Miracles in the Making Page 6

Halfway across the city, Noel perched on an old iron bench, located near the entrance to Douglas Park. All around him, trees towered high in the sky and small puddles cut their paths through the grass. One foot arched across the bench, he allowed the other to linger casually over the side while he took in the gorgeous view all around him.

Ashamed with what he’d gotten himself into, Noel pressed his face in his palms. How have I allowed it to happen? So fast, for that matter, at all? The questions rolled in his head, burning a vicious path. It told him what could happen, if you didn’t show enough care. Why, he’d come here to prove he was worthy, that he could do the tasks he was given. Instead, he headed straight for disaster, hardly stopping to think twice on the matter. His superiors were correct. They knew he wasn’t prepared. Now he understood those orders, he originally considered so cruel, better. Even if he were to stay, to choose this girl who took over his mind—who knew how long he could remain by her?

Far above, the trees seemed to whisper some strange allay against his pains. The owls billowed out their songs, adding character to the night. It was as though they suggested he go to her; but Noel knew this was an illusion. That was the last thing he needed to do. Leaping up from the bench, the once-angel started to wander.

Over the course of the next three hours he roamed throughout the park, not entirely sure where he was going, only where he would not return. More than once he prayed for assistance—some sign of what he should do. Yet, no matter how desperately he pleaded, the answer he received was always the same. A person can make or destroy their life with a single choice.

Frustrated with his lack of understanding, Noel forced his emotions aside and set off in search of an an
swer. At times, an image would flash in his head—a girl with thick, silky hair, and curves so exquisite, she could have been a classical work of art. When these visions haunted him, Noel would shove them aside, furious with himself with the vision alone. Noel found himself at the end of the park, his feet hitting the rim of the pavement. To his right, an old woman stumbled forward with a tin cup stretched out in her hand. To anyone willing to look, she begged for a contribution. Sad for the aging drifter, Noel jabbed his left hand into his pocket and scraped at the jingling coins. Scooping out the coins and a few dollars, he dropped them into the cup, offering a genial smile to go with his gift. “A Merry Christmas to you madam,” he kindly said to the woman.

“To you as well. Thank you. Thank you!” He heard at his back. Already well on his way, he paused and switched directions.

It felt good, knowing he made someone happy. If only Candy felt the same. Four days to go until Christmas Eve and he had gained no ground. No matter how hard he drove himself to do otherwise; he could focus on only one thing. Defeat stared him in the face, yet he could find no way around it. Not so long ago, he promised to succeed at those tasks he was given, to give prove that he could.

So, what was destined to happen if he kept on at the pace he was going? What would be the result? His superiors had assured him, long before he departed, the consequences would not be pleasant. Logic battled emotion. He fought to see some sense in it all. For two hours this struggle continued, without concession or understanding. Left drained of all vitality, Noel crouched to his knees.

Overtaken by cold desolation, he traced blank shapes in the stars. Had he known that the woman who contrived the heart of this battle sat, reticent and alone, staring at those very stars, perhaps this exhausting inner fight would have resolved much sooner. As it was, he waited with no decision completely certain. Over time, Noel observed, more than my immortality has faded, along with it the powers that coincided have disappeared as well. This included that special vision which allowed him to observe from afar. For the first time he understood what it was to be mortal and all the troubles that went with it.