“You were right Ash,” Jinxx said as we sat by the fire in the cave, “that girl, Rain, she does contain a strong untouched power. But the barriers containing it are starting to crack.”
I looked at Jinxx concerned. “You can contain and improve her control over it, right?” I asked a little too anxiously.
“Yes,” Jinxx replied as he focused on the rock in hands. “It will take time to train her, but I’m sure she will be more than willing to work with me when I explain the benefits. If nothing else it will give me time to help her with her schizophrenia, which she will most likely beg me to do anyways.”
My heart thudded against my chest. “So you can help her with the terrifying hallucinations?” I asked. “I promised we would help her try and get them to stop. I really don’t want to break that promise.”
“Stopping them entirely will take time,” Jinxx said rotating the stone in his hands, “but it is possible.”
I sigh with slight relief. At least it was something for her to look forward to. It was quiet for a few moments, nothing much to hear but the wind and the crackle of the fire. But I had to ask, hesitating for a second before speaking. “Do you think she is The Oracle?” I muttered staring at the burning coals of the fire.
“I’ll find out tomorrow.” Jinxx said holding up a chunk of black quartz by a leather string attached to it. “I’ll take her somewhere quiet and have her meditate with me so I can tap into her inner strength. But she does show the more physical sighs as the others did in the past. You should remember them well.”
I did, all too well. Rain looked almost exactly like Shikica, the original oracle. She defiantly Shikica’s eyes, all the oracles did. Rain also had Shikica’s long black hair, doll-like bone structure, her perfect curves, that sway in her walk, that cute little nose wrinkle thing Shikica always did when you pushed her buttons…
“Ashley!” a voice penetrated my thoughts
“Huh?” I mumbled coming back to reality.
I looked at Jinxx who was smirking at me. “You’re drooling.” He said with a chuckle. I picked up small rock and with a flick of my wrist threw it at him. He dodged it effortlessly and laughed a little. “Thinking of Shikica again?”
I nodded and lied back on the cool rock floor.
“I know you miss her Ash.” Jinxx muttered.
“Not as much as I use to. You get over it after a thousand years.” I mumbled staring at the cave celling. “I just hope Rain doesn’t turn out the same… like the others”
A solemn silence crept over the two of us. “You’re attracted to Rain, aren’t you?” Jinxx whispered after a few moments. I sighed miserably and nodded. I gazed at the overhanging rocks, looking through them more than at them.
A hand rested on my shoulder and squeezed lightly. “Protect her Ash. Make sure she doesn’t succumb to them.” Jinxx said, sounding distant and muffled through my own wandering thoughts.


»»»«««


Bright… white… fluffy clouds… so soft and warm… so inviting… A person… a woman… with soft, short, tight, brown curls… and pale flawless skin… deep blue eyes…in a white dress…pretty, bright, loving smile…so familiar… a mothers smile of tender love…but her eyes… her eyes showed wisdom far beyond her age… more than a mother’s… a grandmother… my grandmother… my Nanny…

