Me:I promise you, Evey. I’m going to take a walk right now. I’m far away and anyway, I won’t ever watch you without telling you. Just please be safe.
Evey:I’m just lying here. Doors are locked. See you when you get home.
Me:Love you.
Evey:Love you too.
Most normal conversation we had ever had. It was time for my experiment to begin. I stood, and a giant seagull dropped a load of shit on my shoulder. If that wasn’t enough proof that I was becoming a human, I didn’t know what was.
I flew poorly to the bay and dove in. Fuck, it was cold. I tried to hold my breath. I counted to three hundred then almost passed out, so I shot out of the water. I had a hard time getting lift with sopping wet, sparse wings and boots on. I found an empty public bathroom and dried my clothes under the hand dryer. Everything in me had weakened.
Next stop, the bridge. I went to the Golden Gate and stood on the railing for a long time, looking for angels. I couldn’t see any. I started teetering like I was going to fall. I was visible to humans.
I heard someone gasp and a woman scream, “He’s going to jump!”
Then there was a voice behind me. “You don’t want to do that, man.”
I turned around and saw the faint outline of wings.
“You’re an angel,” I said to the man, but why didn’t he know I was? It just validated my point even further. He couldn’t see my wings. I jumped down and stood face to face with him.
“I’m not an angel, but if I’ve convinced you not to jump, then I’m very happy to know that.” He was lying. Those lies we tell.
I leaned in and whispered, “I can see your wings, man.” I extended mine to their full glory.
“Oh, I didn’t see yours before. Let’s get out of here before we make a scene,” he said. “Nothin’ to see here, people.” He tugged on my shoulder, pulling me down the walkway. “Once we get to the end, cloak yourself and meet me on Pier 39.”
“I hate that place. Too crowded.”
“My souls are down there. I’ve got to get back. Just saw your little stunt and flew over here.”
I followed him to Pier 39, although it was hard to keep up with him. We stayed cloaked and found an empty bench to occupy.
“So what’s your name?” I said.
“Leo.” He looked like a newer version but not as new as Zack.
“I’m Lucian.” I shook his hand.
“Oh, Lucian. I heard about you.”
“What’d you hear?”
“You the one who married one of your souls.”
“Word spreads fast,” I said.
“Yeah, I was banging this chick, Abigail—”
“Yeah, I know her.” Fucking Abigail, such a big-mouthed brat.
“Sweet little ass, huh?” Leo said. I just shrugged like I had no idea what he was talking about. “So what were you doing on the bridge?”
I was texting Evey and mindlessly responding to Leo at the same time. “Just trying something out.”
Me:You ok?
Evey:Yes fine, have fun.
