Monday, October 31, 2005

   The X Cells: Chapter Two: Part One: Celest and Her Children

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Celest stared out of her open window into the clear blue sky. "Ah... this fresh air sure does my heart some good." She said as she drew in deep breaths of the crisp morning air. "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" She asked her daughter and youngest child, Angel. "Yes ma'am it is." replied Angel. She then spoke without thinking. "But it's not the same without Sa-, Soldier." She caught herself before she completely said his name. She hoped her mother had not caught on to what she almost said, for she was tryin', in this act, to save her some grief. "You think if you don't talk about Sage I'll just forget about him. Forget about the day they broke into my house and chased my baby out into the forrest." She paused a moment as she turned around to face Angel. "I'll never forget him." She said solemnly. Looking deep into Angel's eyes she told her, "Go retrieve your brother, Soldier, I need to talk to the both of you." Angel turned and left out the house. She began her walk to the other side of town where her brother, Soldier resided.

As Angel walked, she let her mind go back to that night two weeks ago. The last time her family was together. Celest had cookedan elaborate meal for Angel, Sage, and Soldier. Soldier had finished building his house and had just moved out the week before. It was the night before his twentyfifth birthday. There was supposed to be an extravagant birthday celebration the next day, but because of what happened that night all plans for it were forgotten.

Celest, Angel, Sage, and Soldier had sat down, said grace, and were in the process of eating, when a crew of eager looking men knocked down the door and grabbed Sage. Angel took her mother to the back, while Soldier stayed behind to help his brother fight.

Angel waited in the back with her mother until they could no longer hear any noise. She then went to the dinning room to see the end result of the brawl. Angel could clearly remember walking into the room seeing, nailed to the wall with a pick going through his right shoulder, Soldier. "Sage left... he headed towards the woods... ugh... damn I have to help him." Soldier had said once Angel had managed to remove the pick. He was bleeding so heavily that Celest refused to let him go. "Sage'll be back. He always comes back. No matter what. He's just gone for now. If you leave in that condition you'll never come back."

Angel had finally reached her brother's home. He was outside on the porch as if he had been awaiting her arrival. "Hey Angel." He rose as he greeted her. "Is there a problem at home. Mother's heart?" A troubled look was now upon his face. "No... Mother's fine." Angel said quickly. "She asked me to come get you. She said that there is something she needs to talk to us about." She then kneeled down to tie her shoelace for she noticed it was untied. "O.K. then let's go." Soldier said as he stepped down off of the porch and walked over towards Angel. THe two of them then walked home together.

Celest was waiting for them when they arrived. "What's wrong, Mother?" Soldier asked, still not convinced that everything was o.k. "Nothing sweetheart, it's just that I have to discuss an important issue with you two. Your brother Sage... he's not coming back. And we just can't pretend that he never existed... no... I want you to find him. Both of you. Bring your brother back home." Tears fell from her eyes as she said this. " I need to see him again." She said as she looked deep into Soldier's eyes. "Then you will." he replied.

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