An Aim to Engage 2022 (Wattpad Horns and Halos Profile) Winner

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It was an accident, they said. But Dianne's rich, influential family and a few officials knew the truth. Fully recovered from the injuries caused by her careless drunk driving months ago, Dianne looked out of her Mercedes-Benz.

The driver suddenly stopped the car and images of the crash replayed in Dianne's mind--the shattered windshield, the broken steel, the sudden darkness. The scent of metal was strong, mixed with the scent of blood--her blood... and another's.

"Are you even listening, young woman?" Her stepmother's tone was desperate, but Dianne just rolled her eyes.

Outside, the rain was pouring. An old woman crossed the street with an umbrella. On her head was a... pair of horns? Weird. And, her hands looked charred and reddish like it was burnt and still burning.

The car sped and they passed by her old school where she saw Mrs. Santos, her second-grade teacher. The woman was in her crisp brown suit and she was glowing! Actually glowing, with a bright halo floating above her graying head! The librarian, Ms. Thompson, was arguing with her. But the librarian wasn't glowing, no. She had the same charred and bloody skin as the old woman crossing the street before. And she also had a pair of horns on her head!

What the heck was happening? Was it already Halloween?

What the hell?

Hell?

Horns and halos.

It was like they were dressed in demon and angel costumes!

But, why?

It was creepy and very disturbing.

Dianne turned to look at her stepmother, but her stepmother looked the same as the old woman and Ms. Thompson. Dianne screamed. "H-how-- Who are you?"

"Darling, are you okay?" Her stepmother tried to get close to her, but Dianne screamed louder.

"Get away from me, you demon! Let me out of the car!" The vehicle stopped and Dianne dashed out to the streets. She saw another demon--the police officer that lived next door to her condominium--and another angel--the local baker. What was happening to her? Was she hallucinating?

She ran as fast as she could until she tripped and tumbled. She was drenched in rainwater and dirt. A dark ring encircled her neck. The band of angels and demons surrounded her, her stepmother nearest her. The demon woman said with teary red eyes, "Oh, my baby, it appears that you had, unintentionally but without remorse, killed a pure soul destined to be an angel. As a punishment, you were given the sight. You can see beings as they truly are. And you'll keep on seeing them until your punishment is lifted."

"W-what are you saying?" Dianne was trembling in fear.

"From now on, you are no longer human. Y-you will only live with death." Her stepmother wanted to hug her but, suddenly, Dianne's body was enclosed in a black hooded cape, and on her hand was a large heavy scythe, which she would carry for no one knew how long.