Angel's Trial: The Ancient War (A Challenge for a Tigress (Mature, PRIVATE plz))

Chapter 1: The Day Started Off Normal


…And it had. It was a normal late September school day. Reyson had awoken to a normal P.E. class—basketball now that the season had changed—and later to English, lunch, then Algebra, and now as he sat in his last block of the day, Advanced Drawing, he pleasantly recalled his lunch with Alyson and the pleasant conversation he’d enjoyed. She was a sweet girl—a lifelong friend and his better half for the last three years.
He still marveled at their match—in third grade a bookworm and an aspiring artist made friends, and in time that friendship had evolved into a relationship. He swore he would marry her someday. With her bouncing red locks, gentle demeanor and striking green eyes, she was definitely the one for him.
He sat back and stretched, his long blonde ponytail swaying with the motion. Yes, the jocks tormented him for keeping his hair long—he’d been called ‘fag’ and ‘girlie’ for ages—but in his young mind it suited a starving artist.
As he resumed working on his project, Rey tucked a bang behind his ear and began the sweeping lines of a new drawing, and recalled that a starving artist would probably be all he’d ever be. His school career had never been exemplary. He’d started Kindergarten a year late due to family problems surrounding the death of his father, and in the eighth grade he’d given up, ready to drop out. He had blamed his father’s absence for all of his problems—and the crowd he’d been hanging out with at the time was not the best. He’d even considered suicide a couple times—until Alyson had entered his life as more than just a friend. With her at his side and supporting him, he’d regained the strength he needed to finish school, though he’d had to repeat the grade. These two reasons were why a nineteen-year-old was still in high school.
He smiled, put in his earbuds, and went to work on his drawing until at last, the bell rang. Grinning, he packed away his supplies and, a happy spring in his step, he went to wait for his love in his usual place outside the main doors. He made it a habit to walk her home whenever possible.
As he exited the heavy doors, the autumn air greeted him like a breath of new life, and he smiled, leaning against the wall and watching the overcast sky. It was probably a good idea to get her home as quickly as possible tonight—they’d been calling for snow for three days now.

Alyson only liked a couple of her classes. History and English, and creative writing. The rest were dreadfully boring, and she just wanted school to end. Only Reyson made it somewhat better, he made life interesting. He was there for her as she was there for him. Sitting in her creative writing class, she worked on her latest poem, it was centered around her love. But her writings were always so secret to her, too shy about them to show him what she wrote. He was the one she trusted the most, but maybe that was why she was weary about showing them to him. His opinion she valued the most, but what if he gave the wrong opinion? When the bell rang, she packed up her stuff, and shouldered her messenger bag. After checking to see if she missed anything, she walked out of the class room, to meet up with Reyson at his usual place. Stepping outside, she breathed in the autumn air, oh if she could just live outdoors, she would be happy. Her gaze spotted Reyson, and she approached him slowly.

((Point Awarded! Total: 1 point Level: 0))

The young artist grinned and opened his arms to hug his love. “Hey, Ally.” He grinned, using his pet name for her. “You ready to leave this hell-hole behind?”
With that, he escorted her off the campus and took her on their usual route through downtown. “So how was your day? The Old Hag give you any trouble?” he asked, referring to her stuck-up history teacher—who had given Alyson some grief in the past. “I hear she’s cracking down on everyone lately like she’s got a boot up her arse about something.”
He stooped down to give her a kiss on the cheek. “If she did I hope she didn’t rip into you too badly. You look intact to me.”
He noted that town seemed a little hushed today—it was a little eerie actually. An icy wind blew in from the harbor, and he shuddered. Definitely snow on the way. He pulled his hoodie up closer around his neck, and tightened his hold on her hand. “Looks like Christmas wants to come early this year."

Alyson stepped into his arms for his hug. "Hey," she replied softly, with a smile. "Yes, please." Glad they were able to head home, she walked with him as he escorted her off campus. Nothing sounded better than going home and crawling into her warm bed with a book. Except maybe spending time with him. Hearing him ask about her history teacher, she glanced to him, and shrugged her shoulders.

"Today was fine. I didn't pay attention to her." Aly was able to tune out her history teacher whenever the woman got.. intense and mean. Feeling the wind, Alyson pulled her jacket closer to her body, actually enjoying the cold. Winter was by far her favorite time of year.

((Half point awarded. Communication Bonus! +2! Total: 3 ½ points. Level One reached at 50 pts. 1st reward given at 10 pts.))

Rey grinned. “That’s my girl.” He took her bag then twirled her around by the waist before giving her a hug and a kiss. “And to think, we won’t have to put up with her next year—since she’s retiring. Thank God for that.” Indeed the entire student body had been relieved to hear that the Old Hag Mrs. Gryganson was leaving the student-torturing business for good.

