Just A Widdle Angel

Hewwo! I’m Abel! But some peoples call me Abelby ‘cause I’m wittle! 🐑💕 Dis my bwog where you can ask me stuff! I gonna twy my bestest to answer, but sometimes I just go babble babble pbbbt! 🤭

Lute: *holding a toy phone* I’m going to call the Boogeyman *aggressively dials the phone to make noise*

Abelby: *tearing up* No no no! GET SANTA!

Lute: I’m not calling Santa. I’m calling the Boogeyman *pretending to talk to the boogeyman* Yeah. Eat his toes cause he’s bad.

Abelby: *devastated* No… I’ve been good.

Lute: Yeah. Take his fingers and toes.

Abelby: *starts crying loudly*

Lute: *smirks evilly*

*gives him some ice cream in a bowl*

You can sit and eat this with your good arm!

Hope you feel better, soon.

Abelby: Hi everyone. I’m sowwy for being away for so long. I was recovering from my ouchie.

Abelby: *getting fussier* No! No! No! *stomping his foot and he ends up missing the counter, making him lose balance and falling off the countertops, landing in his left arm, which he immediately starts crying about since it was a really bad ouchie*

Note: Abelby broke his arm from the fall

I know some cute ones with ponies and puppies and colorful bears. 🥰

I’ll even make you some milk if you like. 🥛

Nice to meet you ^^

How are you feeling, sweetie?

Sweet boy, you can of course be brave and wanted. You deserve all the love in the world.

The next morning…

Sera: *knocks softly before stepping inside the cottage, pausing at the sight* …Oh.

In the middle of the room is a pillow-and-blanket fort, carefully constructed but slightly lopsided. Plushies are lined up like guards. Abelby is inside, curled up with Woolie tucked under one arm, thumb in his mouth, tablet propped up playing bright, gentle cartoons.

Sera: *frowns, conflicted* Abel…?

Abelby: *doesn’t look up, voice muffled around his thumb* …I wanna be ‘lone.

Sera: I know. *hesitates* But I think… I think you might like this one.

Abelby: *peeks over the edge of the blanket, just his eyes and horns visible* …huh?

Sera steps aside.

Sir Pentious: Surprise!!! Tis I!! The amazing and redeemable Sir Pentious!!

Abel: *scared and immediately goes back inside*

Sera: Pentious we talked about this. He may not remember you in this state.

Sir Pentious: Oh right… uh. *standing awkwardly in the doorway, hat in hand, tail flicking nervously* Apologies. Let me start over *clears his throat* Ah—h-hello there, Abel! I was told you might require some… er… company?

Abelby: *pokes his head back out and stares for a moment before asking:* …you a snek?

Sir Pentious: *straightens a little* Indeed! A very polite one! I have… extensive experience caring for Egg Bois. And—ah—Angelic Egg Bois now as well.

Abelby: *slowly crawls out of the fort, still clutching Woolie. He hides half behind a pillow, then looks up again* …can I call you Penni?

Sir Pentious: *blinks, then smiles, flustered* Penni? Well! I—yes, I suppose that would be quite acceptable!

Abelby nods seriously. He lifts Woolie up, turning the plush so it “faces” Sir Pentious.

Abelby: *soft, earnest* Woo’wee… dis Penni. He a snek… but maybe nice *pauses, tilting Woolie as if listening.* Mm-hm… mm-hm… *Another pause and he nods again* Woo’wee say… we can try.

Sir Pentious: *relieved, placing a hand on his chest* Why, I am honored! I shall do my very best, Woolie—and Abelby too!

Sera watches, surprised… then quietly relieved.

Sera: I’ll check back later. *to Abelby* You won’t be alone.

Abelby: *clutches Woolie tighter, glancing at Penni* …okay.

Sir Pentious: *carefully sits on the floor, keeping a respectful distance.* Would you care to show me your fort, young sir?

Abelby: *after a beat, scoots aside and lifts the blanket* …only if you gentle.

Abelby: *sniffles a little, words slow and small, like it’s hard to line them up*

Angel was wif me… at first. He tried real hard. He was nice… he holded my hand an’ told me stay quiet.

But… bad man came. Big bad place. Loud. Scary.

Angel said “don’ look” but I looked anyway… an’ I shouldn’ have…

*mumbles* bad mans… bad noises… made my tummy hurt…

Then Angel hadda go. He said sorry lots. I waited… an’ waited…

but nobody came back.

I tried find Daddy. I walked an’ walked. My feet got ouchies.

I slept outside… lotsa sleeps.

*holds fingers up, then gives up counting* many days.

Sera came after… after long time. She picked me up.

I was real cold… an’ sleepy… an’ I didn’ wanna be awake no more.

*quietly*

I thought Daddy didn’ want me… so I didn’ knock…

The air is cold and quiet. Snow presses softly against the windows, making the world feel far away. Sera walks slowly, carefully, carrying a small, tired body in her arms.

Sera: I’m… sorry you had to see those things, Abel.

Abelby doesn’t answer. He’s very still against her chest, fingers weakly clutching her sleeve. His clothes are dirty and torn, horns nicked, cheeks hollow. His eyes are open, but they don’t really look at anything.

Abelby: …

Sera shifts him slightly, unsure what to do with the silence.

Sera: Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?

Abelby’s eyes drift down. Bright lights. Loud voices. A door slamming shut. He swallows.

Abelby: …no. *long pause* ..wanna nap… m’so tired. Dat okay?

Sera: *nods quickly* Of course.

She opens the cottage door and carries him inside. The warmth doesn’t seem to reach him. She walks to the bedroom and gently lays him on the large bed.

Abelby: *immediately turns toward the wall, curling up small, knees tucked in*

Sera: Get some rest, Abel. It’s after the New Year. We have duties tomorrow.

Abelby: …mm’kay… *his voice is already slipping, thinner, younger.

Sera: *stands there, hands folded. She frowns, searching for words she doesn’t have* I’m sorry your Dad—

Abelby: *flinches, lets out a small, scared sound, and pulls the pillow over his head, covering his horns, his face, everything* no… no Daddy… don’ say…

His voice wobbles, high and fragile.

Sera: *freezes*…Alright *steps back, clearly uncomfortable, clearly unsure* I hope next time I see you, you’ll be in a “better” headspace.

She leaves. The door closes softly.

The room is quiet again.

Abelby stays very still for a long time.

Then his little hands creep out from under the pillow. They shake.

Abelby: …I tried… *lip trembles* I tried real good…

His chest starts to hitch. He presses his face into the pillow, like he’s trying to hide inside it.