Bat's in the Belfry Webcomic

WINGS OF AN ANGEL
Part II
by Eric Alexander

“What?” Kaylie asked, almost in a whisper, her footsteps staggering now toward Wes.

“It’s true,” Wes replied, tears running down his cheeks as he turned from the window peering into Anne’s room. “Her
legs were broken and there’s been damage to her spinal column. As of right now the doctors think she only has a slim
chance of being able to walk again.”

Wes’ face wrinkled as sorrow swept over him. Kaylie rushed toward him and embraced him, burying her face in his shoulder
as they held each other up. Scott felt as if the breath had been knocked out of him and he walked over and leaned against
the wall for support.

“I just don’t believe it,” Scott muttered. “We’d never even seen this girl before. Just a few hours ago she was walking
around and now...” He struggled for the words to say, but nothing seemed right. “Now this.” He stared at the floor in
silence for some time before speaking again. “It’s not fair. She didn’t deserve this. She didn’t even do anything wrong.
Why did this have to happen?”

Kaylie sniffed and dried her eyes with the back of her palms. Wes did the same.

“I don’t know,” Wes replied. He stared down at his chest, pondering the cross that hung there. “I don’t know.” He took
a deep breath. “I saw Pauline a few moments ago. She had some cracked ribs, but other than that they think she’ll be fine.”

Silence filled the hall.

“Where’s Greta?” Wes asked. “Didn’t she come with you guys?”

“She said she’ll be along in a minute,” Scott answered.

Wes nodded. “Okay.”

More silence filled the hall.

“It’s not Anne’s fault,” Kaylie finally said. “She was trying to get Pauline to stop being a bully. She kept trying to get
Pauline to leave. Why does she have to suffer? Why does she have to be the one to have this happen to her?”

“It’s times like these,” Wes sighed, “when I have trouble hanging on.”

“Hanging on to what?” Scott asked.

“My faith.”

Scott and Kaylie exchanged worried glances with Wes. Wes finally looked away, turning his attention back to Anne as she lay
in her bed, the various medicines in her system helping to keep her asleep for the time being.

“After Scott pulled Anne from the car and I saw her... I prayed that she would be okay. I prayed that she wouldn’t be
seriously injured. I prayed so hard.” Wes fought back tears that threatened to begin anew. He had to take deep breaths
again to calm himself. “It’s like my preacher back home used to say. ‘God hears all our prayers and he answers them,
too. But sometimes he answers them by saying no.’”

Scott thought back to a time when his uncle was sick with cancer. He remembered praying then. He remembered his own “no”
that he had received. It was the last time he had prayed.

“What’s the use of praying then?” he mused aloud.

Wes closed his eyes. He knew the answer, had rehearsed it many times before, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak. The
words seemed hollow now.

“Because sometimes he says yes,” Kaylie said, softly. Scott and Wes, surprised, turned to look at her. She stood with her
hands clasped in front of her, staring at the floor, an expression of gentle understanding on her face. It wasn’t the sort
of thing that one expected from Kaylie, but she spoke as if possessing some hidden wisdom. “And sometimes he answers our
prayers, but not like we want. He knows what’s best for us.”

Wes had never spoken of his beliefs with Kaylie and he found her words strengthened him.

“Best for us?” Scott replied. “How can what’s happened to Anne be good for anyone?”

“I don’t know,” Wes answered, glancing at Kaylie and then back to Scott, “but I do know that everything happens for a
reason. I truly believe that. And we can’t comprehend it all right now, but we have to have faith that everything will work
out in the end.”

Kaylie nodded and reached out, taking Wes’ hand in hers.

“And if it wasn’t for you,” Kaylie added, addressing Scott, “Anne would be dead right now instead of being able to continue living
her life. You were able to pull her out of the car before the fire got to her. At least she has another shot at life now.”

Scott nodded, the answers soothing his troubled mind somewhat, but the doubts, the fears, and the pain still remained. Then
suddenly he remembered... Anne wasn’t the only one with a possible permanent injury from the incident.

“What about you?” he asked, locking eyes with Wes. “How did the examinations go?”

Kaylie gripped Wes’ hand tightly as she waited for his answer.

