Chapter Twenty

Monica shivered from fear and cold as she sat in the alleyway, Rascal faithfully by her side. She was too afraid to venture back out onto the streets, although the fear she’d felt when she’d been running from the truck had now subsided. And the little Irish angel kept thinking of Andrew, wondering why she was now imagining that she could feel him. “Am I going crazy, Rascal?”

The dog tilted its head to one side, watching her carefully as she continued speaking. “I thought I could feel Andrew, here, with me....” She shook her head. “But how could that be possible? I-I mean, he’s not here- I don’t know where he is...” Tears filled her eyes as she glanced heavenward. “Father... please tell Andrew that I love him too, and I miss him terribly.”

Shivering once more, Monica got to her feet, fighting a wave of dizziness. She had gone too long without eating, and now after her long journey the day before, and sleeping outside the in cold, she was in desperate need of a good meal and someplace warm to go to. But, with no money and no one to turn to, food and shelter seemed to be luxuries she couldn’t afford.

Rascal whined then, and Monica looked down at his hungry face, the bright eyes that always looked at her with unconditional love. “But you’re hungry, too, aren’t you my wee friend?” Sighing, Monica glanced up toward the end of the alleyway, seeing the people walking past. “You know I don’t want to go out there, but... I have to take care of you.” As if understanding what the young angel had said, Rascal let out a small bark then ran toward the street, stopping to turn and wait for Monica. “Okay, okay, wait up.”

Reluctantly, Monica caught up with the dog and then they walked side by side until they reached the street. The young angel didn’t want to face any humans, even though so far the only human she’d met had been kind to her- but her love of Rascal and her kind, generous heart made her want to seek out some food for him and she knew she’d have to go out into the streets to do that.

With the dog staying close by her side, Monica walked slowly through the streets, fearful of the traffic and glancing down occasionally to make sure Rascal was still there, which of course he was- he had no intention of leaving her. Unsure where to go to find food, Monica turned a corner and ended up on a quieter street and immediately came face to face with two men who glared at the young angel in a way that frightened her.

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Chapter Twenty One

Monica stood on the pavement, approached by the two men who looked at her threateningly. She reached a hand down to Rascal’s collar and bravely, the dog started to growl although it didn’t deter the men at all. “No... please... leave me alone...” Tears filled Monica’s eyes as her worst fears were coming true- humans were still to be feared, because they were dangerous. Not understanding what these men wanted, Monica could only back up a few steps until she came in contact with the wall, and then she knew there was no escape.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?!”

The men turned to see a middle-aged man approaching them quickly, glaring angrily at them. Seeing him, the men turned and fled leaving a frightened Monica crying, Rascal nuzzling her leg as she shook badly from fear, exhaustion and cold.

The man approached her, eyeing her with concern. “Are you okay, miss? Did they hurt you?”

Monica, realizing the man was speaking to her, looked up at him still afraid, until she realized that he’d saved her from those other two men. Did this human want to help her? Confused, she wasn’t sure what to say. “I... no, they... I-I’m okay...” She glanced down at Rascal, patting his head and thankful that he’d stayed with her, trying to protect her.

Frowning, the man stepped closer. “Listen, I... my wife and I are about to have lunch, and... well to be honest you look like you need a good meal in you. What do you say? Your dog’s welcome too.” He looked down at the scruffy animal. “Hey there, dog.” Immediately Rascal wagged his tail and went to the man, allowing the stranger to pet him.

Seeing this, Monica realized that Rascal obviously trusted the man so perhaps she shouldn’t have anything to fear from him- and he was offering food, which the little angel had promised to find for her canine companion. So, taking a deep breath and praying silently to the Father to keep her safe, Monica looked up and nodded. “Okay... if-if it’s no trouble.”

The man smiled and shook his head. “Don’t be silly, of course it’s no trouble. Now come on, let’s get you in out of this cold and get you something to eat.” Monica nodded and she followed the man to his apartment nearby, Rascal once more walking at her heels. And as she walked, the little Irish angel was filled with confusing emotions, for after being afraid of humans since her last assignment, she was now beginning to realize that there were some people who didn’t seem threatening at all.

***

Opening the door to his apartment, the man who had identified himself as Michael, ushered a shivering Monica inside, Rascal following close behind. “Now, you sit down here, and I’ll go help Judy in the kitchen- lunch will be ready soon.”

