《Reaper Born - UF/PNR》


 The Crash

    The skeletal figures danced at the edge of my vision, their emerald and crimson orbs leaving trails of light in the darkness.


    I blinked hard, my hands tightening on the steering wheel as I tried to focus on the road ahead. These weren''t hallucinations¡ªI was sure of that now. They''d been haunting my dreams for weeks, and now they were bleeding into reality.


    Just what I needed.


    As if getting kicked out of college and kicking Phillip to the curb in one evening weren''t enough of a clusterfuck.


    The speedometer of the rusty minivan my parents left behind crept past ninety, the engine protesting with a whine that matched the panic clawing at my chest. Chicago''s outskirts blurred past, streetlights creating a disorienting strobe effect that made the shadows seem alive.


    My phone buzzed. Kat''s face lit up the screen, her smile a stark contrast to the turmoil churning inside me. I hesitated, then answered.


    "Khalida? Where the hell are you?" Kat''s voice was tense, a mix of worry and exasperation that only an older sister could perfect.


    "Just out for a drive," I replied, aiming for nonchalance and missing by a mile. "Needed some air."


    "At 2 AM?" Kat wasn''t buying it. "Phillip called. He told me about the letter from the university."


    My grip tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles turning white. Leave it to Phillip to play the concerned boyfriend while conveniently forgetting to mention the slap that sent me running out the door.


    "Yeah, well, Phillip can go fuck himself," I muttered, wanting to tell Kat the truth of what was really going on in my life, but embarrassment kept it inside. ¡°He needs to stay out of it.¡±


    There was a pause on the other end of the line. When Kat spoke again, her voice was softer. "Kal, what''s really going on? This isn''t like you. You were valedictorian, for Christ''s sake. What happened?"


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    I laughed; a hollow sound that surprised even me. "Life happened, Kat. Turns out being good at high school doesn''t mean jack shit in the real world."


    "Don''t say that. You''re brilliant, you just need¡ª"


    "What?" I cut her off, anger flaring hot and bright. "Another tutor? Another chance? More disappointment?" The car swerved slightly, and I fought to keep it steady.


    "Kallie," Kat''s voice trembled, "you''re scaring me. These mood swings, the nightmares you mentioned... Please, just come over. We can figure this out together."


    I blinked hard, trying to focus as the road curved sharply. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of the skeletal figures reach out, its bony fingers leaving trails of emerald light in the air. I jerked the wheel, overcorrecting.


    "I don''t know if we can fix this one, Kat," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.


    "Of course we can," she insisted. "Remember when Mom and Dad left for Mexico? We got through that together. We can get through anything."


    The mention of our parents sent a fresh wave of pain through me. I glanced at the speedometer¡ªninety-five now. "That was different. I was different."


    "Kal, please. Just tell me where you are. I''ll come get you."


    I opened my mouth to respond, but the words died in my throat. One of the skeletal figures had materialized in the hood of my car, its empty eye sockets fixed on me.


    "What the fu¡ª" I started to say, but then the figure''s hand plunged through the window, straight into my chest. An icy coldness spread through me, and suddenly, I couldn''t feel my hands on the wheel anymore.


    The car hit a bump, and the wheel jerked. The tires screeched as we swerved across the road. Panic shot through me, but it was quickly replaced by a cold sense of acceptance. This was it.


    It¡¯s what I wanted all along, wasn¡¯t it?


    "Kal? What''s that noise? What''s happening?" Kat was yelling into the phone.


    The car spun, the world outside turning into a blur of lights and shadows. Time seemed to slow down, and I watched with a detached fascination as the guardrail came rushing towards us. The skeletal figure turned its head to look at me, and I swore I saw a glimmer of... something in those empty sockets.


    "I love you, Sis," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the screeching tires. I dropped the phone as the car slammed into the guardrail.


    Metal crunched and glass shattered. As the world spun and darkness closed in, I felt bony fingers intertwine with mine. The last thing I saw before consciousness slipped away was a sea of emerald and crimson orbs, pulsing with an otherworldly light.


    And then, nothing.

 Into the Darkness

    I always figured death would be peaceful¡ªa quiet, empty void where you''d simply stop existing. Or maybe you''d feel at peace with your life choices, like deciding to avoid your parents, or realizing you didn''t need school to prove anything to anyone. Hell, maybe you''d even feel your sister''s unconditional love one last time.


    But when I opened my eyes, I knew something was seriously wrong.


    The car was still around me, but the world had gone sideways. Everything was unnaturally still, the night too quiet, the darkness so thick it seemed to swallow the stars whole. There was no pain, just a bone-deep cold that made it hard to move, hard to breathe. I felt weightless, as if I''d slipped out of the only world I''d ever known and into... something else.


