>Intro: SEREN'S ANGEL
>
>
>I’m sure when he was born his eyes were gray, but at
>age two, they were what they should be, a crystalline
>blue. A shade so light that one felt compelled to
>look, to see if the irises held any color, then one
>became mesmerized, almost hypnotized by the stare.
>But not me, I knew what it meant and was immune. His
>parents called him James. A simple, common enough
>name but there was nothing simple or common about him.
> Of course, they didn’t know that, but I did. I was
>sent here to find him.
>
>My quest is simple: spin a dream and catch a soul.
>Dreams are easy; sometimes even fun. Catching souls
>isn’t. I’ll admit it, I hate it. But, it comes with
>who I am. My name is Angel. I’ve been around for
>thousands of years, watching, spinning and catching.
>I’m a dream weaver and a soul catcher. To young
>James, I’ll inevitably be his friend or his worst
>nightmare. Of course he could surprise me and be
>different than the others. I hope he is. I want to
>believe.
>
>The mystics assure me James is different. He’s the
>one. That this is Seren. The one I have been looking
>for. They are sure of it. I have my doubts. Seren
>has been elusive to find. I’ve spun way too many
>dreams then captured the souls only to find they were
>middler’s or worse, one of the no-goods. Always
>impossible to know until the last dream is up and
>you’re catching the soul. Middler’s are spirits that
>are learning but haven’t truly progressed. No-goods,
>well they are what their name implies, spirits who are
>no-good, evil if you will.
>
>The great battle is coming. Seren needs to come home
>and train the new souls. Long ago he shined brightly
>amongst us, a pure heart, enlightened mind with powers
>that reigned supreme but his spirit desired something
>else. He wanted to become human and learn. I knew
>Seren well – too well – I begged him not to leave.
>The trials and tribulations of being human would
>change him, I said. He claimed he’d be back even
>more enlightened. I’ve been searching for his soul
>ever since.
>
>Now, I sit in this dingy restaurant looking through
>the eyes of a deceased middler, and watch young James.
> The signs are there: the trademark eyes, the crescent
>moon birthmark on the hand, even the way he holds
>himself. Two-year old human’s babble, make messes,
>shriek, run and giggle amongst other things. They do
>not sit complacently in a high chair and people watch.
>
>
>Were the mystics right? After all these years, could
>it really be Seren? I observed the child while I
>slurped my coffee. It could be him. The aura
>surrounding James was quite bright. I wonder if the
>child can see me through these middler’s eyes? If it
>was Seren and he remembered her then recognition
>should show in his magnificent eyes. There’s only one
>way to know for sure, I thought as I scooted out of
>the booth and stood.
>
>The family sat at the back of the restaurant, near the
>bathroom. If I could maneuver past this one waitress,
>the child should see me for sure. Drawing near, the
>child turned and cast a glance at me. Hmmm, his aura
>colors changed when he noticed me. James is smiling.
>The skin in the corners of his eyes and lips crinkle
>as I stand near. Kneeling down I peer into the depths
>of his crystal eyes; it’s him, the mystics were right.
> Would his auld power work? Could he still speak
>with his mind, I wondered. “Seren is that you?”
>
>Two events occurred then. One, the child put his hands
>to his ears and began to shriek; and two, the wraiths
>were here. I felt the extreme drop in temperature
>and their evil filth permeated the room. If they were
>here, that could only mean one thing - James and I
>were in trouble.
I like this premise, a LOT. I'm a big fan of the Apocalyptic, end-of-times stories and this has an interesting twist. The only thing I would suggest doing differently is when you describe the middlers and the no-goods, to include the description as you name them rather than go back. Maybe something like "I’ve spun way too many
>dreams then captured the souls only to find they were
>middler’s, spirits that
>are learning but haven’t truly progressed, or worse, one of the no-goods, evil if you will." The image of this baby with the old eyes is delightfully creepy and I really think you're on to something here. Can't wait for more!
Page, 23:57:53 07/30/10 Fri