Toxicity || Chapter Three: Acceptance?

Even the angriest of the Fallen have a gentle spot for their humans. For every Fallen, Guardian, and Arch angel watches over the mortals.

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The boy groaned, looking at Ali as if she were a stubborn child. He seemed to debate about whether or not he really wanted to tell her his name. With a soft sound, she cleared her throat, “It’s either I know your name, or you have to chill out side for the night.” Her tone was so simple and so direct that he looked once more at her, nodding in defeat.

“My name’s Riddia,” he said lowly, almost growling as he shot his glance in another direction. He looked embarrassed to have such a feminine name. Ali smiled, not a mocking smile, but a genuine one.

“Thank you,” she said softly, turning away from him to begin the trek back to her home. Not hearing him behind her, she paused, looking at him. “Aren’t you coming?” He seemed to stare off, a frown carved into his features. Something was still troubling him. Ali turned completely toward him, chewing the inside of her lip. She was nothing if not compassionate. She reached out, gently tugging on his hand. “Come on, if you stay in the rain too long you’ll get sick,” she said quietly. After another moment or so, he nodded, and they began the hike back to Ali’s house.

The walk was quiet, the only sound being the gentle drumming of the rain on the flora and tree branches. It was a comfortable silence, despite the two being strangers. Riddia allowed his mind to wander, memorizing each tree and plant as they passed. He wouldn’t stay with this young girl for long. She didn’t need all of the problems that came with a creature like him. He sneered a little. Creature… He was better than that. He hated the thought of having been cast aside. A heavy sigh heaved from his chest, just as the edge of the forest was in sight.

Ali looked at her companion, Riddia, from the corner of her eye. He appeared so torn by his feelings. He looked angry, betrayed, sad, and lost; all at the same time. She frowned a little, pushing her wet bangs from her face. They would be out soon. She thought hard, wondering if there were still any of her older cousin’s clothes at home. He had stayed with them for a while, and he had a tendency to forget his clothing when he went places. She almost smiled, but her gaze drifted back to the mysterious boy beside her. He just showed up out of nowhere, and she wasn’t sure if that were a good thing, but it didn’t seem bad either. She frowned, confused and frustrated.

They stepped out of the forest, minds in different places, and began to head back to the house. The truck was in the driveway, signaling that her father was now home. Ali stopped just before they came to the porch. “I have to tell you, my father is a bit more than strange. Please don’t mind what he says,” she pleaded. Riddia just nodded mutely, a hint of a smirk touching the corners of his mouth. He found her concern amusing.

Ali clamored up the wooden porch steps, pulling open her screen door and holding it open until he was in. She cupped her hand around her mouth, calling out to her dad, “I’m home! I brought a friend with me, if that’s okay!” She didn’t wait for an answer as she dragged Riddia up the stairs. It would have been too awkward for her father to have seen them as sopping wet as they were. He was a little bit of a pervert, and a lot of a joker. She flushed a little, thinking of the things he would have said.

She headed toward her bedroom, he following faithfully behind; mostly because he didn’t know where else to go. His mind was still wandering, stuck on his betrayal. ‘How could they,’ he thought hatefully. ‘Gabriel and Michael, my brothers, scorned me for such a piteous mistake!' His eyes darkened as he thought these things.

A voice, the voice of one of his brothers, manifested itself within his mind, as if an answer to his spite-filled question. ‘Riddia, you brought this Fate upon yourself. You knew better than to deny my wishes..’ it whispered, tauntingly. Riddia grit his teeth in anger, digging his nails into his hand until the little half-moon circlets began to bleed. He hissed softly as he followed Ali into her room.

She looked up, turning to him concerned. “Is everything okay?” she asked quietly. He nodded, not exactly thrilled with his action. He lifted his hand, turning the palm toward her to show her the injury. His nails were long, but not so much that they might curl under. “You need your nails trimmed..” she murmured softly, examining his little cuts. There were more than the little digs from his nails. Some looked like scars, thorn scratches, and even a few burns. She peered up at him through her bangs, curiosity filling her eyes. ‘Are you what fell from the sky…?’ she questioned in silence.