I woke up to a hand gently shaking me by my shoulder. “Rain,” A voice called softly, “Rain, wake up.” I opened my eyes and blinked, my eyes watering fiercely. I tried to release the breath I seemed to be holding, but it came out more of a sob. Small tears fell down my cheeks. My heart was jumping out of my chest. Somebody sat on the edge of my cot. Two arms pulled me against a warm chest. “Rain, be still, it’s ok, everything is all right. You’re safe Rain.” The person cooed softly. My breath came in shaky gasps. I clang to the body in front of me, burying my face into his chest. My mind slowly caught up to reality. I gradually began to recognize Jinxx’s voice as he murmured comforting words as he tenderly rubbed my back.
I caught my breath and my heart slowed to its normal rate. “Just a dream…” I murmured to myself softly.
“That’s right, Rain,” Jinxx whispered. “It was nothing more than a terrible dream. You’re safe. Nothing can harm you. It’s gone now.”
The tears came back and I sniffled. “That’s the point,” I sobbed softly. “She’s gone… forever.” I once again began to weep into Jinxx’s chest.
Jinxx cradled me close and rocked my slowly. “Who?” He asked, his voice barely above. How can such a simple question hurt so much.
“My grandma… my Nanny…” I whimpered. I felt like a small child in Jinxx’s arms. But it felt safe, like hugging a teddy bear to scare away the ugly monsters in the closet and under the bed.
“Hush now… It’s all right. She is in a better place.” Jinxx cooed. “She is in God’s care now.” He rocked me softly and just let me cry. I just hugged him and let it all out.
As I calmed down his words finally seemed to register with me. “I thought you didn’t believe God existed… or something like that?” I muttered hoarsely against the fabric of Jinxx’s shirt. He chuckled softly.
Jinxx gave a soft groan, his hand griping my shoulder tightly. I glanced up at him and even in the dim light I could see his face twist in irritation. I glanced over his shoulder and gasped as I spotted a mass of skin and bone sprouting from his back. Jinxx rubbed my arm softly as I continued to watch as the mass grew and took shape, developing soft black feathers as well. Jinx stretch his wings and wrapped them around us. I looked at the wings that encircled us. I reached out and ran my hand over the feathers in childish wonder. They were soft to the touch, almost like velvet.
“If God did not exist, than neither would I or anyone else.” Jinxx whispered. “Andy, Jake, Ashley, CC, and I are Fallen Angels. We have seen God with our own eyes. We fell because we felt we didn’t belong in Heaven. We are bound to Earth because Lucifer feels we are too good for Hell.” Jinxx stroked my hair and gently turned my face to look him in the eye. “God is real and your grandmother is with him now, that I can assure you. She watches over you and your family from heaven. She is proud to call you her granddaughter.” His thumb brushed over my cheek whipping away tears softly.
I took a deep calming breath and wrapped my arms around Jinxx’s neck. “Thank you,” I whispered as I hugged him close.
He rubbed my back and squeezed me gently. “Dinner is ready, Rain. Pull yourself together and go eat.”
I smiled at him softly as we parted. I used the sleeve of my shirt to dab away the tears that still remained. Jinxx and I stood together and walked to the entrance.
“Go on, I’ll be out in a second.” Jinx said gently pushing me towards the tent flap. I nodded and exited the tent into the chilly evening air. Nearby, everyone sat around a blazing fire.
“There you are!” Hayden called from his place between Windy and Jane on the far side of the fire. I smiled and walked over to join my friends for dinner.


»»»«««


I looked after Rain and sighed. My wings drew back into my body and I looked the sky. Thanks for helping me with that. I thought.
“It is what she already knew, she just need reassuring of the truth.” A voice sounded, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
I nodded, taking a deep breath and squaring my shoulders before exiting the tent.