    That''s when I saw him¡ªa shadowy figure, cloaked in darkness, holding a shimmering blade that could only be a scythe. He stood just outside the car, and even though his face was hidden, I didn''t need to see it to know he was watching me with predatory focus.


    This man was different from the skeletons that haunted my dreams. This man was flesh and blood.


    A word echoed in my head, something straight out of a fantasy novel: Reaper.


    Well, shit.


    I guess I really did it this time.


    Panic surged through me as I thought of Kat. I''d left her alone, with nobody. What the hell had I done? I had to get back to her. I couldn''t leave her like this.


    I forced myself to move, pushing open the car door despite the searing pain in my arm. The reaper watched, silent and still, as I stumbled onto the pavement. Blood, dark against my pale skin, dripped onto the asphalt. My limbs felt like overcooked spaghetti, but I pushed forward, driven by desperation.


    The reaper followed, silent as the grave. How fitting.


    "You can''t take me," I gasped, my voice trembling. "I have to get to Kat''s apartment. She''s waiting for me."


    My arms and legs gave out, and I collapsed on the ground, staring up at the starless sky. The reaper loomed over me, and the air grew colder, heavier, as if the night itself was pressing down on me.


    A bright glow emanated from my chest, and with a sickening lurch, I realized it was my soul. The reaper raised his scythe, and with a swift motion, he gathered the glow, wrapping my soul around his blade and yanking it away.


    I saw it then¡ªthe white tunnel, pulling me in as my essence floated towards it. But in a flash, it was gone, replaced by darkness.


    Another reaper appeared, more skeleton than man, waiting to take my soul from reaper number one. Like hell Kal Edwards would go down without a fight. After my encounter with Phillip tonight, I had decided I''d always stand up for myself.


    I urged my body off the first reaper''s scythe, and it flowed and pooled on the ground in front of the skeleton. I didn''t waste any time. Even before I became flesh, I grabbed the skeleton''s scythe, my glowing fingers closing around the cold metal.


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    As soon as my hand touched it, the skeleton man fleshed out, and I saw the man he truly was... or used to be. He seemed surprised, if only for a moment, before he pulled back, his grip tightening. But I held on, refusing to let go. I couldn''t let him take me. I couldn''t leave Kat alone.


    With a fierce cry that would have made a banshee proud, I yanked the scythe from his grasp and swung it wildly. The blade cut through the air, meeting resistance before it connected. The reaper faltered, and my entire body''s glow began to fade, becoming more... normal, although I still glowed a light gray.


    The scythe felt real in my hand, cold and heavy with the weight of countless souls. I took the chance to flee, running back the way I had come, towards a pinpoint of light. I clutched the weapon tightly and dove towards the fading connection to my world.


    As the light faded behind me, I was plunged back into darkness. My heart pounded as I ran, unable to see anything, only feel the cold metal of the scythe digging into my palm. I didn''t know where I was going, only that I had to get away. I had to get back to Kat.


    And I needed this scythe. It was mine now. Finders keepers, losers... well, stay dead, I guess.


    Suddenly, the world shifted again, and I found myself back in the car. The seatbelt was digging into my shoulder, the airbag deflated against the dashboard. My body was twisted, my skin cut and bleeding, with glass glittering over me like the world''s most painful disco ball. I blinked, trying to process what had just happened.


    Hadn''t I crawled out of the car? Shouldn''t I be dead?


    But I wasn''t. Somehow, I had fought back, escaped death''s grasp. Go me.


    I glanced at my hand, still gripping the weapon, but it shimmered and disappeared like it was never there. Great. My one souvenir from the afterlife, gone.


    Slowly, I unclipped the seatbelt and tried to move. Pain shot through my chest and down my left arm, and I winced. That was a good sign, right? Pain meant I was still alive. But how? The car was a wreck¡ªthe hood crumpled; the windshield shattered. There was no way I should have survived this.


    But I had. Apparently, the universe wasn''t done with Kal Edwards just yet.


    I forced myself to move, pushing open the door with a shaky hand. It creaked loudly as it swung open, and I stumbled out onto the road. My legs wobbled, and I grabbed the side of the car to keep from collapsing. I was not going to fall on my hands and knees again. The night air was cool against my skin, and I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.


    That''s when I noticed it. A strange tingling sensation spreading through my body, starting from my fingers and toes and moving inward. It felt like my body was healing itself. The pain in my chest dulled, and the ache in my arm faded. I looked down at my hands, expecting to see the deep cuts from earlier, but instead, I watched in awe as my flesh knitted itself back together.


    I ran my fingers over my skin, searching for the injuries I had seen with my own eyes, but all I felt was smooth, unbroken flesh. My heart pounded, confusion and fear swirling in my mind. What the hell was happening to me?


