iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The last word came out defeated and I pulled my knees up, arms wrapping around them.

100 0

to say I wanted to be rid of you. I simply wished to know what I can do to not have... you. And I hope that lessens the harshness of my words. It is not /you/ I wish asylum from, but the need to have a duty of an angel. What have I done wrong to be... watched." >

100 0

is fair that I receive protection and others who are more deserving do not. Why did Ryan not have a guardian to protect him from his addiction, and was instead offered as possession? These are questions you cannot answer, but bother /me/." I breathed out, and added sheepishly. "I did not mean >

100 0

next to me for him to sit. If he was going to be involved in my life, then sitting on the ground should be easy enough. "It is an inconvenience." I murmured before he would even have a chance to decide if he was going to sit. "And it does anger me, because it does not make sense, nor do I feel it >

100 0

He was silent as he reappeared. Not even the sound of his shoes hitting the grass. He had not left, but that still did not stop me from jumping slightly, startled. No wing sounds. Rule Seven. The Angel... Caliel... could become invisible at his own discretion. I looked up at him, and patted >

100 0

off the path and plucked a blade to tie in and out of knots. "I apologize, Caliel," I murmured after a moment, unsure if he was listening or had ditched back to heaven for a respite from me. "I should not blame you for your role in this."

100 0

to protect. Even if I did not know what had brought this on, I had to at least respect the Angel who was forced to watch over me. He certainly had the task, if I intended to continue my writing. Which I certainly did. It was a purpose, mine in fact. I took a seat right there, in the grass>

100 0

being babysat, to now feeling... alone. The weight in my stomach felt heavy as guilt settled in. Perhaps I had been too harsh in my reasoning. There was a number six to all this - Caliel did not have a choice in his assignment to me. He was given me, for a reason I may never understand, >

100 0

After I made my plea to the skies, I turned to look for Caliel, waiting for some automated answer that lacked humility, but found the path... empty. I blinked at the blank space, the quiet that consumed me and simply stared. How was it that moments ago I wished to rid myself of>

100 0

I was a journalist! I was meant to tell the stories of others! To seek answers where people turned a blind eye. I ran both my hands through my hair, my pace only walking faster. Was he following? I had no reason to know either way, yet still I said into the sky. "How do I get rid of you?"

100 0

human. Neither of them cared if harm came to vessel, but I would remember... Open my mind... I sighed, shoulders slouching. Five, I had to take accountability in my actions that led to this. I had been reckless, seeking answers around all corners and now an Angel was my punishment. >

100 0

The only way to get rid of his presence was understanding facts One and Two. Four, a human was possessed inside of Caliel. He believed he was willing, and that was not a negotiable between either the human or the Angel. I had to accept that danger that came to the Angel, also would strike the>

100 0

only one human. What I have done thus far in my life could not attract the attention of one God. Two, I HAD attracted the attention of one God. I needed to understand what had brought this on because... Three, the Angel Caliel was charged with babysitting me. I had no reason to trust him. >

100 0

making my own path. There were certain facts I needed to quickly accept. One, this entity behind me was an Angel. He was presumably sent to watch over me and I was not privy as to /why/ that needed to be done in the first place. I had made noise with the supernatural world, but I was still >

100 0

It was a stalemate then. He would not properly explain the situation and without that knowledge, I would not accept some "divine intervention". Though even I recognized that doing so may have grave consequences. I needed a moment alone to process, so without another word, I began to walk the hill,>

100 0

his host. Because of me? I cleared my throat and rounded back on him. "Your turn to explain. Why have you been charged with protecting me? The full answer and not at dodges my questions. Why did you have to inhabit that man for ME."

100 0

from the Angel, hands tugging back to wipe at my eyes and cheeks, then stood and turned my back to him. "We spoke. He recalled his side of this arrangement and his reasons." It was all I could say, knowing getting through to Ryan was impossible now, and that the Angel had no plans of leaving>

100 0

to be himself, to even know what he wanted. I saw the transformation in his eyes as I stared into them, watches as the man known as Ryan fled my intervention, and hid behind the Angel. Open my mind. It was not as easy as he made it sound and once Ryan was gone, I withdrew quickly>

100 0

I needed more answers to understand but Ryan was withdrawing. If he knew I was a journalist, then he should have understood that the truth, the facts, all of them was what persuaded the mind. All he had told me was that it was what he wanted. I was not convinced he was allowed >

100 0

tasked to protect me, but how can I accept that when there is a human life who takes injury for my actions? Help me understand, Ryan..."

