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Sitting up in a diner buzzed with life. Lost souls chatted over cups of coffee, a waitress bounced up to me with a menu in her hand. Leaning forward, she slid a piece of apple pie my way. Embarrassment colored my cheeks at Matty’s band t-shirt covering my bump, her cheerful voice throwing me off. Staring into her cloudy eyes, her words faded in and out.
“Are you hungry?” She chirped, her white bun bouncing with each word. The bell rang, the music skidding to a stop. A woman with onyx hair and steel gray eyes sat down across from me, her fingers dusting off her business suit. Leaning on her hands, my eyes fell on her ruby nail polish. A stern gaze met mine, the waitress bustling over with a cup of coffee and a glass of red wine. Smoothing out her blue uniform, one wave of hand had her scurrying away. Twisting her waves into a bun, her inky lips blew on the coffee. Taking a sip, her hand pushed it away.
“Disgusting.” She hissed under her breath, her expression softening. “I am Death." Sipping her wine, a sigh poured from her lips. Laying a scarlet box onto the table, all eyes fell on me. Unsure of how to respond, tears welled up in my eyes. A fit of laughter burst from her lips, her hands opening it for me. My jaw dropped at a scythe with an ivory wooden handle, the other reapers gathering around the table. Ruby burned my cheeks, her other hand sliding me a sleek black key.
“This is my first scythe. I am so impressed with how many rotten souls you have put into Hell. That is a permanent key for you. Don’t you guys have something to do!” She snapped, my head bowing. Silent tears stained my cheeks, the last time I heard such kindness was from my parents. Waving my hands around to shut down her concern, her thumb wiped away my tears.
“You don’t have to speak. I am aware of how much death surrounds you. Yet, your heart is kind. Shall I show you my home? It isn’t far from here." She offered sweetly, her bright smile dashing any sternness in her eyes. Rising to my feet, she laid her scythe into my palms. A blast of cold air blew my hair back as the blade lightened to an ivory shade. The air settled back down, snarls now knotting my hair. Hooking her elbow around mine, glares met the back of my head.
“I would shut that down.” She threatened darkly, guiding me out of the diner. Walking in silence, her shaking fingers held my key. What was eating at her, my lips pressing into a thin line. Clearing my throat, her gaze fell on me.
“Are you okay?” I choked out with anxiety, a chuckle tumbling from her lips. Shock rounded my eyes the moment she yanked me into an embrace, the sheer thought of becoming a therapist for someone irritated me. Wrapping my arms around her waist, her body type matched mine.
“I haven’t hugged a living thing in way too long.” She wept joyfully, kissing my forehead. Her grip strengthened, a small squeal escaping my lips. Letting me go, her hand ruffled the top of my head. Silent tears stained my cheeks, the memory of my mother doing the same thing haunted my mind. Sinking to my knees, it all became too much. Pressing my forehead to the foggy street, confusion mixed with concern. Crouching down to my level, her finger lifted up my chin.
“You really are a broken doll. I am sorry that I went too f-” She began, a warm smile brightening her features the moment I leapt into my arms. Every emotion soaked her shoulder, the pain of everything hitting me. Scooping me up, the feeling of embarrassment returned with a vengeance. Carrying me to a brick mansion, she kicked the door open. Sitting me down on her velvet couch, the inside was filled with something from every century. Focusing on the brick walls, the seat hissed the moment she crashed down next to me. Looking over at me, her thumbs wiped away my tears. It was all becoming too much, every breath growing shorter. My heart was seconds from beating out of my chest, my hands cupping the side of my head.
“Stop being so nice!” I barked suddenly, both of us gasping in shock. "When are they going to start being mean?” The inability to trust any kindness has shown itself, guilt now digging her fingers into my veins. Screaming into the nearest pillow, not one part of me felt better. Cupping my hands, she didn’t deserve to see me like this.
“You can trust me.” She assured me with a loving gaze, her hand resting on my bump. “This little child will love you unconditionally.” Pondering how she knew about him, a nervous laugh poured from her lips. Flipping through the memories in my head, my English teacher matched her description to a tee. Mrs. Marsson always took care of me, my memory of her always wearing gloves making all the sense in the world.
“You taught my English class.” I uttered in disbelief, her head nodding. “Why?” A sadness dimmed her eyes, her hands falling to her side. Tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, her hands crossed on her lap.
“I knew your parents were about to die. Your mother came into my classroom a couple of months before knowing that she was going to die. She knew who I was.” She answered dejectedly, tears welling up in her eyes. “She knew that she couldn’t change a thing. She asked me to take care of you. I am so sorry.” Sobbing violently, her head rested on my shoulder. Rubbing her back, her apology wasn’t necessary. Everyone’s clock ran out eventually, her job being the worst of us all. Clutching her close to my chest, wild sobs rattled our bodies. Throwing the scythe on the ground, my mother had asked her to be my mother for her. Cupping her face, she needed to know that she did nothing wrong.
