Fallen: Angels & Demons

Chapter Three

Worry written on Mr George Fisher’s face, “sorry to hear this Naomi.” He said, furrowing his brows in concern. Mr George Fisher was Lakefall High school principal, in his mid-fifties, he looked like a classic head teacher. Bald with a potbelly, he was friendly and understanding though.

Naomi gave him a sad smile. She came to the school earlier than she used to because she wanted to see George about a month leave from work. Her reason for this leave was, her grandfather had fallen ill, and she was the only family he has. So, needed to take care of him, but truth to that matter was that she needed to run as far as possible from this small town.

She feared Lucifer, and she knew how he was, he was out for revenge, then he would harm innocent lives to make a statement to her if she stayed in Lakefall. If Gabriel was right about a Demon witch, then that would mean that she would find Naomi within seconds without even trying. “You don’t have to worry about work, Naomi. You can take as much time as you can, taking care your grandfather.” George said.

“Thank you for understanding,” she smiled, nodding her head then taking a step back. “Have a nice day,” she said before walking out George’s office.

“Same to you, Naomi, and take care.” He said as she walked out.

Once Naomi stepped out the office and closed the door behind her, she hissed in pain under her breath and she gently placed her hand on her shoulder like she wants touch her back. That nightmare last night made the pain in her back more noticeable. For the past years on earth, Naomi had always felt the pain, and she always ignored them, and place a smile on her face like nothing was wrong. But after last night, the pain burned in her back like someone set fire on her back.

“Is everything okay, Naomi?” A voice snapped her eyes opened and looked up to see Olivier standing in front of her, his brows furrowed in confusion and his eyes carried worry for her. He pushed his glasses up and stepped close to her, “is there something wrong?” He asked.

She smiled widely, shrugging the pain away and shook her head, “I’m fine…” She said then remembered her promise to go on a date with Olivier this weekend. “Is just that…” she muttered, lowering her eyes.

“What is it?” He asked again.

She lifted her head, “my grandfather is ill, and I need to go take care of him. I’m the only family his got.”

“Aw,” he muttered, without second guessing himself, he wrapped his arms around Naomi, pulling her into a hug. “I’m sorry to hear that…” He whispered while Naomi bit her lower lip, stopping her groan of pain. Olivier suddenly realised that he was hugging Naomi, and he quickly stepped back, and heat rushed up to his cheek., feeling in embarrassed.

Naomi blushed slightly, clearing her throat, “I’m sorry that I have to cancel our date—”

“No, no, no! It’s okay, I understand…” He cuts her off, as much as he was waiting the chance to take Naomi on a date, he knew it would be selfish of him for making her feel terrible for cancelling. “Time is still on our hands, when you’re back then we can have that date.” He said, smiling and chuckling nervously.

“Thank you,” she smiled back at him.

“Wait! Naomi since when do you have a grandfather? I thought you had no family!?” Another voice butted in. Both Naomi and Olivier glanced over to Miss Phoebe Reye, soon to-be Mrs Phoebe Walker. Phoebe Reye, a fellow teacher in Lakefall High, teaches English and engaged to the local doctor, Frank Walker. But a known fact that she has a crush on Olivier, just like every lady in the town.

Her short black hair framed her oval face, and lime green eyes narrowing straight at Naomi. Also, Phoebe did not like Naomi because she cannot believe a beautiful woman like Naomi was too nice and innocent with no skeletons in her closest. “What’s this I hear?” She asked.

“My grandfather is the only family I’ve got, my parents passed away when I was young and the only one, I knew growing up was my grandfather. He lives alone in the city and he fell ill—”

“Is that so?” Phoebe cuts Naomi off, stepping closer and lifting an eyebrow.

“Yes…” Naomi nodded.

Phoebe opened her mouth to say something, but Olivier stopped her, “there’s nothing to worry about, Naomi. Everything will be okay and if you need help, just call.” He said, earning a side glare from Phoebe.

“Thank you,” Naomi muttered, smiling warmly before walking passed the pair and heads over to her class, to prepare for Tuesdays lessens and announce her upcoming leave.

The bell rang, marking the beginning of lessons and each group that enters Naomi’s class, were all surprised and worried about Naomi when she told them she would not be around for a month. No student had remembered Miss Hill ever taking a leave, not even during flu seasons. They all knew she was always at work, in time, and was there to help those who need a hand. But once the last bell rang for the end of school, students made sure they asked for help on their schoolwork before their teacher leaves for a month.

By the time Naomi made it back home, the sun was setting, and she had to stop by Mrs Becker. “That’s so sad to hear, I hope everything will be okay.” Mrs Becker said.

“Yes, huh… I just wanted to notify you; I won’t be around.” Naomi said and Mrs Becker nodded, understanding the situation. Lakefall had the lowest crime rate and not a common thing in the town, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Also, Naomi wanted to make sure it seemed like a normal trip to a sick family member than her running away to hide.

Heading back home, Naomi heads to her room and starts packing a suitcase for her trip meant for a month. It was uncertain that it would take a month for the angels to find Lucifer and “try” to put a stop to his plans. But she had to hope, even though her bones shook in fear at the thought of Lucifer's plans in killing his once friends.

As she packed, a dark figure approached her while her back was facing it. The person wore a black hoodie covering his or her head and black skinny ripped jeans, then black combat boots. “Why are you packing?” A husky masculine voice left the lips of this stranger.

Unbothered, Naomi glanced over her shoulder and saw her sudden guest, “Jeremiah…” She said like a greeting and continued packing.

He sneered, “I’d prefer you call me, Death…” He muttered, walking to the edge of the bed then pulled his hoodie down, making his face seen clearer. He had short messy jet-black hair, then there was an old scar on his right temple down to his strong jawline. “That’s want the humans keep calling me when they realise, they are dead.”

“You are the Grim Reaper, angel of Death,” Naomi said, zipping her suitcase close and Jeremiah or should we say, Death, grabbed it and carried it for her. “Thanks,” she whispered before disappearing back into her walk-in closet. “I’m surprised you believed me when I called!”

Death walked towards a bookshelf, “you never lie, Naomi and you know that Leonard and I would follow you cause we all we’ve got since our falling.” He said as he lifted a black-covered book and when she stepped out her closet, wearing all black, a sweater, skinny jeans and ankle length boots. He glanced over at her with an eyebrow lifted, then tilted the book he was looking at, “seriously?” He asked.

“What?” Naomi shrugged with a slight smile, “The Bible has interesting stories and poems.” She blurted, walking out the room.

He looked at it again then nodded, “true…” He murmured placing it back where he found it then hurried, followed behind Naomi. “I can’t believe the angel of Death is running away from death,” he muttered as they stepped outside the house.

“We know Lucifer and his going slowly torture us before killing us,” she whispered as she locked the door.

Death gazed around the area, even though it was dark, he still looked then looked over Naomi with a sad look on his face. “You’re tortured since he was still around,” he said, and they looked into each other’s eyes.

“The past is the past,” she said, lowering her head.

“The past is the past,” he mumbled too and nodded his head. “Let’s run…”

They both quietly walked to Naomi’s car, and as they stepped into the car, Mrs Becker watched through her window wondering when did that guy get to her neighbour’s house. She watched as the car pulled out the driveway, then once it was far away, Mrs Becker glanced at Naomi’s house, before closing the blinds.