    I took a few shaky steps away from the car, trying to make sense of everything. The road was deserted, the night silent except for the occasional rustle of leaves. I looked around, half-expecting someone to be watching me, waiting to explain what was going on, but there was no one. Just me and the wrecked car.


    I started to walk, my feet moving on autopilot. I didn''t know where I was going, but I had to get away from the crash. The further I walked, the stronger the tingling sensation became, until it was almost unbearable. I could feel it in my chest, my head, even my eyes. It was like my entire body was being rewired, every cell, every nerve. My breath came in shallow gasps.


    How was I still alive? How had I walked away from a crash that should have killed me?


    I should have been relieved, but instead, a deep sense of dread settled in my stomach. Something was wrong¡ªterribly wrong. I could feel it in the way the night seemed darker, heavier, like the shadows were closing in on me from all sides.


    I had tried to escape my life, but it felt like my escape wasn''t onto something better. No, it was onto something much, much worse.


    Welcome to the afterlife, Kal. Hope you survive the experience.

 The Good Samaritan

    I stumbled along the dark road, my mind reeling from everything that had just happened. The crash, the reaper, my miraculous healing ¨C it all felt like a surreal dream. Or nightmare. I wasn''t sure which yet.


    Suddenly, a pair of headlights pierced the darkness behind me. I froze, unsure whether to hide or seek help. Before I could decide, the car slowed to a stop, and a man''s voice called out the passenger window, "Whoa, hey there! You okay?"


    I turned, squinting against the bright lights, only to get met by a different light. A light that made me wonder if I''d hit my head harder than I thought.


    Sure, there was a man behind the wheel, but all I could see was that his skin was glowing a shimmering shade of gold. That''s when I looked down at my own body and realized I was also lit up, a glowing gray that shouldn''t have been possible. What the hell had happened to my eyes?


    As my vision adjusted, I finally saw the man behind the lights. He seemed to be around my age, maybe a few years older, with bleach blond hair and bronze skin that screamed ''surfer'' even though we were in Chicago. He leaned over towards the open passenger window, his golden aura pulsing gently.


    "I... I don''t know," I stammered, mesmerized by the ethereal light. "You''re glowing."


    He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Glowing? Man, that''s a new one. I''m guessing that gnarly wreck back there was yours? Looks like you might''ve taken a hit to the noggin."


    I nodded dumbly, still transfixed by his aura. He quickly pulled over ahead of me, got out of the car, and approached, his movements relaxed yet purposeful. If this guy was some kind of threat, he was doing a great job of playing it cool.


    "I''m Carter," he said with an easy smile. "Let''s get you some help, yeah? Mind if I call 911?"


    "Kal," I managed to reply. "I''m Kal. And I... I don''t think I need an ambulance. I''m fine." As fine as someone who just fought off the Grim Reaper could be, anyway.


    Carter''s eyebrows shot up. "Fine? After a crash like that? Trust me, you need to get checked out. It''s all good, I''ll make the call."


    As he pulled out his phone, I found myself drawn to him. There was something about Carter ¨C beyond the inexplicable glow ¨C that radiated kindness and a free-spirited warmth. Why didn''t I deserve someone like him in my life? Someone who didn''t make me feel like a complete failure?


    While Carter spoke to the 911 operator, I tried to gather my thoughts. The reality of what I''d done ¨C what I''d almost done ¨C began to sink in. I needed to call Kat.


    "My phone," I said suddenly, interrupting Carter''s call. "It''s... in the car, maybe? I need to call my sister."


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    Carter ended his call and handed me his phone. "Here, use mine. No worries."


    My hands shook as I tried to dial Kat''s number. Carter gently steadied my hands with his, and I felt a surge of comfort at his touch. "Here, let me," he said softly, taking the phone back and dialing for me.


    The call went to voicemail ¨C not surprising, given it was an unknown number. Carter offered to send a text instead.


    "Tell her I''m okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Tell her... tell her I''m sorry." Sorry for being such a screwup. Sorry for almost leaving her alone.


    Carter typed out the message, his fingers moving swiftly across the screen. As we waited for a response, the sound of approaching sirens filled the air.


    "Cavalry''s almost here," Carter said, pocketing his phone. "I''ll hang around until your sister shows up, cool?"


    I nodded, grateful for his presence. As the ambulance pulled up, followed closely by a police car, I found myself clinging to Carter''s arm. He seemed to sense my fear and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.


    "Hey, it''s all gonna be alright," he murmured. "I''m not going anywhere. We''re in this together."


    Who was this guy, and why did I allow him to care for me? I was still confused about everything that had happened to me today. For all I knew, he could be Death''s friendly cousin, here to finish the job.


