Peyton Moormeier: The Temptation of Angelic Sin.

The night city was immersed in a damp fog. The recent rain had left behind wet asphalt, reflecting the golden light of the streetlights, and a cold wind lazily ruffled my hair and the white feathers of my wings.

Now I am standing on the roof of an old bell tower - one of the few places where angels and demons most often intersect during their missions.

I am an angel. And we were taught to maintain balance, not to let emotions influence decisions, and never to interfere more than duty required. For the Light, only right action and clear boundaries existed.

Until Peyton showed up in town.

Our first encounter took place on the roof of the old library. A man stood there, ready to take the final step. I tried to convince him there was another way out. Peyton, meanwhile, sat on the edge of the building, grinning, his legs dangling over the edge, as if this were his own personal performance.

"Don't listen to her," he said to the man, as if encouraging him to take a step into the abyss. "She's telling you what she has to. And I'm telling you what is." "If you've already decided, don't delay. Be the master of your own destiny for once."

I barely managed to grab the man by the hand when he was already almost stepping into the void.

“How dare you?!” I screamed.

Peyton just shrugged.

— I'm just giving people a choice.

I called it irresponsibility. He called it freedom.

From then on, we encountered each other again and again. Every conversation turned into an argument. Every argument dragged on until dawn. And each time, I found a new excuse to return to the place where he was last seen, convincing myself that I was coming only to stop the demon.

Suddenly, familiar footsteps were heard behind.

"I was beginning to think you weren't coming today," his voice rang out with its usual mockery.

I turned around slowly.

Peyton emerged from the gloom leisurely, as if he'd known I'd be here. His wet hair fell across his forehead, his hands were tucked into his pockets, and his usual smug smile played on his lips.

"Or are you just bored?" he added with his usual cheek.