Confronting the Fallen by J. J. Thompson

Hawkes, waiting for the punchline to the joke he had
just made. But the man simply stared back at Chris calmly, not saying
a word. Finally Chris felt compelled to speak.
    “ Sir,”
he said, trying to sound reasonable, ”what exactly does that
mean? Angelic souls being born in human bodies makes it sound like,
well, like angels are coming to life as humans.”
    “ Exactly
right, young man. That is precisely what is happening.”
    “ That's
impossible,” Chris replied flatly. “I don't even believe
in angels. And as for them being born as humans? If they do exist,
why would they want to do that? We're weak, mean-spirited, not to be
trusted. No one, especially not an angel, would want to be born as
something like that.”
    “ I
think you are seeing humanity through the eyes of your experiences on
the street, Christopher,” the judge said gently. “Humans
have many saving graces; their capacity to love, their willingness to
sacrifice themselves for others, their loyalty. The list goes on.
Please don't mistake the evil of some as a definition of the whole.
It is not.”
    Chris
sat back, considering the man's words. Was he judging everyone by
some of the slime he'd had to deal with over the last couple of
years? He tried to be objective; tried to think like his Dad would
have. He sighed to himself. The judge was right. He was lumping the
good with the bad, and that was unfair. But still...angels? He looked
at the judge.
    “ You're
right, sir. It isn't all or nothing when you're dealing with people.
But to believe angels would be born in human bodies? That's another
thing entirely.”
    “ I
understand your skepticism, Christopher. I would be surprised, and a
bit alarmed, if you accepted what I was saying at face value. So, I
suggest that you stay with us for a while. Get to know the staff and
the other young people here. See us for what we are, close up. And if
you aren't convinced that we are telling you the truth, well then,
you can be on your way.”
    “ Stay
here?” Chris was suspicious again. “For how long?”
    “ Oh,
a week, maybe two. It's up to you. You wouldn't have to attend
classes or participate in any activities that you didn't want to.”
The judge gave Chris another piercing look. “And you are, of
course, free to leave at any time; no strings attached.”
    Chris
thought about it for a minute. “So, say I wanted to leave right
now. Could I?”
    Judge
Hawkes nodded and looked serious. “If that is your choice, then
yes. Of course. I will have a car brought around and a driver will
drop you off in Ottawa; anywhere you wish.”
    The
man picked up his phone. “You might want to head back to your
room and grab your belongings. You can meet the car down at the front
entrance.” He started punching in a number.
    “ Whoa,
wait a second!” Chris said quickly. “I didn't say I
wanted to leave. I just asked if I could.” The judge stopped
dialing and Chris shook his head. “Gees, sir, you don't waste a
lot of time, do you?”
    The
judge put the device back on the desk. “Of course not,
Christopher. I told you; you aren't a prisoner here. I will not have
someone thinking that we are some sort of military organization, or a
shady criminal group, or something even worse. We are exactly what I
have said we are. No more and no less.” The man sat back and
glanced at his watch. “Now, for the moment, I need to know if
you wish to stay or do you want to go?”
    “ I...I'll
stay, sir. For a little while. You're right. I do need to get to know
you all before I make a decision. And I hope you don't think I'm
ungrateful for what you've done for me. I just...need a little time.”
    The
judge smiled warmly. “I appreciate your candor, young man. Take
your time, look around. I promise that you are safe here.” His
smile widened as he picked up several papers. “At least stay
long enough for Chef to feed you up a bit.”
    Chris
laughed. “Yes sir, I'll do that.” As he headed for the
door, Chris suddenly