“They don’t know anything,” Wes replied, his voice full of defeat and sorrow. “Because of the special... condition...
with my wings, they can’t really tell what happened or how they could help. If they tried to do a skin graft or something,
they don’t know if it would work since I can summon my wings at will and make them disappear.” Kaylie placed a hand over
her mouth as if to stifle a gasp. “The doctor that examined me... he took everything in stride, despite the unusual nature
of my wings. He said I was lucky.” Wes let loose a sarcastic laugh. “Lucky that I wasn’t burned anywhere except for my wings.
I still don’t know how that could’ve happened, though. I didn’t have my wings out at the time.”

“So, what are they going to do?” Scott asked.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Kaylie cried in disbelief. “They can’t just do nothing ”

“Nothing for right now, anyhow,” Wes explained. “The doctor said for me to check back in maybe a week unless I’m experiencing
any pain. I feel fine right now... it’s only when I summon my wings that they hurt and I start to feel nauseous. He said to
check them once a day and see if they start healing on their own.”

“So, there’s a chance that they’ll grow back?” Kaylie asked, hopefully.

Wes shrugged. “I’ve never had an injury like this. There’s no telling.”

Kaylie held Wes close and Wes returned the embrace. Scott patted Wes on the shoulder. Wes and Kaylie then began walking
away from Anne’s window, but Scott lingered for a moment. It didn’t make sense, but he hoped Wes was right about everything
happening for a reason... that there was some purpose to it all. He thought about Wes’ wings and he stopped and found an empty
seat in the hallway where he sat down for a moment and leaned forward, clasping his hands together and closing his eyes.

For the first time in years, Scott prayed.

There was a knock at the door and Pauline shifted in her bed. The bandages around her chest were tight and uncomfortable and
she had been trying to get some rest, but sleep wouldn’t come. Especially after her visit with Wes a few moments earlier. She’d
been told that he had pulled her from the burning wreckage, but to see what had happened to her. She sat up a bit, gritting
her teeth from the pain and called to the door, “Come in!”

Greta peeked her head around the door. “Is it okay if I come in?”

Pauline’s expression was one of shock, but it quickly turned to one of contempt. “You? What’re you doing here? Come to gloat
over me? Tell me I got exactly what I deserved or something?”

“No,” Greta said, stepping inside, but looking downcast. “I came to say that I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? For what?”

“I’m sorry I took your job,” Greta answered. “I really didn’t know that Bobby had fired you to make room for me. I just
thought he had worked something out. I had just gotten fired from my other job and my roommate had left, so I was needing
work pretty badly. I talked to Bobby about it and I guess that was his solution.”

“Huh,” Pauline grunted. “Doesn’t make any difference, does it? I still lost my job.”

“Yeah,” Greta agreed. “I guess not. Well, I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry and you can have your job back. I’m
telling Bobby tomorrow. I’m quitting.” Greta could sense the hostility in the room, so embarrassed, she
turned to leave.

“Wait a second,” Pauline suddenly said. “You’re quitting?”

“Yes. Like I said, I wasn’t trying to steal your job and now that I know how much it meant to you, I don’t want it.”

“I thought you said you lost your job and your roommate left and everything,” Pauline said as her eyes narrowed. Greta
just nodded. “So, how are you going to pay your rent?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I won’t.”

“Are you trying to guilt trip me?”

Greta stamped her foot. “Look, lady, I didn’t have to come here, okay? I could’ve just stayed at home and kept my job at
B.W.’s and let you stay here all by your lonesome, okay? You show up out of nowhere, hit me with a car door, push me down,
tease me and insult me and...” Greta began to storm out of the room.

“Wait ” Pauline called out. Greta angrily wheeled around to face her. “Wait... please...”

Pauline’s expression seemed to change. Greta huffed.

“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Pauline asked.

“Yes.”

“You’re really going to give all that up... for me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Greta sighed and centered herself. She began walking toward the bed and took a seat next to Pauline.

“Like I said, I wasn’t trying to steal your job. And Kaylie didn’t try to get you fired, either. Even though you’ve taken
advantage of her, she still defended you and spoke highly of you. And after everything that’s happened, I just don’t
feel like you deserve having your job taken away, too.”

“Even after everything I said... what I did?”

Greta nodded. There was a silence that followed and when Greta looked up, there were tears in Pauline’s eyes. First
Wes and now Greta. Pauline had done nothing to deserve their sacrifices and yet they had offered them just the same. She’d
never encountered such unselfishness and it touched her heart deeply.

