Someone was in town. It happened often enough to be no big deal: angels descending to deliver visions or minor miracles. Errands, basically. Zed had been down here long enough to realize they weren't concerned with him. So long as he kept his head down and didn't interfere with their business, he was worth less notice than an insect.

But he always knew when they were around. There'd be a tingling at the back of his neck, sometimes an ache in the scars around his shoulder blades. At least it never lasted long.

Except when it did. This one was hanging around, and it had been going for long enough to put Zed on edge. What in God's name - literally - was it up to?

He didn't know her until he saw her. When he did, he knew right away. And he still wasn't prepared for the moment she looked up at him and spoke. Could she tell he was fallen, or would he appear to be just an ordinary human to her? On the outside, he looked like a young punk: half-worn-out shoes, skinny jeans, and a long, loose coat.

She'd asked him a question. Zed said the first thing that popped into his head.

"Spare fifty cents for the bus?"