    The next few hours passed in a blur. I was taken to the hospital, poked and prodded by doctors who seemed baffled by my lack of injuries. Every one of their bodies glowed like Carter''s. I tried to tell them what I saw, but it only resulted in them examining my eyes and ordering a scan of my head.


    Carter remained a constant presence, his golden glow a beacon of comfort in the chaos. He regaled me with stories of his travels, mentioning he was a travel blogger who often took off on a whim to catch a good story. That he was gone more than he was home, even though Chicago was his home.


    And he offered me a burrito from Taco Bell. That made me laugh, but he said he''s glad he had a late-night craving, otherwise, who knew how long until someone found me wandering on the road. I had to admit, near-death experiences did make a girl hungry.


    Then Kat arrived, her face pale with worry. "Kal!" she cried, rushing to my side. "Oh my God, are you okay? What happened?"


    Before I could answer, I noticed someone else enter the room ¨C Phillip, my boyfriend. Clarification: ex-boyfriend as of tonight. His face twisted into a scowl. But what made me gasp was the sickly green light that surrounded him, pulsing and writhing like a living thing. Why was he different than everyone else?


    And why did I know I should kick him out, but his unearthly green glow made me want to have him stay? It was like looking at a car wreck ¨C horrifying, but impossible to look away from.


    "Kal?" Kat''s voice brought me back to reality. "The doctor says you hit your head pretty hard. How are you feeling?"


    "I... I''m fine," I said, forcing a smile. "Just a little confused, I guess." Understatement of the century.


    As the room filled with doctors and nurses, each asking questions and checking vitals, I lost sight of Carter. By the time things calmed down enough for me to look for him, he was gone.


    My heart sank. I hadn''t even had the chance to thank him. As Kat fussed over me and Phillip hovered in the background, his green aura making me feel oddly intrigued, I couldn''t help but wonder if I''d ever see Carter again.


    What I did know was that something had changed within me. The glowing auras, my miraculous healing, the grim reaper and the scythe ¨C none of it made sense. But as I lay there in the hospital bed, surrounded by the swirling colors of people''s souls, I realized that my failed attempt to end my life had actually been a new beginning.


    I just had no idea what I was beginning. But something told me it was going to be interesting.

 Unexpected Consequences

    Hours upon hours later, they finally let me leave the hospital. Next time, I''d be less cooperative; the entire thing left me with zero answers and, I was sure, a giant bill. Hopefully, my folks still had me on some type of insurance. My luck, they''d kicked me off, which, of course, I completely deserved.


    Was there even such a thing as insurance across borders? Did that even work when they were in Mexico, living the empty-nest retirement life? Had Kat and I really been that much of a burden?


    "I''ll get my car," Phillip said, his voice grating on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.


    My stomach clenched. I had broken up with him. It was clear. Now, he pretended like nothing was wrong? Classic Phillip, rewriting reality to suit his needs.


    Why had Kat called him? If I just spilled the truth, that he had been verbally abusive to me, getting worse and worse, and that it had escalated to physical abuse¡­ She would have never let him near me. But the words stuck in my throat, trapped behind over a year of conditioning and fear.


    I should tell her, but still didn''t want her to see me as her weak little sister. I wasn''t weak. I was just¡­ lost.


    And damn, right now Phillip''s green soul was calling my name. The flashing like that of a dying light bulb that I couldn''t stop staring at. It was hypnotic, alluring in a way that made my skin crawl.


    "I have the weekend off," Kat said, oblivious to the tension crackling between Phillip and me. "The doc said someone should keep a close eye on her. I thought she''d stay at my apartment until Monday."


    "But her things are at my place," Phillip argued, his tone deceptively reasonable. "She''ll be more comfortable there."


    "I''m right here, guys," I said, prying my eyes off of Phillip''s glow. "I''m going to Kat''s. After everything, I could really use my sister. I hope you understand." And I don''t know why I wasn''t blunter, probably because I didn''t want to create a scene, but I was already falling back into old patterns, making excuses for my decision.


    Phillip wasn''t happy. The old Kal would know that meant I''d pay for this later. But I knew there wouldn''t be a later. I was never going back to his place. Not after tonight. Not after dying and coming back with the ability to see souls. Talk about a wake-up call.


    And maybe he would have thrown a fit right there, right then, if we weren''t surrounded by medical personnel.


    "I''ll get my car," Kat said. "Wait here."


    As Kat''s footsteps faded down the hallway, I felt the air around me grow thick with tension. Phillip''s green aura pulsed even more intensely, more mesmerizing, almost blinding in its sickly radiance. I tried to look away, but it was like a gruesome accident ¨C impossible to ignore.


