Sample of a Draft 3

I expected to see my old hospital room, with no disturbing hallucinations. Just a mere dream. A mere, bizarre dream, but a dream nonetheless. I was shocked to find myself in an old fashioned church building, standing in the hallway. On either side of me were old wooden benches and an array of candle stands were placed at the front of the cathedral (???). Everything was old and musty, much like an old, unkempt library. Cobwebs were strung about the corners, intertwining around the long ago burnt out candles and organ pipes. Looming columns held up the spacious ceilings and a large symbol erected on the large organ pipes glowed a faint blue. The symbol, I recognized, was from a church building I had seen before. I was so cold with only a hospital scrub on, and hadn’t noticed my right arm was severely bleeding from five gashes until I heard the faint dripping noise. The cast had been ripped from the sharp claws so I began peeling the severed parts off. Holding my injured arm close to my side, I used the scrub’s fabric and my other arm to staunch the bleeding.
Somewhat.

I needed help and what better place to be at than a church? Surely there would be someone. I was so preoccupied with my arm I almost failed to notice that I felt completely…fine. I was breathing and I didn’t feel like I broke a bone. I only felt light-headed from lack of blood as I stumbled forward.

“…Hello? Anyone here?” I called, breaking the cryptic silence. I went quiet to hear for a reply.

“Have a bit of a scratch there?” I heard an amused chuckle from the front of the church. By one column partially shrouded in shadows a tall man was leaning against it casually with his arms folded. He wasn’t a priest; I figured by the way he dressed. He was wearing an old fashioned (auburn) suit with a top hat. The hat had a ribbon wrapped around and the end ties hung down from the rim of his hat. He also wore old style brown (suede) shoes. A sash tied around his waist held a sheathed (rapier), dating back to the Victorian Era. His eyes were like liquid pools of gold, and his hair reminded me of fresh honey.

He moved forward and that was when I noticed two large things.

Two feathery things hooked to his back. This mysterious man…

Had wings.

“…Um. Where am I?” I managed after gawking at his wings.

He gave a half smile as he strode up to me. “You, my brother, have returned home.” He said in a silky smooth, sly voice.

I backed away from him a few steps, wary of strangers. “Who are you?” I demanded, eyeing the weapon at his side.

“Questions won’t heal your arm. But if you must inquire, I am Zaman.” He replied. He held his hand out, which I guessed was for my injured arm. I peered at him for a long while, determining whether or not I could trust him. He seemed to be a denizen here, and I figured he would know how to get me back home. My eyes trailed down to his outstretched hand. They were the same gloves that carted me away.

“I’m not going to bite, Roan.” He said in a somewhat patient voice.

“Why’d you take me away?” I snapped a question back.

He sighed and let his hand return to his side which pulled out a piece of yellowed parchment from his pocket. He read it aloud, “Roan Arken Mikellin, having made a deal to be withheld from all previous occupations to dwell on earth for one lifetime, unless summoned back hereby Orion during an emergency. Your contract has been terminated.’ Basically, it’s time for you to go back to work. You are not a mortal, never have been, never will be. I brought you back because we need you and all the other angels’ help.”

I blinked from the overload of information, swaying a little. How did he know my full name, when did I suddenly have a contract, who was Orion, and more importantly, did he just say “angels”?

“Here’s your signature, too.” He added casually, turning the paper over to show me the brisk strokes of…

My name.

I shuddered, suddenly paranoid. Questions raced through my mind and before I could utter them he put his arm over my shoulder, leading me down the quiet hall. I didn’t have much of a choice so I followed; reassuring myself that if he meant me harm, he would have already killed me.