Silas flew above Tess, his body full of aches from hitting her truck last night. He had a job to do though and wouldn't leave her. His t-shirt and jeans were not the typical angel wear, but he found them more comfortable. Tess ran every day to help strengthen her running skills, but today she looked like she was determined to propel herself as far away from her house as possible. She had kept a steady, fast pace for over two miles and something about the look on her face was unsettling. Silas had heard the small argument transpire as she left the house. Silas had been disappointed in the words she had directed at her parents, but yet he knew how she felt.

What did her father think was so important about that necklace? Watching her as a child, Silas could remember the sense of urgency and anger her father would feel when he found the discarded necklace around the house. Silas's brow furrowed, he remembered seeing something in Christian's eyes when he put the necklace back on Tess's neck. Something like a deep relief, as if the world would be right again. He flew down close to Tess, watching the necklace bounce with her movements. There was something about the necklace that struck him as odd. He tried to concentrate on what it was, but his attention was brought back to Tess, when she jogged up a driveway. He knew it was Levi's. Tess would always go to his house to relieve any problems that weighed down on her. He landed beside her while she rang the doorbell. The stomping of footsteps could be heard outside before a surprised Levi opened the door.

"Hey." Tess said, trying to sound cheerful. Levi was not easily fooled.

"Was it your father again?" He asked, opening the door wider so she could step in. Silas teleported himself to the other side of the doorway, standing unseen in the hallway. Tess walked through the door.

"You know my family too well." She said with a faint smile. Levi closed the door.

"Let's head upstairs." He suggested and began walking up the stairway. Tess followed behind him quietly. Silas followed both of them, looking around at the decor of the house. He had been in the house many times, but the vibrant pictures and fancy lights had always fascinated him. Levi's mom was an artist and it showed in every aspect of their home. Silas walked into Levi's room right before Levi closed the door. Tess flopped down in a black beanbag. Her hand rubbed her temple.

"I swear my parents are trying to drive me to suicide." She complained. Levi eased himself into a green beanbag similar to hers. Silas looked around the room and decided to sit on the pitch black plush carpet.

"Both or just your father?" Levi asked Tess.

"I don't know any more really, mom took his side this morning." Tess said, looking at Levi. He gestured for her to continue.

"Dad freaking like pmsed over me taking off my necklace again." She fingered the sliver cross. "It's like a shrine to him or something." Levi looked at the necklace.

"You know you're eighteen now, you could just tell him no." Levi suggested simply. Silas frowned. He didn't think that was the greatest idea.

"I could, but I don't know...It just feels like the one thing that connects us, you know?" Tess said thoughtfully.

"Umm no, not really." Levi chuckled. "It seems to me like it's something else he tries to control in your life." Levi said, his demeanor a little darker. Tess sighed and looked at Levi. Silas could see the anger embedded deep within his gaze.

"Levi, please don't do something you'll regret." Tess said. Levi stood up and paced, running his fingers through his hair. He looked down at Tess.

"Tess, you're my closet friend and you know I'd do anything for you right?" Levi asked, slouching back down in the beanbag.

"Yes..." Tess answered, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Just remember that." Levi said, his gaze held Tess's for a long moment before she looked away. Silas watched her begin chewing on her lip and he knew she was trying to find something else to talk about. She looked around Levi's room.

"I still can't believe your mom painted your room like this." She commented with a small laugh. Silas was surprised too, the style was...unique to say the least. The walls were painted in a lime green, leading down to the black carpet. Levi's bed had a green comforter with black pillows. Any pieces of furniture in the room were mixtures of green and black, giving the room an odd doomed feeling. Levi laughed.

"Well you know my mom. Always 'experimenting.'" He said.

"Too bad she didn't try those colors on you." Tess teased with a smile.

"Oh, she tried." Levi grinned. "I hid in the basement for hours." His face took on a traumatized look.

"Worst experience of my life. It will scar me forever." Tess laughed.

"Oh, poor Levi." She continued laughing. Levi laughed with her too, lifting everyones spirit. Silas shook his head, chuckling to himself. He saw Tess glance at her watch.

"Well thanks for the cheer up Levi, but I have to head back home." Tess said. Silas saw the unhappiness in her expression at having to leave. Levi helped her off the beanbag, lightly hugging her.

"Keep your head up Tessie, okay?" Tess hugged him back.

"I'll try Levi." She said. Silas smiled at the gesture. Tess was always oblivious to the the softness in Levi's gaze or the kind way he talked to her. The boy had liked her for years and she did not know how to "take a hint" as the humans said. Levi opened the bedroom door for Tess, bowing with a cheeky smile. Tess just shook her head, exiting the room and walking down the stairs. Silas was ahead of her, waiting outside the front door. She opened it and walked out. Tess turned and waved to Levi, who smiled and waved back. Silas waved goofily, knowing Levi wouldn't see him. Tess began jogging back toward her house slowly and steadily, not as urgent to run as earlier. Silas watched her closely, but did some flying tricks alongside of her to keep his mind occupied. He would dive up and down and do different variations on flips. Silas slowed his flying to a stop when he noticed Tess slowing down. She stopped on the side of the road, looking down at her necklace. Silas watched in horror as she yanked it off her neck and threw it into some bushes. Silas felt a strange sickening ping in his stomach when the necklace landed in the bushes. He looked at Tess, who took a deep breath and then continued running without a second thought. Silas let her run ahead a little ways before landing on the asphalt of the road. He walked over to the bushes. Slowly and gingerly he picked up the necklace, looking at it with confused golden eyes. Silas stuck the necklace in the pocket of his jeans and took off after Tess. Silas kept his eye on Tess, but his thoughts were scattered. He took the necklace out of his pocket and twirled the cross in his fingers.

Why do I have a bad feeling about this?