“You did great. You hid me in your classroom whenever I was having a panic attack. Don’t worry about it.” I comforted her with a broken smile, a matching smile twitching on her lips. Wiping away her tears, her body trembled. Kissing the top of her head, her fraying nerves relaxed a bit. Picking up my scythe, the couch groaned as I rose to my feet. Tucking the key into my bra, hesitation burned in her eyes. Clapping my hands, it all dissolved.
Taking a gasp of deep air, clammy sweat drenched my skin. My scythe rested on my lap, my hands wiping away the tears staining my cheeks desperately. Matty groaned to life, his tired expression falling on me. Mumbling something along the lines of are you okay, the walls of our bedroom was all I could focus on. Giving him a yes, he didn’t buy it. Pulling me onto his lap, his thumbs wiped away my tears. Brushing his lips against my forehead, his hand slid down to my larger bump.
“I don’t know where you went but I do know one thing. This child is going to be smothered with love.” He commented with his crooked grin, his other hand cupping mine. “Cool weapon. Do you want to head over to the store since we are awake?” The scythe clattered to the floor, my feet hitting the floor. Peeling off his shirt, my trembling hands putting on a fresh bra. Selecting a fluffy inky sweater, the wool felt like a nice hug in a broken moment. Feeling the hem hit my knees, this one had been my father’s. Sniffing it, his cologne nearly had me losing my composure. Fishing around the closet, my fingers curled around the first piece of jewelry Matty had given me. Picking up the key to Hell, I slid it onto his chain. Getting lost in staring at the golden chain, Matty helping me put it on caused me to jump out of my skin. Hugging me from behind, his chin rested on my head.
“I haven’t seen this thing in a long time.” He mused playfully, kissing the nape of my neck. “I am ready to go if you are.” Spinning on my heels, his usual outfit of a black dress shirt and dark jeans had my heart fluttering. Putting my finger in the air, I still needed to get my boots on. Groaning in frustration, my swollen bump kept getting in the way. Sitting me down with a hearty laugh, Matty tugged on my socks and boots. A scowl twitched on my lips, this feeling of helplessness aggravating me. Cupping my cheek, my breath hitched at his passionate kiss. His wild mane slipped off of his shoulder, his hand waiting for mine. Curling my fingers around, one tug had me on my feet. Picking up my scythe, I never knew when a job was coming my way. Climbing onto his back, his crooked grin melted my heart as he carried me out to the car. Swinging me underneath him, his lips pressed against mine sweetly. Scarlet painted my cheeks, his warm gaze watching me get into my seat. Shutting the door, he slid into his seat. Clipping our seat belts at the same time, a sigh of relief escaped my lips at the engine roaring to life. Trees turned to the small town of our store, the quietness of the street was a far cry from its daily activity. A scraggly little dog sat at the door, his big brown eyes meeting mine. Parking behind the store, my boots pounded towards the poor dog. Calling him over, his paws limped over. Matty scooped him up, his other hand unlocking the door. Going straight for the bathroom, the tired dog shivered in the tub. Asking me to get everything ready, he closed the door behind him. Taking a bag of dog food off of the shelf, my other fingers grabbed a glass bowl from the kitchen. The little kibbles clanged into the bottom of the bowl, Matty’s hearty laughter sounding like music to my ear. Victoria’s voice made me jump, her hand holding my scythe.
“I would find it best not to lose this.” She joked tenderly, locking it in an empty cabinet. “Did you like the little fellow? He just showed up.” Mumbling a quiet yeah, I made myself busy in the kitchen. Preparing the food for the day, the pastries were to come next. Buried into a large batch of brownies, the blow dryer going off in the bathroom had my curiosity peaked. Sliding them into the over, the cookies would have to come next. A couple of hours passed, the baked goods all cooling down. The door creaked open, a dark brown terrier mix bounced up to the bowl of food, his wild tail wagging with excitement. His pointed ears pinned back at Matty putting a collar on him, his tongue soaking his face. Washing his hands, his peck on my cheek had my heart skipping a beat. Stealing a double chocolate cookie, my protests fell on deaf ears. Tugging on a pair of gloves, he hummed as we set up the glass case. Excusing myself, I got on my knees. Feeling my bump graze the floor only increased my embarrassment, the size of it was something that I was getting used to. The little guy ran up to me, his kisses relaxing my fraying nerves.
