Angel Song: A Short Story

by R.B. Tetro

I live alone now, in a cabin on a cliff overlooking the city. In silence I live, with a drinking problem and a lifetime of festering regret. In the evenings, after supper, I often walk on the path leading to the highest point of the ridge top, where I sit for hours and think of what I might have done better and who I might have loved, had I chanced love.

On just such an evening I was taking my walk when I came upon a giant angel with armor made of gold and a sword made of pure silver, as long as I am tall.

He sat with his head down, singing a melancholy song in a heavenly tone as he gazed at the sprawling city below.

I almost passed him by- thinking I’d drank well past my limit- but he looked so lonely, I decided to inquire if I could assist in any way. “Can I do anything to help,” I tried.

The angel stood, turned his bronzed, battle scarred face and stared sadly at me. “I’m afraid no one can help this world anymore. I fear its demise is nigh at hand.”

We stood there, side by side, him towering over me, looking down at the twinkling metropolis below.

“It’s not that bad. It’s just a city,” I said.

The angel looked at me and shook his head, no longer smiling. “You cannot see things as we see things. Let me show you how angels see the world.”

I was nervous, and fearful, but I gathered myself and nodded that I was ready.

The massive angel spread his mighty winged arms out wide and opened his hands. Suddenly a square shimmering hole appeared in the evening sky, about the size of a piece of plywood.

I stood transfixed and slack jawed.

It was the grit of the city, the meat of the streets. The people were raw and wired, ready to explode.

The city was dark and filled with malice and hate. I saw things that made me question civilization and the condition of humanity. I saw rampant fear, betrayal, and greed beyond measure.

The city was oozing evil. I cried for the innocent lost in its dark labyrinth.

“There is no hope for us, is there?” I asked.

A long pause ensued.

Finally, the angel brought his hands together and the cosmic TV screen flickered and disappeared. “There is hope from whence I come. If thou should but believe in the one that has sent me.”

I looked at him and blinked back hot tears. “You mean Jesus, you’re talking about Jesus.”

The angel nodded his head slowly, and he pointed toward the eastern sky. “Soon, Jesus will come and conquer and heal this evil world. Will you believe in the coming King…the King of Kings?”

My gaze followed the angels. “I believe in Jesus, and that he exists. But I cannot believe he cares about this terrible world, or that he could save a wretched sinner like me.”

Dark anger filled the angels golden eyes.

I thought perhaps it might be time to take my leave.

“Old sinners, new sinners, Jesus loves all and is all that is love.  If you choose to believe in him and his father he will change your life from the inside out.”

Another period of silence followed. I could sense the angel was growing restless.

“I need more time…to think about all of this…if it were true…” I muttered.

The angel looked at me and shrugged. “He will come as a thief in the night, when you least expect it. You’ve had a long life, in mortal years, to think about your creator and his son. You also might die this very moment. Who can know such things, but the God and the Messiah.”

“Still… I need more time,” I insisted.

The angel shook his head. I watched a golden tear, drop from his radiant face to a brackish puddle in the rocks, causing the puddle to swirl and ripple with the hues of a sunset.

“As you wish,” he said, and then he was gone, and I alone on top of the mountain.

“I want to believe…it’s just that!” I shouted after him.

Instantly, the eastern sky was ripped apart and rolled back. I saw the son of God descending towards the city with thousands upon thousands of warrior angels behind him..

My heart was gripped with fear. I fell to my knees, terrified and screaming, like a child lost in a wilderness swarming with monsters.

I was too late. The rapture had come and gone. I had not believed, and had been left behind.

Far in the distance, as the world came to an end. I could still faintly hear the lingering melody, of the angel’s song.