Chapter Three
‘…Or
Maybe Not’
-
Ben didn't
know what to say.
He'd frozen
under the spell her essence had cast upon him from the first moment he'd sensed
her presence in the deserted church. He couldn't concentrate on the details;
they were blurred by that divine light that surrounded her features.
He wanted to
move closer, but felt a sudden sadness pass over him as he realized that no
matter what he couldn't even know her name since Manticore would definitely
harm anyone he cared about if they caught him again. Still even though such
disturbing thoughts held him back he just couldn't make himself turn away.
Something told
him that this was the moment he'd remember when he'd finally be truly free. Somewhere
inside Ben knew that she couldn't possibly be the Blue Lady, but did he listen
to that cruel voice? Did he not want to stay under the false belief that maybe,
just maybe she would be the thing that had held him together all these years?
Sensing
something totally new this 'angel' turned to look at Ben. The light behind her
didn't make her glow anymore, but she still had a hold on of him. He was unable
to move or even blink for the sweet paralysis was spreading through him like a
calm spring rain and slowly bringing him down. Her sky blue eyes seemed sad and
aware when they looked into Ben's lively hazel eyes. Her eyes were so blue that
they almost glowed as she shared this moment with him.
There she was.
Her brown hair lay on her shoulders. Those stunning blue eyes looked straight
into his. Her body was small, but Ben could see that she had muscle strength as
well. She had on a black worn leather jacket and dark blue jeans, which were
old as well. The way she stood told Ben that she was ready to flee at any
moment. He found it strange that somehow she could've been as battle worn as he
was. As if all the staring wasn't strange enough.
Ben's heart
was bouncing so hard that he was breathing like he was exhausted which was an
unseen sight. He was sure now that she was special. In a way she touched him
without words.
The only thing
that woke him up was when suddenly the girl turned to look away. Reality came
back to Ben and he turned away. He couldn't do it! Not even if he wanted to.
Ben's thoughts were under confusion, but just as always he sacrificed
everything because of his past. God, he hated Manticore.
Ben took a
quick step towards her and laid his hand on her shoulder. He was taller. Her
head reached his chin. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare." Ben
apologized and she turned to face him again.
"I
thought this place was abandoned. Forgive me... Father."
Her voice was strong and saturated with respect when she spoke to him and her
pulled arm free from his.
A smile sneaked
on his face. "Oh, but I'm not priest." He answered calmly and giving
his most charming smile.
"Now I'm
embarrassed." She claimed and frowned a bit. After a few seconds she was
already smiling. Ben made himself breathe deep before he acted without thinking
again.
"Came
here to confess your sins?" His question made her smile go away. Suddenly
she seemed aware.
"Sorry.
I'm not that good with people." He hurried to correct his mistake. Usually
he was able to think clearly so just the fact that she'd bewildered him was
strange. This was definitely the time to walk away. He didn't. He should've
left already and on top of everything he was spilling out the wrong words.
"No."
She replied and wet her lips with her tongue quickly. "I came here to ask
forgiveness for the ones I'm going to make." Her answer surprised him
completely. How could something so beautiful be still so harsh?
"You
didn't need to answer. My question was rude and impolite. I must've sounded
like some kind of a killer or something." Okay. He was getting nervous:
Really nervous. Now who goes and asks a
question like that?!
Oh, but you are a killer.
"We can't
be all angels, now can we?" her whispering voice was sweet and hoarse and surprisingly
she gave him her hand smiling: "My name is Angela."
Angela? He wondered.
She wasn't afraid of him or his words that came out so clumsy. Instead his
hesitation seemed to give her more confidence.
Ben took her
hand and shook it with a strong grip. "I am Ben." He introduced
himself waiting for a second for her to tell her last name, but she didn't say
anything. When he was quiet as well she let go off his hand. Ben was sensing
her doubts: Real people had last names.
Angela turned
to take a look at the big cross behind her seeking for something to divert
their conversation towards to. "Did you come here to confide in Him?"
She asked politely and hid her hands behind her back. While Ben turned his gaze
to examine the cross her fingers clasped one another to keep her hands from
shaking. Her iron will forced her hands to stay still.
He was different - This Ben
was different.
Ben gave
almost an evil grin while he answered: "No, I've always been a ladies
man." His whisper was quiet, but she was close enough to catch it. A strange
glow appeared in his eyes: An evil distant glow. She found herself liking it
and the thought was somehow distressing. Her hand was moving towards her
pocket.
"You have
a pretty name." He complimented after their short silence. Although her
answer sounded a bit irritated, he sensed the tension in her body: "I hope
it doesn't give you the wrong impression. I have a knife and I know how to use
it." Her voice remained as light as a feather, but he knew she was
serious. The thought of facing her knife only managed to thrill him more.
"I'm
petrified." He said and laughed quietly relaxing some more. A smile gave
her face life again.
"What's
so funny?" Angela relaxed her hand and tried not to think the things he
was reminding her of.
Ben's joy
wasn't faked. She was easy to be around with even though he was nervous with
the things he said and a strange silence seemed to pace their conversation. "You.”
he replied truthfully, admiringly.
“You really
are the brainy type, aren't you?" The look they shared wasn't so strange
this time. It felt natural when her expressions were challenging him.
"Only when I'm sober." She said happily beginning to smile
brighter as she looked through him properly.
"Charmed,
I'm sure." Ben's comment made her bark with laughter.
"See I
knew you were the smart aleck type." She gave back.
Ben made a ‘sad
face’ placing his hand over his heart. "Your cruelty hurts my feelings
Angela." He said and rubbed his chest a bit.
"Oh
really?" was her reply. Ben sighed and lifted his eyebrows. "See now?
And I thought you were a school girl!" He claimed making her hit his
shoulder softly. "That's what you think." She said a bit viciously.
A moment of
silence dwelled upon them before she began laughing. "I don't believe
this." She said more to herself than Ben. Then she looked up to him and
gathered her courage to ask him something.
"This may
sound a bit weird, since I don't know you and all, but would you like to come
with me and do something crazy?" She asked tenderly making raising all
sorts of thoughts in his head. His instincts wanted him to say no. They warned
him, but Ben had never felt like this: so completely caught off by surprise
almost like he was walking through the gates of Heaven.
"Yes.
I'll do something crazy with you." He answered and smiled back.
Angela took
his hand in hers and started walking towards the exit. Ben just followed her
with an open mind. All doubts disappeared from his mind when they reached the
door and stepped out on the street together. A cold breeze blew directly at
their faces.
Angela turned
to look at him. "Are you sure that this is what you want?" She asked
sounding mysterious and tempting. "Yes. I'm always up to crazy stuff with
a beautiful young woman by my side." He said and sighed happily.
"You
wouldn't be trying to hit on me, now would you?" Angela wanted to know.
Ben lifted his hands before his eyes using them to frame her face for that one
moment her blue eyes shone only for him. She was intoxicating.
"Never." was his answer.
"Well
you'd better get ready for a surprise." She said before she pulled him in
the crowd.
-