CREATURES LIE HERE --- looking through the windows

[Ileana Emery Strike]

Ileana stretched, her eyes fluttering open as she rolled over in her bed. She sat up, her eyes adjusting to the dark easily. Her eyes found the clock. Eight PM. Perfect. Seeing as it was winter, the sun would be long gone by now. She moved to the edge of the bed and stood, pulling the curtains open to see just as she had expected, the sun was no where to be found. The moon shone off the snow covered ground. It was beautiful. She slid the window open and a breeze of cold air rushed in as she found her camera on her night table.

Positioning it so that the window frame would not be in the picture, Ana snapped a few shots of the beautiful night outside. She smiled lightly and closed her window before placing her camera where it had previously been resting. She walked to her closet and slipped off her pajamas, replacing them with a sweater dress and leggings. She looked into the mirror as she slipped her boots on. Her hair was down and wavy, like normal. She rarely straightened it because of the time it took.

Ileana put her coat on before leaving her apartment and locking the door behind her. She slipped her key into her coat pocket and was on her way. She liked walking and even though it was freezing, she didn't mind the weather. She actually loved the snow. She could remember being younger and making snowmen and snow angels with her older brother and sister. They would tell fake stories of their angels coming to life and guiding them down the right paths. Little did they know that angels did exist, along with many other creatures such as the one she herself had become.

Pushing thoughts of her past and family from her mind, she came upon the church. A smile crossed her features once more. Despite what she was and what others had said, she loved the church. It had a feeling of home and safety to it. Not to mention it had a beautiful piano in the basement that she would sneak in and play on nights such as this one. Thankfully, the church was always unlocked so that sinners could confess at any hour. So technically, Ileana wasn't sneaking in, but she was never sure if she was allowed in the basement or not so in that sense she was.

Pushing the doors open silently, she took a side door down a flight of stairs to the familiar room with the grand piano. Ana took off her gloves and coat, laying them down next to her on the bench as she sat down. Her fingers lightly drug over a couple keys before she placed them where she wanted them. She had taught herself piano a few years after she had been turned. She only got better with time since she had all of it she needed. She was happy to be here, but still thoughts of her family played through her mind and the music she made reflected her thoughts. The notes were somewhat sad and slow, her eyes following her fingers as they flowed over the keys.

[Tomas Keleb Martin]

Silence refused to distract Tomas from his disturbing thoughts. Memories refused to stay in the past, pushing through the fog that had entered his mind at the sight of his beloved sister. He had thought that she was gone, taken from him by the very Fallen that destroyed all the communities before this one. But his sister wasn't dead, she had lived, being spared for some unknown reason. That alone was troubling. That wasn't the only thought in the Angel king's mind though, as he stood looking at the giant cross located at the front of the small church.
He thought that the silent peace would soak into his bones, taking over his troubled mind. Even though Tomas was simply born to his race, as any human is, he still found this religious sanctuary nice. He went there to think and plan when those of his own race buckled under the tension. He was their leader and they look to him for support. Right now, they were worried about the Fallen. They were the beings that destroyed the other communities, killing countless people for unknown reasons. It was left up to the leaders to protect their members.
The other pressing matter was the trouble of adjusting to this new place. He needed to find places for the other members of his race to live, to work, to play.
Suddenly the silence was broken as the doors to the church opened, sending moonlight into the dark confines of the large church. It wasn't forbidden for people to enter, but it was unusual. Most people didn't believe in God after their worlds fell apart. Tomas wasn't most people, but he still had trouble believing when he watched his race fall apart, get killed or tortured for no reason other than their wings and blood. Was this what this creature wanted? Did they want his feathers or the sweet forbidden nectar flowing within his veins? Tomas didn't know but he wasn't going to give it up easily. He was the Angel king, and that wasn't a title he took lightly.
Turning towards the door, Tomas frowned, placing his fists on his narrow hips which were clad in tight dark jeans. This white button down shirt was open at the top few button and matching his medium length hair. His wings were out, making him appear more menacing. He settled his piercing blue eyes on the person before him only to realize it was a girl.