Crimson Angel

  * * *

  “Alice…Alice…”

  Someone was calling me. To my disappointment, I could not hear Len’s voice.

  A ray of light forced its way into my eyes. The pain I had been experiencing a while ago had vanished. I was enveloped by white mist. My limbs were well enough to move. I wondered where I was.

  I made a sensible guess that this had to be a heaven. I woke up in such a dreamy place without any injuries when theoretically I should have been dead. This had to be the heaven I had always heard of throughout my life.

  It just surprised me when I witnessed no angels at all. Every now and then, shouldn’t creatures with beautiful wings approaching me? The mist was so dense that I could not view anything. Perhaps there was nothing in this dimension.

  “Hello?” I called out, quite happy that I could speak again. “Len?”

  I shouted but there were no answers.

  I continued my exploration in this brand-new wondrous realm. Was this a dream? Was this real?

  “Alice…”

  The voice called again.

  I turned to the direction where it came from. I walked and walked on for what seemed like forever. At last, I saw a figure, getting into a shape. I narrowed my eyes. Someone was holding out his hands to me as if offering me a hug.

  “Alice…”

  The voice got louder and clearer.

  I quickened my steps to reach the person.

  And then, I saw him…her…No, there were two of them.

  They were…my parents.

  “Alice…” My mother smiled at me.

  “Alice…” So did my father.

  How…did I end up here? I had to be dead.

  “You are not dead.” My mother said, brushing my fringe. “Alice, we just want to see you.”

  “Once and it is enough.” My father bent down to touch my face. I looked into his passionate yet mournful eyes. They held so much happiness and sorrow at the same time.

  “You have done very well so far.” My mother said softly.

  “What have I done?” I wondered.

  “You saved the Grimmels.” My father grinned. “You saved the Morganthes.”

  “And you saved Len.” My mother added.

  “No, I didn’t.” I shook my head. “Len and Jim saved me, so did Uncle Adam and Oma. Len saved his own family. Zander saved him.”

  “Really?” My mother questioned. “Do you think they can come this far without you?”

  I did not answer.

  “Perhaps you did not save them.” My father said. “But you saved the Great Cane of Ancestors. You made the right choice to assist Zander.”

  “And you have suffered enough.” My mother gave me a kiss on the cheek. “We are so proud of you.”

  “No, don’t go.” I cried as the two figures drifted away. “Don’t leave me alone.”

  “But you are not alone.” They whispered. “Just remember how much we love you. Always.”

  I cried a river of tears before I fell onto the ground again. It was cold. I lied there and stared ahead with hollowness.

  And once more, I fell into a sleep.