100 0

prove Ryan knew that there were downsides to this arrangement. "That your body is used for his purpose, but what of your needs? Friends, family, affection, love? Has all of that simply vanished because you now share a consciousness with an Angel? He said I am his charge, that he has been>

100 0

the tears that had slowed would only start anew. I used the strength of our hands to funnel the emotions threatening to tear me asunder. "You see the world through your eyes but not your actions. Though you have him, are you not alone?" I met his gaze and searched them for anything that would >

100 0

That the Angel had preyed on someone in need. Ryan's hands grasped mine and I slouched, dropping to my knees, pulling him down to the grass with me. "He gives you control, when it should already be yours to decide what to do." I whispered, because I knew if my voice grew louder, it would break and>

100 0

I was not certain my legs would be able to withstand the emotions that seemed to compound on top of one another. Ryan was earnest in his words, and I believed he truly saw the Angel as his savior. He was freed from a life that was normal to so many. It simply felt like this did not have to be. >

100 0

Please, forgive me." A shuddering breath and my hands balled into fists, trying to keep myself together, and failing this battle of conscientiousness.

100 0

"I do not understand how... why... And how can I trust a being that would consume a human? You say you coexist but do you HAVE control? Look..." My hand pointed at his shirt. "Your blood. He did that. Because of me." The tears were fully streaming now, "I did not know you were in there, Ryan. >

100 0

What was my life if not looking, constantly, for deception? "Why would you give your life for someone else to control?" My voice wobbled and broke. "What was so dire that you felt you could not live in this world and had to submit to servitude?" My eyes could not help but water in the corners.>

100 0

I had not expected him to agree to take a step back and let the mortal mind resume control. I was locked in place, knees rigid as I saw the transformation with my own eyes. This was not the same man. This was not the Angel. I searched the eyes, looking for deception. >

100 0

pretending simply to pacify me? I swallowed and nodded, confident I could determine if it was the truth or a lie. "I would like to speak with the real Ryan..."

100 0

to slap him. How could an Angel have such little consideration! His explanation prevented what would have been a loud crack across the jaw that likely would have hurt me more than him. He would speak with me. I felt my face lose color. Would it be him, or the Angel>

100 0

I knew that providing a yes answer was not always given freely. It could have been a way out of a bad situation at the time, that could have been remedied. In my mind, I saw Ryan as a victim in this arrangement, and I frowned when the Angel laughed at me. My hand felt the twitch as if it wanted>

100 0

Next time I am rudely shoved, I will consider that it is simply an angel protecting me from mayhem.

010 0

ankles locking. Please let this not be MY fault...

100 0

Ryan, if you can hear me, take back your oath... and let this Angel return to where came from so you can have peace." In the bottom of peripherals, I saw his blood. Not Caliel the Angel, but Ryan Christopher Williams had poured out. I felt nauseous and my feet swayed,>

100 0

Willing or not, Ryan Christopher Williams was a prisoner. I stood to try to meet the eyes of the Angel. "Can you not free his soul and tether his body to the earth? He was alone with no family. Of course being given purpose to serve an Angel would have sounded like a dream! >

101 0

Juliet Byrne @julietedits.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

That the Angel was so callous about the process of possession gave me pause that perhaps he was not some sacred agent of a deity and instead the bringer of as much destruction as a demon. He had evaded my question, so I asked it once more. "How long have you held his body captive?">

100 0

"It is a lovely shade of gold."

110 0

"This is stunning. Though not white to black, both shades of grey. One is simply lighter than the other. True balance."

110 0

received by the man inside him. Did he know that when he signed this pact what it would mean? "What is his name?" These were meant for the Angel.

100 0

of the human who had felt it. Even if the conscious had left during the pain. "I am beyond words," I whispered to the man who was locked in his own brain, wiping at the corner of my eyes. "My deepest apologies." It was odd realizing then that everything said to the Angel would then be>

100 0