    "We need to talk," Phillip growled, his voice low and menacing. Before I could protest, his hand clamped around my upper arm, fingers digging into my flesh. "Now."


    He half-dragged me down the corridor, away from the bustle of the emergency room. My heart raced, a mix of fear and anger coursing through my veins. We ended up in a quiet corner of the hospital, near a bay of elevators that seemed rarely used. Medical equipment lined the walls ¨C crash carts, IV stands, and bulky machines I couldn''t name.


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    "Let go of me," I hissed, yanking my arm free. The old familiar fear tried to creep in, but something else rose to meet it ¨C a newfound strength, born from my brush with death and whatever strange power now coursed through me.


    This new version of Kal didn''t take any shit¡ªfrom anyone. Especially not from green-souled abusive exes.


    Phillip''s face contorted with rage, his green aura flaring like a toxic supernova. "You''re coming home with me," he spat. "I don''t know what game you''re playing, but it ends now. You need me, Kal. You''re nothing without me."


    The words hit me like a physical blow, but instead of crumpling, I felt something inside me harden. "No," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. "I''m not going anywhere with you, Phillip. We''re done."


    He laughed, a cruel, mocking sound that echoed in the empty hallway. "Done? You don''t get to decide that. You think you can survive on your own? You''re pathetic, Kal. A failure. Who else would put up with you?" He huffed. "I mean your parents took off as soon as they legally could."


    Each insult was like a knife, cutting deep into old wounds. But as I stood there, watching his aura pulse and writhe, I realized something. These were just words. They only had power if I let them.


    And I had my own words I could use.


    I spit his insults back, realizing the truth behind every sentence. "You''re only demanding this of me because you know that nobody else would put up with you, Phillip. You can''t survive on your own. You''re pathetic. A failure. Who else would put up with you?"


    His eyes sprang open wide, but I wasn''t done. I was on a roll, and damn if it didn''t feel good.


    "This is my second chance," I said, more to myself than to Phillip. "I almost died earlier today, and I''m not going to waste this opportunity by letting you or anyone else abuse me anymore."


    Phillip''s eyes began to narrow, dangerously. "Abuse? You ungrateful bitch. I gave you everything!"


    He took a step toward me, his hand raised. I flinched instinctively, but stood my ground.


    "You gave me nothing but pain and self-doubt," I retorted. "But that''s over now. I don''t need you, Phillip. I never did. I''m only twenty-two years old. I have my entire life ahead of me."


    His face twisted into an ugly mask of fury. "You''ll regret this," he snarled, lunging forward.


    I stumbled backward, my hip bumping against one of the machines lining the wall. Phillip''s hands reached for me, his green aura now flashing so fast I couldn''t count as fast as it pulsed. But as he moved, his foot caught on the wheel of an IV stand. He stumbled, arms windmilling as he tried to regain his balance.


    For the second time in the past twelve hours, the world seemed to slow. I watched, horrified, as Phillip crashed into a tall, imposing piece of medical equipment. A massive machine, with a sleek metal body towering over us both. The machine, studded with complicated-looking sensors and scanning apparatus, teetered from the impact.


    For a moment, it looked like Phillip might steady himself, his hands grasping at the smooth surface of the machine. Then, with a groan of protesting metal, the entire apparatus began to topple. The heavy base, likely weighing hundreds of pounds, lifted off the ground as the top-heavy structure lost its balance.


    "Phillip!" I cried out, reaching for him instinctively. But it was too late.


    The equipment came down with a thunderous crash. The main body of the machine caught Phillip squarely on the head and upper body, while the heavy arm swung forcefully, striking his midsection. Sparks flew as parts shattered on impact and Phillip''s body jolted, like he was hit by lightning.


    The air filled with the acrid smell of burnt plastic and charred flesh, mingling with the metallic scent of blood that was beginning to pool around Phillip. The once pristine hospital floor was now littered with shards of plastic, bits of metal, and the scattered remains of what had been a state-of-the-art medical device, meant to save lives. Oh, the irony.


    "Help!" I screamed, my voice echoing down the empty corridor.


    I dropped to my knees beside Phillip, my hands hovering uselessly over his still form. Blood pooled beneath his head, and his chest barely moved. His eyes fluttered open, unfocused and filled with pain.


    "Somebody help!" I called again, but his green flashing light turned solid and began to swirl, seeming to leave his body.


    I had seen something similar once before.


    In my folk''s rusty old minivan early this morning.


    When I¡­ died.

 The First Reaping

    "Hold on, Phillip," I whispered, tears blurring my vision. The rational part of my mind wrestled with my dark thoughts. Did anyone truly deserve to die, no matter how terrible they were?


