About ten years ago me and twelve other angels were sent here, to earth, with one mission. Exterminate the human race. The vile begins that were killing Earth. I was young when I first arrived, I think about seven, but the only memory we had was our names and why we were here. Except for the three elders. When I had the first sight of what they had done I was appalled. There’s so much pollution, disease, violence, and disaster. Many of their people were hungry and starved. We created a base in a place called Vienna, the elders created the council, so whenever we needed help or to check in every so often we would go there. We spread out across the world, killing the major cities off first, then moving to the smaller ones. I don’t enjoy doing this, killing people, but I see why it’s necessary. I was assigned to take care of North America with another angel, Lydiana. I have never actually killed a human directly, I always used special bombs, I plant them then blow them once I get a good distance away. The humans made names for all of us since they didn’t know our real ones, based on our killing style. Mine was Bloodshadow. Which I guess was pretty accurate. I just got done with a city called Atlanta, I think it was in a place called Georgia or something. Over time I had noticed how humans actually look very similar to angels, except they don’t have wings. I couldn’t imagine not having wings. I breathed in the warm air, some places hadn’t been touched by the pollution yet. Earth truly was a beautiful place, too bad the humans didn't take care of it. I sighed, then spread my wings and took off into the air, beating them harder and harder, until I was a good height away from the demolished town. My next destination was a small town in South Carolina called Smyrna. We didn’t really choose our destinations but something just pulled us to go there. I peered down, everything was so small from the air. I could see the town in the distance in a clearing ahead. I angled down and pulled the bomb out of my pack, it was the last one I had, I would have to go back to headquarters after this. I found the center of the town but where no one could see me and programmed the bomb. I took a look around, everything had been boarded up, strange. I shrugged then walked away and found the main road leading out of the town. About halfway down the road, I pressed the button and the bomb went off, shaking the ground. I sighed, trying not to think of what I had done. You would think after ten years of doing this I would have gotten used to it, nope. It still bothered me every time. As I pondered my thoughts, something struck me in the shoulder, I let out a yell. Someone had shot me with an arrow, what the heck? I huffed, it hurt like hell. I gripped the shaft and pulled it out. Blood dripped down my armor and started to fall to the ground. I looked around, who had done this? And boy were they were stupid, you did not mess with us. I glanced up and squinted, there was a house-like structure in a tree and through the window was a young girl around my age. She had golden brown hair tied up, a light tan, and piercing emerald green eyes, that reminded me of something I couldn’t pinpoint. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights, she was holding a wooden bow, her eyes met mine and she dropped the bow and scrambled out of the house, she fell down through a hole and landed on the ground, ducking into a roll. I started towards her as she stood up, I wasn’t sure of what I was going to do but I couldn't let her get away, I would probably have to kill her, the thought sickened me, she was just a girl, probably still a child by human standards, which technically meant I was a child as well, by human standards. I sighed, Caspian get a grip just because she’s pretty beautiful human and she reminds you of something doesn’t mean you get to risk your mission, she shot you, you should hate her. She had a fiery look of determination on her face as she marched toward me, she stopped a few feet away and raised black object in her hand. A bang went off and something hit me in my abdomen. I screeched out in pain and collapsed. Darkness crept over my eyes, but I was still aware. It had been a gun. She shot me, seriously? In a few minutes my body would heal, but it still hurt. I heard the girl come rushing over, I head her collapse on the ground next to me, what was she doing? Why had her people chosen her to try to kill me? I couldn’t be killed that easily, it would take a lot to kill me, you would have to basically rip my heart out and burn it and separate all my body parts. It was funny how they thought a girl probably still a child, could kill me and it didn’t even seem like she wanted to. It was like she was pulling her shots, missing on purpose. I wondered if they forced her. Such vile humans, filled with hate, they were so violent, that’s why they had to die, there still was a slight chance they could redeem themselves, but it was highly unlikely, especially with acts like this. I felt something wet fall onto my hand and heard raspy breaths. The girl was sobbing. She probably thought she killed me, well she should have had mercy before, not now. “I’m so sorry.” She whispered, choking on a sob. Strange human, most humans hated us, we were killing them, so I guess it was a normal reaction, so