This is my entry for Sue Vincent of The Daily Echo‘s #writephoto.
The Angel surveyed the moors. He could see for miles infact he could see forever. The future the past and the present, all at once.
Gabriel had often confided to his fellow angels that he found this all seeing ability rather a burden. He had even mentioned this to the big man who as usual just smiled and reminded him that it was no more than a gift.
This place where he stood had aeons before been the scene of the first battle between heaven and hell. When the big man, also known as God and that upstart Satan had first fallen out. Well to say they had fallen out was wrong because the big man never really fell out with anyone, no he was all forgiveness. All the anger, smoteing and serious stuff was left to himself and Michael but mostly him.
Gabriel could see that first battle going on infront of him, the sound, the smell the slaughter. He could see it as it was now calm and covered with fog and at the same time he could see it how it will be in the future.
Gabriel looked up and saw Michael on the top of the hill, he spoke gently asking the other angel had he found the cause for the sulphur smelling fog. “Yes” came a clear and equally gentle reply. Michael answered that not only had he found the source but he had found their youngest and most easily let angel Azriel at the centre of it all.
Azriel a gentle soul not possessed of any of the attributes of angels or archangels was the big man’s most beloved because he was innocent and pure his capacity for love easily made up for his lack of brains or any sort of worldly or indeed heavenly knowledge.
He was alas Satan’s favourite angel too. All Satan had to do was to suggest a course of action and Azriel would carry it out.
Gabriel shook his head and took a deep breath. He did think better of it but he opened his mouth and in a dreadful voice full of anger he shouted. “Satan!” The whole world shook and Gabriel quickly regained self-control before is caused the death of the planet.
Somewhere a mobile phone rang, Gabriel ignored it! It kept wringing, Gabriel gently asked Satan , ” Why do you insist on using that thing when we can just communicate ?” No answer came, the phone just kept ringing. It was Micheal who answered it. “Yes, … Why did you get Azriel to create this fog it is causing havoc?” Michael could hear the snear in Satan’s voice as he replied. “Because I can and I know Gabe will not be amused, he is so sexy when he is angry.” Michael winced knowing Gabriel would hear every word.
Satan’s laugh echoed in Gabriel’s ears, “why, why” he asked silently.
Satan stopped laughing and and communicated fallen angel to archangel. ” Because I can, because I want to, because the big man doesn’t seem to want to stop me.”
Michael gathered Azriel up into his arms and took off to heaven.
Gabriel sat alone in the disapateing fog and wept , not tears of sorrow but tears of rage. This must stop he thought I am no better than a human right now.
The big man looked down and sighed. The weight of heaven, earth and hell was such a heavy burden.