The early morning was a cold one. A blanket of fog lay over the rolling hills of farmland. Limbs of the vast trees hung low heavily with frost. The horses nearby stretched their necks reaching for the apples that were now low enough to eat. They swatted their tails and shook their heads as the farmer chased them away from his dear apple trees.

     Samuel headed for the barn bundled in a heavy coat. His knobby knees peaking out as he walked. He couldn't be bothered to find any pants but grabbed the shorts that were tossed on the floor from the day before.

     He heaved open the heavy barn doors and got to work preparing the wagon and horses for the trip. Samuel ignored the heap sleeping in the corner as he passed by grabbing what he needed to chase down the horses. A task now a bit more challenging now that they would be pissed from being chased from their breakfast of apples.

     Raden sat on a sack of feed still half asleep. He quietly watched as Samuel zipped around the large draft horse that stood calmly. It was curious and followed wherever Samuel was. To be frank, it mostly wanted treats and knew the little boy was the key.

     Samuel heaved the large collar over the horse's head with a grunt and slight struggle. It didn't help that the horse reared its head back in protest. Samuel grabbed the horse's bit and pulled down firmly. He reached into his pocket pulling out a sugar cube and managed to slip the collar over its neck and secure it in place. Samuel tossed the reins over the horses back and rested them on the wagon seat. He stepped back, investigating everything one more time before finally being happy.

     "You're an impressive little man." Raden peered under the belly of the beast.

     "It's nothing really," Samuel answered. He heaved a saddle from its resting place. "Just something to help Papa's travel into town." He toddled outside with the saddle that was almost as big as he was. The black beauty snorted shuffling around to eye the two that emerged from the barn.

     Raden ran a hand down the horse's nose admiring the beast. "You don't go with him?" There was a solid thud causing Raden to lean around and see Samuel climbing a wooden step stool with a saddle that weighed as much as he did. "I got it." Raden easily tossed the saddle over the horse's back like it was air.

     "Papa says town is full of..."

     "Samuel, cinch that saddle and go inside."

     The old farmer carried a crate of eggs into the barn and Raden followed him in. He secured the last crate into the wagon and was checking the rest. "Samuel doesn't need to be exposed to all that... depravity."

     Raden crossed his arms. He bit his tongue hard enough to taste the metallic blood, but it kept him from saying something he would come to regret. Any kindness he had thought of this man was now forgotten.

     "Don't look at me like that." The farmer turned around. "You of all people should know the evil that does their bidding in places like Asra."

     "If the evil I deal with is doing their bidding in shit towns then it wouldn't be standing." He waited for a response or even a reaction. The farmer gave nothing away.

     The farmer swatted a hand towards Raden as he passed by. "He's safe here on the farm." He climbed up and sat with a bounce as the wagon creaked beneath him.

     Raden stood at the wheel of the wagon peering up at the farmer. "Your wife thought the same thing." The farmer snapped his attention to Raden with hatred. He knew he had hit a nerve. "You can be angry all you want, but I'm right and you know it."

     The reins whipped through the air and the horses lugged the cart out, leaving Raden standing alone. He sighed and shook his head. Sure it wasn't his place to tell someone how to parent. These people were basically strangers. One thing Raden did know was the danger of ignorance, and that was what this poor boy was.

     Raden untied the other horse and jumped up. He steered her towards the worn trail only to see the farmer sitting still on the road. Raden rose up next to him and met the farmer's gaze. They held many years of memories and stories both good and bad.

     "He's the only thing I have left of her."

     "You can't keep the world hidden from him."

     The farmer looked to the house. A small plume of smoke floated from the chimney. The morning chill seemed too much and Samuel began a fire.

     "Samuel!" The farmer turned to Raden. "You promise me that you'll protect my son."

     "With my life," Raden swore. He meant it.

     Samuel stood in the doorway wrapped in a large blanket. "Yeah!"

     "Grab your boots and coat. And hurry up!"

