The Fallen Angel
Chapter 15

Jasmine walked into the police station alone, asking Gabriel to give her and Xavier some space to work out their issues. It was true she attached herself to Gabriel. Their experience in Las Vegas was truly amazing despite the problems that followed them, but she didn’t want to lose Xavier in the process. She had to make it right with him. Once he looked up and saw her he ran to her dropping everything and swirled her around he was so happy to see her.

“I’m so glad you are back and alive of all things. Give me ten minutes and we can go talk.” He said walking back off and coming back ten minutes later. They walked to a small cafe across the street to talk a bit more privately. Jasmine filled him in on Pedro and Chase and what happened after that.

“Wow the Military goons were sent after you and Gabriel? I can’t even imagine what that was like? Are you okay? Did they experiment on you? I heard rumors that’s what they do there.”

Jasmine shook her head. “No…I did have a talk with Lucifer though.”

Xavier nearly spat out his drink. “The devil himself?”

Jasmine nodded. “Turns out he doesn’t want to kill me. He wants to use me to decide the end of humanity. Apparently I’m the Chosen one.”

“Jasmine…” Xavier sighed as she looked down then smiled to stop his worry.

“I’m fine.”

Xavier shook his head. “How could you be? That’s way too big to be placed on your shoulders, Jasmine.”

“I don’t really believe it so it’s fine.”

“What did Gabriel say about it?” Xavier asked curiously. “He would know for sure if it was true or not right?”

“He believes it’s true. It all makes sense to him, but not to me…” She looked down at her tea cup as her voice trailed off as they grew quiet for a moment neither knowing what to say after that.

Xavier leaned close then as if he wanted to tell her something personal. “We should talk about what happened between us. I want to forget it…” he said, but he sighed looking away from her. “I can’t. Fuck Jasmine I can’t and I see you got other shit on your plate I just can’t stop thinking about what could’ve been.”

Jasmine licked her suddenly dry lips. “I don’t want to lose you, Xavier. Whatever we do from here I don’t want this friendship we have to end. I care about you I do…”

“But you don’t feel the same way for me as I do about you. Is that what you were going to say?”

Jasmine sighed as he said exactly what she was thinking, but didn’t know how to do it. “It was a mistake we were both drunk…”

Xavier stood up suddenly. “It’s because you want Gabriel right? I suppose my human average dick isn’t good enough for you.”

Jasmine grew hurt by his comment as she winced. “No that’s not…”

“It’s fine. I knew you were going to act this way. It’s my fault for believing we had something that we felt something that night we shared together, but I knew it was only me. You’re right it was a mistake.” He nodded and right when she wanted to speak again he interrupted. “I’m asking Teresa to marry me tonight. So you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

Jasmine stood to stop him from walking off feeling her heart drop to her feet. “Xavier please let’s talk please.” He shrugged her away.

“I won’t be used anymore Jasmine. You go and do whatever with Gabriel. It’s not fair to me you know. It’s not fair when I loved you first.” He walked out the café leaving her speechless and the thought that she just wanted to go home to Gabriel made her feel even worse. She held her chest as she placed money down for their drinks and walked out as well.

Xavier was still there arms folded against his car. He gestured for her to get in as she started to feel like he was trying to save their relationship. She got in the car and Xavier started to drive to a park area so they could try and talk again, which was his excuse.

“I shouldn’t have gotten angry.” He concluded. “I knew the consequences and you have told me more than once and shown me you don’t feel the same way about me.”

“I care about you Xavier I do. I know this is my entire fault. I know how you felt about me yet I still…” Xavier got uncomfortably close to her as she spoke his lips inches away from hers as Gabriel once did, but it wasn’t what she wanted. She slowly pulled back from.

“Xavier…” She breathed his name right before he pulled her into a forced kiss. His tongue sliding inside forcing her mouth to him. She struggled to get out of his grip, with little to no use. She finally was able to move back, her back hitting the passenger door to get as far away from Xavier as possible. She opened her mind then not wanting to know his thoughts, but then her eyes widened sensing she couldn’t read his thoughts.

“Who are you?” She asked, furiously.

Gabriel started to pace the floor as worry began to spring first in his legs then his entire body had to move. He promised Jasmine he would give her the space she needed to explain things to Xavier and hopefully she would be able to keep his friendship, but his heart, perhaps human nature, felt worried she wouldn’t want him and choose Xavier instead. His senses picked up though, nothing ominous but recognizable.

“You pace like a hedgehog.” Ezekiel laughed at him. Gabriel turned to him with a deadly look on his face that he wasn’t up for the joking, but was surprised to see Simahel.

