Straight from Heaven (Fallen Kingdoms I.)

Chapter 9 - New purpose

Valerie and Belyar had their breakfast without any further interruption. As soon as she ate her food she stood up, pat Belyar's head and smiled at her friend.

- I'll be on my way Belyar, it might take some days before I come back home. Will you be okay? - Belyar frowned and put his tiny hands on his nonexistent waist.

- Lady... I might be small but please don't forget that I'm still you senior! - Valerie laughed and bowed theatrically.

- Of course! See you soon Belyar! - Valerie scratched Cinnamon's ears and whispered to him.

- Take care of him... If a single bone is missing when I'm back... - Valerie's gorgeous blue eyes turned lifeless and black. Cinnamon whimpered and licked her face letting her know that he understood the assignment. Valerie waved from the door and as soon as she stepped out her beautiful figure turned turned into thick black smoke. Belyar stood up and closed the door behind her. Thanks to that young lady, his life took a huge turn. He grabbed his pouch and left the house for Cinnamon's care. It has been a few decades already since their ways crossed with Valerie, but it still felt for Belyar like yesterday. He fixed his hood and walked buried deeply in his memories.

Belyar was born in 1728 in London under the name Flint Burns. He was a regular boy of a middle class family until he turned 8 years old. Flint's growing suddenly stopped. He tried everything he could to help his family just like the oldest supposed to do. Unfortunately his father got sick when Flint was eighteen years old and he couldn't maintain their little family. Flint's two brothers were a lot younger than him and his mother was expecting his first sister. Flint tried to find a decent job and take the role of the man of the house, but due to his condition his chances were limited and only a few took his efforts seriously. When he was about to give up, an advertisement came across him. Thanks to his mother's unconditional love and support, he knew how to read and write. The advertisement was simple and Flint felt like God finally smiled at him. He grabbed the poster and rushed home. After ripping the door open and receiving a scolding glance from his mother, Flint pulled her to their room where his father rested.

- Flint! What got into you?! Explain yourself! - Mrs Burns said, but Flint pushed his mother down on the edge of the bed.

- Son! Why are you so nervous? - his father asked and when their eyes met, Flint felt that this is the right decision.

- Mom, Dad, I found a solution to our problems. There is a job, I was born for! - his parents exchanged a surprised look.

- Would you please tell us more details? - Mrs Burns asked. Flint gave them the advertisement and while they read it he said.

- I'll get in the circus! They are recruiting peculiar looking people and the p*****t itself is enough for you. It might not as much as you earned dad, but if mom could sell some embroidery or my brothers could sell newspapers it will be more than enough.

- I don't know about this son... They'll make fun of you. - Flint's father said with genuine worry in his voice.

- Your father is right Flint. You suffered so much due to your condition, are you willing to make a fool of yourself in front of the whole world? - Flint held her mother and father's hand, took a deep breath and said.

- I love both of you and my siblings as well. You provided us everything above and beyond, please, allow me to make this sacrifice for you. - his parents still looked really worried and they had their reasons. In the town where they lived, because of Flint's hight their family was the main gossip topic. Flint never had any true friends and all ladies avoided him.

- Mom, you always say that everything happens for a reason, that God has a plan for us. Maybe this is the path he chose for me. I want to be part of the Circus and help you. Who knows? Maybe I'll even become famous, or a role model for people similar to me! - after long discussion, Mr and Mrs Burns with aching hearts but let their oldest son to join the circus. As expected, Flint immediately got hired and signed a contract for 5 years. He was more than happy knowing that for the next five years his family's well-being was secured. The ringleader was a really tall man, he always wore a huge black hat and a red suit. On his first day he stood in the middle of the tent and shouted.

- Dear friends! Please welcome our newest member, Flint Burns! - many peculiar looking man and woman appeared in front of Flint and his jaw dropped. From a lady as flexible that she fit in a basket till a man leading a huge cat on a leash. The ringleader, called Enton Hills leaned down and lead Flint to a really slim guy.

