© Anna-Karin 2000-2001
Anna-Karin notes when the sun rises that she has been awake for more then 24 hours straight. She has had a lot to think about, like the classical question whether angels has souls or not, and the growing relationship between Kenneth and Gabriel.
But mostly the soul question.
Gabriel comes out from the building, followed by Morgel.
Gabriel: The execution will take place in a few moments, and then we will burn their bodies.
Anna-Karin: Ankael's and Jurel's too?
Gabriel: Yes. Do you want to be present?
Anna-Karin: No, not the execution anyway. Maybe the fire.
The messengers are led out by members of Gabriel's troop. They look in Anna-Karin's direction, and she looks back. Gabriel stands next to her.
Anna-Karin: I don't know if I ever will be able to sleep again.
Gabriel: I can help you. Let's go indoors.
They walk inside. Gabriel hands Anna-Karin a couple of blankets. Then he points to a spot next to Kenneth, who is sleeping heavily.
Gabriel: Lie down.
She do so on one of the blankets while pulling the other over her.
He rises one hand.
Gabriel: Sssh.
Anna-Karin sleeps.
As the two humans sleeps indoors, the three messengers have their hearts ripped out by Gabriel, Morgel and one other angel who was a good friend of Jurel.
Then all the dead angels are laid out in two groups, two at one side, laid out like crosses, and three at another, also laid out like crosses.
Gabriel puts some ointment, from a bottle he carries with him, on the two from his own army, but the others he ignore. Then with a gesture he puts them all on fire.
It's, apart form the gory start, a quiet and solemn ceremony.
The sun has risen above the rooftops. It seems like it's going to be a beautiful day.
Gabriel watches the ashes that's left after the fire. The humans still sleeps, like the dead.
The other angels have been sent back to the battlefields, to tell of what's happened down on Earth, in the realm of the living. Gabriel chose to stay behind for a while. He needs the time alone to think.
There are the sound of heavy wings. Gabriel looks up. It's Lucifer, the Boss of Hell.
Lucifer: Hello, Gabriel.
Gabriel: Hello.
Lucifer do not look as if he's mad at Gabriel for running away. He even smiles a little.
Gabriel: How did you find me?
Lucifer: The same way the Three Stooges did.
Gabriel: Why didn't you join forces with them then?
Lucifer: Because I wanted to see what would happen. Your monkeys did well.
Gabriel: They're not monkeys. They're humans.
The two ex-archangels are quiet for a while.
Lucifer: You've changed, Gabriel.
Gabriel: I don't think so.
Lucifer: Yes, you have. Earlier you wouldn't have cared a jot whether that girl could sleep or not, or whether that boy was wounded or not.
And you erased a weapon that could have gained you your victory. That's something new, that you actually care if there is a world left after the war.
Gabriel looks embarrassed. He do not like when people points out things like that. Makes him look soft. Like he has lost his edge.
Lucifer: Do you remember when we were friends? Before the war, the first war.
Gabriel: Yes.
Lucifer: But it changed, the world. And you can't unchange things. No one can. I know, I tried but failed. You tried and you just messed it up instead.
Gabriel: That's it! Stop insulting me! What's your point?
Lucifer: That I'm giving you a second chance.
Gabriel is momentarily speechless.
Gabriel: A second chance? But why?
Lucifer: Because you've changed, a little. Because you for once showed at least a little kindness to somebody. And because things change whether we like it or not. There's no way anything can be as it once was.
Gabriel: I don't understand. I just wanted things to be as it was before.
Lucifer: So did I. I still do. Your second chance comes with a price tag added to it though.
Gabriel: So what's the price?
Lucifer: That you have to meet a couple of probation officers once a week. People of my choice.
Gabriel: Seems easy enough.
Lucifer: Yes.
Gabriel: So who are those people?
Lucifer: The two humans you've spent the past days with.
Gabriel: Kenneth? Anna-Karin? You serious?
Lucifer: Yes. They are good company for you. Good influence. You need lots of it.
And with that the Lower Boss leaves.
It is evening. The sun is on its way down. Anna-Karin and Kenneth sits beside the car. They have packed up everything and waits for Gabriel to start talking.
Anna-Karin: Just spit it out will you.
Kenneth: Yeah. Talk. There's something you try to tell us so just open your mouth and talk.
So Gabriel tells them of his conversation with Lucifer. Including that part about probation officers.
Anna-Karin: I don't believe it. I always miss important stuff. The devil himself comes for a visit and I'm asleep and misses it!
Kenneth: That's life for you.
Everybody laughs.