     Samuel erupted in a bright smile and rushed back in forgetting the cold. A few minutes later the three were off to town. Samuel wouldn't stop asking his father questions, making Raden chuckle. However, Raden's mind wandered to Azrael. He prayed, and that wasn't a habit he intended on keeping, she was okay. That she was still alive.

~~~*~~~

     Once she had settled her nerves, Azrael threw herself into festival prep. She went to the florist picking up what was needed but spent the morning combing through shops for any decorations. A grumble came from Azrael's stomach as she was strolling through the farmer's market. Her mind had been so fixed on preparations, she had completely forgotten to eat.

     There was a small tavern that sat snuggled into a small alley away from the crowded market. Azrael made a B-line for the door and rushed in. The streets were becoming busier with people coming in already making it harder to get around.

     The smell of moldy bread hit her senses and Azrael scrunched her nose.

     No wonder this place is deserted.

     Only a handful of patrons sat at the bar looking half drunk from the night. Azrael decided to sit at a table near the door incase of a needed escape. There was a decent view of the bustling street, but it was a challenge peering through the window that was in need of cleaning.

     A lady dressed in a simple beige dress stained with a plethora of mysteries walked over with a pad and quill in hand. Her iridescent wings hung resting behind her. "What can I get you?"

     Azrael looked up and gave a smile. It was not reciprocated. "Oh... I'll just take water and your stew." Hopefully both wouldn't kill her on the spot.

     "Anything else?"

     Azrael shook her head and the waitress left without another word.

     You would feel the same if you had to deal with all those drunks.

     She decided a nice tip would be a kind gesture.

     Azrael pulled out her book and thumbed through it. The hum of the muffled city outside kept enough silence out that it didn't drive Azrael crazy. She was intrigued with the amount of ways to heal and treat wounds. Herbs and plants she would've never expected to use. This would be something to study more when she was back at the inn.

     A cough caught her attention and she peered up from her reading. A gentleman sat across from her with a playful smirk and glazed eyes. He seemed a little older but only by a few years. His hair was tied back in a braid. She gently closed the book and focused her attention on the stranger.

     "Can I help you," Azrael asked.

     "I was just intrigued that a pretty little thing like yourself was brave enough to walk in here alone." He reached for the book with long slender fingers. "The many powers of natural earth." He glanced through pages without a second thought. Azrael sat up a bit straighter and tightened her grasp on the bag. The stranger finally looked up. "So tell me, what's something like you doing here?"

     "Just thought I would stop for lunch."

     He gestured to the bar. Two men passed out with half drunk beers. "Why don't you join me at the bar? I'll buy you a nice drink."

     Azrael smiled softly. Her teeth clenched together and anger bubbled in her core. "I'm happy right here thank you." She reached across the table for her book but the stranger pulled back. "If you would, I'd like that back."

     "My apologies." He sat it down and left. Azrael let out a sigh of relief but her gut was still telling her to leave. Before she could even stand, her food was brought out.

     It'll be wasting perfectly good food.

     She groaned but decided to stay. A few moments later the same man sat back down with his drink slammed on the table. Drink sloshed on the page of the book causing Azrael to jump back.

     She snapped her book close and glared at him. "What is this?"

     "What?"

     "I was enjoying a quiet lunch and you interrupted it," Azrael answered in a matter-of-fact tone. She wiped her arm on the skirt of her dress and tossed the book in her bag.

     The man shifted in his seat and something passed over his eyes but it was long gone before Azrael could figure out what it was. "Can I not be nice and say hello?"

     "Hello," Azrael answers with sarcasm, "Now please leave me alone."

     "Oh come on don't be like that." He reached across to take Azrael's hand. "Why don't we start over and get to know each other," he paused, waiting for any sign from Azrael to keep going, but she sat there with fear and disgust plastered across her face. "Alright well, beautiful my name is Lucas. Who might you be?"

     Azrael pulled her hand back quickly. "None of your concern."

     Lucas didn't like that response. His grip tightened on her hand and his smile disappeared. "When someone shows you kindness, you're supposed to show some back," he said in a dangerous tone.

     "Well, when you get cornered by a strange man, being nice isn't the first thing that comes to mind." Azrael stood, slammed a few coins on the table and left without finishing her meal.

     She raced out of the tavern into the bustling street. She pushed through the crowd not daring to look back. Azrael looked around trying to find a store to pop into before he could spot her, but it was too late.

     "Someone grab that bitch!" An evil smirk grew on his lips as he jumped into the sea of people.

     A cold chill ran through Azrael as panic soon set in. Her chest tightened and her breath hitched in her throat. All she knew was to run and so she did. The sea of people seemed to grow and grow around her making it harder to move. The cobble stones caused her to trip in her rush and instill fear. She pushed through with some unkind words from bystanders, but at this point, she didn't care. She turned back for the first time and didn't see Lucas which should have put her at ease but it made her stomach turn. As she blindly moved forward, Azrael ran into something soft and warm.

     In a haze, she stepped back and a giant fuzzy nose nudged her. Azrael peered up and met the beast's eyes.

     "Young lady, watch where you are walking," an older man said.

     "I'm sorry," she answered in a rush, but it wasn't quick enough. A hand wrapped around her upper arm and pulled her away from the horse. The smell of stale alcohol hit her nose causing her stomach to twist.

     "There you are." His voice sent a shiver down Azrael's spine. "Thank you, kind sir. It's just so hard keeping up with this one." Azrael looked up at the man trying to send pleas for help.

     The man kept a straight face looking between Lucas and Azrael. "Just tell her to watch out for other riders, will you? She could've spooked my horse."

     "Of course." Lucas had a fake smile plastered on his face. He tightened his grip on Azrael's arm and she grimaced. "Have a good rest of your day." Lucas pulled her away before the man could say anything else. He pulled her close and in front of him as he continued pushing through the crowd. "You were quite rude leaving like that."

     "Let me go," Azrael squirmed but between Lucas' tight grip and the crowd she was stuck with nowhere to go.

     "Hey now. Just calm down would you." He struggled against Azrael but overpowered her. She soon realized that he was heading in another direction.

     She fought against his grip but it didn't help. No one around them seemed to notice the situation or didn't care to help. Azrael felt the tears brim her eyes and her vision blur. It seemed helpless.

     "Where are we going," Azrael asked, her voice shaking just a bit.

     Lucas peered down and smiled. "Seeing how you weren't enjoying yourself in the tavern, I thought taking you back to my room would be... a better place to get to know each other."

      Azrael's eyes went wide and she started pulling back from Lucas. "No no no. Let me go now..." She kept struggling as he dragged her along trying to keep eyes off of them. Azrael's stomach dropped to the ground as she realized that this could be the end.