“Keep the job. I didn’t mean it, you know,” Pauline said. “None of it. I just... I was so mad... and I thought you’d
tried to hurt me... you know, by stealing my job. I wanted to get even... I wanted to make you sorry you’d tried
to hurt me. I just...” She sobbed aloud. “I just lost control of myself.”

Greta found a box of tissue nearby and handed it to Pauline.

“I don’t have any real friends... no one except Anne, really. Anyone who says they’re my friend usually ends up stabbing
me in the back somehow. I’ve just figured that everyone’s out to get me. When something happens I guess I... I guess I assume
the worst.”

“Look, Pauline...” Greta fumbled for the words to say. “I know this sounds awkward, but... I’ll be your friend. If you want.”

Pauline began crying. Her own family hadn’t come to visit her since she’d been in the hospital. None of her supposed friends,
either. And now, the girl whom she’d hurt the most was here beside her. Greta stood and held Pauline until her tears stopped.

Soon a doctor and nurse entered the room. The doctor coughed slightly to get Pauline’s attention. “May I have a moment with you,
Ms. Moffetts?” he asked.

“Yes,” Pauline answered.

“I have some news for you about your friend, Anne.”

“Oh? How is she? Is she going to be alright?”

The doctor sighed heavily. “Ms. Moffetts, you need to prepare yourself for what I’m about to tell you. What happened was
an accident and you had no control over...”

“Oh, no,” Pauline covered her mouth. “Oh, no, no...”

“Your friend is going to survive, so her condition has stabilized, but she has sustained some serious injuries from the
accident.” The doctor looked to the nurse as if searching for the way to break the news, but there was no way to soften
the blow and delaying it would only be worse. After all, she would find out from someone else sooner or later. “It’s
only a possibility, mind you, but... she may not be able to walk.”

Pauline gasped audibly and her breathing became rapid, sharp pains in her ribs.

“We have a counselor here, Ms. Moffetts, and I would advise you that we have her come in and speak to you regarding the incident.”

Greta held Pauline to her chest, stunned and unable to do anything but try and comfort her new friend. Pauline was sobbing
uncontrollably.

“I’m very sorry, Ms. Moffetts. I’ll check back with you in a moment.”

The doctor motioned for the nurse to join him as they left the room, leaving Greta and Pauline alone.

“No control over it?” Pauline whispered aloud. “No control over it? It’s all my fault If I hadn’t... oh, Anne ”

Greta tried to console Pauline, stroking her hair and shushing her.

“You didn’t know things would end up like this. You didn’t know...”

“It doesn’t matter,” Pauline answered, shaking her head. “It’s still my fault. She was the best friend I had and I did
this to her! Why couldn’t it have been me? I deserved it, not her!”

“She was your best friend?” Greta asked, trying to get Pauline to calm down.

“Yes,” Pauline sobbed, taking more tissue and dabbing her eyes. “Ever since we were little. We grew up together. I guess
I always bossed her around, but she never left me and never did anything to hurt me. She was the only person I ever really
trusted.” Tears began flowing again. “But that’s over now. She’ll hate me forever for this... I’ve lost her.”

“No you haven’t. She won’t.”

“How can you say that?”

“If she’s the sort of friend you’ve described, then she won’t hate you. She won’t blame you for this.”

“But it’s what I deserve...”

“Pauline, listen to me,” Greta said, trying to soothe her. “Anne won’t blame you for this. She can’t. You had no way of
knowing this would happen. And as for what you deserve? We get a lot more in life than we deserve, so be thankful you have a
friend like her and let her know how much you value that friendship. You say you’ve bossed her around most of her life?
Told her what to do? Well, now you have to make up for it. If there’s a chance she can walk, she’s going to need you more
than ever. She’s going to need your friendship and your support. She’s going to need you to help her and take care of
her. You’ve had her doing things for you most of her life, well now you have to show how much of a friend you are and pay
that back.”

“I don’t know if I can...”

“You can,” Greta said. “And you will.”

Pauline looked up at Greta, her eyes watery and sad, yet glimpses of hope could be seen within.

“You will,” Greta repeated. “I believe in you.”

Greta held Pauline close as she began crying again. “Thank you,” Pauline whispered. “Thank you... thank you...”

After a few minutes, the nurse entered the room again. She seemed a bit nervous, but smiled as she could see that Pauline
seemed to be taking the recent news better than expected. That was good because there had been a more pressing need to
share that information. A reason that the nurse soon made clear.

