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“Uriel…”
“Go now, Elizabeth. We will speak tomorrow.”
And there was darkness.
*
“Who will my son be?” She asked him. He sat in the armchair sipping coffee.
“I can’t tell you.” He said simply.
“No. I suppose not.”
“Are you frightened?”
“A little.”
“There’s no need to be. There will always be one of us around.”
“One of you?”
“I must leave when the time comes,” he said. He grinned plucking at the leg of his suit. “Charity work to do.”
“Charity work.” She smiled sadly and then it faded. “I love you, Uriel.” His grim evaporated and he looked uncomfortable.
“You mustn’t.” He said.
“I do.”
“You can’t… I mean, you’re shouldn’t even be able to… not that way.”
“I do.” Silence.
“I must go, then.”
“Go?”
“It’s not permitted… You shouldn’t even be able to. I don’t understand.” He twitched his clothing nervously. “You’re mistaken.” He said finally.
“You love me too,” she said simply. He stared at her astonished, frightened almost.
“Of course I love you, I…”
“No, Uriel.” She cut in calmly, copying the tone he used. “You /love/ me.”
“No.” He said, something of a mix of realisation and horror on his face.
“Deny it then.” She could almost feel the hold she had over him. “ Deny it then.” She repeated, “Swear by whatever it is you swear by and deny it.” She spoke the words of power with intensity, willing, even after everything to break all the rules to have him. Anguish crossed his face and he rose from his chair. The coffee spilled onto the carpet. Uriel stared at Elizabeth and then fled. She stood and watched him go. After five minutes of contemplating the doorway his departure registered. There had been tears on his face, was all she could think. Tears on his face.
It was three days before she became frightened. As she followed her daily routine, shopping, eating, sleeping, she confidently expected him to come through the door as usual, with his smile and his comforting eyes. On the third day she worried frantically, she fretted and paced up and down the flat, wringing her hands. What if what he had said was true? What if he was gone forever? After all, could /he/ lie? Bang.