The Beginings

The crisp autumn air made the sun feel even warmer that one Sunday morning as
we stepped out of church. I wasn't feeling what I should have been after church. I
usually felt happy but the last few masses have felt empty and dark. I prayed like they
told me too and God would make it straight again. Of course this was the morning that
set me off. I thought it all was bologna. The ride home was loud, my mother and father
happy and singing to the christian songs.I'd bet our house that they knew every song.
My little brother wasn't that interested in the music, but the cars we passed. He turned
and tapped my shoulder "Harley, what's your favorite car?" I was annoyed but didn't
want to hurt his seven year old heart, so I said "corvette." He tapped my shoulder
again,"what year?" I looked at him "2014." My impatience grew. I looked back out the
car window and saw the high school where my most dreaded memories were created. He
tapped my shoulder again; I turned and I could feel the anger pumping in my blood,
"what color?" he pronounced. I gritted my teeth and said, "dark red." About a minute
passed before he tapped my shoulder again, without thinking I turned around and
screamed "WHAT!" A look of terror filled his eyes and tears poured out before I realized
what had happened. My mom turned around and scolded me for my terrible actions. "It
isn't like you" she said, "You've never yelled at anybody before? Are you OK?" I didn't
respond, I just sat there; blankly staring out of a car window. I heard my dad's voice say
"What's wrong?" I didn't know, I felt a dark energy come over me and before I knew it
tears were coming out of my eyes as well as John's. When I was crying I couldn't hear or
see anything, but I don't remember closing my eyes. I just remember getting out of the
driveway and going into my room.

I woke up to the sound of a mourning dove outside of my window. Remembering

I was on break from school, I went downstairs for some breakfast. I could smell the
bacon, like a waterfall, happiness fell over me. I then remembered the whole car fiasco. I
felt awkward as I walked into the kitchen. My mother was the only one up. She spoke in
a soft voice saying that we were going to the doctors and to get dressed. When I asked
her why she just said to get ready and she'll tell me on the way there. I came down with
my brown curled hair, jeans ans a t-shirt. My mom grabbed my arm and met my father
outside in our mini van and told me to get in. My mom slowly started answering the
questions I had for her while my father drove. Then it hit me "What about John?" She
looked confused as if I had never cared for him. My empty stomach growled in the
silence, breaking it. She broke the look and said "He's with aunt Stephanie now hush." I
looked to my right to see the same mourning dove that had waken me. It looked at me
and started to fly up, so I looked forward. I guess it had rained the previous night so the
black asphalt looked like someone had covered it in lacquer. We made a few turns, and
at the intersection of Bradley Drive and Lincoln road I saw the mourning dove again, but
now with two crows. I thought it was very odd. The light turned green, and we were the
only ones to go, my eyes were glued on the dove, but as it passed out of view, I looked
left. All I felt was a jerking motion right, sending me left. Then I just saw white, and a
beautiful blonde woman, with wings that glistened in the beautiful sun. She smiled at
me, which made that warm sun even warmer. I noticed we were in clouds. A horrid
thought came to my mind and she frowned. She asked in an angelic, yet soothing voice,
"Are you troubled, Harley?" I asked her "Am... Am I dead?" She laughed and gave me
comforting news "Far from it!" I had many questions but yet another of utmost
importance on my mind. "Are my parents... gone?" She looked down, as an opening in

the clouds appeared. I looked down, and saw an eighteen wheeler stopped in the middle
of an intersection, with a mini van rolled over twenty feet in front of it with a crowd
surrounding it. Two people, blood spilled all around them. As I began to cry she shook
her head and said "They were worried for your mental state, and wanted you to be
looked at by someone that could give them answers... But it ended this way for a reason.
I looked at the woman tear filled eyes "what is that reason?" I said as I began to panic.
She seemed to hover over to me and gave me a warm hug. She whispered into my ear
"You'll soon find out child."

Peace
I opened my eyes to find a nurse changing an IV bag next to me. I sit up in
discomfort and a sharp pain runs down my back. The nurse turned around and slowly
put me into a more comfortable position. knowing the answer to my question I still ask
it "What happened, and where are my parents?" The nurse sits by my feet and says in a
comforting voice "You were in a mini van that got hit by a semi-truck." She pauses. "You
were the only one in the mini van to live." I don't feel sad. I don't cry or bury my head. I
just lay back and listen to the familiar tune of my bird friend. The nurse asks "Are you
OK?" I think for a little bit and say yes. I don't know why I feel so great. I ask the nurse
"What's wrong with me, I don't feel hurt?" She says that "You've been unconscious for
two days. otherwise, no broken bones, no bleeding, no bruises, no nothing. You're in
perfect condition." "I am very confused miss, um?" "Nurse Jackson." "Nurse Jackson,
How can I be in tip top shape?" I am surprised that I can say all this with my dead
parents on my mind, being a very emotional nineteen year old. "We don't know
anything. we don't know anything about who you are. We don't have any records for a

golden blonde, light blue eyed, woman with two black wing tattoos." I think "She must
be joking?" "Nurse, I'm Harley Bard, I come here all the time." The nurse gives me a
scowl "Harley is a nineteen year old brunette with green eyes, you look twenty five! The
only thing you have in common is your hair." I feel my stomach twist. "Miss Jackson,
can I have a mirror please?" As she hands me a handheld mirror I am stunned with how
beautiful I look now, A gut wrenching feeling comes over me as I blackout.
The lady is back, but I get to ask her the question I've been dying to know. "Who
are you?" She drops a cloth that was wrapped over her regular garments, that barley
showed her wings. Her garments are gold and pearl white, her wings spread and stretch
to outstanding lengths. I notice a scabbard on her waist, with a sword handle poking
from it. "I am your guardian angel. I have been keeping you safe all this time." "So you
saved me from the car crash?" "No, I could never do that, Only one man I know can do
that. That's why you're so different know. He chose you for something." "What did he
choose me for?" "His motives are his own, He'll tell you when he wants you to know."
I wake up to a doctor and nurse standing there, shocked like they had seen a
transfiguration. I look at nurse Jackson "Please believe me, I am Harley..." I don't know
why but I'm out of breath. The nurse looks to the doctor "We believe you alright..."
"How?" "We just saw you..." "What?" Nurse steps in "You where Harley while
unconscious... You looked like her" I can't understand one bit of this but I tell them
about these dreams I've been having. Halfway through one of the visions I pause and
look at the crucifix in the corner. I was silent long enough for the nurse to understand I
was in very deep thought, and she left me at peace. "I don't understand" I say "Why is
this happening?" I sigh and turn off my bedside lamp and roll over in my bed

I hear someone say "Harley," an unfamiliar voice coming from all around. "You
are my light." My eyes are still closed. The voice says to me...
"Let it shine."