    "Help is coming. Just hold on." But even as I spoke, I could see the change happening. Phillip''s green aura, once so vibrant and threatening, began to dim. It pulled away from his body like mist rising from a lake. I watched, transfixed, as the ethereal light coalesced into a shimmering orb above his chest.


    Just like the orbs in my haunting dreams.


    Phillip''s lips moved, but no sound came out. His eyes locked onto mine for a brief moment, filled with a mixture of confusion, fear, and something else ¨C regret, perhaps? Then, with a soft exhalation, the light faded from his eyes.


    The green orb pulsed once, twice, and hovered over his body. Mesmerized and without thinking, I reached out, my fingers closing around the glowing sphere. My entire body hummed with... pleasure?


    I recoiled, shocked by the sensation. But that feeling lingered, teasing me. My palms itched to hold it again. I reached out, cautiously touching the light. A jolt of energy surged through me, hot and cold at once. Images flashed through my mind ¨C Phillip as a child, laughing with his parents; Phillip meeting me for the first time, hope and possessiveness warring in his heart.


    Frustration bubbled up inside me as my fingers passed through the light. Then a memory hit me - the reaper I''d encountered during my car accident. The scythe.


    My hand reached out, longing for that equipment almost as much as I longed to hold Phillip''s soul. Suddenly, my hand disappeared right in front of my face, my palm touching a cold shaft I knew was the scythe''s handle. I yanked my arm back towards me, and the scythe materialized.


    I gasped, dropping the scythe on the ground. What was going on? Could I be...? Only one way to find out.


    I picked up the scythe and moved it towards the glowing green orb. The light opened like a snake crawling out of a nest, wrapping around the blade.


    And then it hit me.


    My body warmed and hummed, and I relaxed into the ecstasy. Before I knew it, I was back in my nightmare from earlier today. In the darkness, with the skeleton man, only now he was more fleshed out. More imposing bodyguard than ghostly gatekeeper. He reached out and the soul flowed from my scythe to his fingers, and he sent the soul straight to hell.


    How did I know? Not sure. Perhaps it was Phillip''s blood-curdling scream.


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    "Where am I? What happened?" Questions stammered out of my mouth, but the man didn''t say anything.


    He pointed to some steps. I followed the path and climbed, and suddenly my eyes burned from light.


    A coffee shop?


    There were people around. Faceless until I really looked at them. "Where am I?" I asked two women sitting at a small table tucked beneath a hanging plant.


    "The meeting place," the older of the two women hummed.


    "For what?" I asked, my eyes darting between the two ladies, their features becoming clearer.


    "Whatever you want," was her friend''s reply.


    More questions flowed from my mouth, but I couldn''t form the complete thoughts I wanted to express. "Am I dead?"


    The younger woman shrugged. "Not sure what you call this."


    I moved away from the coffee shop into the surrounding white mist, searching for something, anything. And then, after what felt like fifteen minutes, a sickly sensation filled my body, forcing me to close my eyes. When I opened them, I was back in the hospital with a lingering sense of... completion? As if I had finished a task I didn''t know I had.


    The sound of running footsteps jolted me back to reality. I was laying on the floor beside Phillip, his blood soaking my clothes. A team of doctors and nurses rounded the corner, alerted by my earlier cries for help. They swarmed around Phillip, their voices a chaotic mixture of medical jargon I couldn''t follow.


    I was gently but firmly moved aside as they worked to free Phillip from beneath the equipment. But I knew, with a certainty that chilled me to the bone, that it was too late. I had escorted his soul to the afterlife.


    "Miss? Miss, are you alright?" A nurse was speaking to me, her hand on my shoulder. I blinked, trying to focus on her words. "Were you injured?"


    I shook my head mutely. How could I explain what had just happened? That I had watched my ex-boyfriend die in front of me? That I had somehow reaped his soul?


    "Kal!" Kat''s voice cut through the chaos. She pushed her way through the crowd, her face pale with shock. "Oh my God, what happened? Are you okay?"


    I let her pull me into a tight hug, burying my face in her shoulder. Over the top of her head, I could see the doctors shaking their heads, covering Phillip''s body with a sheet. The sight should have devastated me, but all I felt was a strange numbness.


    "He''s dead," I whispered, my voice muffled against Kat''s sweater. "Phillip''s dead."


    Kat''s arms tightened around me. "I''m so sorry, Kallie."


    I shook my head. "It''s my fault."


    "It was an accident," she said firmly. "You''re not responsible, Kal. Do you hear me? This isn''t your fault."


    But as the reality of what had just occurred began to sink in, I wasn''t so sure. Yes, Phillip''s death had been an accident. But what I had done afterward ¨C that strange, instinctive act of reaching for his departing soul ¨C that felt deliberate. Necessary, even.