“Boomer is your name. What do you think?” I cooed in a higher pitched voice, his tail wagging a mile a minute. Spinning around, the hair on his back stood up. The Dark One knocked on my door, fear mixed with fury. Popping over my feet, Matty protested as I ran over to the cabinet containing my scythe.
“Little girl!” He bellowed through the glass, my salt dough ornaments keeping the shadowy figure out. “I came to give you a message.” Cocking my brow, I couldn’t show fear. Marching up to the glass, my hands rested on my hips. A defiant grin danced across my face, a couple of sharp comebacks coming to mind.
“The mirror wasn’t enough!” I taunted confidently, his composure slipping slightly. “That was a nice parlor trick but I have to admit it scared me for a day.” The windows rattled, his frustration growing at the lack of a reaction. Perhaps he was too weak to do anything, his red eyes narrowing in my direction. Getting closer to the glass, I paused inches from the glass. Folding my arms across my chest, white purifying energy built around my foot.
“I call upon the white energy coursing through me to send you away from me.” I growled through gritted teeth, stomping my foot. “See you in my dreams, bastard.” A white energy sent him flying back, a dome of protection coming over the town. A dull ache throbbed around my nose, my finger touched the area underneath my nose. Ruby painted the tips of my fingers, Matty rushed up to me with a tissue. Holding it to my nose, Boomer settled down. Going back to eating, his tail wagged at the three girls coming in with Sammy. The three girls ran off into the corner to play with the toys they brought, Matty joining them for a second. Smothering me in a bear hug, her hand slid down to my bump. The room began to spin, her cheerful voice fading in and out. Every breath grew shorter, my heart seconds from pounding out of my head. The color drained from my face, clammy sweat drenching my skin. Excusing myself to the bathroom, the sink slowed my fall to my knees. Burying my face into my palm, a tiny paw pushed open the door. Boomer bounced up to me, my palms rubbing his goofy face. Silent tears hit the top of his head, this warmth felt wrong. It felt like my life was going to slip away in seconds, his wagging tail not helping. Short whines poured from his lips, his paws resting on my tender chest. How the hell did this dog know that I wasn’t okay?
“Don’t worry about me.” I wept brokenly, his tongue licking my face. “I don’t even deserve you.” Clutching him close to my chest, his love felt like a warm hug. Closing the door, my mental state was decaying. Death was supposed to be my new guardian, my heart aching for the way my mother would ruffle my hair. All I wished was that I could smell my father’s cologne every day, Boomer’s wet snout was now buried into my neck. Worst yet, he looked just like the dog we were going to get that day. Sobbing violently, all this emotional agony hurt.
“I found a dog just like him.” Death sighed dejectedly as she appeared out of nowhere, her arms wrapping around my shoulder. “I broke him out so he would come running to you. I should correct myself, he is a puppy from the original dog. That was the best I could do.” Shaking my head, a sad but happy smile dawned on my face. Ruffling the top of my head, the sobs slowed to a stop. Pulling me into her arms, her embrace felt like magic. Boomer didn’t bark at her, my fingers playing with his coarse fur.
“I promised your mom that I would be there for you. She told me herself to give you this puppy. I paid a visit and she said that she is so proud of you.” She informed me with a broken smile, her lips brushing the top of my head. “We sat for a good hour discussing how wonderfully you are doing. She did beat me up for making you a reaper.” A hearty laughter burst from my wall of tears, her face brightening with each passing second.
“That sounds like her. I would always choose to become a reaper again. I get to save the world with one rotten spirit at a time.” I returned with my genuine smile, the sound of the store fading back in. “Sometimes I get scared this is all going to go away. Part of me is looking over my shoulder. What is wrong with me?” Shrugging her shoulders, I knew what was wrong with me. The paranoia came from the sudden death of my parents, my stupid genius IQ not letting me forget that. Rising to her feet, her hand hovered in front of my face. Accepting it with another one of my genuine smiles, Boomer rested with ease in my arms. Resting her palms on my shoulders, a freshness hid her paleness for a minute. Smothering us in another bear hug, all my mind could think was did Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz feel this way? Letting me go, her lips brushed against the top of my head.
“Let’s get together once a week up here. I will pick the restaurant and I will keep you safe.” She offered sincerely, her words sounded like heaven to me. “How about you write a letter to your mom and I will deliver it to her. She is dead though. Do remember th-” My sudden embrace cut her off, Boomer landing on his feet. Laying on my toes, his big grin met my tired smile.
“Okay, but you really should let me cook. I want to spoil you.” I spoke into her neck, her arms curling around my shoulders. Rocking me back and forth, our bond was forever sealed by a final request. Taking a step back, her fingers snapped. Leaving me on my own, I fixed my face. Putting on my brightest smile, the girls made it real. Basking in the warmth of the moment, hope burned bright in my eyes.
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