Chapter 1
I slowly opened my eyes to the towns morning alarm. I slowly raised up and covered my mouth as a yawn escaped me. I lifted the covers and stood, stretching my wings as I do so. I step outside my room and walk over to my bathroom. I flicked the lights on and headed straight to the shower. I turned the shower handle to the right temperature before stepping in. I relaxed as warm water splashed around my body. After I finished my shower, I dried myself off using a large fluffy towel left on my counter.
I looked myself in the mirror and slightly cringed. My hair was a black rats nest, I wanted to try dying it but that thought should be pushed away immediately. Dying ones hair was a sin. Hair dyes were banned as people began to use it to dye their wings to hide their black feathers. My hair reached my hips as cutting it would also be a sin. My wings were dripping in water droplets that hit the floor before I could see them. My wings reach the length of my body and then some. My body was coated in a wave of dark caramel as my eyes shined a bright amber gold. I plugged in my flat iron and left to change.
I opened my closet and pulled two hangers out. One carrying a white blouse and the other a pair of khaki pants. I quickly dressed into the garments and returned to the bathroom before my flat iron could over heat. I brushed my hair thoroughly before finally taking the chance to press the burning iron to it. My hair now reached the length of my thighs. I walked out of my room and passed through my living room, toward my kitchen. It was small yet lively. Plants and vines wove their way around my window seals and ceiling. Some may say "It's to much" or "Your house looks like it was abandoned" but I like the vegetation. I dropped two waffles into the toaster and grabbed a glass of orange juice. I heard the toaster ding and decided I didn't wanna be late and just left with one.
I locked my door and spread my wings, starting with a light gust of wind under me before fully taking off. I held my bag tight as I flew over the towns and passed other angels. It wasn't until a crowded group and screaming was heard that I decided to land. I lowered myself down to ground before folding my wings to my sides. I tried to sneak a peak as I overheard the shouting.
"Confess your sins!"
I looked over the crowd and saw a pale lengthy male on his knees sobbing almost uncontrollably. Two men in brown robes had their hoods covering their faces as they looked onto the crowd. Each guard stood by the mans sides and each held one of the mans wings, spreading them out for all to see. I used a small gust of wind to look over the crowd and that's when I saw it.
A black feather
"You are not a child of light"
A being on light, almost like a spirit, boobed up and down. Baradien Karksin.
A baradian was a being of such high power that the use of a physical body was of no need. Their body's were replaced with purity of light by our creator. Another man stood next to him, wearing only a white cloak the exposed his bare feet. The man kneeling said nothing as he shut his mouth only for the slight whimpers and hicks of breath from crying. The man walked over to his left wing and poured a bucket of clear liquid on his wing. The liquid ran down his wings before starting to sizzle over one feather in particular. The man took a towel from the floor and wiped the feather to reveal another darkened feather. The crowd gasped as most had never seen such a thing. One? Maybe. They could be reformed through the church but the feather would have to be plucked, leaving a bald spot on your wing to remind you of your sins. Two? That was unforgivable. Those who were seen with 2 black feathers were never seen again after their trial. I tightened my wings around me and unconsciously felt my left wing. I turned away from the sight.
I walked away from the scene and continued toward my destination. I landed in front of the large elderly stone library entrance and slowly walked up to the door. I took a key from my pocket and unlocked the large wooden door. Above it read, in bold letters, "Parison Library." I opened the door and stepped inside, the smell of old oak and air freshener filled my nose. I smiled and walked over to the large desk in direct view of the front door. I stepped behind it and flipped the switches under it to turn on the lights. One by one each light fixture shone brightly in their wake, illuminating the once dark shelves. I opened my bag and pulled a small case from the side pocket. I opened it and picked up the pair of glasses sitting atop a micro-fiber cloth. I perched the glasses on my nose and opened a book with the words "Love and romance:A study of intimacy" written in bold letter. I leaned back in my seat and continued my books marked page.
