Gabriel's Hope

"It won't be today," she said, starting to freak out again at the cold shadows and the scary man.

"By all means, you are free to go." He stepped out of her path.

Deidre moved past him timidly, expecting him to attack her. He didn't, and she paused in front of her destination to glance back. She sensed danger and promise from the freaky guy loitering in the shadow world. His offer was tempting. Of everyone she'd dealt with, he was the first to give her a real choice: Life or death. Slow deterioration or an eternity. The idea she had a choice was strangely empowering. Accustomed to the thought of dying, she viewed the option of living as …weird.

There had to be more to what this creature offered. What kind of stranger - Immortal or otherwise - gave a blank check to someone who probably screwed him over in a past life?

"It can't be that easy," she voiced.

"Life or death? The simplest choice there is," he assured her.

"Was your relationship with past-Deidre good or bad?"

"There were no good relationships with past-Deidre. Only quid quo pro. What form that took was almost always of her determination. I respected that," Darkyn replied.

Uncertain how to interpret the response, Deidre shook her head and faced the portal. Life was possible. He'd given her something to think about, but her instincts were screaming at her not to have anything to do with this creature.

She emerged in the gardens. It was later than she thought, mid-afternoon by the heat. She was relieved to see Wynn wasn't on the patio. Anxiety filled her once more at the idea he might've been replaced by a demon by now. She wasn't going to lose her only friend, not after all he'd done for her.

Entering the house, she heard nothing indicating he was home. She felt awful leaving him out of the blue, without saying farewell or thanking him.

He'll be safe this way, she told herself again, hoping that was the case.

Deidre ascended the stairs to her room and gathered her things. She shrugged the backpack on and grabbed the bag at her feet. She couldn't take everything this trip, but she had the most important stuff.

A light knock at the door made her stop in place.

"Deidre? I thought you'd left." His voice came from the hallway.

"No, just …" running out on you in the middle of the day after all you've done to help me. "You can come in, Wynn."

The door opened, and she stared at him.

"What happened?" she exclaimed. His eye was black, one of his cheekbones yellow.