Opposites of a Different Kind

Getting to her room Anessa threw her duffle bag on the floor and flopped down on the government issued bed. She was so tired she hadn’t slept in nearly two days. But she was in Ireland, she had always wanted to go to Ireland. Now she had a few hours of free time to do just a little sight seeing and she was dog tired. Looking at the clock she estimated how many hours she would need to get a restful sleep but still have time to walk around the city. She could recharge her battery off nine hours of sleep she would get up at two pm and go out for a while. Maybe get one of the agents to be her tour guide. Getting to her feet she opened her door and made her way to the common area she had been shown for meals. The room was full of agents eating and talking, in the far corner she saw Hellboy eating one of his giant meals. Several agents sat around him asking several questions about his abilities and origins. She noticed one man looking at her and she smiled making her way to him.



“Do you have some spare time sometime after two pm? Mr…..?”



The man took her hand and shook it, “McCarthy, Darren McCarthy sure what can I do for you pretty lady?”



Anessa took a seat next to the man, “Well this is my first time in Ireland and it’s a shame it’s for business but I have a few spare hours after I get some shut eye. I was wondering if you could show me a few sights before we battle the monsters tonight?”



It seemed the man’s smile broadened, “Of course anywhere you want to go I’ll take you.”



Bidding him goodbye until two she headed back to her room for a nap.



Hellboy watched the meeting between Anessa and the random Irish agent. The man seemed a little too happy just to be meeting her. Pushing the large bowl of half eaten Shepard’s pie away he made his way over to the young man. Dropping down next to the man he watched the young agents face go from a beaming smile to pasty shade of white.



“H-Hello Mr. Hellboy sir what can I do for you today?” he stammered out nervously.



“The woman you were just talking too what you two talk about?” he growled lowly in his throat.



“I – I – I’m taking her site seeing this afternoon after her nap…sir. She’s never been here before.”



Without another word he stood and made his way down the hall were she had disappeared too. His long legs made it easy to catch up to her. Before she could open her door he held it closed with his stone hand.



“What do you want? I need to get some sleep or I’ll pass out in the hallway.”



What’s this I hear you’re letting a random stranger take you out on the town this afternoon? You don’t even know this guy? I don’t want you to go out with this guy.”



She looked up at his her face showing her annoyance, “Listen I’m a big girl Red I can take care of myself. Besides who the hell are you to tell me who I can hang out with or not. I’m not yours Red I can do what ever I want. Now if you’ll excuse me I need a fuckin nap.” Ripping the door open she knocked him off balance sending him into the adjacent wall. With a loud thump the door was closed and locked behind her.



A low growl rumbled in his throat and without thinking he punched the wall which sent his stone fist through the fragile plaster into the connecting room. Pulling his giant stone hand free he looked through the whole. “Oops sorry!” he winced waving awkwardly at the woman inside the room, luckily for him she was covered by towel. He made a quick get away high tailing it down the corridor to his own room.



*************************************



The air was clean and crisp, the salty moisture from the nearby crashing ocean filtered through the air giving a sparkling feeling to the atmosphere. It was like putting your nose over a bubbling glass of soda water, nothing like the smoggy dense air of New Jersey. Anessa watched her young guide as he brought her around the cute little town near the FBI Building. It was as far as she could go with the amount of time they had but it would do. The smile on his face was bright and refreshing. Grabbing her hand gently he lead her into a little shop introducing her to the shops owner.



“Thomas this is a special from of mine, Anessa Davis. Will you let her sample your fresh brew of the day?” the young man leaned over the counter and asked the bearded man.



With a jolly rumble of laughter the man went into the back and returned with a frosty bottle of beer, popping the top he handed it to her. Taking it firmly she looked at the bottle and back at the young agent. His quick nod and smile made up her mind, pressing the bottle to her lips she tossed the bottle back taking a large swig of the amber liquid. The flavors danced on her taste buds igniting an unstoppable moan of satisfaction. It was the most perfect beer she had ever tasted. It wasn’t too bitter wasn’t too sweet and had a hint of some kind of flavor she couldn’t name but it did wonders.



“Oh my god that tastes like heaven, “she turned back to the shops owner Thomas. “Sir you made this yourself? This is amazing I can’t even describe the sensation in my mouth right now.”



“I’m glad you like is lassie it’s of my own brew a family secret passed down from generation to generation. I’ve had many offers to sell it but I refuse. This beer keeps my little shop going people come back to Ireland just for this and I want to keep it that way.”



Taking another long pull she put the now empty bottle on the counter and pulled out her wallet, “Well my kind sir I would like to purchase said beer. Could I possible get a case of 12 frosty cold ones?”



Ey finish your shopping and I’ll have it ready by the time you come back.”



After a few hours of shopping in the cute little shops the sun was low on the horizon and was threatening to set. Darren tugged on her shirt softly to get her attention one last time.



“I want to show you something before we head back to the bureau it’s the most beautiful view of the ocean.” he lead her out behind the town limits down a lush green path of clovers. She could smell the ocean more clearly as they neared the coasts cliff. Soon a little stone path appeared leading down to the cliffs edge. Slowly they made their way down to it and he was right. The drop off was steep but the view was spectacular. Grass rocks littered the surf each with the own small patch of colored flowers. The heavy waves crashed upon the rocks dislodging its crabs from their perches. The water was a beautiful dark blue contrasting the sun now setting in the distance. With the rhythm of the afternoon breeze the green grass on the cliff swayed in time making patterns in the thick green blanket. The smell in the air was sweet and salty at the same time soothing whatever nerves were left from the plane ride.



