Angela sat in quiet contemplation in the graveyard. The silver light of the moon accented the illuminated stars across the night sky. The wind pleasantly yet silently brushed across her face. There was no rustling in the trees nor did any critter or insect break the silence. Angela gave a shy smirk. It was almost as if nature was giving its respects along with her. She loved these moments of peace and quiet, regardless of their brevity in a city like Zurich.
Angela rubbed the Overwatch seal in her right hand. The pure metal of the oversized coin felt brisk in Angela’s dainty fingers. She still had a hard time fathoming the idea.
She was going to join Overwatch!
Her gaze shifted from the seal to the two graves in front of her: her Mother and her Father. They both passed away in the War when she was a young teenager. She missed them dearly! But she was thankful for the time they had together.
She had a very special connection to her Father. He was the catalyst that sparked her interest in the medical field. She saw his work as a Doctor and wanted to build upon his legacy.
And to be frank, she also just liked the way Doctor Ziegler sounded!
Her parents would have been proud of their daughter. The words “medical prodigy” were often thrown around when she was in the room. After graduating from University, she became an adjunct lecturer while working at the General Hospital in Zurich. Only a few years after that was she promoted to Head Surgeon. Every breakthrough she made in Nano Biology was often impaired by the finances and funds of the hospital. But by working at a place like Overwatch, she could research and explore new experimental medicines on a whim—daily if she wanted!
She stared at the inscription on her Dad’s cross-shaped tombstone.
“Heroes Never Die!”
She could live out her Father’s adage without restraint. After all, Angela would be working alongside some of the biggest and brightest names on the planet! People often referred to the Overwatch agents as “heroes.” Oh, how she wanted to be called that herself! Many of these agents even had call-signs, or nicknames. What would hers be? She would have to think of one…or would it be assigned to her? Maybe she was over-thinking this slightly…
The padding of feet nearby interrupted her imaginings. A young man around Angela’s age approached her. He shyly put his hands in his pockets and stood silent for a bit. Angela beckoned him forward with her free left hand—the right still clutching the Overwatch seal.
“Good evening, Junior! Come and sit!”
Junior was the oldest son of Pastor Sceva. His family adopted Angela when she became an orphan. He and his younger sibling became the brothers she never had! Sadly, their Father recently passed away. The younger brother, Trey, went to join the Crusaders in Germany, so everyone expected Junior to become the new “Pastor Sceva.”
The boy gave a rather pathetic attempt at a smile and shook his head. “No, uh, I…better not.”
Angela angled her eyes in curiosity. “What’s the matter? Is Faith not recovering well? What about her newborn daughter?”
“Oh no no, nothing like that. Both Faith and Joy are doing fine! She's still singing your praises; don’t worry about that.”
“Then what is it, Junior?”
“I’ve, uh, been asked to talk to you about Overwatch.”
Those words hung over Angela as she tried to read between the lines. “Asked to? What do you mean?”
Junior gave a hard gulp. “The Medical Board wants me to talk you out of leaving.”
Angela’s thoughts came to crashing halt. Her heartbeat quickened as she brought her legs to her chest.
“Um, at least for the time being!” Junior gave a pedantic smile as he tried to recover and defuse his adopted sister’s initial reaction.
“What? But...This is what I want to do. Everyone was happy for me—well, seemed happy.”
Junior put up his hands innocently. “No no! They are happy for you. We are happy for you! But look around Angela. Refugees are pouring in daily. There is a shortage of doctors here and everyone is tired and stressed. We’ve talked about this! I’ve had to help be a nurse to you several times this month. Many other volunteers help where they can.”
Angela stared directly at Junior, her eyes never blinked as he spoke.
“We just can’t afford to lose you right now.”
“But you are not losing me! I will be working on new research, new medical breakthroughs. What I can accomplish at Overwatch can spread throughout the world!”
Junior put his hands back in his pockets. “I know,” he merely squeaked.
“I will be serving the greater good! We can get medicine and treatment to not just refugees but ALL citizens of ALL nations!”
“I know.”