Monica looked up, still feeling nervous, but managed a small smile. “Thank you, Sir.” As Michael left the room the young angel sighed and reached down to pat Rascal’s head as the dog sat down faithfully beside her.

Inside the kitchen, Michael had explained the situation to his wife. “And she looks so much like our Chrissy... I just couldn’t leave her out there, not after what those men were going to do.” Judy, his wife, smiled sadly and nodded. “It sounds like you got there just in time. But who is this girl? What’s she doing out there on the streets?”

Michael shook his head. “I don’t know, sweetheart. She seems so lost, and terribly frightened, almost like she’s afraid of everyone.”

“Something’s happened to her, that’s for sure.” Judy turned to the stove, lifting a casserole dish out of the oven. “Well, lunch is ready. Let’s see if our dinner guest feels hungry, shall we?”

***

Sometime later, Michael and Judy had finished their lunch while Monica ate hers slowly- obviously hungry, but at the same time unwilling to eat, despite their reassurances. But eventually she’d eaten about half of what was on her plate, which was better than nothing. Tentatively she looked up at the two strangers who’d so kindly taken her in, and offered a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

Judy smiled warmly at her, having taken immediate liking to the young woman who, as her husband had told her, bore a striking resemblance to the daughter they’d lost a year ago. “You’re very welcome. Now, are you sure you’ve had enough to eat?” She watched as Monica nodded. “Well, I think your dog would quite happily eat the leftovers.” She got up from the table and put down another plate for Rascal, with the leftover casserole on it, and the dog ate quickly. “My, he was hungry.”

Michael nodded, turning to Monica. “Have you got somewhere to go, Monica?”

The young angel shook her head. “No... not really, I... I kind of go where Rascal takes me.” She smiled nervously, still unsure what to make of these people- they seemed kind, but she didn’t feel able to trust them- not yet.

Judy sat back down at the table, sharing a glance with her husband. “Well, you know, you’re welcome to stay here, if you’d like. We have a spare room, ever since....” She sighed. “You can stay here, if you’d like.”

But Monica shook her head, suddenly feeling threatened by their hospitality. “Oh, no... no thank you. I-I really have to be going now...” Somewhat clumsily she got up from her chair, calling Rascal to her side. “But thank you for the food... ” As Michael and Judy could only look on in dismay, Monica and Rascal hurriedly left the apartment.

Once outside, Monica looked heavenwards. “Father... I feel so confused. One minute I’m eating with humans, and the next... I’m frightened again. What is happening to me?”

Hearing no reply, Monica shook her head, glancing down at Rascal. “Come on, wee fella- let’s get away from here.”

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Chapter Twenty Two

The sky had clouded over and a light snowfall had begun over Seattle as the young Irish angel and her canine friend walked through the streets, trying to stay as far away from human contact as was possible in such a busy city. Monica felt slightly better after having eaten something, and she’d thanked the Father for Michael and Judy’s generosity, but hadn’t felt able to stay with them. It was as if she was slowly getting used to human contact again, but could only handle a little bit at a time.

After wandering the streets for well over an hour, Rascal had led Monica to a train yard on the outskirts of the city, and Monica was beginning to grow weary. The cold seemed to penetrate right into her bones, her terribly thin body not having any protection against the cold, despite her sweater and woolen coat, and the snow only made matters worse.

Unseen by anyone working at the train yard, the little angel followed Rascal to an empty boxcar, and she followed him inside as he jumped up into it, making her way to the far corner, away from the entrance.

“Oh Rascal, you’re such a clever wee thing. This is nice and dry, just what we need to get away from the snow.” She felt his wet, matted fur. “Normally I love snow, but it’s just so cold...” Shivering violently, Monica rubbed her hands together; they were freezing cold despite the gloves which luckily had been in her coat pockets when she’d left the beach house the previous day. And then she sneezed, frowning when Rascal, who’d been lying quietly by her side, pricked up his ears and turned his head to look at her.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Monica sniffed, trying to suppress another sneeze but to no avail, and she sighed, now feeling thoroughly miserable. Rascal let out a small whine then shuffled closer to the young angel, resting his head on her leg as she laid her head against the wall of the boxcar and closed her eyes. It wasn’t long before Monica was sound asleep, still shivering violently as a few hours later the sun began to set and it got colder still.

But she was in such a deep sleep brought on by her exhaustion that she didn’t realize when, a few hours later, the boxcar began to move.

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