    As Kat led me away from the scene, promising to handle the police statements and hospital paperwork, I couldn''t shake the feeling that my life had just changed irrevocably once again. First the car crash and my miraculous survival, and now this.


    What was happening to me? And more importantly, who was I becoming?


    The weight of these questions pressed down on me as we left the hospital, the cool night air doing nothing to wake me from this nightmare. As Kat helped me into her car, fussing over my seatbelt like I was a child, I made a decision. I couldn''t tell her about this ¨C not yet. Not until I understood it myself.


    For now, I would keep this strange new ability a secret. But as we drove away from the hospital, Phillip''s last moments replaying in my mind, I knew one thing for certain: The Kal Edwards everyone knew had died today, in more ways than one.

 Returning to "Normal"

    A week had passed since Phillip''s death. And mine, too, I guess. The whole ordeal left me a complete mess¡ªnot because I missed him. God, no. I was relieved he was gone. That thought should have unsettled me, but after everything that had happened, my view on life had taken a decidedly dark turn.


    How does one go back to "normal" after discovering the afterlife is real? After becoming Death''s apprentice, or whatever the hell I was now?


    When doubts gnawed at me, telling me it was all in my head, I¡¯d reach into the void and pull out that damn scythe. The cold metal in my grip was a constant reminder that I wasn¡¯t losing my mind. Just cursed. Or blessed. The jury was still out.


    But something was wrong. The sickness that plagued me only intensified with each passing day. My body was rebelling¡ªsweat poured off me, headaches throbbed in relentless waves, and my heart raced like I was running a marathon while standing still. My hands shook so badly that holding a cup of coffee without spilling it had become a challenge.


    Part of me wondered if the car accident had done more damage than I realized. A visit to the doctor would have been the smart thing to do, but that meant admitting something was wrong. And I wasn''t ready for that¡ªanother hospital bill was the last thing I needed. So, I did what I always did: plastered on a smile and pretended everything was fine.


    But it wasn¡¯t. Beneath the physical symptoms was a hunger, a craving that gnawed at me constantly. I needed something, something I was too afraid to name.


    ¡°Earth to Kal!¡± Kat¡¯s voice pulled me from my thoughts. We were standing outside the gym, gym bags slung over our shoulders. ¡°You sure you¡¯re up for this? We can skip class if you¡¯re not feeling well.¡±


    I forced a smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just tired. I want to get back to normal.¡±


    Kat didn¡¯t look convinced, but she nodded. ¡°Alright. But if you start feeling worse, we¡¯re out of there. Deal?¡±


    ¡°Deal,¡± I agreed, following her inside.


    The familiar scent of sweat and disinfectant hit me as we walked in. Kat had been dragging me to this kickboxing class for years, insisting we needed some sisterly bonding time. I¡¯d grumbled and complained but ended up loving it. Now, it was our thing. Our escape.


    As we changed in the locker room, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I looked like hell¡ªpale, with dark circles under my eyes. But there was something else, too. A faint glow around me, barely visible, but another reminder that I was different now.


    We found our usual spots near the back of the studio. As people filed in, I studied them. One golden aura after another. I found myself hoping I¡¯d see another green one, like Phillip¡¯s had been. My grip tightened on my water bottle, trying to ground myself.


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    ¡°You okay?¡± Kat whispered, noticing my tension.


    I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The instructor started the warm-up, and I threw myself into it, desperate for any distraction from my spiraling thoughts.


    Halfway through the class, drenched in sweat and feeling marginally more human, I noticed him. The bleach-blond hair, bronze skin, and a strong golden glow. Carter. What was he doing here?


    Coincidence? In my life right now, I wasn¡¯t sure I believed in them. Fate seemed more likely.


    He caught my eye and grinned, giving a little wave. I waved back automatically, my mind racing. I¡¯d never seen him here before. Was he following me? No, that was just paranoia talking. He¡¯d been nothing but kind to me. Maybe the universe knew I needed some sunshine to balance out my perpetual gloom.


    After class, as Kat and I were gathering our things, Carter approached us.


    ¡°Hey, Kal,¡± he said warmly. ¡°I¡¯m surprised to see you here. How are you feeling?¡±


    I opened my mouth to give my standard ¡®I¡¯m fine¡¯ response, but what came out instead was, ¡°As good as expected after almost dying.¡±


    Concern flashed across his face. ¡°Yeah, I bet¡­¡± He trailed off.


    Kat¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Oh Carter! You left so quickly I never got a chance to thank you for being there for Khalida. I don¡¯t know what I would have done if¡­¡±


    ¡°It was nothing,¡± Carter said, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Anyone would have done the same.¡±


    ¡°Not anyone,¡± I muttered.


