The earthquake was all over the news. The crater looking sinkhole at the college campus was the only one known at first. I investigated it myself as it was just a collapse of the dirt under it. There was no sighting of something crash landing or some explosion. Just the ground sinking on itself.

Another sinkhole was sighted in the middle of the street across the city. It had injured a number of people as the ground collapsed below them. There was a sinkhole sighting as far as the outer city limits. They all had similar descriptions. The ground collapsed on itself. No crash or explosion.

The earthquake became the talk of the town. Everyone was curious about how there was even an earthquake in the first place. Professionals were baffled at seeking an explanation. But I had an idea. My curiosity got the better of me.

“What do you mean?” Michelle asked.

Michelle rubbed her groggy eyes and then took a drink of her glass of milk. She then wiped her mouth and stared down at me. I was sitting down at the table while she refused to sit down. I even offered her earlier but she insisted on standing. Did she want a reason to just look down on me?

“There’s an unexplainable event. It has to be a work of something supernatural, right?” I asked.

Michelle just sighed.

“Listen, don’t meddle with the affairs of what you don’t understand.”

“So it is the work of something supernatural.”

Michelle flinched at my words.

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you implied it.”

“I implied nothing.”

“But you did.”

“Shut up.”

Michelle crossed her arms and looked away. It was obvious that she knew she made a mistake. There was something up and she did a terrible job hiding it. She started pacing back and forth in my apartment. I just sat there while staring at her.

“So what was it?”

“Like I can tell you. I am pretty sure that it has nothing to do with you. You worry about your own problems. There’s a killer out there. I’m pretty sure it has nothing to do with the earthquake.”

“So you think it’s completely separate, eh?” I rubbed my chin with a grin.

“Oh, stop that!” Michelle smacked me on the arm.

“I’m just curious. You should just shut your mouth if you wanted to keep it a secret.”

Michelle groaned. She rolled her eyes and walked away from me.

“I don’t have to deal with you.”

“But you will, eventually.”

“What do you mean?” She stopped then turned towards me.

“What if the sinkholes have to do with me?”

“What?”

I began a theory. It was a wild theory but it would’ve made sense if it tied to me in any way.

“What if there was this supernatural force also had to do with me? Maybe there’s some leftover angel magic from when I was revived by Raphie.”

“Don’t assume we have magic or some crap like that. It’s divine power from our Father.”

“Whatever. I’m just saying that it was weird for me to find a huge hole on the ground next to me at the time.”

“Next to you? That would be a coincidence.”

“It can’t be. I can’t simply ignore it.”

“Let’s assume that it wasn’t a coincidence.”

“Okay, if it wasn’t then there’s something special about me, right?”

“But I don’t know that. I’ve investigated your past and the people around you. You’re just some loser with barely any friends. Who in the right mind would want to deal with you?”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“That kind of hurt…” I whined.

“Grow up,” said the small woman in front of me.

“Okay, maybe you’re right. Next assumption. What if it had nothing to do with my murder but my revival? Wouldn’t they be attracted to me in some way? Whatever caused the earthquake must have come from the sinkholes. So they must be attracted by the presence of an angel. Or rather, the trace of an angel’s abilities.”

“We can scratch that. I’ve been asleep here all day. No sinkholes nearby this apartment.”

“So was Lucy. But don’t think a fallen angel has the divine grace thing from the big guy himself, right?” I asked while Michelle just stared at me. Maybe she was holding back information from me. I continued anyway, “What if I counted along with Raphie? That would mean there’s two of us rather than two of you.”

“That’s preposterous. Why would you count? Whatever was done to you should’ve been a one and done deal. If that was the case then that would mean...”

Michelle walked over and grabbed my face. Her face was close to mine. She looked at me deep into my eyes. As if she was staring at my soul.

“W-what are you doing?”

“Raphie’s healing should have left a trace then. Meaning that there were two separate entities at the college. Lucy on the other hand has been a good angel. She hasn’t done anything in the past two thousand years after all. So there would be no trace on her.”

