Parched

by Pookie

He came one quiet afternoon, clouds of orange and red dust billowing around him as he landed in front of me. He bowed gracefully in front of me, the tip of his wings barely brushing above the dust covered ground that was my land.

“Beautiful and proud Angel, why do you come here?

My home is but a barren wasteland

I cannot offer you anything

No shade to protect you from the scorching sun

No water to appease your undying thirst

Not even food to calm your hungers”

His clear blue eyes looked deep into my soul and within their depths a blue fire raged on. He smiled at me, a soft yet icy smile that made my soul shiver in fear.

“Offer me your lands

This barren wasteland of yours

Where no trees will ever grow

No river will ever flow

No animals will ever roam

Offer me these lands

And I will offer you my wings”

His melodious voice wrapped around my being tenderly. I looked at my parched hands, my dried up skin, my cracking hair.

“Are you here to save me?

By offering me your wings?

And taking me away from here?”

He only shook his head, lifting a finger to his lips to silence my questions.

“I accept Angel.

Take my lands,

As I shall take your wings.”

He merely laughed...

Epilogue ~

I inherited his wings, and now understand why he could so easily part from them.

How could I have missed the blood-tainted tips of these majestic wings?

Their hunger for blood whispers to me always

Driving my heart and soul away from humanity...

I returned once to my old home.

The now wingless angel greeted me with a smile

His hands were parched, his skin was dry, his hair was cracking

Yet he had not my wings

And he was smiling...