fiery hot.
The Contract Has Been Sealed
There was a voice that was echoing around us as I was shot through the open door and shoved into a new place. I glanced over at Aunt, whose hair was whipping around wildly. Her eyes were sad as she said, "Welcome to the games, Ana Mercedes."
~.~.~.~.~.~
When I opened my eyes again, I felt pained, and I wanted to cry, though I didn't really know why. Suddenly, I remembered everything. I remembered the kids that had killed me. The kind woman who had brought me here.
I felt different, I saw my skin was paler, and as I was bent over, long locks of hair were falling over my shoulder. I reached up and took the blonde hair into my hand. I hadn't had long hair since I was a small child. I noticed then a pair of wings on my back.
What was happening? Was there any part of me left? I touched my big, strong, feathery wing wondering why I had to change. I was fine how I was. I didn't want to be different. The tears didn't want to stop now. Was my life already forgotten?
Suddenly, the sound of someone crying brought me out of my thoughts, and I found a girl sitting not too far from me, sobbing. I hurried to her side, crouching down to her. "It's okay," I told her, unsure why I felt what I said was true. “You don’t have to cry, everything is okay…”
“She’s right. Please don’t cry. Everything will be fine,” Aunt came and knelt down at our side. She was so reassuring. The girl I was trying to comfort looked up at her, and I tried to smile.
I glanced down at the girl, and she nodded, seeming to have accepted what Aunt had told her. Suddenly, she changed. The one who sat in front of me was a male around the same age as me. He looked up at Aunt with his dark brown eyes and tried to smile. “Thank you, Auntie.” He said, his voice was now deeper.
Aunt turned around and addressed the others and explained a little bit of what was to happen. Before she left, she suggested we introduce ourselves. Eric went first, then Akuma and Tamotsu went, then Yoru went. I decided I might as well go, too.
Standing up, I let my wings stretch out, letting them get to their full span, which was three times as big as I was. "Hi, everyone!" I waved slightly, a genuine smile on my face as I looked each of them in the eyes. "My name is Angel. It's a pleasure to meet all of you. I hope we can become good friends." For some reason, the name Ana Mercedes didn't even enter my mind, and it was as though Angel was my name.
Everything else about me had changed, why not my name as well. If I was going to get a second chance at life, I might as well start it out the way I wanted to.
Continue.
Hope it's okay!
