#FridayFlash - Holy War

In the years before the War, everyone thought they knew why architects installed angels on buildings. It was all about decoration. Especially the Victorians, they went mad over cherubs and anything else with wings. Covered their buildings and parks with the buggers. What no one realised is they weren't just stone copies - they were actual angels. I was there before the War, I heard the stories. My great-great-granddad, he was one of the architects. Knew all about them, how to capture an angel and encase it in stone.



But then there was a decree from somewhere, God knows where. Literally, really. Humanity was too far gone, and the world wasn't working like it was supposed to, so they broke free and started raining down hellfire and damnation on the evildoers. At first it was the real wrong ones, the ones that we all agreed needed punishment. But they soon ran out of those, and what do you do with a horde of rampaging angels, all hell bent on retribution and judgment?



We fought back, at first, but how do you fight a heavenly host? They went after anyone who'd had an impure thought, sweeping up kids who'd nicked a chocolate bar from a shop, or husbands who'd looked at their secretary's bum for more than a second. That was twenty years ago, and there are hardly any of us left. Of course, we're all full of anger at what they've done, so there's not a pure one among us. We learned early on that it wasn't safe in groups - it seemed to amplify any sinful thoughts, and they found us easily. Now we all hide out alone, trying to survive in an empty world.



I've been living in an old school for ten years, but I know I'm not alone now. I can hear them downstairs. Even when they've shed the stone, they're not quiet. They don't need to be. Who needs stealth when you've got a flaming sword of justice? The cherubs are the worse - their airborne attacks are a thing of legend now. People got sucked in by the cuteness, and mown down for it.



I don't know if anyone will ever find this, especially once I've blown up this place. It might not kill them but it'll certainly take the wind out of their sails, and remind them that humanity isn't going down without a fight.



Wishing you all the best,

Wilfred.