The handsome youth shivered again. His favorite time of the year was actually right now, the autumn, but that didn’t make the changing Maine seasons any warmer or more comfortable. He pulled his hood up and tied it against the icy gnawing of the coastal wind.

The sky above was darkening, and in the distance he could already see the sky descending. This, coupled with the eeriness of the nearly abandoned downtown area and the general sense of unrest the autumn could sometimes invoke in a person made for a magical if not slightly unnerving atmosphere that he would be glad to be safely in out of. But, luckily, Ally’s home was only about twenty minutes away.

Alyson laughed as he twirled her around, he was such a romantic. And really cute. "She's just a teacher, Reyson," she told him softly. He put a lot of energy into hating the teacher, when it seemed easier to just ignore what the teacher does. Sometimes she preferred to tell her diary about something, then a conversation that just draws it out.

Her gaze shifted to the sky, watching as it was darkening, and she slipped her hand in his. It didn't seem like a good idea to get stuck out there during the snow storm. Days like this made her wish she had a car. But then she wasn't that comfortable driving in the snow. Let alone a snow storm. Driving at all was a little bit unnerving.

((Half point awarded. Total, 4 points. 8 pts for first reward. Goal lowered due to inactivity on my part))

“I know. But there are times when one wonders if she’s even human.” he said jokingly. As he squeezed Alyson’s hand and rounded the next corner, his head shot up at a distant sound. “…What the hell?” It had sounded like a gunshot. And then came another one. “…We should get going.” The shots had come from behind them a few blocks—so hopefully if they hurried they’d get inside and be out of the way if and when anything bigger started up.

Reyson picked up his pace. Rumors had been circulating about gangs moving into the area from uptown, but he hadn’t thought that they’d be near. He heard another shot—and to his dismay that one seemed closer.

“Come on Aly.” He said, trying to keep calm but breaking into a brisk walk. When he got her home maybe her parents would let him stay for a bit until his got off from work later that evening.

"That's a weird thing to say," Alyson replied, as she walked with him. She jumped a little when she heard the gun shot, and tightened her hand around his. This made her weary. And now she wished she had a car. Then she could be home by now. Falling silent, she went with him, picking up her pace to keep up with him as he broke into a brisk walk. If there was trouble, she wanted to hole up in her room and never leave.

((half point awarded. Total 4 ½ pts. First reward given at 8 pts.))

Reyson was doing his best to move at that rate in between a quick lope, due to his longer stride, and slow enough that he didn’t make Aly stumble. But he was getting more concerned—those shots were getting closer. He whipped his phone out of his pocket and dialed 9-1-1, and when the operator came on the line, he broke into a hurried explanation.

“There’s gunshots downtown. My girlfriend and I are heading due north—we’re on the corner of Columbus and Powhaton. Send cops—I don’t know if anyone’s hurt but send an ambulance too in case.”

The operator said something, then requested him to stay on the line. She began telling him to just hunker down somewhere safe and try not to be seen, when the shots suddenly stopped. But Reyson wasn’t convinced.

“Sir?”
“I’m still here, the shooting’s just stopped.”
“Keep going then. Cut onto the back roads and get somewhere—”

But Rey did not hear the rest of the operator’s words, as suddenly there came a voice from the alley. “Put the phone away. Do it now.”

Alyson kept up with him, trying not to think about anything but getting home. Maybe if she just didn't accept the fact that there was trouble, the trouble wouldn't find her or Reyson. Her hand went into her pocket, pulling out something small, hidden in her fists.

Hearing Reyson call 911, she listened quietly. What good would the police do? If there was trouble, they would arrive too late. The police were always too late. Every crime drama she watched, the victims weren't saved in time. And as a female, it'd be worse for her. How annoying.

Her heart raced, as she heard the voice from the alley. Oh Damn it. Yeah. that was what she needed, to be caught as a witness for something she didn't even know what was going on.

((Half point awarded. Total: 5 pts))

Reyson very slowly closed his phone, cutting off the operator as she asked if he was alright.

“Slide the phone away.” The voice growled, and Reyson did so, his eyes straight forward. He was doing his best to keep calm—though that was a feat in itself.

The speaker came forth from the shadows, a Glock poised at the young couple. In the shadows, others were moving about. “…Now, you leave the law out of this. They’ve got no business dabbling in our affairs, and nor do you. Now, I’m going to count to five—and if you’re not out of here by three, well, you can guess.”

Another individual came up beside the speaker. “…Hey boss, why not keep the lady for ourselves. Some woman flesh ought to do us some good.”

The leader thought about that, then grinned, almost feral. “Alright… Mister, step away from her and you’ll be just fine.”

“…No.” Reyson said, eyes still forward. “I know what your kind do to women.”
“Oh, trying to be a hero, are we? And trust me kid, you’ve no idea what kind means.”
“…No.” the youth said again.
“Do it!”
“No!”
“…Fine.” Then the leader turned the Glock on Aly, and fired.