“And the sacrifices the agents of Overwatch make are the kind of sacrifices my family made—that I wish to make! You met Torbjorn! He may be brash and hot-headed, but he is a hero! A hero, junior! And those heroes need the best to watch over them!”
“I know!” Junior rubbed his face across his hands for a moment before continuing. “And do these refugees not deserve the best to watch over them?”
Mercy's spine straightened. “You know what I mean, Junior! Please do not twist my words.”
Junior put up his hands defensively. “You are right. I’m sorry. It’s just...Look.” His hands came together and wrapped around each other. “You have my blessing to go. Truly!”
Mercy rolled her eyes. She never particularly asked for his ‘blessing’ to go. She knew in her heart what she had to do.
Junior continued. “I’ve talked to Trey. He’s agreed to come and bring some doctors our way. Just hold off for a few weeks until they--”
“A few weeks?!” Mercy shot up off the ground. “Do you know how much I could get done at Overwatch in a few weeks?”
“And do you know how many lives you can save if you stay here a few weeks?” Junior countered.
Angela’s hands clenched into fists. “I told you! Going to Overwatch is for the greater good! Any help I do here is exponentially greater if I were to join Overwatch.”
“And what is the greater good, Angela? Is it not to care for your neighbor? All around us are afflicted widows and orphans from the War—like you once were!” He pointed to her parents’ tombstones. “Please don’t let this prestigious honor cloud what matters most!”
“Don’t preach to me as if I’m the scum of the Earth!” Angela did her best to maintain composure. “I will still be serving humankind—just more of them than I ever thought possible! I thought long and hard about this. This is what matters most!”
Junior threw up his hands in frustration. “Oh, well I’m sure the Priest and the Levite thought the same thing...AS THEY PASSED BY A DYING MAN ON THE STREET!”
Angela instinctively pushed Junior aside as she stormed out of the graveyard. Sometimes she wasn’t sure why she even bothered. They didn’t understand. No one understood the position she was in.
Junior called out to her helplessly. “Angela, wait. That was out of line. I'm...Angela? Sis!”
She kept walking. She would leave. As soon as she could. Tonight.
She would show him—and the world—what good she could accomplish with this opportunity. She would bring heaven down to earth—in her own way.
And they would see that this was truly for the best.
Angela rubbed the Overwatch seal in her right hand. The pure metal of the oversized coin felt brisk in Angela’s dainty fingers. She still had a hard time fathoming the idea.
She was going to join Overwatch!
Her gaze shifted from the seal to the two graves in front of her: her Mother and her Father. They both passed away in the War when she was a young teenager. She missed them dearly! But she was thankful for the time they had together.
She had a very special connection to her Father. He was the catalyst that sparked her interest in the medical field. She saw his work as a Doctor and wanted to build upon his legacy.
And to be frank, she also just liked the way Doctor Ziegler sounded!
Her parents would have been proud of their daughter. The words “medical prodigy” were often thrown around when she was in the room. After graduating from University, she became an adjunct lecturer while working at the General Hospital in Zurich. Only a few years after that was she promoted to Head Surgeon. Every breakthrough she made in Nano Biology was often impaired by the finances and funds of the hospital. But by working at a place like Overwatch, she could research and explore new experimental medicines on a whim—daily if she wanted!
She stared at the inscription on her Dad’s cross-shaped tombstone.
“Heroes Never Die!”
She could live out her Father’s adage without restraint. After all, Angela would be working alongside some of the biggest and brightest names on the planet! People often referred to the Overwatch agents as “heroes.” Oh, how she wanted to be called that herself! Many of these agents even had call-signs, or nicknames. What would hers be? She would have to think of one…or would it be assigned to her? Maybe she was over-thinking this slightly…
The padding of feet nearby interrupted her imaginings. A young man around Angela’s age approached her. He shyly put his hands in his pockets and stood silent for a bit. Angela beckoned him forward with her free left hand—the right still clutching the Overwatch seal.
“Good evening, Junior! Come and sit!”