»»»«««


“So why do you all tell us about yourselves.” Jake said after a as dinner was coming to an end. By now the sky had grown dark, the only light coming from the stars, the moon, and the fire.
I glanced around. Everyone but Daniel looked a little nervous.
Daniel shrugged a little. “Guess I’ll go first.” He took a deep breath. “There really isn’t much to tell. I grew up in a loving home with brothers and sister. We went to church, vacations, you know, just family stuff. I am a straight A student with no detention record. I do my best to be at school unless I absolutely can’t go. I’ve never really seen the point in defying rules and laws for pleasure—”
“Basically he is a goodie-two-shoe.” Destiny interjected jokingly. Daniel rolled his eyes a little but smiled at his girlfriend. “I might as well go next.” Destiny said, taking a moment to collect her thoughts before beginning. “I was born in and grew up in Lowell, Arkansas. It was pretty good as far as my home life went, but school was a different story. I didn’t have many friends. I was bullied… a lot. I even was suicidal at one point. But my dad got a job promotion and we moved to Oklahoma. Of course no one likes to leave the only home they’ve ever known, even if they weren’t happy in it. But none the less, we moved into a little house outside McAlester, Oklahoma. I went to a small school, Krebs Elementary, and I met Rain, back when she still had brown hair.” We smiled at each other. “Krebs was terrible so my parents moved me to the middle school in McAlester. There I met Windy,” Windy smiled, “and Dan,” Daniel smiled and grabbed her hand, “and others. From there life just got better. Rain and I went to church together and then school as well since eighth grade. There were little bumps here and there but all around, everything was pretty good. Then things went downhill a bit.” Destiny bit her lip, her shoes becoming very interesting. Daniel squeezed her hand, knowing what was coming next.
“If it is too hard for you, you don’t have to continue.” Ashley said softly.
“No, it’s ok,” Destiny whispered. “It’s just my mother died a few years ago.” The atmosphere of the group turned somber. I move around the fire to sit next to Destiny. She took my hand and shakily continued. “My mom was my best friend. She saw me through all the ups and downs life took. Then she was just gone.” She sniffed a little. I hugged her and rubbed her arm softly.
CC came and kneeled in front of Destiny. “Losing family is hard, especially when they’re that close to you.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “But it makes you stronger. Yes it hurts like hell, but in death comes life.” Destiny looked at him teary eyed. He smiled softly. “Your mother’s strength lives on in you. She is your strength.” CC softly brushed away a tear from Destiny’s cheek. Destiny smiled softly.
“Who’s next?” CC asked getting comfortable on the ground next to me.
“Ah, what the hell,” Hayden muttered, “might as well get it over with.” He shifted a little on the ground then cleared his throat. “I was born and raised in Oklahoma. Home was ok, not the best but nothing to really complain about. Mom and dad had their… issues, but always managed to put me first. I personally never really like my farther, mostly because I was, and still am a bit of a mama’s boy. Every time they fought, my dad would always leave and my mom would sit in the kitchen or living room and just cry. My parents divorced when I was 10. My distain for my father only grew from there. There was a huge custody battle over me for about three years. But mom won full custody when my dad went to jail for, well, basically kidnaping me.” All but Windy, Jane, Samuel, and I had a look of pure shock on their face. Hayden shrugged. “It was out of desperation. He had this firm belief that a boy should be raise by his father, with or without a mother. Now he can’t come within 200 yards of me without being arrested. From there life has been pretty good. Yeah I’ve dealt with bullies and shit, but I’ve had my mom and close friends to help me and a gorgeous girlfriend too.” He smiled at Windy and kissed her.
Jane made fake gaging noises. Windy rolled her eyes and playfully punched Jane’s arm.
“Your turn, Love?” Hayden asked looking at Windy.
“Fuck it,” Windy mumbled as she got comfortable leaning back on Hayden’s chest. “Like Hayden I was born and raised in Oklahoma on a small family farm. I was never really like the rest of my family and no one understood me, except my Grandpa. I was close to him and confided in him when life was hard.” Windy frowned a little and looked at her hands. “He died when I was ten. Life just turned to hell after that. My parents split and I lived with my dad because I just couldn’t stand my mother. That lasted until I was fourteen, then my dad started dating a gold-digging whore. I hated—hate—her and her obnoxious slut of a daughter. They stole my personal thing and made my life even worse. They even turned my dad completely against me—granted he was never too happy with my life choices. So I moved in with my mom in Hugo. Life was still hell but it was better… well a little. School sucked. Mom and I learned to tolerate each other. And my dad has been trying to win me back ever since. Ironic considering he said I couldn’t go back to him once I moved in with mom.” She smiled a little. Hayden squeezed her and kissed her cheek.
