The Decision

His father had hit him again…the bruises on his face and chest proved that once again. No one really cared in Skid-Road if they past by a two year old that wore tattered clothes and had bruises all over his body…they had problems with their own lives.
But then the soldiers started to pile into the streets. Some with guns, some with knives, there was even a tank or two. Their faces displayed no emotion for those who they trample over…there was only one thought in their minds…seek and destroy the enemy.

He had just caught a glimpse of the soldiers as he entered his slum of a home; he literary tip-toed through the hallways and quickly searched for his father. When he saw his dead-beat of a dad sitting in a chair asleep he sighed with relief. The many bottles of alcohol around him were empty which made the little two year old wince…looks like there would be another beating session tonight…

But then he feared that the soldiers would waken his father; that in mind, he quickly raced to his room, being as silent as humanly possible and locked the door. A lot of good the lock would do, but it was some protection none the less. It was hours later when the shooting started. He stayed in his room, his head and body covered by a baby blanket; he shivered in fear and prayed to God that his father wouldn’t wake up. His body weak and tired, he soon succumbed to a fearful sleep.

When he awoke he found himself lying on a warm, soft bed; at first he thought, is this heaven?

He sat up and looked around, finding more beds in rows around him. He was confused at first, until a woman wearing black robes walked up to him with a bowl of broth. He instinctively scooted away from her and shut his eyes tight.

“You don’t have to be afraid child.” She said with a warm, soft voice that came with a smile. “Here, eat this before it gets cold. It tastes better when it’s nice and hot.”

He carefully took the bowl and ate, noticing that the lady was watching him. When he finished, she took the bowl and placed it on a table near the bed.

“Now what’s your name child?” She asked kindly.

“I don’ know miss lady.” He said. “But my daddy said my mommy called me her angel when she was alive.”

“Then Angel it shall be. My name is Sister Maria.” She said. ” And you are in Stony Hill Orphanage.”

“What’s a orphone age?”

“It’s a place where children have a home.”

“But I have a home!” Angel shouted.

That’s when the sister frowned and took Angel in her arms. “I am sorry dear, but your home is gone.”

“What ‘bout my daddy?”

Sister Maria sighed…how could she tell him? “He’s with your mother now dear.” She told him.

“No…he would be in hell.”

Maria gasped. “Where did you hear that word!?”

“From my daddy…he said that all bad people go to hell…I figured since he was bad he’s in hell.”

“I see.” Maria patted Angel’s head. “Come on dear, let’s go play with the other kids. You’ll make friends in no time.” She took his hand and let him through doors that led to a playground that was filled with happy children.

“What’s this?” He asked Maria.

“Why it’s a playground dear. It’s where children go to play with other children.” She let go of his hand. “Now you go on and play, I’ll be back later okay?” With that she was gone.

Angel was scared now; never had he seen so many happy kids…he walked over to a tree and decided to stay there, underneath the shade of the tree and hope that no one would see him.

“Hey you.” The voice made his muscles clench. “Hey, come on I’m not gonna hurt you…are you sad? Cause you sure look sad.”

He looked up and saw a girl his age, maybe a year older. She had golden hair in pigtails and wore a blue jumper. She had violet eyes and smiled a smile that would probably be brighter than the sun.

“My name’s Sarah, what’s yours?” She asked.

“Angel.” He said.

Her nose scrunched up a little. “That’s a weird name for a boy, but it’s also kinda cool too!” She sat next to him. “Are you new here? Cause you don’t look like you know anybody.”

“I’m new.”

“That’s cool. Then I’ll be your best friend! Let’s go play in the sand box! There’s really cool toys we can dig holes with. You like digging holes? Cause I do!” She stood. “Last one to the sand box is a mean teacher!”

Angel and his best friend, Sarah were inseparable ever since that day under the tree. They’d pull pranks together, got in trouble together; basically, they did EVERYTHING together.

Now, Angel’s a full year older and he finally realized what happiness meant, but a problem soon destroyed such happiness.

It all started when he and Sarah noticed that men in long black coats started to walk around the street, looking around and keeping their hands in their pockets. At first, things seemed alright; there would only be one man a week for the first month, but many months later, a group of men would start to walk around everyday. They even talked with Sister Maria a few times…

“Who you suppose those weird guys are Angel?” Sarah asked as she dug another hole in the sand.

Angel shrugged his shoulders. “I dunno, but they sure act funny. I mean nobody wears coats when the suns out. That’s what Maria-lady said.”

“Yeah! Grown-ups are weird!” Sarah shouted. “I hope I don’t grow up all weird like that!”

“Yeah!” Angel agreed.

It was that night that the screaming and shooting was heard; fire soon was starting inside the orphanage. Everything was on fire…it was lucky that everyone had gotten out safely…well, almost everyone…

Angel was the last person to come out of the flaming building; he coughed and wheezed as the bad out blew out of his lungs. He quickly looked around, trying to find Sarah…he never did. When the fire was finally put out…Sarah was found in the debris, her body singed. It was later found out that a mob had made root a few blocks from the orphanage and they, the members, made sure that no enemies were around. Unfortunately, there were…a rival mob had also taken root…next door to the orphanage…

Angel ran, he didn’t know where…but he ran…it seems like his happiness was taken from him…he finally stopped in an alleyway, curled up in a ball, and cried.

He had been living in the streets for a few years, not really caring about the world around him…the world took what he held dear and because of that, he didn’t like the world. His eyes remained emotionless as he past by concerned people, he didn’t feel anything regret when stealing…he needed to eat…and he figured the only way would be to steal.

It was on a gloomy, rainy night that Angel decided he had had enough; not really caring where he was going, he walked around…he found a certain two-story building interesting for some reason…as if some force was pulling him to it. He decided to succumb to that force and enter the building…he walked all the way up to the roof. He walked over to the ledge and looked down; the world seemed so much different as he looked down. He could see everything and everyone, hear everything and everyone, even watch as the rain poured down through the clouds. And Angel, now six-years old, smiled; he now knew what he had to do…just one little step and he’d be up there with his mother, all safe and sound. He stood on the ledge, prepared to jump…just one step, he told himself, just one step and he’d be with his mommy…

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you boy.” Startled that he heard a voice, Angel turned around quickly. He saw a small shadow, a few feet taller than himself, standing there. The shadow didn’t move from its spot as it stared at him.

“Who are you?” Angel asked.

“Thoughts of death at such a young age…” The shadow said as it raised an arm. “I can grant you another alternative, boy.”

“What are you talkin’ ‘bout mister?” Angel asked.

“Come with me, and I will see that you will never be alone again. If you come with me that is.”

Angel eyed the shadow. “And what if I don’t?”

“You can jump and never really understand what the true meaning of happiness is. You are too young to die just yet. Come with me and I will see to it that you will have a life.”

Angel got off the ledge and crossed his little arms.

“I don’t believe you!” He challenged. “And even if I did, God’ll make me alone again! He doesn’t like me ‘cause I’m a bad boy!”

That’s when the shadow smiled and walked closer to Angel; the shadow held out a hand.

“I don’t think you are a bad boy…just a child mixed up in the wrong things. Give me your hand, I’ll take you somewhere where you will be loved. I promise.”

Angel stared at the shadow for a moment then slowly took the shadow’s hand. Instantly, he fell asleep…a smile on his face. For he had dreams of a happy home and loving friends…dreams that the shadow promised to grant him…