Junior was the oldest son of Pastor Sceva. His family adopted Angela when she became an orphan. He and his younger sibling became the brothers she never had! Sadly, their Father recently passed away. The younger brother, Trey, went to join the Crusaders in Germany, so everyone expected Junior to become the new “Pastor Sceva.”
The boy gave a rather pathetic attempt at a smile and shook his head. “No, uh, I…better not.”
Angela angled her eyes in curiosity. “What’s the matter? Is Faith not recovering well? What about her newborn daughter?”
“Oh no no, nothing like that. Both Faith and Joy are doing fine! She's still singing your praises; don’t worry about that.”
“Then what is it, Junior?”
“I’ve, uh, been asked to talk to you about Overwatch.”
Those words hung over Angela as she tried to read between the lines. “Asked to? What do you mean?”
Junior gave a hard gulp. “The Medical Board wants me to talk you out of leaving.”
Angela’s thoughts came to crashing halt. Her heartbeat quickened as she brought her legs to her chest.
“Um, at least for the time being!” Junior gave a pedantic smile as he tried to recover and defuse his adopted sister’s initial reaction.
“What? But...This is what I want to do. Everyone was happy for me—well, seemed happy.”
Junior put up his hands innocently. “No no! They are happy for you. We are happy for you! But look around Angela. Refugees are pouring in daily. There is a shortage of doctors here and everyone is tired and stressed. We’ve talked about this! I’ve had to help be a nurse to you several times this month. Many other volunteers help where they can.”
Angela stared directly at Junior, her eyes never blinked as he spoke.
“We just can’t afford to lose you right now.”
“But you are not losing me! I will be working on new research, new medical breakthroughs. What I can accomplish at Overwatch can spread throughout the world!”
Junior put his hands back in his pockets. “I know,” he merely squeaked.
“I will be serving the greater good! We can get medicine and treatment to not just refugees but ALL citizens of ALL nations!”
“I know.”
“And the sacrifices the agents of Overwatch make are the kind of sacrifices my family made—that I wish to make! You met Torbjorn! He may be brash and hot-headed, but he is a hero! A hero, junior! And those heroes need the best to watch over them!”
“I know!” Junior rubbed his face across his hands for a moment before continuing. “And do these refugees not deserve the best to watch over them?”
Mercy's spine straightened. “You know what I mean, Junior! Please do not twist my words.”
Junior put up his hands defensively. “You are right. I’m sorry. It’s just...Look.” His hands came together and wrapped around each other. “You have my blessing to go. Truly!”
Mercy rolled her eyes. She never particularly asked for his ‘blessing’ to go. She knew in her heart what she had to do.
Junior continued. “I’ve talked to Trey. He’s agreed to come and bring some doctors our way. Just hold off for a few weeks until they--”
“A few weeks?!” Mercy shot up off the ground. “Do you know how much I could get done at Overwatch in a few weeks?”
“And do you know how many lives you can save if you stay here a few weeks?” Junior countered.
Angela’s hands clenched into fists. “I told you! Going to Overwatch is for the greater good! Any help I do here is exponentially greater if I were to join Overwatch.”
“And what is the greater good, Angela? Is it not to care for your neighbor? All around us are afflicted widows and orphans from the War—like you once were!” He pointed to her parents’ tombstones. “Please don’t let this prestigious honor cloud what matters most!”
“Don’t preach to me as if I’m the scum of the Earth!” Angela did her best to maintain composure. “I will still be serving humankind—just more of them than I ever thought possible! I thought long and hard about this. This is what matters most!”
Junior threw up his hands in frustration. “Oh, well I’m sure the Priest and the Levite thought the same thing...AS THEY PASSED BY A DYING MAN ON THE STREET!”
Angela instinctively pushed Junior aside as she stormed out of the graveyard. Sometimes she wasn’t sure why she even bothered. They didn’t understand. No one understood the position she was in.
Junior called out to her helplessly. “Angela, wait. That was out of line. I'm...Angela? Sis!”
She kept walking. She would leave. As soon as she could. Tonight.
She would show him—and the world—what good she could accomplish with this opportunity. She would bring heaven down to earth—in her own way.
And they would see that this was truly for the best.