Broken Angel

Title: Broken Angel

Collaboration Authors: Dark Divinity and Gio

Status: Complete

Chapters: 20


The Authors Request: We would really love to bring this story “to life” in a web comic. If you would like to help do that, the easiest thing to do is read the piece first, and then let me (Dark Divinity) know if you’d like to give a try. Anyone who is really interested in doing this will be filled in on character info, etc.

R & R: Yes, pleas.
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Extras: The little icon like this “-+-” shows where a scene changes. Oh and please excuse any mistakes and such, we tried to catch them all, buere’ere’s no doubt in our minds there may be some we missed. Gomen ~_~

Chapter One

Jai stood in the doorway of his new apartment studying the empty surroundings that held only a few boxes. He didn't want to move out to Riverside, as it meant that he'd be leaving the home that he had always known. But, it was his girlfriend's idea to do so. He remembered her saying that if he were going to begin any kind of healing process, then this would be the best way to start. Jai knew that she was right. Although it had been a month since his parents were killed, it felt like only yesterday to him.

The news had come to him through his Aunt while he was at work. Hearing about it caused him to black out, according to the manager, right there in the restaurant he waited tables for. When Jai had awoken from that spell, he found himself in a bed at his Aunt's home. He spent a week and a half with her and his remaining fa the then left once the funerals had been taken care of.

Sighing quietly, he stepped completely inside then closed the door and turned back arounettietting down a suitcase and removing his guitar off of his shoulder, he spoke. "Only things missing are mom and her cooking and dad with his questions of where I planned to move and how I expected to py biy bills." Jai had discussed with them about wanting to move closer to Los Angeles, but hadn't been able to bring himself to tell either of them that his girlfriend was going to take care of everything. Especially considering that neither had known what she actually did for a living.

He walked into the modest sized kitchen and laid down his keys then said as he leaned back against the counter behind him. "God, I miss you Tara."

Taking out his black and silver cell phone, he clicked it on then punched in her number, hoping that she was still at home. Several rings sounded and he was about to give up when the line clicked and her soft voice spoke. "Hello?" sounding out of breath.

"Hi, it's me, Jai. You're not busy right now are you?"

"Hey sweetie." She answered with a smile then said. "No, I'm not busy. I was working out in the weight room. What's up?"

"I just miss you is all and wanted to hear your voice. This place is so empty, and with it still being boxed up, doesn't help any."

Tara asked sitting down on her couch. "Do you want me to come over? I have tomorrow and the next day open and I can leave for Riverside in the morning."

"Yeah. That would be nice." He answered taking out a cigarette then asked after lighting it. "Should I meet you at the bus station, or are you driving?"

"The bus station; because my car broke down and it's going to take at least until the end of the week before I can get it back." She replied.

"Okay, just let me know the info once you have it and I'll meet you."

"I will. Relax honey. Everything will be just fine. I know that having your own place is intimidating at first, but you'll love it once you get used to it." Tara said standing back up then added. "Listen, I'm going for a hot shower. I'll leave here about ten or so. My experiences with public transportation lately, have helped me decipher the different arrival times."

Jai rubbed his eyes a little then answered. "When you call and I don't answer, just leave a voice message, okay?"

"Promise. I love you, Jai. See you soon."

"Love you too. Bye." He answered back then clicked off the phone and laid it down. Stretching, he removed his jacket and went in search of his CD player and an unfinished demo CD that his band had been working on, finding both fairly easy. Knowing that the electric wouldn't be turned on until tomorrow, he knew that battbatteries in the player would have to do.

Opening the clear CD case, he took out the disc and placed it carefully inside, then pushed play. The first song that greeted him was "Broken Angel". Jai sat back against the wall and let the slow methodic rhythm of the drums work to soothe his body. Every single muscle he had seemed to be aching. His band was once again looking for a bassist and singer to fill the void left behind by their former ones. The song he was listening to would have to be re-worked again, but ironically it was a simple piece to do and would make it easy to accommodate a different style of playing sin singing. He closed his eyes letting the music and lyrics penetrate his soul. The chorus part, which was sung by Tara, invaded his head.


//You're my broken angel. //
//Feeling lost and all alone. //
//You'll never trust your heart //
//to just anyone //
//I let you crawl inside my mind //
//ignoring the pain that you left behind //
//you've become my angel //
//my lonely broken angel. //

Jai checked the time and switched off the player then stood up. After putting on his jacket, he grabbed his keys and left. Strolling the vacant sidewalks of the new neighborhood that he now resided in, he shoved his hands into the pockets and took in the quiet suburban feel of the place. Many homes and apartments, most with sculptured lawns and big trees stared back in silence. It was like they were mocking him for leaving his own home in San Bernardino. Jai knew that moving was going to be a challenge but was determined to make it work. The way he saw it, he didn't have much of a choice, especially now.

He wanted nothing more than to be able to prove to his parents that he had what it took to successfully make it on his own and as a musician and hoped that they would be able to see it when it happened. Youthful Sin was down to three members now since Tara left and their former bass player quit without giving a reason. Although they still had their own instruments, the lyrics, music and an agent who was Cassidy's brother, Jai still felt like something was missing but he couldn't figure out what it was.

He stopped near a vacant home, lighting another cigarette. Breathing in dee he he allowed the sweet aroma of the clove to infiltrate his senses. A soft breeze picked up a second later carrying another scent that was not coming from the lighted paper between his lips. It took a few seconds to register the new smell. He moved the stick away from his face then sniffed again. Although it was faint, to him it smelt like blood and seemed to be coming from the house he stood in front of.

Looking around, he searched for anyone else that may have smelt what he did but found no one. Glancing back over to his left, Jai cautiously walked up the three steps. Once reaching the open doorway, he called out. "Hello? Is anyone in here? Do you need some help?"

No sounds answered him, which made him a little more nervous than he was already. The place was rancid with both animal and human feces and no doubt was used for shelter by those that wandered the nearby park with the old shopping carts. Jai snuffed out the clove on the rough brick and proceeded inside. He called out again. "H? An? Anyone? I'm only here to help."

A faint groan stopped him midway towards the old stairs. Jai followed the sounds to a dark corner that held no window and spoke. "Please, I'm only here to help. Are you okay?"

The dark figure shifted a little, groaning again then it's voice, low in pitch and slightly tinged with pain, spoke. "I don't want any help. Please, jusave.ave."

Jai ignored the request kneeling down. "I can't just leave. I can tell you're bleeding; it's not something that can be overlooked. The smell kind of gives it away." Then going against his better judgment, reached towards the darkened corner and his wrist was grabbed firmly, keeping him from moving away. He then said tugging on the captured limb. "Hey, let go of me."

"Why should I? You're the one who reached for me first."

Jai replied back. "I did socauscause I wanted to. You need help." The figure finally released him without warning causing him to fall backwards onto his ass and he stated quickly. "You didn't have to do that, you know." Then rubbed his wrist that had been momentarily held prisoner.

The voice softly laughed groaning in the process then replied. "Sorry about that, but you shouldn't reach into darkness; because you never know what you'll pull out of it."

"Look. Let's just start over. I'm Jai. Your turn." He said finally sitting up fully, crossing his legs.

A sigh was heard from the shadowed corner then the voice spoke in return. "Call me Damian. That's my name."