“You seem shocked to see us.” She smiled, clasping his arm.

“I am shocked to see you. My brother pops in and out as he wishes. What do I owe the pleasure?”

Simahel looked around then. “This a nice cozy place she has. How has life been staying in the confines?”

“Unexpectedly comfortable.” Gabriel replied.

“She step out?” Ezekiel asked.

“Yes went to visit her friend.”

“Without you?” Ezekiel was shocked. “I thought you were so in tuned with your mission that you both were glued to the hip.” Gabriel opened his mouth to retort, but couldn’t argue with that at all.

“Rumors has spread to the celestial realm that The Almighty has chosen her. Is that true?” Simahel asked, folding her arms.

“Looks that way. I have had more run-ins with demons in the past month than I had in my entire lifetime as a carrier. Lucifer is after her. Wants her to make the deal with him.”

Simahel looked guilty then. “I didn’t make it easy for her. I should’ve known what she was when we met. I wanted to apologize. I sent the Guild after her.”

Gabriel looked curiously at her then. “What happened to them?”

Simahel and Ezekiel shrugged. “We believe they are still on this planet perhaps stuck here for a time. They touched the chosen one which threw them out of balance. The Guild cannot temper with fate regardless. The Almighty’s plan is always in motion.”

Gabriel felt a pain in his chest that struck him hard. His first thought was Jasmine. Something was happening and she was in trouble. He tumbled over and grabbed the keys from the hook.

“Brother?” Ezekiel became worried.

“Jasmine can you take me to her?” Gabriel pleaded causing his brother to nod sensing something wrong.

Jasmine’s eyes widened as Xavier’s smile turned into something sinister. Her friend wasn’t her friend at all. Fear now struck her hard. “What have you done with him?”

Xavier grabbed her shoulder bringing her closer to his body as he placed her seat back and he climbed on top of her. His hands grabbed and groped her body hard in any way to tear her clothes off of her. She had to chant in her mind that it wasn’t Xavier. It wasn’t her friend. He would never do this to her. Her eyes started to glow and she pushed Xavier through the glass of the car and onto the park grass as she got out the car, refusing to run.

“Are you so desperate you disguise yourself as my friend to get me to side with you?” She yelled out. Xavier lifted his head as he was face down on the ground raising up contorting and his aura now was dark, different, definitely not her friend. He started to stand all the way until both of them started to sense other entities in the vicinity.

She turned afraid thinking it could be another enemy she would have to deal with, but Gabriel came from around the corner and her heart leapt. Her feet started to move to him, but the pain in her body from the imposter kept her from moving. She needed to make sure it was truly him.

“Jasmine it’s me.”

“How do I know it’s you?” She asked.

Gabriel realized what was happening then as his eyes squinted to Xavier, now getting off the ground, dusting himself off. Jasmine’s dismantled clothing showed Gabriel everything he needed to know. Lucifer had gone too far. Anger started to boil in his body as he started moving towards him, but Jasmine held out her arm.

“Show me. How do I know it’s you.” Her eyes were pleading to him as he glanced over at the smirking Lucifer. He turned back to her seeing the tears in her eyes that she didn’t want to fall from her face. She needed him more. He could give her the reassurance.

Gabriel powered his entire body and grabbed her hand giving her the warm safety feeling he always offered her. She relaxed and wrapped her arms around him, needing his strength. Ezekiel and Simahel flew down looking to the Xavier on the ground, pulling out their swords ready for an attack.

“Protect her all you want, Gabriel, angels, but you can’t stop what’s coming. The end is neigh and the war for souls will be won by yours truly.” Lucifer bowed in a elegant stance, his leg crossed over the other as he leaned straight down and back up with his arms out.

Jasmine wanted to take a step to attack him, but Gabriel held her back. “How dare you? Where is Xavier? Let him go!”

Lucifer only smiled shaking his head. “I need him as leverage. You don’t understand how much I need this deal to go through…”

“Lucifer! You evil…” Simahel frowned at the sight of him and anger started to course through her body.

Lucifer only smirked. “Simahel…Pleasure seeing you again.”

Simahel let out a battle scream jumping high using her wings to attack, but Lucifer only caught her in midair by her throat and punched her away from him. Gabriel held his brother from running to help her. Lucifer was far more powerful than either of them. Fighting him was futile. It angered Gabriel that he couldn’t throw his own punch, but Lucifer wouldn’t hesitate to kill him for sure even though he didn’t back at the base.

“Calm down you angels. Do you wish to cease to exist? We will see each other real soon Jasmine.” Lucifer disappeared in midair as if he was never there. Jasmine held onto Gabriel’s hand now fearing for her friend’s life.

