"Angel" is a short story by Derin Edala. It was first published on Tumblr as "Infection"
in 2020. In 2022, it was republished on the author's website under the new title.
The protagonist is bitten by an angel and slowly begins to transform into one. They try to hide it, but it keeps becoming more difficult to do so. All the while, messages sing in their head, compelling them toward some unknown end.
Contains examples of:
- The All-Concealing "I": The protagonist narrates in first person and their gender is never revealed.
- Angelic Transformation: The protagonist slowly transforms into an angel throughout the story. They start hearing messages singing in their mind, feathers grow on their hands and arms, their arm bones begin to reshape, and sharp teeth grow in their mouth.
- Conspicuous Gloves: The protagonist starts wearing gloves to cover up their feather growth.
- DIY Dentistry: When the protagonist starts growing needle-like teeth, they use pliers to pull them out. The new teeth aren't anchored in the jaw, so removing them isn't too painful — it's likened to tearing out thorns.
- Furniture Blockade: At the end of the story, the protagonist moves all their furniture to block their windows and doors and trap themselves in their home, though they acknowledge it's a futile effort.
- Hide Your Otherness: The protagonist does what they can to hide their transformation. They pull out their feathers and new teeth and cover their skin.
- Our Angels Are Different: Angels have feathered wings, needle-like teeth, and an infectious bite that can turn a human into an angel. They carry messages in their head in the form of song and are compelled to pass them on to others.
- Transformation Horror: The protagonist slowly morphs into an angel throughout the story. The process and attempts to hide it are unpleasant. They pluck their feathers, leaving little holes where they come out and reddening their skin; the risk of infection is acknowledged. Their gums become tender and swollen as they grow new teeth, which they pull out.
- Viral Transformation: If an angel bites a human, the human has a chance of turning into an angel. It is described as a "transmission".
- World of Weirdness: Although most people in the setting have not seen an angel, their existence is treated as common knowledge.
