It's a Wonderful Death - Sarah J. Schmitt Page 0,26

I care only that order is restored. Do I make myself clear?”

I’m so mad and scared that I can’t think let alone speak. Sal nudges me and the connection with another being jolts me back into the moment. “Crystal,” I mumble.

“What do rocks have to do with anything?” Azbaugh says as his eyes narrow.

“I believe she means to say that she understands you, my Brother,” one of the other angels intercedes.

Azbaugh looks at me and I can feel the weight of his stare. “Thank you, Shepard.” To me he says, “Is that what you meant?”

I clear my throat, sit up a little straighter, look him in the eye, and say, “Yes, I understand.”

He looks satisfied with himself. “Good. Now, Salathiel, are you prepared to present this human’s case?” Azbaugh doesn’t even try to hide his disdain for me. What? Did I make him miss a golf date? How am I going to get a fair trial when this guy obviously has it out for me?

I turn my attention to Sal as he explains my circumstances, including the collection of my soul and the admission of error by Gideon, as well as noting the reference of my long lifeline in the Akashic Records. He also points out how I have been mostly cooperative since my arrival and how all I’m looking for is a chance to finish out my life. His plea is passionate and by the end, I want to stand up and applaud, but of course, with the harsh eyes of Azbaugh cutting through me, I don’t move a muscle.

“Zachriel,” Azbaugh says, turning his attention to the other table. “What do you have to say on the matter?”

Zachriel takes his time standing. He stares at me with such intensity that it feels like he’s peering into the deepest part of my essence. I shift in my seat, but his eyes never stray from my face. Then he looks away.

“I have seen her actions through her eyes. She is an average girl with little to no special aptitude.”

Um, what? Never in my entire life have I been called average. And I have plenty of aptitude. Sal gives me a slight shake of the head and I sit back in my chair, biting my lip. I can’t believe they’re talking about me and I have no opportunity for rebuttal. And then a thought occurs to me. Is this what it’s like to be on the receiving end of one of my tirades?

Zachriel continues: “In her mind, she knows she has done certain things that can never be redeemed, no matter how long she lives on Earth. She is shockingly callous in her treatment of others and easily manipulated by those she considers to be her friends.”

The person he’s describing sounds weak and pathetic. There’s no way he’s talking about me. And why doesn’t he mention any of the good things I’ve done?

“She has accomplished some marginal success in her life,” he adds. “There are acts of charity and moments where she seems on the verge of moving toward the path she’s meant to be on.”

Well, that’s something.

And then he drops the bomb. “But those moments are few and far between. In my opinion, to recast the fate of the world for this soul would be a waste of time. There is no evidence to indicate that she would in fact make any changes in her life or that her continued presence among the living would make for a better society.”

Is he calling me a waste of space?

“And so your recommendation would be?” Azbaugh probes.

He dips his head slightly, closing his eyes again. And then he looks directly at me. In a voice that is void of any emotion he says, “The risk of this request is too great while the benefit is minimal at best. I recommend the soul remain hidden in the Afterlife until the time and date of her Akashic death.”

My mouth drops open. When I recover, I lean over and whisper to Sal, “Is he suggesting that I wait around here until whatever date I’m supposed to die in the future? Because that’s bull—”

Sal cuts me off with a look that actually renders me speechless. “Would you please shut up?”

I want to reply, to tell him no, but I don’t. Instead, I turn my head forward and watch as my future is debated like I’m not even in the room.

Azbaugh looks to his left. “What say you, Marmaroth?”

His counterpart on the Tribunal nods his head. “While I agree