• Aaron strode into the large dungeon, which was quiet for a moment, then erupted into jeering and vulgar phrases. Many of the older captives shoved their 'children' behind them. Aaron walked up to one family and began to chat with them, as if they were at a party.
    "Hello, Becca, Andrew, Ron. And how are you on this fine day?"
    They glared at him for a moment, then stubbornly stared off into space. As if they had rehearsed it, they said "We were told not to speak with our captor."
    Aaron stared at them. "Oh? And who told you that?"
    A voice spoke up behind him, and he whirled around.
    "I did," said the serene angel, one hand in Topaz's fur, the other clutching Phoenix's hand.

    It was Raquel.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    "Now, Aaron," said Phoenix. "Why don't we talk?" She looked at him, still wishing he wasn't like this. She remembered how he had been caring, gentle... all before the accident. She still remembered that day...