Ren is standing before Cameron and Emily (Cameron's daughter), the dark alley around them still crackling with tension from the power Ren just displayed. The shadows are clinging to his figure, emphasizing the sharpness of his black attire, making him seem otherworldly, almost ominous, contrary to their belief.
"I'll honor my end of the deal," Ren's voice cuts through the silence, his eyes locking onto Cameron's.
"Let's go to your house and take a look at your wife. Tell me where you live, Mr. Cameron."
Cameron stammers for a moment before nodding, swallowing hard. "It's... it's on Elm Street. A small house near the end. Number twelve."
"That's not far," Ren says, his tone remaining casual, though a hint of curiosity flashes in his eyes. He gestures to the alley's exit. "Get on the cart; I'll give you a ride."
Cameron and Emily exchange confused glances but follow Ren's instructions. They step outside the alley, their footsteps echoing on the cobblestone streets, and climb onto the rickety wooden cart.
With a fluid motion, Ren lifts off the ground, his feet hovering a few inches above the pavement. He raises a hand to the cart, his fingers moving slightly up, and with that, the cart begins to rise as well—slowly, effortlessly.
Emily lets out a small gasp, her hands gripping the sides of the cart. Cameron's eyes widen, his pulse racing as they begin to ascend. The cart wobbles slightly as they lift higher, their bodies instinctively tensing.
"Wh... what's happening?" Emily whispers her voice tight with fear and amazement.
Cameron clutches the cart's side as well, his heart pounding in his chest. "He's flying... and taking us with him."
As they rise above the buildings, Ren turns his head slightly, his voice calm and authoritative. "Now hold tight, we're going straight to your house."
The cart creaks as they sail through the air, high above the cityscape. The city below looks like a patchwork of shadows and lights, the wind rushing past them.
Cameron and Emily remain frozen, part of them terrified, another part exhilarated by the impossible view and experience.
After minutes, Ren breaks the silence. "By the way, Mr. Cameron, is your wife sick or injured?"
There's a pause, a heavy silence. Cameron's voice trembles when he speaks. "She has... cancer," he says softly, as though admitting it might make it even worse.
Ren's eyes narrow for a moment, his expression darkening.
Cancer? he thinks to himself. Can I even heal that? I've healed wounds and injuries, but this is different.
Ren's mind races as they continue to soar through the night sky. "Still, it's an opportunity—a chance to test the limits of my power."
The wind grows cooler as they approach a small, rundown house at the end of the street. Cameron points with a shaking hand.
"Mr. Angel, that... that's our house."
The house is in poor condition even at first glance. The walls are damaged, and the roof is sagging.
Ren lowers them gently, the cart settling on the ground with a soft thud. Cameron quickly hops off, moving with urgency as he opens the door.
"Please, come in." Cameron welcomes Ren in his house.
Ren steps inside, his gaze sweeping the dimly lit room. The walls are tattered, and the air smells of mildew. It's a cramped space, with just two small rooms. Leaking ceilings cast an air of hopelessness over the place.
Cameron leads him to the back room, where a woman is lying on a worn-out bed, her skin pale and gaunt. The room is stuffy, the air heavy with sickness.
The woman immediately stirs when she sees them, her eyes widening as she notices her husband.
Tears instantly spring to her eyes as she gasps, trying to sit up despite her weakened state.
"Cameron... you're... walking!" Her voice cracks, thick with disbelief. "You can walk!"
Cameron rushes to her side, holding her trembling hands. "Yes, yes, I can walk again. Everything's going to be alright now." His voice wavers, thick with emotion. "You'll be alright soon too, I promise."
Tears spill from both of them as they cling to each other. The weight of the moment hangs heavy in the room, their sobs filling the quiet.
Ren watches from the doorway, his expression unreadable. He waits, allowing them the time to process their reunion. The scene feels almost sacred in its sadness, the love between them raw and exposed.
After a while, Cameron wipes his eyes and turns to Ren, his voice thick with gratitude.
"Mr. Angel, please," he says, dropping to his knees. His wife gasps, her frail body trembling.
"What are you doing, Cameron?" she asks, her voice hoarse with confusion. "Who is he? Why are you kneeling?"
Cameron looks at her, his eyes still wet with tears. "He's the one who healed me. He's an Angel sent by God to help us."
Her face is a mixture of disbelief and confusion. "Healed? What are you talking about?" she says, coughing weakly. "We don't... have money for a doctor."
Cameron shakes his head. "He's not a doctor. He's an Angel. He's here to heal you, too."
Ren steps forward, his voice calm and steady. "How do you do, Mrs. Ford? I'm known as Incubi. I healed your husband, and I've come here under a deal to help you as well."
Her eyes flicker between them, fear and hope warring in her expression. "A... a deal?" she stammers.
"You don't need to worry about that," Ren replies, his tone dismissive. "Lie down and close your eyes. I'm going to begin now."
Cameron steps away as his wife settles back onto the bed, her hands trembling as she closes her eyes.
Ren extends his hand, focusing his power. A soft green light begins to radiate from his palm, washing over her frail body. Her skin glows faintly under the light, the air around her shimmering with energy.
For a moment, everything is still. But then, she starts coughing, her body shaking a bit under the strain.
Ren narrows his eyes and intensifies the healing energy, pouring more power and focus onto her.
The green light flickers as more time passes, the tension in the room rising with each cough. Ren grits his teeth, his concentration faltering.
"Is this working? Is she getting better?" Ren mumbles to himself.
When the coughing grows worse, Ren stops, stepping back. "Mrs. Ford, how do you feel?" he asks, his voice quiet but edged with concern.
She's silent for a long moment, then shakes her head weakly. "No... I don't feel any different."
"Are you sure you don't feel any different? Not even a little bit?"
"... Nothing" she replies.
Ren sighs, a weight settling on his shoulders. "Mr. Cameron," he says softly, "I'm sad to say I cannot heal her."
Cameron's eyes widen, his face paling. "What... what do you mean? You're an angel. You can do anything." His voice cracks, the desperation clear as tears well up again. "Please... you have to help her."
Ren shakes his head, his voice solemn. "I'm sorry. I can't. But I will honor my deal. I'll pay for her operation."
Cameron's sobs fill the small room again, his body trembling with the weight of the news.
Ren steps back, handing Cameron the small bag of money he gave them before, his voice firm but gentle. "Take this for now and admit her to some good hospital. I'll come back tomorrow night with some more money for her operation. It'll be up to you how you use that, whether for her or yourself."
Ren steps outside, the cool night air brushing against his face. Cameron follows, still in shock. "Tomorrow night," Ren repeats, his voice low. "I'll bring the money. Be ready."
"And remember not to tell anyone about me or what I did. Otherwise, you wouldn't wanna the consequences."
With that, Ren lifts into the air, his figure disappearing into the night sky, leaving Cameron standing alone beneath the stars, his heart heavy with hope and despair.