- Jay this is Flint, I thought that you guys might work well together! Get to know each other! - Enton left and Jay extended his hand to Flint who shook it with a big smile.

- Nice to meet you Jay!

- Pleasure is mine Flint.

- So, what is your post here? - Flint asked with excitement and Jay grinned.

- I'm the one and only Jester the clown of the Enton Circus!

- What does a clown exactly do? - Jay laughed and said.

- My job is to make people laugh. You know everyone always laughed at my figure before and called me by weird names, so I thought why not earn money with it? I suppose you are here for the same reason!

- More or less yes. I'll work really hard, please teach me! - Jay pat Flint's shoulder and said.

- Fine pal, the first and most important step is your name.

- My name? - Flint asked and Jay nodded many times.

- Yes! We must find you a catchy stage name!

- Why is my name not enough? - Flint asked and Jay pointed at two girls who flew from one string to another high up close to the top of the tent.

- Do you see them?

- Yes... They look like they are flying.

- Yepp! Their names are Donna and Stella, but the world knows them as " The flying sisters". That huge muscle guy over there!

- The one who looks like he could crush me with a single flinch? - Flint asked nervously.

- Yes! His name is Timmy and he cannot hurt a fly in reality, you must try his muffins next time. Well his stage name is "Goliat" because we cannot call someone as strong Timmy the baker.

- Now I understand. What should my name be? - Flint asked and Jay looked pensive stroking his short red hair.

- You will be a clown with me and we must find a cute and funny name that fits with mine... What about Jester and Bizzy the dynamic duo?!

- It sounds exciting!

- And that is my friend what we are aiming for! - Jay grabbed Flint's bag and led him to the carriages they lived in. That night when Flint closed his eyes me murmured a prayer and thanked God for helping him.

Belyar arrived to his destination and stood in the line with many other grim reapers.

- Hey Belyar! What's up?

- Yeah we haven't seen you in a while! - Belyar looked up and the others and smiled.

- I've been pretty occupied with my other job. My new boss got me a doggie and it take lots of time to train him! - the other laughed.

-We can imagine! Anyway, I'm glad you are fine and that you don't have to come too often. - Gino a tall reaper said, Felin another one nodded.

- Yeah, it is great to see you Belyar, but I'm truly happy when you don't pop up... Please don't misunderstand me. - Belyar hang his head and sighed.

- Don't worry Felin, I understand you perfectly. Believe me, every day I woke up wishing I shouldn't come. - as soon as Belyar said this a tiny boat appeared in front of him.

- See you guys later. - Belyar bid farewell and took the little boat. He row into the mist in front of him and his body changed into its original form. Only in moments like this he could see the old Flint, but he would've gave up these moments. On the other side in a flowery field a young girl waited. She had a pink flowery dress and her black hair was braided in two. She was hugging a plush bear. Belyar stopped the boat and smiled at her.

- Hey beautiful, what's your name? - the girl looked at him and answered shyly.

- Miley.

- Miley, this is a really nice name, what about your little friend? - Belyar pointed at the teddy and Miley smiled.

- Mr Peanut! - Belyar chuckled and looked up.

- We have a really nice weather, would you like to go on a boat trip with me? - Miley seemed unsure.

- I don't know... I was told not to go with strangers. - her tears suddenly fall and Belyar got out of the boat. He hugged her while she sobbed.

- I know its hard honey, come on, we should leave now.

- Must I? - she asked and Belyar dried her tears.

- I'm afraid so, but there are many people waiting for you who you have missed, and those who you're going to miss for a while will also be there one day. Until then, you can take care of them. - Miley smiled and took Belyar's hand. They got into the boat and row to the doors of Heaven where a familiar face was already waiting for the girl.

- Thank you! - Miley waved goodbye and Belyar went back. As soon as he got out of the boat Gino and Felin applauded him.

- You are still the best Belyar. - they said.

- Every time I get into that boat it becomes clearer to me...

- What? - Felin asked.

- That my boss is right. There is no God or if there is... He must resign because these kids shouldn't have died.