There was no time to say, only to do, as Reyson shoved her out of the way.

Alyson's gaze shifted to the man who emerged from the shadows. Her fist tightened, and she moved closer to Reyson. This was definitely not good. Her heart raced as terror gripped her, close to panicking. Having a gun pointed at her and Reyson was new, and she did not like this new experience.

Her body stiffened, hearing the other man's suggestion. And of course the leader agreed. Men were so predicable. "Reyson... just go," she told him, she'd rather him be safe, than the bad guys hurt both of them. Damn him, he was stubborn, wanting to protect her. It wasn't the time to protective.

Alyson's eyes widened when she saw the Glock turn on her. Her body shivered, but there was barely any time to react when the shot was fired, but suddenly she was shoved out of the way. “Reyson!” Crying out, she stumbled, and fell to her side, almost loosing her grip on the thing in her hand. There was a sinking feeling in her stomach, afraid something happened to him because of his heroics.

((Point Awarded! Total: 6. Remaining until reward: 2pts.))

A third voice rang out from the shadows. “You fucking arse! We’re trying to get away, dipshit!” This third voice was stronger, fiercer, and had more authority in it. Was it possible the shooter wasn’t the real leader?

The shooter blanched—now the others would have heard the shot. They’d be there soon. “…Scatter!” The gang quickly dispersed, and the shooter dove back into the shadows of the alley. The only one that remained was the one who had suggested taking Aly. He sneered and made a couple of steps towards her, only to be stopped dead by the third voice.

“Raziel! Come on!”
The one named after an angel hesitated, and sirens could be heard ripping through town.
“Raziel!”
He hesitated again, then glared at Aly, crabbed his crotch at her, then ran off after his brothers.

…Reyson had felt the shot before he-d heard it. It ripped into his chest with the rage of Hell and burned him within as he fell, landing on his stomach, shivering from shock and loss of heat. He body visibly shuddered, and as he lie there on the cold pavement, his lips started turning blue.

The bullet had buried itself deep in his left breast.

He watched through blurry eyes as the gang dispersed, oblivious to the distant sirens and the small crowd that was gathering in a few moments.
“…A-Aly…” he pleaded, reaching weakly for her.

Aly's gaze shifted to Reyson, terrified. He was shot. There was blood. Oh so much blood. Blood made her a little bit queasy. Glancing to the gang, she watched as they left, before going to Reyson. She put her hand on his chest, pressing down on the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. “You are so darn stubborn,” she told him. “If you die on me, I won't forgive you.” Focusing on making sure he didn't die while the sirens got closer kept her from crying. Instead of tears, she was mad at him, he always seemed to get in trouble. Her gaze lifted, and looked around at the crowd, as she tried to remain calm, and not become a hysterical woman. Those type of women never seemed to help a situation.

((Point Awarded! Total: 7))

The sirens were three blocks away now—but though he didn’t want to admit it, they may as well have been thirty.

He looked up at her with weary eyes. He tried to smile, but his inability to breathe rendered the attempt futile. He reached up with a quivering hand, cupping her cheek and leaving red fingerprints on her skin.

He was white as the snowflakes starting to wander down from the heavens, and even his fingertips were blue-ish now.

“…I l-love you.” he wheezed, focusing on her face. He couldn’t hear the sirens as they passed the next block, and by the time they stopped, he was gone from this world. For love.

EMS Susan Juarez was already bringing the gurney with her partner Charles Ferguson. Shootings had been reported the last couple days, progressing steadily to this area from uptown, but this was the first reported victim. She prayed he would be the last.

She came up to Aly. “Hang on sweetie, it’ll be alright.” Even though she knew it wasn’t. Especially when, to her dismay, the lad had no pulse.

Alyson stared at him, practically watching his life slip away. It was heart wrenching, though she still had no tears, instead there was determination on her face, not accepting that he was leaving her. He couldn't leave. He had to stay. What would life be without him? He never even saw her poetry, because she was too afraid to let him see them. “Reyson,” she whispered.

Did he really love her? It hurt, broke her heart, shattered her world as he died. If he loved her, he would have stayed. Right? He couldn't be dead. This wasn't real. Just a terrible dream. No. She absolutely refused to believe it. “Damn it Reyson.” Her fists closed around his clothing, the pepper spray forgotten, it had been the thing she pulled from her pocket. But it didn't save him.

Feeling numb, she was focused on her love, not seeing anyone approach. Nor did she hear the EMS speak to her.

Nothing would be alright ever again.

((Excellent post! 2 points awarded! Total: 9. Award: earned. Sunday 11, a scene with Natzaa))

Susan’s shoulders dropped. So young. He was so young! She shed a little tear to see the boy’s handsome face, violated by a deathly pallor a face that young should never, ever have to wear. Damn the world. Damn it!

