“Put me down,” I whimper.
I’m grateful that he saved me from having an epic meltdown in the middle of Jackson Square for everyone to see, but now, I just want to be left alone.
“No. I’m making sure you’re okay.” He continues walking at a clipped pace.
“Leave me be, Zeke. I need space.”
“No.” It’s all he says in response, continuing to carry me like a child. His refusal to do the one thing I’ve asked has that last string of sanity snapping in half.
My fists begin to beat on his chest. “Let me down. Now!”
Zeke finally stops, lowering me to my feet. His firm hands grasp mine, which are balled into fists, holding me still.
“Please calm down. I’m trying to help.”
“I don’t want your help,” I snap. “Can’t you see that?”
He takes a deep breath, allowing my hands to drop to my side. “When I stumbled across you in the square, you looked two seconds away from a full-blown panic attack.” His hand runs back through his dark hair in frustration. “So forgive me if I misread the situation. I’ll leave you to handle things yourself.”
He stalks past me, heading God only knows where. He’s angry, and I can’t say I blame him. For whatever reason, he found me in my moment of weakness. If he hadn’t helped me, who knows where I’d be or what would’ve happened. It was out of pure embarrassment that I pushed him away, and the shame I feel for how I treated him hits me hard in the chest.
“Zeke,” I yell to his retreating back. “I’m sorry.” My shoulders sag in defeat. All the energy is drained from my body, the fight gone.
With my head lowered, I don’t see Zeke stop and head back in my direction.
“You can’t keep pushing me away like this, Tori. Friends don’t allow friends to break down in public. I only did what I thought you’d want.”
My fingers fly to my head, massaging at my temples. A headache is fast approaching.
“Either you want me around or you don’t. I won’t play the part of your punching bag.”
My eyes fly to his. Something akin to panic rises in my belly at the thought of Zeke giving up on me. Despite my actions, he’s brought me a sense of security. He’s the only other angel I’ve come across on Earth. He understands me in ways that nobody else ever could, and that’s not something I want to live forever without. I reach out to stop Zeke from retreating again.
“Please don’t give up on me, Zeke. I-I can’t live alone here. I can’t be alone.”
The tears cascade down my cheeks as the finality of Almada’s words settle over me. Zeke’s heated expression falls from his face as his arm shoots out, pulling me in to him.
“I don’t wanna be alone, Ezekiel. Please don’t leave me. Don’t stop trying.” I can hardly contain the anguish that spills with every word spoken. The mounting fear of being deserted by Heaven and left to this rotting planet tears at my soul.
“I won’t ever stop. I can’t,” Zeke coos into my hair. “Don’t you see that? I care too much, Tori.”
“They’ve cast me out for good. I’m stuck here.” I cry harder. Every time I consider my new reality, the pain is more intense. Shouldn’t the agony ease? Can God not see fit to bestow some kindness on me?
“You were right all along,” I say, peering up into Zeke’s concerned eyes. “I’m never getting back in.”
He swallows hard, lips forming a perfect line. “How do you know this?”
“The woman from the square. I found her.”
He shakes his head. “She’s a crazy heretic, Tori. Surely you can’t believe her.”
“Yet I do.” My eyelids flutter as I try to remain upright. The lack of energy, coupled with the life-altering news, has taken a toll on my body. I need to power up, but I doubt I could even conjure a slight wind in this shape.
“Whoa. Let’s get you home and in bed,” Zeke says, lifting me once more into his arms.
Typically, I’d rebel against being carried through the streets of New Orleans like some damsel in distress, but I don’t have the energy to fight it.
I don’t know how we get back to my loft. Shortly after being hoisted up by Zeke, I dozed off, the last of my vitality zapped from me. When I come to, it’s pitch black, save for the thin stream of light floating in through the window. Zeke’s heavy breathing is the only sign I’m not alone.