“So my theory is plausible.”

“Let’s entertain it then.” Michelle let go of my face and then sat down across the table from me. She folded her hands together and pondered.

“Where to start?” I asked.

“The sinkholes. There were multiple, right? If we go along with your theory, then there are other angels around.”

“What if they’re people affected by angels?” I asked.

“People and angels? Why would angels want to involve themselves with a human?”

“Why would a fallen angel crash at my apartment?”

I said that as a counter to her statement but seriously meant to ask that question.

“There could also be fallen angels. None that I heard of around here. At least, not yet.”

“So you’re saying the earthquakes are caused by angels?”

Michelle sighed. She gave up and began an explanation.

“No, only fallen angels. Your theory was almost correct, these earthquakes were caused by them. Normal angels, like me, are able to enter this world as we please. Of course, it is frowned upon. But fallen angels, on the other hand, come with a more violent method. But what we all have in common was that we don’t have control over our arrival. We would have to pinpoint an angel’s location. There would be no trace of a angel's arrival other than the sinkholes, no, craters made by fallen angels.”

“So, I was right. Certain angels caused them. What else are you hiding from me?”

“I can’t just spill the beans to you about everything. There are things that humans should never know. Go figure it out yourself.”

“Alright then. I’ll trust you on that.” I paused. “Still, there are some questions that arise from this. Why was I killed? What if they assumed that I was going to be healed by Raphie? Just to add on to another location to enter Earth?”

“There would be no point, there were other entry points as proven by multiple craters. Stop trying to tie your murder into the arrival of fallen angels. You just happen to be a coincidence.”

“But if there’s a possibility, then we should explore it.”

“I’ll amuse your possibility then. What then?”

“What if they’re here for someone else? If the craters located us then they’re obviously trying to keep track of us.”

“Of who? Raphie?”

“Or Lucy. Maybe-”

My statement was interrupted. There was a knock on the door. Before I could even get up and answer it, the door opened. Speaking of the devil.

“Is this a bad time? Did I interrupt you two?” Lucy giggled.

“Yes, it’s a bad time,” Michelle growled.

“I’ll just wait outside.”

“No, come on in. We’re just talking. You’re just the person I wanted to ask a question.” I gestured her to come in.

Lucy walked over and sat next to me as she avoided sitting next to Michelle.

“Well, there were four confirmed Okay. Hit me.”

“Who killed me? No, why?”

“How am I supposed to know? You’re just some loser I found.”

“There might be people who are after you instead. Assuming his theory was right,” Michelle said.

“Based on what? This stupid guy’s murder? That has nothing to do with this. Not everything revolves around you, David.”

“So how did I die?” I thought to myself. “What if my theory is wrong. Maybe it’s conclusion is right?” I asked. “What if there were people out there chasing after you?”

“The infamous devil herself.” Michelle frowned.

“No way,” Lucy scoffed. “I’ve been keeping a low profile. No one would’ve found out where I was.”

“What if they didn’t?” Michelle asked then turned to me. “What if we’re thinking this the wrong way, David?”

“What do you think?” I asked Michelle.

“Our theory was all over the place. There’s no proof to support it that these events are connected in any way. We have nothing but our assumptions.” Michelle took a minute then continued. “Maybe they’re not connected but rather a consequence of one another. What if you were just collateral damage? What if it really was a coincidence? Just some random pawn that didn’t belong. Then the pieces fell into place.”

“Collateral damage?”

“I checked this apartment after you were murdered.” Michelle went on a tangent. I didn’t understand but I followed along as she continued. “There were no signs of a struggle. You were put down peacefully. No drugs or natural causes. Raphie made sure of that. Whoever it was entered this world by locating Raphie but ended up at this place.”

Michelle extended her arms pointing out my whole apartment.

“I couldn’t tell when they arrived. That would mean-” I was interrupted.

“Yes, I know.” Michelle lowered her head. The air got chilly. I was reminded of my own death as I went cold and numb. Even so, I couldn’t imagine what Michelle was feeling.