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! 🤭

*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.

As well as for genocide, but also for putting Abel in danger.

Heaven — High Tribunal Chamber

All remaining exorcists stand in rigid lines. Sera stands at the dais, staff grounded, expression carved from grief and resolve.

Sera: *her voice carries without effort* Ladies. Thank you all for coming.

There is no reply. Only the soft rustle of feathers and armor.

Sera: What was once called duty became indulgence. What was once justice became sport. I ended the exterminations because Heaven lost its way through your hands.

She steps down one stair.

Sera: Many of you chose atonement. Retraining. Service. Humility. That choice will matter.

A pause. Her eyes harden

Sera: One of you has been denied that mercy.

Murmurs ripple. Fear. Shame.

Lute: *straightens instantly, chin lifting* …Excuse me?

Sera: *gaze locks onto her* Lieutenant. You were entrusted with a child. Adam’s son. A toddler.

Lute: You mean that man-baby?! He one of those ridiculous age-regressors! He’s not a real baby!

Sera: You abandoned him while he’s in a vulnerable state in Hell.

The chamber stirs. Shock. Horror.

Lute: Hell is where sinners belong.

Sera: He is not a sinner.

Lute: He is the Morningstar’s blood. He would have become one eventually! The Devil’s offspring never sounds have been allowed in Heaven in the first place!

Sera: This is what frightens me most. Your devotion has turned into delusion.

Lute: *spreads her wings defensively* I would give my life to Heaven. I would die before letting corruption spread.

Sera: *stops in front of Lute* And that is why I failed you. I should have stopped this sooner. I should have seen when zeal replaced mercy. For that, I am sorry.

For a moment, Lute hesitates.

Then she shakes her head violently.

Lute: No. You’re wrong. I protected Heaven.

Sera: No. You never did.

Lute: *reaches for a blade that is no longer there* You can’t do this. I SERVED YOU FAITHFULLY—

She lunges.

The light slams her back mid-air. She crashes to her knees, wings flaring wildly.

Lute: No—no—please—Heaven needs me—

Sera: *steps closer, voice breaking* Heaven does not need cruelty wearing faith like armor.

With a sharp motion, Sera clips Lute’s wings.

Feathers explode outward. White turns red and the black remains the same.

Lute: *screams—not in pain alone, but betrayal* I WOULD HAVE DIED FOR THIS PLACE—

Sera: Then consider this mercy.

Lute thrashes, clawing at the floor, trying to crawl back.

Lute: I won’t fall. I won’t—

Sera gestures once.

The floor opens beneath Lute.

She scrambles, fingers catching the edge.

Lute: SERA—PLEASE—

Sera: *looks away, tears finally falling* This ends now.

Lute loses her grip.

She falls.

Just like Lucifer once did.

The chamber seals. Silence returns.

Sera turns back to the exorcists, voice hoarse.

Sera: The Little, Abel, has not been found. Heaven will not rest until he is *looks at them all* Remember this moment. Not as punishment—but as warning.

Her voice softens.

Sera: We do not abandon children. Ever. I will create a special search team for the boy. You are all dismissed.