Fallen

Chapter 37. How to train an angel [Michael]

We agree to train outside while the last rays of the sun are still out and shining. It's mainly because of the slight fear that I might blow up the house in the process of practicing my powers. The risk of destroying the one roof we have over our heads.

Instead, we go out to the yard in the back, a bit further from the house. We near the dent in the ground from where I fell. There are still patches of grass lying in disarray. Wooden planks from the small house that previously stood now scattered everywhere. Although nature is quick to try and mend it. New grass is already growing in barren places. There are even small flowers blooming too.

My wings groan in pain from under their bindings, screaming to be let out. I decide to take off my shirt. The hairs on my arms start to stand up when they meet the chilly afternoon air, but it's easily ignored when my wings stretch to their fullest, singing in joy from finally being freed.

I look over at Caleb. I can see how his eyes drag themselves away from his phone. The phone he's been checking an absurd amount of times ever since it was charged back to life, leaving him with a constant frown ever since. His eyes land on me, and the frown is quickly replaced with something else. He licks his lips unconsciously, adam's apple bobbing with mild anticipation.

Lucy crosses her arms and bops her hip from where she's standing next to Caleb, peeking up at him with a smug look - all-knowing. It's easy to see when exactly Caleb notices he's been caught. The way he flushes and starts to blabber, sprouting excuse after excuse. When he's calmed down a little, a furious blush starts to form on his high cheekbones.

"Is it necessary for you to be shirtless when we're training?" Caleb asks half-heartedly. Too embarrassed by being caught ogling me by his little sister, although it's not really the first time. "I thought there was something on his chest," He coughs when Lucy gives him an unimpressed look.

"Really?" I cross my arms and raise my brow, a clear notion of puzzlement. I say it to add to his embarrassment. He's cute when he's all flushed.

"I'm sure you have noticed Caleb, but M is always shirtless," She jumps in. "He's straight out of a young adult show."

I have no idea what that is, but I take it as a compliment.

"Shut up," Caleb pushes her slightly on the shoulder, rolling his eyes. I turn my back to both of them. Zoning out their snarky remarks to each other. Staring ahead into the forest, I close my eyes. I don't know where to start. How to summon the power that I held last night. Do I just close my eyes and wish for it to show? Or do I have to be in fight mode once again for the power to channel?

"Aren't you freezing, though?" Caleb jumps in, taking me out of my thoughts.

"Not really," I reply shortly, turning around. "But I like having my wings out."

"Think fast," Lucy abruptly yells. Before I manage to fully react, a ball flies through the air. It smacks me right in the face, causing me to lose my footing and fall ungracefully to the ground.

I groan in pain, but mostly in surprise.

"Lucy!" Caleb cries out. "What did you do that for?"

"I wanted to catch him by surprise," Lucy tosses back. "I thought he was gonna be all surprised and use his powers to like, not get hit in the face."

Caleb kneels down next to me as I raise myself on my elbows and rub the side of my sore face. "Oh yeah," He chuckles. "What a well-thought-out plan."

"Sorry," Lucy winces. "I really thought it would work."

"Maybe tell me your plan next time," I say. "And try using something that I won't get smacked in the face with either."

"You okay?" Caleb asks, taking my face in his hands and rubbing my cheek with his thumb.

"Yeah," I reply. "I only see two of you now."

I let Caleb help me stand up, brushing the dirt off of my pants.

"Where did you even get that basketball?" Caleb turns around and glares at Lucy, pointing to the ball that has made its way back to Lucy's hands.

"I wasn't even aware we had any."

"I found it in the garage," Lucy shrugs.

"Okay, this time, will you please refrain from physically hurting M anymore?" Caleb asks.

"Roger that, sir," Lucy says, giving him a thumbs up.

"Maybe you should just close your eyes and try to focus on summoning your flashlight abilities," Caleb points out. Not that I haven't already tried that, kind of.

"I'll try," I say. "But I need you guys to be quiet."

They both shut up instantly. Lucy mimics being a lock and throws away the key.

I close my eyes again, focusing on something I'm not quite sure of yet.

I try to channel the pure energy I felt last night. There's a warmth tingling in the tips of my fingers.

Suddenly there's a sneeze coming from Caleb. I turn around in frustration, glaring at him lightly. Lucy punches him in the arm.

"Dude, he was so close to doing something," She says.

"Sorry."

"This is not working," I say. It's not the same as last night. There was a surge of urgency, we were getting attacked, and Caleb was in danger.

All of these things helped me channel my power, one I had no idea I even had to begin with. But now, there's just nothing.

"Hey, we have time," Caleb then says. "Don't fuss too much about it."

"What are you talking about? You saw what those beasts were capable of. I'm not going to sit around and hide anymore, I want to fight, to get my memories back, and I want you to be safe again." I shake my head. "And I can't do that if I don't know how to fight these monsters properly."

I should tell him about the man behind the beasts, the man I don't know the name of, but who wants me gone and will do anything in his power to achieve that. Even though I still don't understand it fully, he should know. But right now is not the time. Not with Lucy around. There are just some things she doesn't need to know.

"Listen, I'm going to try again, and you are going to be quiet," I order. Caleb nods at me with big eyes.

"Understood," He gives me a thumbs-up, and smirks, unused to my demanding tone, although so am I. And it might be more desperate than demanding if I dare say so.

I close my eyes once again, and everything darkens. All sounds drown out, and in return, there's nothing. Suddenly, a small light forms and I reach out for it. It's a long reach, but I will go for it.

M fingertips burn. There's a flashing light behind my closed eyes. And when I open them, two sets of wide eyes are staring back at me, or more so down at my arms. My glowing arms. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!

-sofufff