Chapter 18

PLEASE NOTE: - IF YOU LIKE SAD TRAGIC STORIES AND ARE HAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT NOODLE IS DEAD YOU MAY NOT WANT TO READ ANYMORE. IF YOU WISH NOODLE TO LIVE THEN PLEASE, READ ON:-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-)

"Love. Wake up love."

"Where am I?"

"Can't you guess?"

Noodle opened her eyes and looked around. A young woman with long golden hair stood before her.

"Am I dead?"

"Yes love. You're at the gates of heaven."

Noodle felt her body. She felt light and airy. She felt an itch on her shoulder and went to scratch it, she stopped suddenly. There was something on her back.

"Here love. What do you think?"

The woman held a large mirror in front of Noodle. Noodle squealed.

"I've got wings!"

"Yes. Beautiful ones too."

Noodle reached over and ruffled the lilac feathers gently.

"Cool."

The woman clicked her fingers and the mirror disappeared. In its place, a large leather journal with the word "NAMES" on the front in italic writing.

"Now love. What's your name?"

Noodle stopped playing with her wings and answered the woman politely.

"My name is Noodle."

"Right."

The woman flicked through the journal, stopped at a page and ran her finger down. Her smile quickly vanished.

"Noodle love. You're not expected for at least sixty years yet. Why are you here?"

Noodle sighed. She began to tell the angel why she was here when she started crying.

"You shouldn't have done it love. You need them. Look at you."

Noodle didn't reply, just sobbed miserably.

"Let's see what going on back downstairs shall we?"

Noodle looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"Come."

The angel was walking towards a vast well and beckoning Noodle towards her. Noodle obediently followed.

The angel positioned herself in front of the well and told Noodle to do the same. She leant over and plucked a shimmering feather from Noodle's back blew on it softly and dropped it into the well.

The water rippled. Vibrant colours merging together. The ripples cleared and an image appeared. It was one Noodle knew well- it was home.

Noodle stared at the image in the well; it was like watching a live reality TV show. But this was different. She felt tears running down her face as she watched her brothers frantically untangle her from where she hung. Guilt stabbed at her as she saw 2-D drop to the floor screaming- Murdoc laid her on the floor and stroked her face softly. His lips were moving, but no sound could be heard.

"What have I done?"

Noodle screamed hysterically, tears pouring from her eyes.

"I've destroyed them."

A shrill cry came from the well. Noodle dived back to it and saw the commotion. Murdoc entered the room, Troy in his arms. She was crying. He walked slowly over to Noodle's limp body and placed Troy on her chest. Noodle screamed again. She couldn't believe what she'd done. A single tear fell into the well and the image disappeared. Noodle felt a light hand on her shoulder. She turned. The angel was stood behind her and looked deep into Noodle's eyes.

"I want to go home."

Noodle chocked on her tears.

"I know you do love."

The angel embraced Noodle in a tight hug and stroked her hair gently. They remained like that for a few moments, the angel pulled away suddenly.

"There is a way."

"Huh?"

Noodle looked up. Her eyes bright.

"There is a way for you to go back, but there is a catch."

"What's that?"

"If I send you back to earth you will be cured of your former illness. Your spirit will be pure. But you must earn our trust."

"How?"

"You will be put through a series of tests. Just little things. Things that have tipped you over in the past. You must overcome these tasks to prove you want to live."

Noodle nodded.

"I can do that."

Noodle leaned over and hugged the angel tightly.

"Thank you for giving me another chance."

The angel pulled away from her.

"There is something else though. Since you have died you will still have your wings."

"I can cope with that."

"Also. If you show any signs of regretting your life, I can easily bring you back. O.K?"

Noodle thanked the angel numerous times. The angel lifted her up and positioned her on top of the well.

"Remember Noodle. I'm watching you."

Noodle closed her eyes and the angel pushed her into the well.

There was a blur of colours and sounds. Noodle felt as though she was on some kind of crazy roller-coaster. The colours began to fade and Noodle could see a bright light not too far ahead. There was a sudden jolt as Noodle's spirit re-entered her body. She felt the cold floor beneath her and knew she was home.

Noodle opened her eyes. Troy was lying on her chest, crying softly. 2-D at her side, also in tears. Russel and Murdoc were sat on the sofa stiffly- in silence. Noodle looked down. 2-D had his hand wrapped round Noodle's. She squeezed it softly and smiled.

"Don't cry my angel, I'm home."