~~~*~~~

     Raden maneuvered his way through the crowded streets which wasn't easy. Many were stopping in his way trying to get a better view of him. Even though many odd characters made their way in and out of Asra, seeing a celestial wasn't an everyday occurrence. So he pushed through and found his way through and eventually caught up to the father-son duo.

     Samuel turned back at the sound of hooves against cobblestone and smiled. "You found us!"

     "Finally yeah." The man turned at the sound of Raden and nodded. Raden could tell he was in a perturbed mood. "You okay?"

     "He's just upset that a girl ran into Lily," Samuel explained. His father seems to glance back and give a warning glance.

     Raden nodded, pushing the thought to the back of his mind. "Well thank you for getting me here." He went to dismount when the farmer stopped him from handing back the reins.

     "Keep her."

     "What?" Raden asked

     "It was my wife's horse. I want you to keep her for your travels. Gods know I have a debt to repay to your kind," the farmer sighed.

     "Tell me your name then."

     "Theodore," he answered.

     "Well, Theodore and Samuel, thanks for your help. I'll give a good word to my master for you both." Raden smiled and nodded. Samuel waved a sad goodbye. Raden pulled on the reins to begin walking opposite of the crowd, but something was pulling at his mind.

     Ask about the girl. He shook his head. There were hundred if not thousands pouring into the town. There's no way, but the what if grew.

     He turned back and called out. "Theodore!" Both turned back peering across the crowds forming to get better glances at the angel. "The girl. What did she look like?"

     Theodore thought for a moment. "She had long red hair..."

     It's her.

     "Which way did she go!"

     Samuel pointed down against the crowd and Raden was off. He yelled out for people to move or be run over. It was efficient and got him where he needed to be. He kept his head on a swivel keeping an eye out for that signature red hair.

     Up ahead, there seemed to be a man walking swiftly holding onto another person. Raden looked closer and saw a glimpse of red hair almost ignited in the sunlight. He couldn't be sure it was her but needed to get a better look. He rode around to get ahead of the couple. Then his blood ran cold. The girl had swung around frantically trying to get away from the man and moved enough for Raden to see her face.

      "Azrael!"

~~~*~~~

     Azrael turned to find who called her name and saw him. "Raden?" She pulled away trying to get a better look at who called her. Lucas yanked her toward a building. Azrael prayed it was in fact Raden. "Raden! Help me!"

     Lucas clapped a hand over her mouth before she could scream again and practically dragged her into a small room. No one seemed to be on the main floor and Lucas easily made his way up to the second floor even with Azrael kicking. He managed to open the door to his room and slung her in.

     "God, you're a lot more trouble than I thought." Lucas entered and slammed the door behind him. "Now, how about you be a good girl and cooperate?" He walked over to Azrael and picked her up only to slam her against the wall. He held tight around each wrist and Azrael cried out in pain. Lucas buried his face in her hair taking a deep breath. "You smell so sweet. I wonder how you taste?"

     Azrael froze with fear as Lucas pressed into her more.

     Okay okay, calm down Azrael. Just think. What can we do to get away? Azrael looked around as much as she could without moving her head. There's no moving our hands and we can't get to the bag. Shovel your feet.

     "Excited, are we?" Lucas smiled into Azrael's neck.

     Azrael thought quickly and raised her left knee up to meet that sweet spot. "Nope, now neither are you." Lucas fell with moans of pain and Azrael went for her bag. She turned around and saw Lucas trying to get up and went and kicked him hard in the ribs for good measure before running out.

     "YOU BITCH!" Lucas groaned. "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

     Azrael didn't look back this time. She could hear Lucas continue to yell and curse as she made her way down and stared into the lobby. Tears in her eyes blurred her vision. A figure appeared in the doorway and Azrael couldn't make out who it was.

     "Are you okay?"

     Azrael was in a storm of emotions and couldn't quite think straight. "Wha... what?"

     "Azrael, look at me." Gentle hands were placed on her shoulders and she saw him through the blur of her tears.

     "Raden." She reached out to touch his cheek making sure he wasn't just a figment of her imagination.

     "Where is he?" Azrael didn't say a word but let out a sob. Raden sat her down next to the wall. "I'll be back, don't move okay."

     He turned and headed upstairs. Worry soon turned to rage once he realized what had happened to Azrael. His eyes flashed red and his fist clenched tighter. Hitting the second floor he saw Lucas now standing but looking hurt.

     "Who the hell are you," Lucas asked.

     Raden's eyes flashed red again and he stepped forward with all the anger in the world crashing down with each step. With a deep calm voice, Raden spoke, "A living nightmare."