“We will replace Xavier, Jasmine.” He encouraged. She didn’t have much hope seeing as Lucifer was now just toying with her and winning. Her nerves were rattled. Everything she had said to Xavier Lucifer knew and used it against her. She was genuinely hurt by Xavier’s words, thinking it to be his true feelings, but he knew. Lucifer knew everything.

“We have to go to Teresa. She would know his last location.” Jasmine informed, trying to get herself together. Gabriel nodded to Ezekiel to take Simahel and go back as he had work to do. Using Xavier’s car, broken windshield to drive to his apartment Jasmine hesitated to knock on the door, feeling worried and altogether guilty. Teresa answered angry and nearly slammed the door in her face until Gabriel held it open.

“Teresa Monroe please this is urgent we are looking for Xavier. Have you seen him?” Gabriel pleaded. Teresa opened the door now her anger towards Jasmine.

“We had a fight…He couldn’t stop obsessing over replaceing you and here you are with a man…”

Jasmine shook her head. “I’m sorry Teresa but right now we have to replace Xavier. I need you to think about the last thing he worked on before you both got into it about…us.”

Teresa scoffed as if she had some nerves, but then saw the look on both of their faces and realized they were serious. “He um…” She walked over to the table where he worked. “There was a recent school shooting and Xavier was one of the men on the scene for that before I found out you both slept together. I put him out, but I thought he was just hiding away with you. I’m upset, but I don’t want anything to happen to him.”

“We will bring him home to you, Teresa. Thank you for this.” Gabriel replied, grabbing her hands and squeezing them with his. Luckily Jasmine had an old phone at home that didn’t take long to activate once she got back. She quickly looked at the news report she missed the past couple of days and her heart dropped at the violence. Xavier was sure to be there.

Gabriel squeezed her hand to encourage her. “If you can’t do this then don’t force yourself.” He said. “I can go in…”

“No. Lucifer wants me to see this. I have to go in.” She argued. “I have to be the one to do it.”

Gabriel sat on the couch holding his head trying to compose his own rage. Jasmine was breaking down. It was worse that he asked, already knowing the struggle that they will have once they got back, but this wasn’t what either of them expected. The school shooting was already bad enough to get what he Lucifer wanted, but to have taken Xavier, her friend, who she loved deeply was enough to send her over the edge. Her hands never stopped shaking and she didn’t stop sighing and her legs never stopped moving. Gabriel couldn’t argue back as he nodded preparing himself for the mental torture they both were in for.

They both walked into the abandoned school, still a fresh crime scene. There was still blood on the lockers and bullet holes from an AK-47 on the walls. It made Jasmine sick. It made Gabriel angry. He had known humans to be violent, but to harm innocent kids. In his mind it was all Lucifer’s doing in attempts to get Jasmine to do what he wanted.

Tears started to run down her face as she witnessed the scene vividly in her mind. What sick monster would shoot up a school? An Elementary? Several children were murdered in the massacre leaving hundreds scarred for life. Gabriel could only hold her as she sobbed, feeling the severe weight on her shoulders like a ton of bricks. Slight movement caused them both to jerk, both becoming more alert as Gabriel continued to hold her hand as they went ahead to investigate.

Gabriel was the one to slowly open the door to what seemed to be the art room. Jasmine caught one glimpse of the room and noticed Xavier hanging on a cross, beaten and battered. She released Gabriel’s hand to run over to him, fearing he was dead. “Please God please! Don’t do this. Don’t punish him.” Jasmine cried as she and Gabriel helped him down. Her hands glowed as she healed him causing Xavier to wake up coughing as he did so.

He looked disoriented and confused at first, but noticed Jasmine right away. “You’re alright?” He hugged her hard and Jasmine did the same relieved he was fine. “The children here...” Xavier’s hands shook as he looked at where he was. “We couldn’t get to them in time…” He covered his face as he started to cry then. She cried in his shoulder while Gabriel watched the door seeing Lucifer in his chosen human form walk up.

“Tragic isn’t it?”

“Yet this is your doing! Are you enjoying this?” Gabriel asked anger welling up ready to attack him.

Lucifer pouted, touching the walls of the school. “Free will is something neither I nor The Almighty can touch. I can persuade, influence even, but I cannot make anyone do this. It’s them and them alone. I do apologize for kidnapping your friend Jasmine, but I need you to see it. See what harm they have done. A nation shook by such tragedy, but yet does nothing to their gun control laws. Money is the root of all evil so until such people are eliminated no one will ever be safe, no one can ever be free, but yet they call me the evil one. Blame me for everything when I have no such control of anyone.” He moved in closer into the room then as Jasmine held Xavier as he feared the devil. Lucifer looked him into his frightful eyes and sighed.

