After New York, I told myself that if Hell shook one more time, that I’d run away. I knew it’d kill me to leave Jack and Eliza, but Hell was almost hanging by a thread and I didn’t have much time left until it got to that point.

---

Jack and I had continued the reading, I could easily figure out three letter words and four letter words only gave me minor difficulty. He and I were starting simple endings like ‘ing’ and ‘ed’. I could tell I was picking it up quickly because now when we were out, sometimes I’d be able to spot words I knew or I could sound them out. From what I could tell, he seemed proud of me and that made me feel really good.

---

Pete was over and talking with Jack about Hell as well as business because apparently Pete had a share in Jack’s company or something, I don’t know it’s hard to keep up with that stuff. I was sitting on the couch reading an easy book Jack had given me and had just come to a word I couldn’t figure out when I heard him come down the stairs.

“Hey Jack can you-“ I cut myself off when I saw that it was not Jack, but Pete.

I bit my tongue, hoping he wouldn’t be mad. Normally I didn’t care what demons through of me, but Pete was different. He wasn’t like any other demons I’d met and for some reason, I wanted him to like me.

“What is it Alex?” He asked.
“Um. Well th-there’s this word I can’t figure out.” I said, looking down.
“Let me see.” He said, sitting next to me and I pointed to it.
“Cahpable?” I asked
“That’s ‘capable’.” He corrected.
“Oh okay. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiled.
“You’re not against me learning to read?” I asked, cocking my head.
“No not at all, I taught my staff how to read.” He shrugged, standing up.
“Really? Why?”
“Humans are weaker than demons, but they’re not stupid. They shouldn’t be treated like they are.” He said before continuing to where ever he was going.

What he said caused me to wonder whether or not he believed humans should be enslaved. From the sound of it he didn’t, but then again he owned slaves so I guessed that meant he did. I sighed and got back to reading.

---

“Once I’m good enough, I’ll teach you.” I said to Eliza as we were walking around outside through the trees.
“Really? Is it hard?”
“Nah, once you get the basics down it gets easier, spelling is hard though.”
“Yeah but still, I can’t wait till I can read all those books in the library…In secret of course.” She smiled.
“I know, I’m looking forward to it. Imagine all the stories.” I smiled.
“Maybe you could read to me?” She asked.
“Okay as soon as I’m able, I’ll read to you. I promise.” I confirmed.

---

I took a deep breath as I stretched my wings as far as they’d go. It’d been too long since I’d done this. I smiled and arched my back as the breeze brushed my feathers, as if it were stroking them, beckoning them to come with it and take to the sky. So I did.

I’d never flown higher than the tallest tree in the forest behind Jack’s backyard but this time, I did. It wasn’t the earth below me that caught my attention, but the sky. Above the lights and the busyness of the ground, was cold,`` gentle sky with little lights scattering the darkness. I watched the sky as I slowly floated down and gently landed, not once losing sight of the stars.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” I heard Pete’s voice.
“Yeah.” I whispered, not bothering to bring my wings in, he already knew anyway and besides, it felt nice having them out.
“They’re angels you know.” He replied.
“Are they okay?” I asked, suddenly very concerned for those little flickering lights.
“Oh yes, each light shows either an angel’s soul who was laid to rest or a new life about to begin.” He replied.

The feeling the stars gave me returned. That safe, warm feeling. Like I was being looked after, watched from distance but never too far.

“Who was it?” I asked before realizing that without context, he’d have no idea what I was talking about. “The one who left metal.”
“I… I have an idea but I want to be sure before I bring his name to the table.” He replied.

I tried to think of who he could be talking about but the most evil person I knew of was Jack’s shadow and Pete would’ve told us if he suspected him.

“Do I know him or of him?” I asked making Pete chuckle.
“You are a curious one aren’t you?”
“Considering everything that’s going on, I don’t know how someone couldn’t be.” I shrugged.
“Yes you know of him.” Pete confirmed.
“Is he worse than Jack’s shadow?”
“Alex, comparing Jack’s shadow and the one I’m thinking of, is like comparing you and Jack. Jack’s shadow compared to my suspect is like white and black.” He replied.

I wanted to speak in Jack’s defense, he’d gotten a lot better since I first met him, but then I realized that wasn’t exactly a good thing so I just nodded.

“When do you think he’ll make his move?” I whispered.
“Any second.”

Notes

Title cred: Poison - All Time Low