“This is my favorite place in the world.” He whispered softly as if not to disturb the beauty of the scenery.



“It’s mine now too.” Anessa agreed closing her eyes just listening to the oceans sounds.



A soft sound pulled her from her thoughts opening her eyes she looked over to Darren, “Did you hear that?”



Without opening his eyes he nodded his head, “Yeah probably just a seagull fighting for its meal.”



Anessa closed her eyes again and heard the sound a little louder this time, and it was no seagull. Her eyes snapped open and she took off down the path along the cliff top speed. Darren heard her zoom by and was nearly knocked off his feet. Gathering his senses he soon followed behind her.



Off in the distance she could see four kids leaning over the cliff screaming down towards the surf. Her eyes began to search the cliff side for anything out of the ordinary. And then she saw it a little girl hanging from a branch her little body dangling above a deadly drop. Her feet picked up speed hoping she would make it there in time. Looking over her shoulder she called to the young agent.



“There’s as child hanging from the cliff!”



“Jesus!” he screamed picking up speed himself.

One of the girls hands gave away causing her to scream louder her sobs resounded in the empty space of the cliffs.



“I’m not going to make it.” She thought to herself, “I don’t have to time to run over there.” She needed her wings and now, concentrating on her back she ran faster her feet kicking up rocks as she went. Then she felt it, her wings burst forth from her back. Her sword was now in her right hand. She could hear Darren behind her yelling to himself in shock. Dropping her large sword to the ground she dove off the cliff her giant wings extending into the cool late afternoon air.



“Holy shit!” Darren yelped behind her again.



With a push of her wing span she shot towards the little girl descending towards the surf the tips of her wings dipping into the oceans blue waters. Just then the little girl’s final hand gave out and she plummeted towards the sandy beach below. Getting directly below her Anessa shot up and caught the little girl in her arms. On instinct the little girls arms wrapped around Anessa neck and her head buried into her chest. Continuing her accent to the top of the cliff she saw the other children’s looks of amazement their mouths agape. Reaching the cliffs edge she landed on the grass a little bit from the drop off.



“It’s alright sweetheart you can open your eyes now.”



The little girl slowly looked up and gasped at the giant wings behind Anessa, “Am I dead are you my angel?” she asked innocently still clutching to her neck.



“No darling you are still alive I assure you. But I am an angel of sorts. What is your name?”



The little girls arms slowly unwrapped themselves from around her neck and Anessa slowly set her feet back on the ground.



“Katie.”



“Well Katie what were you and your friends doing so close to the edge? As you can see for yourself it is very dangerous.”



Now looking a little sheepish she dug the tip of her foot into the dirt, “We were trying to pick some flowers on the cliffs edge and I slipped. Thank you for saving me.”



Anessa smiled and pushed a strand of hair out of the little girls face, “It’s quite alright but be more careful next time.”



Just then Darren came running up carrying her giant sword terrifying all the children who scattered behind the coasts many trees. Darren dropped the sword down on the green grass and leaned down bracing himself on his knees. Taking large gasping breathes he tried to get his breathing back under control.



“That……was……..wicked!” he gasped between gulps of air. “When you said you had…..wings in the conference room……..I didn’t believe you. But seriously that was………sweet.”



She could see the children looking from behind the trees eyeing her wings, the group of friends still staying a few feet back wary of her and the new man by her side.



“It’s alright children he won’t hurt you. Do you want to touch them?” Anessa laughed motioning for the group to come closer.



Their once uncertain faces lit up as they made a mad dash to her, little hands now all over her wings. One took a single feather in his hand and ran his fingers down the side of it fraying the edges briefly. After a few moments she stood now towering over the small children.



“Why do you have wings?” one called out innocently.



Anessa raised her wings high into the air fluttering the tips slightly, “I was born with them so I could protect his world from evil. That’s why I must ask a favor from all of you.”



The children huddled in to make sure they hear and understood the favor, their faces animated with bright smiles.



“You mustn’t tell anyone that you saw these, “Anessa pumped her wings a few times blowing wind into the children’s faces getting a hushed giggle from them all. “If people knew about them then I wouldn’t be able to help anyone. It must remain a secret. Can you all do that for me?”



Quickly they all nodded agreeing to her request, they all would share the secret.



Anessa looked to the swirling ocean and noticed the quickly setting sun, they needed to get back. Looking back to the children she smiled and waved goodbye. They headed back to the path from were they came from after the village. Reaching the clover patch just below the little town Anessa stopped and adjusted her wings behind her.



“You know Darren I don’t think it would be wise to go through the village like this.” She pumped her wings to make the point.



He nodded quickly and told her to hold on; disappearing over the hill she waited for his return. After a few moments he came back carrying a large purple cloth of some sort. Trotting his way back down to her he held out the cloth to reveal a cloak.



“This should hide them if you wrap your wings around your body.”



Anessa wrapped her large black and white appendages around herself and Darren draped the cloak around her shoulders tying the silver rope around her neck. Adjusting the cloak in front to close the gape they made they way up into the village and back to the base.