“You want us to believe you had nothing to do with this? This has your stench all over it.” Gabriel intervened, taking steps forward to him, blocking him from Jasmine.

“For heaven sakes Gabriel think! I want to win the holy war and I do so by killing children? Children who are the purest of human kind. What sense would that make? You are so blinded by The Almighty’s love Cloak that you can’t see what’s truly happening here.”

Gabriel scoffed then. “So you blame the Almighty now?”

“These are his children. You have people on this earth that can do whatever they want and the Almighty still loves them. Well what about you Jasmine?” Lucifer pointed to her, seeing raw tears fall from her face. “Would you be able to forgive someone who shot up an elementary?”

Jasmine shook her head as Xavier held her close. “Exactly. Let’s be real Gabriel, my only issue with The Almighty is that he made them, banished me out of heaven while loving them despite them being no different than me. I mean sure you have a few good ones here and there, but even The Almighty challenges them. Puts their fate to the test breaking the good ones down just to see how strong they can be. If you ask me that’s no way to love your children. That is no way to love at all.”

“That’s enough Lucifer. You are jealous and can’t see beyond your own self. The Almighty could banish you forever and make you cease to exist, but he doesn’t because he loves you. Just because he created us doesn’t mean he loves you any less.” Gabriel argued, pointing to Lucifer in challenge.

“Like any parent just because they love you don’t mean they won’t punish you for doing something wrong. Perhaps it’s your influence that makes us want to become more like you instead of less like him.” Xavier said, panting as he did so wiping his face causing both the angel and the devil to look at him, even Jasmine looked surprised. “It’s way easier to do the wrong thing.”

Lucifer nodded, unable to argue with Xavier. “You have a point there. Doing wrong feels incredibly better than doing right. And you all know what the media will say about this don’t you Xavier, Jasmine?” Lucifer leaned down to their level on the ground while Gabriel held his shoulder from getting any closer. Lucifer quickly jerked him away, pushing him to the wall. Jasmine leaned up from Xavier’s hold to go to Gabriel, but Xavier held her to him, afraid if she moved Lucifer would harm her next. “They will say it was the video games, the rap music. Societal stress. Perhaps they were too rich, but that will be nonsense. The murderers were only kids themselves.” Lucifer pointed to his head. “It’s all up here. A natural instinct to murder and destroy, some just tap into that potential more than others, but still its there.”

“Did they do it in your name?” Xavier asked, his voice shivered and cracked knowing he was talking to the devil himself, but he still spoke to him as if he was a normal human.

Lucifer shook his head. “There are some who use my name to gain some kind of sympathy or mercy from others, but most kill in the name of your God. They have the name plastered on all the money and what do you think people will kill the most for?”

Gabriel smirked then folding his arms while shaking his head. “You need them just as much as The Almighty does Lucifer. Who will you have to play with and manipulate if…?”

“When they’re gone.” Lucifer corrected. “I suppose you are on to something about that, but again I just give them what they truly desire. They do the rest.” He tilted his head to Jasmine then, touching her arm to capture her attention, but he jumped back as if he was shocked.

“Don’t touch her!” Both Xavier and Gabriel yelled, Gabriel walking closer and Xavier scooting them back.

“You are being rather quiet Jasmine and remember I know what you are thinking.” Lucifer replied ignoring them. “Your body guards won‘t always be here to save you. You are alone, outcasted and you feel tremendous loss not only for these children but for others. You have seen some sick shit, but yet you wish for this meaningless dreadful world to continue. Why? What has this world done for you?”

Jasmine didn’t respond as if her words were locked inside of her. Flashes of the tragedy flashed in her mind through Lucifer’s as if she was there as if she was watching it through the eyes of the killers. She cried, feeling sorry for the children and angry that someone did that to them and drained she couldn’t even speak her feelings.

Lucifer frowned then as he watched her fall apart. “I will be awaiting your answer.” He disappeared leaving them alone as Gabriel went to check on Xavier.

“Are you hurt anywhere?” He asked.

Xavier shook his head as he helped Jasmine stand up. “He seemed nice.” He said sarcastically. “I never met a devil before and I wouldn’t say I would want to do that again.” He turned to Gabriel then. “Is this what she’s been dealing with while you both were away?” Gabriel sighed, rubbing his hand over his face stressed as he nodded. “Shit. What the hell is going on here?”

“We will fill you in on the way.” Gabriel replied.

“Let’s leave. I hate this place.” Jasmine finally spoke.