It was a feeling of severe loneliness that led to suffocation. I was getting goosebumps from head to toe; my feet were cold and clammy. There was something otherworldly around me. It was the same sensation whenever I used my power but more intensified. Was this my Lord's way of telling me that He was always by my side? Was He finally giving me the embrace I needed from Him to heal my broken soul?

I was blissful yet at the same time I was confused.

Why now?

Why didn't He make his presence known when I was calling for Him?

As I thought of this, this made me slightly furious and disappointed.

When I found out that dad cheated on mom, I prayed to my Lord for his encirclement, yet Samantha and Derek were the ones to give me their warmth.

When my parents physically and verbally abused me, I reached out to my Lord for help yet Mister Wall was the one who came.

Maybe my Lord extended His hand to me through Mister Wall and Derek's family. That was the most logical explanation. Yes, now I understand. It was foolish of me to underestimate my Lord. I should always place my trust on Him because He will never dissatisfy me.

God is good.

My faith was slowly replenished. My Lord really cared for me.

The weight of cold force on my shoulders was lifted; Samael's lips curled into a smile of annoyance mixed with amusement. A body moved beside me and I was amazed at how tall he was. What caught my eyes the most was his short silver-hair. He had this strange air around him that made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. He had almost the same muscular build as Samael, but his white skin was in contrast with the devious man.

"You're a new student? Why did you come so late?" Samael questioned.

The boy grunted as his response. I raised my head to get a look of his stern expression. He had those cold gray eyes that seemed to want to vanquish Samael from this world.

"I had things to attend to from my old school," he replied. His voice was smooth and deep like it was coated with thick honey.

"Are you always this late?" Samael queried, emphasizing the last word. Why do I feel like they knew each other?

"It depends..." he answered. He kept his cool just like the bloke in front of me who was always mischievous and cunning. Both men appeared to have the need to bite each other's head off. Why do they detest each other so much at first meeting? I never saw two people wanting to kill each other at first glance.

"Then why now?"

The aura between them was intimidating. "It's none of your malevolent business!" the new student snapped, losing his composed character for a second.

Samael snickered. "Well I gotta tell you this, you're really late. This isn't the right time for you to transfer here. I suggest you leave," he warned.

"Who are you to tell me what to do? I firmly believe that God has made my timing right for me. He is perfect.

"If He was perfect, then why are His creations imperfect?" Samael retorted. "A perfect being should be able to craft flawless creation yet humans are the opposite of being unblemished." That was true yet my Lord always had His reasons. He was a rational God.

"I think you already know the answer to that," the silver-haired man replied. He crossed his arms over the vast expanse of his tight black shirt.

"He purposely made humans with flaws right? So what? He can fuck with our lives? So that He can see us suffer and beg for His blessings?"

I shook my head in disagreement with what Samael was saying. My Lord loved His children. He wouldn't want us to suffer! Sure, He made me go through hellish situations, but perhaps it was because He wanted to see if I could make it through all the tribulations with Him in my heart.

He frowned at Samael. "He wants to test our loyalty to Him. He wants to see if humans will strive for His standard of perfection to please Him, unlike you who betrayed Him."

"Heh, that you know and that I'm proud of, I'm done serving Him a long time ago. I only live for one person now; he is my light and you betrayed him."

He must be talking about the person he frequently drew during class.

Samael cracked his knuckles; I dreaded that this would end in a brawl. He let out one huff of chuckle that was triggered with disbelief just from the look of his face. He turned his back on us, walking away. That bitter look on his face got me worried for him. Would he ever come back to serve my Lord?

"Samael!" I called out to him but he ignored me and left. He was supposed to accompany me to Mister Wall's office but he may not be in the mood anymore.

"Your name is Keetan, right?" His aggravated eyes on Samael were now softened with temperate friendliness. Mister Wall, Samael and this man really towered over me. What vitamins do they take? I still had a chance to grow up. Human growth will stop at the age of 21.

"Ah yes, I am, and what is your name?"

He extended his smooth and big hand towards me, giving me a gentle smile. I feel as if I was looking at another angel; however, Mister Wall's smile will always be superior. "My name is Raphael. I just moved here alone. My parents are working abroad."

I took his warm hand that strangely sent electric chills all over my body like I had touched a saint, not that I had touched one before, but I reckoned that this was the sensation I would feel once I have come in contact with one.

"I had heard from the gossips around town about your parents. I extend my deepest sympathies for what happened. Please remember, the Lord will always be with you."

I thought I was listening to myself when he talked. I smiled at Raphael, shaking his hand. "I will never forget that; I will do my best to serve Him."

Raphael hummed in satisfaction. He had the same pitch of voice as Mister Wall. I wonder if Mister Wall would sing for me if I asked him?

"I will see you this Sunday, Keetan. I do hope that you can attend church this week."