“Um, Ms. Moffetts? I hate to disturb you, but there is a couple outside requesting to see you. It’s Anne’s parents wanting
to check and see if you are okay.”

Pauline’s eyes went wide for a moment, but she calmly nodded and the nurse left the room. Greta turned toward Pauline.

“I can leave if you’d like and check back later.”

Pauline gripped Greta’s hand. “Could you stay with me? Please? I... I don’t think I can face them by myself.”

Greta sat down beside the bed and clasped her hands around Pauline’s. Tears flowed down Greta’s cheeks. She nodded.

“Of course. I’m here.”

EPILOGUE
Wes and Greta exchanged glances as they left the hospital. Scott had his arm around Greta’s waist, holding her tightly
after she had told everyone about Pauline. Anne’s parents were more than understanding, forgiving
Pauline and refusing to allow her to accept the blame. In some ways that forgiveness had made things
more painful, but it was a pain that Pauline could bear and Greta was determined to help her bear
it. Wes held Kaylie close to him as Kaylie lay her head on his shoulder. He hadn’t expected that she would have been such
a source of insight and strength, but he gladly accepted it.

Wes and Greta exchanged glances and although things were not as they wanted them to be, things seemed to be okay for
the moment. They smiled sad smiles at each other and then looked away.

“Excuse me, sir,” a lady said from somewhere in the night. Wes paused and looked around. Finding the speaker, he saw she
was an older feline woman, hunched over with age.

“Yes?” he asked.

“Could you help me for just a moment? I need some help carrying my bags.”

Wes looked to Kaylie and said, “I’ll be just a second, okay?” Kaylie nodded and released him. The parking lot was well lit
and Wes carried the woman’s luggage as Greta, Scott and Kaylie walked a short distance away to Scott and Kaylie’s cars.

“Are you checking out?” Wes asked the lady.

“You could say that,” she replied. “It’s time for me to leave.” She paused for a moment and then asked “You’re the fella
that got his wings burned trying to save that girl, aren’t you?”

Wes stopped, a bit stunned. Had the doctors told anyone else?

“Uh, yeah,” he replied. “That’s right.”

“Was she a friend of yours?”

“Not really,” Wes admitted. “Actually, she was kind of mean to a friend of mine before the accident.”

“And you helped her anyhow?” the lady asked. “And risked your life to do it? Why? Why would you sacrifice yourself like that?”

Wes shrugged. “I guess because...” He faltered for the words.

“Yes?”

“I guess because someone sacrificed himself for me. Jesus. He sacrificed himself for a world that didn’t deserve it. A
world that rejected him and mistreated him, and yet he still did it. A sacrifice that I don’t deserve and yet he
extended it to me. I guess I feel like I should follow that example.”

“Then why do you look so sad?”

“Because I lost my wings. My wings were so important to me.”

The old woman chuckled. “Don’t be sad when you sacrifice, boy. Be proud. If you’re following the example of the Lord, you should hold your head up high, not mope around like you are right now.”

Wes sighed.

“I guess you’re right,” Wes replied. “There’s a girl who’s in the hospital right now who’s lost the use of her legs. I don’t
guess my wings really count much compared to that.”

“But you haven’t lost your wings, boy.”

Wes shook his head. “You haven’t seen them.”

“Then show me.” Wes looked at the woman, confused. “Go on then, boy, show me.”

Wes shrugged. “Okay, but I’ll warn you, it’s not a pretty sight.” He hesitated for a moment and then summoned them out.
He closed his eyes...

...but there was no pain... no nausea. He tentatively opened his eyes and was amazed at what he saw. Instead of bat wings
he had wings covered in white feathers. He spun around, examining them in wonder.

“What? How?”

“You see, boy... you’ve still got your wings. There are people here who need you and you’ve still got a lot of work to do.
So, get to it, boy. You may have to be willing to sacrifice again, so be prepared.”

“What?” Wes turned to face the woman, but she was no longer there. He looked around, but there was no sign... except for
a feather laying on the ground. A feather he was sure did not come from his own wings.

Excitement overcoming his confusion, he spread his wings and took to the sky. Below he could hear his friends shouting
to him and he waved as he soared higher and higher. The feathers began coming loose from his wings, revealing his bat wings
beneath, fully restored. It was unbelievable... it was incredible... it was, simply, a miracle... and an answer to a prayer.

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