I had fallen. Maybe fallen isn't the right word. It's more like hurtling. Hurtling towards the Earth at fatal speeds. It's not really fatal though. That's why fallen isn't the right word.

It's a regular trip. Happens every hundred years or so. I'm what the humans call a guardian angel. Only the whole guardian part, is complete bullshit. We aren't here to protect you, we aren't here to save you, we are merely here to observe and report.

The whole protecting thing stemmed from an angel that had too much empathy. They felt bad for their assignment and helped them out. Since then, a few other brave souls have done so as well, giving us a reputation as saviors.

I am not one of them. I do my duty. I watch as you slowly wither away. I won't help you. I won't save you. I watch until your last breath crosses your lips, then I take your soul back.

Rinse and repeat.

Assignments vary. Some last a short while. Days, weeks, months. However, most last for years. You're stuck there till they die. Empathy builds due to the long exposure to the suffering of your target. Most push it away, a silly human emotion. Some embrace and cause trouble for the rest of us.

This assignment is different. I really should report it, but it fascinates me. I could potentially stay on Earth forever. I love Earth more than my home. There's freedom, and things I actually like. No rules restricting your lifestyle, or preventing you from having any sort of fun. And that's why I haven't reported what's happened to my assignment. In order to stay, I have had to watch them, which isn't hard.

Besides, they don't look a day over nineteen. Haven't for two decades.