I nodded. I missed several worship days. What if the people did not want to be healed for they thought that my power would be more of a curse than a blessing for what had happened to my parents? It would be heartbreaking if I heard someone say that my power was not from God and I was some curse to my parents. I would like to continue my service to my Lord for blessing me with Derek and his family, for my new friends and for Mister Wall who I just really look up to.

Raphael walked to the direction where Samael went. I decided to just deliver these papers alone. I knocked against the door of the faculty and said good morning to a few teachers in their cubicles. I asked where Mister Wall's desk was and they pointed at the far left corner of the room. His cubicle looked like the office of some president with the finely polished mahogany desk. It was rather spacious since Mister Wall got to put in a low coffee table and one cream colored sofa. There was also a shelf for books and a metal cabinet for papers. I placed the papers on his desk and curiously picked up a paper that had a sketch of an angel's wings in the middle. The words were written in beautiful cursive handwriting.

There was a playful little angel named Miniel. When I first saw him, he was a shy boy who barely talked. He hid behind his father's legs whenever I visited. As the years passed and the boy grew up, we became close and I harbored feelings that were never meant to exist. I tried to draw my attention to other things, making him upset. My constant rejection left him to defy one of God's commands.

He cried for my forgiveness and I gave in. I lost my control and made love to him. He was my first love and my first sin.

One night, during our heated love, we were caught by one of the archangels. He threatened us for us to stop yet I was determined to hold on to this sinful love for the simple reason that I love Miniel. I gathered the angels who were tired of serving the God of creation; we rose into rebellion, but unfortunately...

We lost.

I lost my position as the left hand of God.

I lost my place in heaven.

I lost my Miniel.

I screamed and exploded with hatred and rage. I swore in front of the holy temple of heaven that I will rise again! I will avenge my lost beloved; I will avenge my broken heart.

Oh Miniel, how I love you so much!

How I wished you were in my arms once again!

Your laughter, your scent, your beauty are engraved in my core!

You are the source of my power; you are the reason for my anger.

This was the story of Lucifer wasn't it? Did Mister Wall write this? I placed the paper down on the table, walking backwards to sit on the sofa. I realized that my knees trembled and my shoulder blades throbbed. What happened to Miniel? Was he really the reason why Lucifer betrayed my Lord? I cupped my chest, closing my already wet eyes.

Ah...I have cried.

How painful this feeling was. I was more bothered today than the day when I saw my dad bleeding out.

"Keetan?" Mister Wall's voice sounded.

I opened my tear-filled eyes, finding Mister Wall at the entrance of the cubicle. His eyes were worried as he found me with tears. He sat beside me, placing his satchel on the floor.

"What's the matter?" he asked. It would be ridiculous if I told him that I cried because of the story. I cried because Lucifer lost his male lover. Why did I feel sorry for him? He was Satan. He betrayed my Lord for some boy who he shouldn't even be in love with. My Lord trusted him yet he destroyed my Lord's trust by doing immoral things in heaven. I should be angry at him yet...I could not will myself to. Mister Wall's comforting hand rubbed my back; I blushed for being pathetic.

Stop feeling sorry for Lucifer, Keetan!

He was Satan, he was evil. He was the enemy of my Lord!

But then...seeing that he was the left hand of my Lord, I could see why he decided to rebel. He was God's favorite; he already had formidable power. If he puts my Lord out of the throne, he could love Miniel without worrying about anyone hating on them. No one would dare tell him and Miniel that what they were doing was wrong. They would be freed.

"Mister Wall...what do you think Lucifer is thinking now after all those years that Miniel is gone?" I asked. Mister Wall's eyes slightly widened.

"You read about that?" he chuckled. "Is that why you are upset?"

I blushed. "Is it wrong that I feel sorry for Lucifer?" I asked him, my voice slightly shaky.

"Of course not darling and to answer your first question, Lucifer is thinking that he is now a lucky devil."

I looked at him curiously. "Why's that? Did he find another person to love?"

Mister Wall shook his head. "No...he finally found Miniel after all his waiting."

My heavy heart was lifted. The dark emotions I was feeling dissipated and turned into a morning sunshine of positivity. "How did you know?"

Mister Wall looked up for an explanation and smiled at me. He looked like he was supposed to tell me something but decided against it as he told me another justification. "It's in the plot of the book I was writing."

My mouth formed into an 'o' shape. "You're writing a book?! Can I read it, please?" If it was about a fictional Lucifer, then I wouldn't mind. Mister Wall ruffled my hair playfully.

"Of course, you will be the first one to be able to read the finished drafts.

"Thank you sir!" I chirped.

He rubbed my cheek with his thumb. My smile wore off as we stared at each other in the eyes. He appeared satisfied and relieved. He looked at me as if I was the most precious thing in the world. He called me the name that rolled out of his mouth with such love. It may be the effect of talking about his story but then...I didn't mind. It was a beautiful name for an angel after all.

"Anything for you...Miniel."