Page 9 - Archangel

Mourning Sean in a Belfast deluge that quickly filled Collins’ grave like
tears from heaven, Skye finally sank to his knees in sadness over both
the fallen doctor who saved so many – and MacIain’s personal failure to
protect him in the end. Looking up into dark clouds and forward into an
even darker future without the PFW teammate, MacIain asked, ‘Now
what, Sean? Chasing one war or disaster after another, we always promised
to live each day as our last. But I always thought I’d be the first to go.
About the only thing I’m looking forward to now is justice for those who
murdered you.”
Suddenly he sensed a presence through the deluge, who spoke reverently
after MacIain’s regretful self- reflection to inquire, ‘’So, ye knew Sean well,
did you?”

the devil in mourning

Startled and barely avoiding a fall into the cavern reserved for his
comrade of two decades, MacIain only managed a nod toward a red
haired, redder skinned wraith. Standing at Skye’s shoulder to interrupt
his misery and despair, the stranger was in turn flanked by two irreverent
sentries with lethal bulges ill - concealed under their rain coats.
Caring little through his own pain about these three apparitions,
MacIain remained silent and stoic hoping the elder wraith and his ilk
would leave Skye alone to contemplate a darker future. That future was
forever robbed of a life friend who in the end sacrificed himself to shield
and save a patient from perishing under a Rwandan Hutu perpetrator’s
bloody machete. That same hand of hate severed the Northern Irish
doctor’s final grip on a life well - lived for others – exchanging one
precious life saved for another who had saved thousands.
Turning toward the grave, the elder apparition finally crossed himself
and whispered “Dea beannacht leat” [God Bless You, Gaelic]. Before Skye
realized it, he unconsciously responded “Dia anseo isteach” [God Save
All Here, Gaelic].
To that, the stranger turned, smirked, and quipped, “I’ll be damned,
but I thought Sean was having me on when he said your Gaelic was better
than his, even if tainted by an English accent.” The insult shaking him
from his stupor, MacIain spun, tripped, then staggered toward him in fury.
Waving off his menacing siblings, the elder skillfully sidestepped the

3