Author’s notes: Ok, don’t know if you guys are even interested, but here’s a peek into my twisted little mind. I was thinking about my little elf today and how much he really does sometimes look like an elf and I decided that that might be something interesting to write about. While I was figuring out the plot in my head, I changed elf to angel for some reason. Then as I continued to think about it, I decided that it would work better if Justin were the angel instead. Yes, I auditioned all the guys in my head. Justin won. Can you imagine JC as an angel? I think not. Anyway, so here’s the story. The plot is pretty much borrowed, I’m afraid. It’s from a story that I can’t remember the title of but it deals with an angel that falls to earth. REM used the plot for their video "Losing My Religion". Little factoid there for you. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy.
Fallen
The day started out as any other in the small village. Most of the villagers woke up at the crack of dawn or soon after, and then began their busy day. The women tended to children and the cooking or laundry while the men went out to tend to the animals and the land.
From one of the homes on the outskirts of the manor emerged two men; brothers, but as different from each other as night is different from day. The older brother, named Joseph, had dark hair and dark eyes and was built strong and solidly. He was just on the verge of being considered heavy, but the manual labor that he performed every day helped him to avoid that. The other brother, only two years younger, was named James. He took after their mother and had sandy colored hair and light green eyes. Not as tall or as solid as his brother, he was nevertheless nearly as strong. The men, although as different in temperament as they were in looks, got along well with each other and behaved more as friends than brothers.
James looked up at the bright sky and stretched tiredly. "What chores would you like to take care of first, Joseph?"
Joseph looked at his brother. "I’d prefer to go into the woods to collect firewood, but I suppose we should feed the animals first," he said in a bored tone.
"Of course," Lance agreed and the two brothers went to tend to their family’s livestock.
Once there, other chores presented themselves. Fruit had to be picked from the small orchard and carried back to the house, manure had to be spread over some of the weaker looking crops, Mother needed help with their baby sister while she cleaned vegetables for the night’s supper.
It was midday by the time they reached the woods. Already the cold sting of the approaching night was in the air. James wrapped his arms around his middle as they stepped farther into the forest. "We should not stay here too long, Joseph. It is already too cold."
"Come James, it is not that cold. Besides, this is the only chance we have to relax all day. I am not about to rush it," Joseph answered as he sat down on a fallen tree.
James looked at his brother sternly and then threw up his hands in surrender. He knew how much his brother loved to rest in the woods and now that he was here there would be no hurrying him. "You stay," he said. "I will begin to gather the wood."
Joseph nodded in appreciation, his eyes already half closed.
James shook his head with a smile and began to walk through the thick trees. He had no fear of getting lost. After all, he and Joseph had been playing in these woods since they were mere children. He knew their trails like the back of his hand. He continued to move deeper into the forest, occasionally grabbing what looked like thick solid pieces of wood. ‘This one should burn well,’ he thought as he added another piece to his growing bundle.
Just as he was about to turn around and head back to his brother with his burden, he heard a small rustling noise come from just ahead of him. Figuring it to be no more than a rabbit, he turned on his heel and made to move forward. This time the noise was repeated, only this time it was louder and accompanied by a slight mewling noise.
His curiosity piqued, he gingerly set the wood down in front of him and turned back around. In his mind he was already picturing some poor injured animal huddled in the safety of the trees. The mewling came again and this time James cringed. Whatever the poor animal was, it sounded as if it were in a great deal of pain. He would most likely have to put it out of its misery.
He took slow, silent steps until he reached the source of the noises. They were coming from behind the tree directly in front of him. He walked around the tree, giving it a wide enough berth so as to not be bitten or scratched. He knew well enough that even the mildest of animals would lash out if they were in great pain.
He circled the tree and looked down expectantly, but what he saw caused him to step backwards in surprise. Lying down in front of him was not an animal at all, but a human being. A man. He was curled up on his side and appeared terribly cold from the tremors that racked his body. He wore a long flowing garment that at one time appeared to have been white. Now it was almost impossible to tell because mud and what seemed to be the man’s own blood had stained it so. The man had his face to the ground and continued to make sounds of pain that reminded James of a wounded cat. ‘What is this?’ he thought. ‘What could have happened to this man?"
James took a hesitant step forward. "Hello? Do you need help?" he asked.
The man looked up quickly. James took in the man’s features while he continued to walk towards him. The man appeared young, his skin smooth and pale. His lips were pink and full while his eyes were the color of the deepest blue that James had ever seen. His hair was a wild mass of brown curls, with soft hints of gold and red.
He was, James realized, beautiful. The most beautiful man that he had ever seen.
He cleared his throat and crouched down in front of the stranger. "Do you need help?" he asked as he repeated his question.
The man looked at him with a mixture of confusion and terror and backed away slightly.
‘Perhaps he is dim-witted,’ James thought. In a soothing voice he said, "I will not hurt you. Can you tell me your name?"
The man opened his mouth as if to speak, but instead he uttered a series of high squeals that sounded strangely melodic. James stared at him in confusion. It was while he was staring at the wounded being in front of him that he noticed them for the first time.
He could not say why he hadn’t noticed them before, perhaps he had been too focused on the man’s face or on his plight. But now, they were all that James could see. His mouth widened in shock as he tried to comprehend what was in front of him.
The young man, this beautiful, strange man; had wings.