Protector

Corruption

•Y/N: Your Name
•E/C: Eye Color

Author's POV:

Blue eyes narrow at silver as a hateful look full of suspicion appears on Catherine's face. Laurence stands, unfazed by the unpleasant expression, and doesn't wait long to respond to the woman's crude words.

"I'm not quite sure what you mean," he states in a calm voice, void of emotion outwardly while internally hiding his irritation. He wants to be nowhere near this sinful creature and only desires to wait for Y/N in her bedroom with her drink and ginger cookies in hand. His answer didn't please the brunette, however, so she persists, her shaking hands forming a fist so tight, her knuckles turn white. She lifts her right hand and pokes her finger at the angel's chest. His perfect features twist into a look of disgust, for he didn't desire to be prodded by her filthy hands. The only touch he craves is from his precious human girl, not this wretched beast.

"Don't play dumb. I know something's off about you." Catherine's body grows tense as her determination to find out the truth strengthens. She knows there's something off about him, but she just can't place her finger on it. Laurence was tempted to sigh in frustration. There'd be no getting around her.

"Why do you care?" He asks in a lowered voice that didn't quite belong to the body of a fourteen-year-old boy. He was almost satisfied by the way Catherine flinched at his cold tone, but his expression never changed.

"Because I don't need you giving my sister s***," she growls out, even though she feels a little afraid, and that filled Laurence with... with rage. It was a new feeling for him. The angel had felt irritated before, but not to this extent. No, this is pure hatred. Catherine has dared to accuse him of wanting to hurt Y/N, which was something he absolutely wouldn't stand for. The white-haired male seemingly stands taller than before, a suffocating aura surrounding his form. The brunette was tempted to step back in fear, but held her ground.

"How dare you?! I would never harm Y/N! She means everything to me," he retorts, his human voice transitioning into a multi-toned one. The shift in sound made her blue eyes grow to the size of saucers as she backs into the table. Now, she knows for sure that this man is no human and that terrified her to no end. Anger quickly consumes her shock as she marches forward and grabs the front of Laurence's sweatshirt. He doesn't move, doesn't pull away, doesn't speak, only glares sharply at Catherine.

"Tell me!" She demands. There is silence as his hand grasps her shaking wrist hard enough to make her wince.

"Do not touch me with your filthy fingers," he says in an emotionless voice before slowly easing up on the pressure he put on her. When she was able to, Catherine pulled her hand out of his before bringing it to her chest. Glaring daggers, she takes a step back to allow the angered creature space. "If you must know, I'm an angel."

The brunette scoffs in disbelief as she looks the male up and down. This thing claims to be a holy being known only for being kind and this is certainly not what she'd imagine an angel would be. Obviously, she wouldn't believe him.

"Yeah, right. You? An angel? I seriously doubt that. Besides, angels don't exist."

The male nearly pitied the female, but his lingering hatred was enough for him not to care. It always is a sad sight when people lose faith.

"My, has the demon consumed that much of you?" Laurence's glare did not lighten on the brunette, his words striking a chord with her. All sense of bravery disappears from her face as all the color drains from her peach-toned skin. All she could do is stare at the figure with wide eyes.

"H-How did you-"

"I can sense it. You made a deal with a being of Hell to escape your captors, didn't you? Disgusting."

Her breath becomes slow and shaky as her hands are brought to her arms. Her nails dig deep into the black fabric of her long sleeve shirt, scratching the scarred flesh hidden beneath. Her bottom lip quivers as tears prick the corners of her eyes. She didn't want to remember that horrific time in her life. Laurence has unknowingly stirred up bad memories, very bad memories.

"If... If you're an angel, answer me this, then. Why didn't God save me when I begged over and over to be rescued?" She asks on the brink of tears. She wants to stay strong for the time being, knowing better than to show weakness to a stranger, especially a potentially dangerous one. Crying would have to wait.

"God cannot hear such pleas, and you have no guardian. It is they who relay the information to our father."

Catherine felt the desire to sob after hearing his unforgiving tone as silver eyes lift towards the kitchen doorway where Y/N makes an appearance. A dainty smile appears on her lips upon meeting the angel's gaze as she takes a few steps towards them.

"Laurence, wanna play a board game?"

"Of course, sweetness," he says with the sweetest smile and the kindest voice that made Catherine look up at him in shock. He had sounded so cruel to her, and, yet, his tone changed so quickly upon seeing her sister. The brunette quickly rubs her eyes to clear her tears so that the younger female wouldn't see. "I'll meet you in your room."

The E/C-eyed girl gives a nod before going away, but her gaze had lingered on Catherine for a moment before leaving. A light frown appears on her lips as she walks towards her room.

'I wonder what they were talking about?' She had heard no part of their conversation, but it was obvious that some words were exchanged between the two of them. There was a tense atmosphere before Laurence had noticed her. As she pondered this, the angel met Catherine's gaze once again as his lips form a thin line. Her eyes watch closely as the male steps around her without meeting her blue orbs a second time.

"Don't taint Y/N with your wretchedness. She is pure, unlike you, and will remain that way until she meets the gates. You chose your path. Concern yourself with your own problems." With that, he leaves the young woman standing there all alone. Tears once again sting her eyes as she sits back in her chair.

Her body shakes as silent sobs slip past her lips. Unable to contain herself, she races to her room and locks the door behind her before hiding under the bed with a blanket wrapped tightly around her body. This is her safe place. It has been ever since she returned home. Catherine barely fit, but she didn't care. It made her feel like she was hidden from the sight of everyone, and, therefore, it was the perfect place to break down and cry. Here, she could be vulnerable and no one would touch her, see her, or speak to her. As she lied there, she couldn't help but let her thoughts drift to her encounter with the angel stalking her sister. She wasn't sure what to make of it. Is it the truth, or was he lying? If so, Y/N should be safe, right? ...Right?

'Please, God, if you're really up there, don't let her end up like me.'