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I stood on the battlefield of Purgatory with Julia by my side, scanning the quiet landscape. The moment Fate died, the demons fled, chased back through the gates of hell by Leviathan. What angels were left fled into the mountains, leaving only the silence of death.
I turned back to my army of reapers and they dropped to their knee, honoring me.
Even my parents took a knee and I glanced at Noah, rolling my eyes. He grinned and shrugged. Julia threaded her hand in mine and I turned my gaze to hers, thankful she was more than all right.
I cleared my throat and heads raised.
“You’ve all got your assignments,” I said and glanced to the souls huddled together in silence.
They stood and dispersed, taking their quarry with them to the proper destination until all that remained was Noah and my parents.
Leviathan padded to my side and I gave his massive leg a pat of thanks. He dropped his snout and nudged me, sending me sidestepping for my balance and making the group crack smiles.
“Watch Julia while I do my job, okay?” I said and he nodded, wrapping his tail around her waist and lifting her onto his back.
I glanced up and sent a wink at her; she smiled and glanced at the vast landscape, giving me time to focus on Noah.
“I guess this is it,” I said and his eyebrows shot up.
“What do you mean?”
I opened my mouth and closed it, dropping my gaze to the ground before bringing it back to him. “You rolled the Mustang,” I said and the goofy smile on his face faded.
“I’m dead?” he asked, his arms falling to his side.
“Yeah,” I said, taking his arm and leading him toward the mountains. My parents followed. “I shouldn’t have dragged you around the countryside with us,” I added after silence had settled over the group.
I glanced back at my parents, but they weren’t paying attention to us. They were walking arm in arm, like lovers taking a midnight stroll, just staring into each other’s eyes, mesmerized. I couldn’t help the melancholy that filled my soul.
“Looks like they’re happy,” Noah said, following my gaze.
I smiled and nodded and we walked in silence.
“I’m sorry, Noah,” I said, breaking the comfortable quiet that had enveloped us.
He didn’t say anything, just stared forward as we continued across the plain.
Golden gates shimmered in the distance and he glanced at me. “Heaven?”
It was the first time I had seen the gates of Heaven and they were glorious. “Yes,” I answered before peeling my gaze away from the shining light. “If any angels give you shit, just kick their ass, okay?”
Noah grinned and nodded. “Thanks for keeping your promise,” he said when we stopped outside the entry.
“Anytime,” I said and gave him a hug. This one longer than the good-bye at the house because I knew I’d never see this bouncing, energy ball again. My eyes misted when we pulled away from each other.
“You’re not really gonna do that, are you?” he said, a look of dismay crossing his goofy features.
I blinked the tears away and offered a smile. “Guess not,” I said and he gave me a thumbs up, turning toward the light.
My parents stepped to my side, each putting a hand on my shoulder while I watched my best friend step into the light and disappear.
“We’re proud of you,” my mother said and I tore my gaze away from the light I’d never experience and pulled her into a hug. She had been around since I was born, first as flesh and blood, and after as a guardian reaper and saying good-bye left me with a lump the size of Texas in my throat.
“I love you, Mom,” I squeaked out and pulled out of the hug, stepping away to put distance between us. “Dad,” I said, giving him a nod.
He wasn’t having that and he pulled me into a fierce hug before turning away and taking my mother’s hand, leading her into the same light that Noah passed through.
I put my hand on the gold trim, feeling the power of Heaven just for a moment before it faded and I stood alone at the base of the majestic mountains.
I turned and surveyed the land, my gaze landing on Julia riding Leviathan. He tore in one direction and then switched to another, sliding in the sand and kicking up a small dust storm each time he changed direction. Her carefree laugh carried to me on the breeze and I realized I would be able to hear that beautiful sound from now until the end of time.
A smile caught my lips, wiping away the sadness in my heart, and I started my trek back to my girl and my favorite destructive force.
As I walked toward them, a new thought dawned.
Maybe this was my Heaven.
The End
***
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