why was she sorry, wouldn’t she think this was fair. I felt a cold hand gently cupping my cheek. What was she touching my cheek for? Weird human. But it felt oddly comforting, and warmth flooded through me like lava flowing through my veins. I won't kill her, I have never killed a human before and I wouldn’t start now, I had met tons more evil and cruel humans than her, even though she wasn’t particularly good, but at least she felt sorry. I would make her my prisoner and she could suffer just a little. I would take about a month or two to get to the council, which is where I needed to go anyway to get more supplies. The council would decide what to do with her, probably kill her, but she was going to die anyway, this way she would probably live a little longer. Slowly I opened my eyes. The girl was leaning over me, her green eyes rimmed in red from crying, her hair had fallen out of the tail and now hung loosely down to the ground like a golden curtain, her hand still resting on my cheek. Once she noticed I was awake she jumped backward, her eyes going wide in fright and disbelief. Slowly I stood up, the pain had faded but still slightly lingered. As I started to make my way over, the girl squeezed her eyes shut. Just before I reached her something fell out of the tree above her. I dove at her but missed and the thing hit her in the head. I face planted the ground, dirt filling my mouth. I stood up and spit it out. I rushed over to the girl. I felt for a pulse, it was strong and steady, she was merely knocked out. It turns out the “thing” was just a big branch. There was already a bruise forming on her forehead. I looked around to see if she had any belongings, there was none of which I could see. I picked her up with ease, brushing the hair from her face. We needed to find a place to stay. I adjusted my grip on her, pulling her closer, so I didn’t drop her. I spread my wings out and gently gave a little flap to get us in the air. I went higher and higher to get us above the trees so I could look for shelter. It looked like there was a huge storm coming so I’d have to hurry. About thirty minutes later I spotted a house in a clearing. I tucked my wings in and descended. I opened the wooden oak door and stepped inside, it was a decent size and no one was here, I checked the fridge and pantry, they were stocked, the electricity was also working, which was very rare nowadays. But who was I to complain, I wouldn’t mind a warm shower. There was only one bedroom though. I placed the girl down I took off her jacket, I did want her to overheat, but I wasn’t touching her other clothes I knew how sensitive humans were about that, I didn’t understand the big deal though, I mean animals didn’t wear clothes. I noticed she had cuts, deep gashes all along her arms, and scars, I grimaced. What had happened to her? I searched the bathroom for a first aid kit, I found it, then went back to the girl. I cleaned the wounds and bandaged them, I had found more on her legs so I had to take her pants off, I hope she wouldn’t mind too much but she had on what humans called underwear and I did intend to make her suffer. Not too much, but she was my prisoner and I was helping her, so she shouldn't complain. I tucked the girl under the blankets after I finished. Now time for me to get washed up. I went over to the bathroom. Blood was soaked into my clothes and hair and caked on my skin. I took my armor off and set it in the closet in the bedroom. After being here for a few years I had learned about the customs of humans, some things were pretty strange but other were really nice, like warm showers. I didn’t remember how my life was before I came here so there is not really anything to miss, I wonder what it was like, I don’t even really know my own history since none of us here have their memories except for the elders but it’s not like they come out to talk about it, I only know parts of what I read in some old books in the council library. It’s kind of sad that I know more about human history and customs than my own. I went back to the bathroom and started the shower. I took off my bloody clothes and put them in the wash. I found some temporary clothes to wear in the meantime, we were probably going to be stuck here for a few days, there was a massive series of storms coming and I couldn’t fly in that. I placed the clothes on the shelf in the bathroom. I noticed that my wounds were already all healed, not even a scar left. I stepped into the shower. The warm water rushed over me. I sighed, that felt amazing. Once I was done scrubbing all the blood off of me and getting properly cleaned up, I grabbed a towel off the shelf and dried off then put the clothes on, a pair of black shorts and a t-shirt. I walked back to the bedroom, the girl was still passed out. I laid down next to her on the bed, the bed felt luxurious I haven't rested in a while. This human had been a nice surprise, well nice other than trying to kill me but I was pretty sure she had been forced, I mean she basically was so not prepared and burst into tears and apologized like ten times. I doubt she even harmed anything in her life much less kill. Also, it felt better when she was near. I scolded my self, it did not feel better, you will not fall for a human, even if she is the most beautiful one you have ever seen.