ATONEMENT: A story in the Divine Chronicles.

Chapter 6

The cold air seemed to intensify as the the truth settled upon them. Jason's gaze locked with Jessica's, his brown-black eyes filled with a mix of apprehension and vulnerability. He ran his fingers through his hair, a nervous gesture betraying his inner turmoil.

"Where do I begin? I haven't been completely honest with you, that much is obvious," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret.

Jessica's voice trembled as she muttered, "You did kill those students, and now you're going to kill me."

His expression shifted, pain etching itself onto his features. "No, but I know who did," he replied, his voice filled with a mixture of sadness and determination. "And you're the reason. Those dreams you've been having... they're not just dreams. You're an old soul, Jessica. You've lived many past lives."

The revelation hung in the air, heavy with the weight of the unknown.

Jason's admission left Jessica reeling, her mind struggling to process the weight of his words. She mustered the courage to ask the question that had been burning within her.

"Was I Sarah?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism, yet a glimmer of belief shining through.

Jason nodded in response. "Among others," he confirmed, his voice filled with a mix of solemnity and understanding.

Jessica's thoughts raced, her logical mind grappling with the fantastical nature of what she was being told. It was a battle between reason and the part of her that sensed a deeper truth.

"It's my fault," Jason explained, his voice heavy with guilt. "I'm a fallen, and these beings are archangels."

The revelation only deepened Jessica's confusion. "Archangels? And you're a... fallen? What does that even mean?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Jason took a deep breath, preparing himself to delve into the complex world of ancient lore and celestial beings.

Jessica's skepticism remained as she pressed for more clarity. "What's a fallen?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of doubt and curiosity.

Jason sighed, realizing the importance of addressing her question directly. "We're neither angel nor demon," he explained, his voice filled with a hint of weariness. "We're beings caught in between, trying to navigate our desires and past mistakes. Some of us seek redemption, while others continue down a darker path."

Jessica's skepticism grew stronger, and she couldn't help but question the validity of these claims. "And I'm supposed to believe all of this at face value?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of disbelief.

Sachiel, growing exasperated with the back-and-forth, stepped between Jason and Jessica. He put on his sunglasses, a gesture that seemed to shield his emotions. Extending his hand, he approached Jessica, causing her to instinctively draw back. However, as she looked at his outstretched hand, she noticed his long, sensitive-looking fingers. With a mix of trepidation and curiosity, she allowed him to place his hand on her forehead.

In that moment, it was as if lightning struck, shattering the walls that had concealed her memories. Images flooded her mind, revealing fragments of her past lives intertwined with Jason's. She saw them fighting side by side, loving each other through countless ages. Everything became real, and the truth she had been resisting finally broke through the barriers of her consciousness.

Overwhelmed by the flood of memories and emotions, Jessica dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face. The weight of all those years, all those lives she had led, crashed upon her like a tidal wave. Her mind swirled with confusion and disbelief, struggling to make sense of the newfound knowledge.  As Jason reached out his hand once more, Jessica jerked away, her trembling intensifying. Fear gripped her heart, and she couldn't help but assume the worst.