Chapter 1
I breezed through the white hallway with a skip in my step. One week with nothing to do had been almost more than I could survive through, but at last, I was going to be given another assignment to help the humans. This is what we were born for.
The humans called us angels. We practically were. Not in the same way they thought, but basically angels, nonetheless. At least, that’s how I thought of myself.
One more skip sent me tripping over myself. It was the dress’s fault. I was sure of it! Okay good, no one saw that! Standing up straight and confident, I continued on my way.
After running my fingers through my long, beautiful hair a few times, I walked into yet another white room. Everything was white here. Even our clothes. Part of the reason why I was so ready to get down to Earth. I needed some color! Life here in the Resting Realm was nothing but dull and boring.
The B7 was already in the room waiting for me, sitting at his desk. White desk, of course.
I took my seat across from him. “About time! I almost died waiting so long in my room with nothing to do. What took so long? I know there are plenty of Earthlings that need my help.”
He didn’t look amused one bit. “T9, remaining calm and patient is part of the training.”
My arms collapsed into each other across my chest. “Training? Really! I have been doing this ‘save the world thing’ for over 50 years and you still consider me in training!?”
I always had a feeling the leaders didn’t like me much. They only gave me pathetic assignments like getting cats out of trees and such. But I knew I was capable of so much more!
The B7 rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache. Of course, that couldn’t have been the case since we, The Helpers, never felt pain.
His eyes turned back to me in a very serious manner as if trying to look like a big, tough boss. Though he was probably at least 1,000 years more than me, he looked no older. The Helpers, or Angels as I call us, never aged past looking much older than twenty. We were all beautiful and perfect in every way.
He cleared his throat. “You are still a T9, so yes, training.”
“Is it though? Sometimes I feel you guys just want to get rid of me.”
His hand closed tight. “Why don’t you stop questioning me before I change my mind on giving you your new assignment.”
“Of course, Sir. Go ahead and fire off! What will it be this time? Saving a seagull from a tragic death of choking on plastic?”
He shook his head. “I knew this was a mistake. I tried to tell the A7 that you weren’t ready for more.”
I almost shot out of my seat! In fact, I did stand up for a moment then forced myself down again. “You mean to tell me that I am at last getting a real assignment!? ”
His eyes narrowed. “If you would shut up, I could tell you about it.”
I never heard a C9 or higher speak so intensely, that my shock did send me into silence. My head nodded in the most serious manner.
“Alright, very well. Listen very carefully, even though this isn’t nearly as important as many assignments, this still involves human lives. You have to be wise about this.”
“But, I am always wise about my assignments!”
“Letting a pig inside someone’s house wasn’t very wise.”
“The dog was lonely and needed a friend. I had to get creative.”
“The assignment was to return the missing dog to its home! Not find it a friend!”
“So I embellished a tid bit. So what? The family took a video of them cuddling, and it got popular on the human-net.”
“The point is, you just can’t do whatever you want. We will be watching you. This will be the biggest test yet, so don’t mess it up.”
“Yes, Sirry-Sir. You will see my skills at work. I will do such a good job, you will promote me to a C1.”
“Not in three-thousand years.” His words carried under his breath.
“I heard that, ya know.”
“Listen up, you T9, and listen carefully. Your assignment is to help a boy named Dunken. This boy, well actually he is a teenager. Sixteen years old. He is quite unhappy. He has no friends, his father is gone, his older brother makes fun of him, and his mother is oftentimes drunk or off with who knows what kind of man. He lacks confidence and direction in life.”
“And my job is to make his life better,” I finished.
“More or less. Knowing you, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up suicidal by the end of it.”
I only smiled back confidently. “With my skills, he will end up the Chief of the United Humans of America.”
His eyes wilted down to his desk. “I know this is the biggest mistake ever. But once the A1s see that I am right…” His stare lifted to me, eyes almost glowing. “You will end up a Z9 where you belong. And I will finally become a B6 and never have to deal with you again.”
Alright, so I was a tid-bit wrong. Not all of us Helpers were angel like. Not this B7. He was more devil than anything. Tough as screws, that one.
But it didn’t bother me one bit. Because I knew he was wrong. And I didn’t care what he thought. I was too excited for a real assignment. My first true assignment! What a glorious day!
The B7 printed papers filled with more information about the guy and his family with some pictures. Papers stuffed in hand, I left with a smile. Tomorrow, I would depart to Earth! I would help Dunken with his every problem. I would become a T8. And one day...I would save the world!
Today was a dream coming real! This was going to be the most exciting part of my 56 years!
“Yes!” I pumped my fist in the air. “Let’s go!”
After overlooking the papers again, I headed to the portal station. They said I would be using the human name, Sarah. That was important to remember. The other info didn’t seem too important, so I mostly skimmed the rest. The pictures were the most important part anyway.
I at least knew they were going to send me to his school, so I could observe him and his surroundings to get a better idea of how to handle the situation.
To me, that was the fun part: creatively coming up with a solution to the problem. And this being the first time I would interact with the humans, I was more than thrilled.
A U1 greeted me as I approached the portals. “Travel papers, please.”
I handed it to him and tossed the rest of the papers in the trash bin. “Won’t a B7 be here to see me out?”
The U1 passed my ticket into the machine, causing pretty, blue lights to glow from the portal and reflect off the white walls. “Not this time, something important came up, and all the Bs and As are busy at the moment.”
“Fine by myself. I’m on a very important assignment!”
“Good for you,” He huffed. Jealous of me most likely.
I only smiled back. “Indeed! And when you are over 50, you shall go on important missions as well.”
His eyes drooped but continued pressing buttons. “Then I have 15 years to go.”
“It’s worth the wait. Earth is a grand place to go! I would never want to live there, of course. Humans are very interesting and funny beings, but at least be glad you aren’t one!”
“Sure...” He finally pressed the final switch, and a light hum sounded from the doorway. “You are set to go.”
I patted him on the shoulder. “I know being a U1 or less isn’t very interesting, but we have all been there before. Your job is still important! We are all Helpers after all.”
He seemed to cheer a tid bit after that.
“For the cause!” I cheered.
“For the cause.” His dull voice copied.
I stepped through the doorway of glowing lights.
Here I go!