“I might as well go next.” Jane said throwing the twig she had been picking at in to the fire. “Well… My story is a lot like Windy’s, in some ways. My Family has never been all too excepting, at least not my mother’s side. They’re all stuck-up and bitchy. My dad’s side was cool, pretty crazy though. They split when I was six. I lived with my mother most of the time, but spent as much time with my dad as possible.” She chuckled. “By the time I was twelve I had tried everything from beer to pot thanks to my dad…Without my mother’s knowledge, of course. It was all parties and fun with dad. But that ended…” her lip trembled.
I reached over CC and gave her knee a light squeeze. “You want me to finish for you?” I asked sincerely. It was always hard for her talking about her dad.
She looked at me teary eyed and shook her head, then curled up into a ball and stared into the fire. “Dad died of a heart attack while driving. The car ended up in a deep ditch. No one else was hurt… He was my best friend, so it hit me pretty fucking hard… hard enough to push me to rock bottom. I pretty much drowned myself in booze and drugs to cope. It didn’t help that my mother pretty much hated me from the start. It fact it made it worse.” Jane glared at the fire. “She pretty much stole any money dad left me. She also took my paychecks when I started working. She would yell at me and pretty much curse my existence.” Jane paused, her eyes softening. She looked me in the eye before continuing. “Rain and her family were pretty much my saving grace. She was the only sober person I knew. She gave me someone to talk to when I really couldn’t talk to anyone else. She and her family helped pull me away from the people who really didn’t care. Hell, her mom got her lawyer boss to represent me when I was emancipated just to get me away from my mom.” We smiled at each other. “I still smoke weed occasionally, but not as often and I’m off cigarettes. I moved to Hugo with my cousin about a year ago because my mom stared harassing me because she wanted me to pay for her lazy, jobless ass.”
Jane took a deep breath and wiped away the tears that still stained her cheek. CC lead over a little and gave her a one armed hug make her smile a little.
“My turn, I guess,” Samuel said. He cleared his throat. “I’m an Army Brat. My mom works intelligents and is bounced from base to base. I followed her until I was thirteen and just got sick and tired of moving so much. So she sent me to live with my grandparents in Hugo, Oklahoma. My dad ditched us when I was two. Though he has recently come back to try and be part of my life. Fat Chance. I don’t give two shits about him and his bottle blond ditz of a girlfriend. I’ve been bullied since I was thirteen because I’m ‘An Emo Fag’. It just became something to ignore. Ironically I am gay, but I proudly accept my tittle of Fag. I also converted to Satanism a few years ago, to the displeasure of most of my family. Beyond all that things have been pretty bland.”
“That’s a god thing.” Jake interjected, earning a smile from Samuel.
“I guess that just leaves you, Rain.” Daniel said.
I stiffened as all eyes shifted to me. I’d been dreading this moment. I took a deep breath and willed my heart to slow down.
“Like Samuel I’m a Military Brat, but my dad was in the navy. He retired when I was seven. We moved to McAlester when I was about eight. That’s when I started getting really vivid visions. I‘d always had them, but these were longer and more detailed. I just ignored them, playing it off as daydreaming. Life was good then. Nothing really bad happened for about four years. I met Jane then I was nine, Destiny when I was ten. Things were pretty good. Then just after my twelfth birthday I got a horrific vision…” my voice hitched in my throat.
Destiny wrapped her arm around me. CC sqweezed my knee reassuringly.
“It’s ok Rain,” Jinxx said softly, “don’t force yourself to relive them.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and continued. “…I was taking to a specialist who diagnosed me with some form of schizophrenia and prescribed meds and therapy.
“From there things were ok. I met Windy in eighth grade. I survived life through the first two years of high school. Then my grandma died about a month after my seventeenth birthday. Personally I was a relief to know she was no longer dealing with the pain and confusion of Alzheimer’s. What really hurt was watching my mom and grandpa fight. Things at home got a little tense and I was getting stressed over it and the fact my meds weren’t kicking in until just after a hallucination would start. So I took up smoking. Not the best choice I’ve ever made and not the easiest thing to hide from my parents, but I did, for almost a year. Destiny told my parents and they had an intervention and somehow got me to quit. I was also put on a high dosage of my schizophrenia meds and a light antidepressant. Soon after, my mom and grandpa stopped fighting. About a month ago I was taken off the antidepressant, but my doctor told me to keep the prescription just in case I fell back into whatever dark hole that had swallowed me.”
“You have that with you right?” Ashley asked a little anxiously.
I smiled at him. “I told you earlier: I’m insane, not stupid.”
Everyone laughed lightly, the serious mood easing.