A Gift of Forever

The angel appeared in glory, brilliant white wings spread wide and dripping sunshine. Its beauty was so sharp, so perfect, I could not breathe, could not think except a small corner of me that wondered, _why?_

I trembled as it came closer, small mews of fear escaping through quavering lips. I was so small, so dirty next to this living flame, what could it possibly want? The angel frowned, and if I had not been frozen in terror, I would have hid from its searing displeasure.

It tilted its head and brought its wings in close to its body, dimming the radiance that had me blinded. _*Daughter of ....., why do you weep?*_ The name of God rolled through the caverns of my mind, a deep and incandescent thunder, threatening what little consciousness I had left. If I could have drawn breath, I would have screamed.

The angel spoke more softly, as if it understood its effect on me, _*Do not fear, little Daughter, I come bearing gifts.*_ It knelt and said, _*Be free,*_ then it pressed an apple into my trembling hands.