My Guardian Angel

Word Count: 993



It began on my eighteenth birthday when my father gave me a strange-looking locket chain. It looked ancient and the original blue colour had almost worn off. It was triangular and had the symbol of flowing water. He said, "Wear this always, son. It is the guardian angel of our family. It has protected us against ill luck for generations, and as the eldest son, you inherit it next."



The next day, I woke up late and ran to college right out of bed. In the contemporary literature class, I saw Mr. Hemmingway collecting papers from everyone. I panicked. We were supposed to give an assignment today, and I chad completely forgotten. But then I felt a sudden touch on my right thigh. I turned right and looked at the prettiest girl of the class smiling at me. This was odd, I thought. Christina, her name was. She was the head cheerleader for the football team and would never date guys like me. Her blonde hair brushed against my shoulders as I realized how lucky I was to the college seating system, to pair up smart students with non-smart ones.



Her blue eyes sent shivers down my heart as she said, "Don't worry, Eugene. I have done your homework for you and that too," she said, pulling out papers, "in your handwriting. I sat up the whole night for it." It was unbelievable. The handwriting was indeed mine and the stuff written was far more advanced and beautiful than an academically challenged girl like her could come up with. "Thanks Chris", I replied dumbstruck, but she stroked my legs and said, "Do not thank Chris. Thank your guardian."



When college was over, I silently walked over to the road where my dad would come to pick me up. But then I felt the touch of a heavy hand on my shoulders. I turned around and heard a thump. My nose went numb and I felt hot liquid trickle down from it. It was Nick, the muscular monster and he gritted his teeth at me. "You dare to hit on my girl?" he said, "I could have fun with Chris last night but no, she had to do your assignment. You nerd." As I staggered, unable to balance myself, his eyes widened. He lurched towards me and pushed me away. As I fell to the ground, I heard the loud horn of a truck before it rolled over Nick. If he hadn't pushed me, I would have died in his place. He smiled at me even when he was covered in blood. His last words were, "It was my duty as your guardian."



As he drove me home, my father said, "You have got a visitor, Eugene. It is the first time you brought a girl to the house. You two kids have fun while I go to the grocery store." Intrigued, I ran up to my room and opened the door, only to find Johanna, the pretty girl from the bakery who drove me out the other day for staring at her bosom.



"Listen Jo," I began, "I am sorry for the other day. I really couldn't control myself", but she didn't listen to a word. She just placed her arms on my shoulders and whispered in my ear, "I thought you would be disturbed today and I didn't want you to feel lonely, Master Eugene Spence." "Who.... " I blurted out, "Guardian?"



"Yes", she said, "I am the river spirit, whom your ancestors saved from destruction many years ago. For generations, they opposed the constructions of the factory on my bank and thus kept me alive."

"What? You mean you the spirit of the Arenes RIver that flows by this town?"

"Yes, I am Arenes and your ancestor, the Mayor in 1820 had protected me from death. Now it is my duty to guard his blood's life."

"But. What about doing my homework and .... now this?"

Tears came out of Johanna's eyes and she knelt down before me, her arms stretched. She said, "Legend is filled with such stories but I never thought it would happen to me. That is why spirits stay away from humans. From the moment you tied me around your neck, the scent of your chest made me fall in love with you."

"You....", I mumbled, clutching my locket with my eyes wet, "No one ever loved me."

Johanna, possessed by the river spirit undressed herself and we had passionate love. Arene, she was my soulmate.



The next day, I went to the river bank, which was the venue for the Spring Celebrations. As I removed my shoes and immersed myself in River Arenes, I felt a sudden pull. The water devoured me and my body was sucked into the abyss. Everything blacked out.



I woke up on the shores and saw the face of a beautiful healthy woman in a lifeguard dress. She said, "We cannot be together, Master Euegene. I love you too much and I want to be with you so much that I almost tainted my duty. Please never come near here again", and kissed my lips.



The lifeguard's name was Lucy and we married a few years later, and moved to another town far away. Years have passed since then. She bore me a handsome son and a beautiful daughter who have grown up well. But last year Lucy died protecting me from a mugger on the street. As my life  ends, I prepare for the journey. I have handed over the locket to my son, who is forty years old now, saying his mother will always protect him.



As I grow older, I have no desire to live. It is time for me to reunite with my soulmate. I prepare for my journey to revisit my hometown. She can drown me and live with me forever, now that I have relieved her of her duty. There could be no happier end for me.