She wiped her eyes on her wrist, then sadly covered the boy with a cloth. The press were on their way by now, to be sure. For such a small town this was big news. “Charlie,” she told her partner, “Keep those baying hounds in their kennels.”

Charlie nodded—it was an expression she used often in reference to the press. He then approached the girl. “Miss, are your parents home?”

Susan rolled the gurney over to the ambulance, and had the driver help her hoist the boy into it. “…I’m sorry kiddo.” she whispered. “Sorry we didn’t get here in time.”

Alyson sat there, her gaze watching as Reyson was covered and taken away from her. then she stared down at her hands. His blood. Oh she did not know how to deal with this. Nor did she like this. The man's voice barely reached her ears, glancing to him, she nodded, silent. Why did she never let him see her poetry. Her mother was home, because she worked at home. Her father would be home later. But none of that mattered to her. Because Reyson still had to go and leave. He had to die. But why couldn't' he have just walked away? He could have left her there, and she wouldn't care, because he would be safe. Now he's dead. And it was her fault. Because she was his girlfriend he thought he should protect. This wasn't protecting her.

((Well done! 1 ½ pts awarded! Total: 10 ½ pts))

Charlie, trying his best to be compassionate—unfortunately as a former big-city EMS he’d seen so much of this sort of thing he’d gotten a bit numb to it—said in a kindly voice. “May I have a number to reach them that?”

The cops would want to question her, as an eyewitness. But they couldn’t do anything legally without the parents’ presence and consent.

Susan then started on the necessary paperwork, and glanced out to see the cops clearing away the crowd as best as they could. She also glanced to Charlie and the girl. She set the paperwork down, then got out of the ambulance and approached.

“…Would you like to be with him, Miss?”

Why was this man still talking to her? With a sigh, she grabbed her bag and pulled out a notebook, not even remembering her bloody hands. She tore out a piece of paper, then wrote her parents number on it, both of them, and shoved the paper at him. Now he can go away.

Her gaze shifted to the woman who approached and spoke to her. Be with him? In her mind, she thought joining him, by dying. Who would want to live after they lost their love? Alyson was silent, like she had no words. The girl wasn't anything, it felt like she was empty on the inside.

((Half point awarded. Total: 11 pts.))

Charlie took the paper with the numbers, and handed it to one of the policemen, who looked over, not as numb to this sort of thing as the EMS, and then sat in his squad car to relay the number to dispatch.

Lieutenant Jeremy Haynes got the report from the dispatcher, and with a sigh he picked up his desk phone. It was only going to be a matter of time before someone got hurt in those shootings, and now the first victim was a fatality. While he’d had to make calls like this before, it didn’t make it any easier.

He looked up the number in the system—since the EMS hadn’t asked the girl her name. “Kavanagh, James and Helen. Daughter Alyson. 254 North Autumn Drive.” was what the entry said. And so, he called it.

He waited for someone to pick up.

Susan put a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I was meaning if you’d like to ride with him to the hospital? What’s your name?”

Alyson felt the hand on her shoulder, and reacted, jumping away. Her gaze shifted to the woman, feeling very uneasy. Wrapping her arms around herself, she sighed deeply, tears filling her eyes. "What difference does that make?" she asked softly. He was dead. That was the end. Going with him to the hospital just made it seem like he wasn't really dead. "Alyson," her reply was an afterthought, though she didn't really want to say her name at all. She just wanted them to all just go away.

((Half point awarded. Total: 11 ½ pts. Next reward granted at 15 pts.))

Susan’s normally pretty smile turned down. She felt for this girl—and had a feeling that the two of them had been a couple. She’d lost a lover once too, but not like this. “...Alright then, Miss Alyson. Would you like one of us to drive you home?”

Haynes was already on the phone, tapping softly on the desk, and dreading what he had to do. When the line picked up, he began, “…Hello, Ma’am. This is Lieutenant Jeremy Haynes with the Whalesong Police Department. I’m calling for a Misses Helen Kavanagh…”

Alyson's gaze shifted to Susan, tears in her eyes. Everything was crashing down on her. Slowly, she nodded. Oh, she wanted to go home, and lock herself in her room till the world ends. “Yes... please...” she whispered softly, and slowly pushed herself to her feet, her body trembling as she tried to fight her tears, trying to keep from breaking down. Would they think her foolish? To everyone, teen love was just puppy love, so would they just tell her to walk it off, after she watched him die?

Helen answered the phone. “Hello?” When she heard the Lieutenant say he was from the police department, she froze. Why would the police be calling her? Did her daughter get arrested? Was there a threat at the school? A million thoughts crossed her mind, thinking the worse that could possibly happen, and she prayed that nothing bad had happened. “I'm Mrs. Kavanagh.”