    An awkward silence fell. Carter cleared his throat. ¡°So, uh, I¡¯m new here at the gym. Thought I¡¯d try something different. I usually do karate, but kickboxing looked fun.¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± Kat agreed. ¡°We¡¯ve been coming here for years. Right, Kal?¡±


    I nodded, studying Carter. His aura was the brightest gold I¡¯d seen yet, almost blinding. It was¡­ comforting, somehow.


    ¡°Maybe you could show me the ropes sometime?¡± Carter asked, flashing a charming smile. ¡°If you¡¯re feeling up to it, I mean.¡±


    Before I could respond, Kat jumped in. ¡°That¡¯s a great idea! Kal¡¯s been in a funk lately. Getting out more would do her good.¡±


    I shot her a glare, but she just smiled innocently.


    ¡°What?¡± she said. ¡°It¡¯s not like you have school¡­ or a job¡­ or anything other than endless Netflix reruns.¡±


    If that didn¡¯t make me look attractive, nothing would.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to impose,¡± Carter said quickly. ¡°Especially if you¡¯re not feeling well. And I don¡¯t want to make your boyfriend jealous¡­ what was his name? Phillip.¡±


    ¡°Ex-boyfriend,¡± I corrected automatically, then cringed. ¡°And he¡¯s dead, so¡­¡±


    Carter¡¯s eyes widened, and Kat elbowed me sharply.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± I mumbled. ¡°I¡¯m not great at¡­ people¡­ right now.¡±


    But Carter surprised me by laughing. ¡°Hey, no worries. We all cope differently. At least you¡¯re honest.¡±


    His laughter was infectious, and I found myself smiling¡ªreally smiling¡ªfor the first time in days.


    ¡°You know what?¡± Carter said. ¡°I think I missed the kickboxing class. Do you two want to grab a coffee instead?¡±


    Before I could decline, Kat responded. ¡°I can¡¯t. I need to get to work. But Kal has all the time in the world.¡±


    I froze. What a way to throw me under the bus.


    But there was something about the way Carter¡¯s face lit up that made me not mad at my sister.


    As we walked out of the gym, I caught Kat grinning at me. I rolled my eyes, but I couldn¡¯t help feeling a little lighter. Sure, the sickness and whatever craving I was having were still there, lurking beneath the surface. But for the first time in days, it didn¡¯t feel all-consuming. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for me yet. At least for as long as it took to drink a cup of coffee.

 Green Flashes & Golden Moments

    Bean Town Coffee buzzed with the typical afternoon crowd, but all I could focus on was the young barista behind the counter. Her aura pulsed green, but slower than Phillip¡¯s had. What did that mean? Was she going to die? She looked barely out of her teens, her whole life ahead of her.


    ¡°Kal?¡± Carter¡¯s voice broke through my thoughts. ¡°You okay? You seem a million miles away.¡±


    I blinked, forcing myself to look at him instead of the barista. ¡°Sorry, just¡­ admiring the barista make latte art,¡± I lied, gesturing to our untouched drinks.


    Carter chuckled. ¡°Right, because staring at coffee is totally normal.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ll have you know I¡¯m a connoisseur of foam designs,¡± I retorted, surprising myself by adding, ¡°I once saw a barista make the entire cast of the Addams Family out of foam. It was impressive until Uncle Fester melted and ruined everything. Typical Fester.¡±


    Carter burst out laughing, his golden aura brightening. ¡°Okay, that¡¯s it. You¡¯re officially the most interesting person I¡¯ve met in ages.¡± He squinted at me playfully. ¡°You know, you kind of remind me of Wednesday. A bit dark, but beneath that flat expression, there¡¯s a lot going on in that head.¡± He leaned forward and dropped his voice. ¡°Can I tell you a secret? Ever since they made the new Netflix series, I¡¯ve had a secret obsession with Wednesday.¡±


    He was flirting, intentionally or not. I wasn¡¯t sure. I leaned back, taking Carter in. He was handsome, that was for sure, if you liked the sun-kissed look. But it was the lightness in his eyes, a reflection of his soul so different from mine, that drew me in.


    ¡°Honestly, I feel like Wednesday a little, if she was placed in the house of Leave it to Beaver.¡± I set my coffee down and really focused on our little¡­ date? ¡°I never thought the Addams Family was strange. In fact, I envied how in love Morticia and Gomez were.¡±


    ¡°I think they were a little too obsessed,¡± Carter said with a soft laugh.


    While we talked, I felt a warmth in my chest that had nothing to do with the coffee. For a moment, I had forgotten about the green soul barista and my own weird... condition. It felt nice, normal even.


    "So," Carter said, leaning forward, "tell me more about this hidden talent of yours. Any other coffee-related superpowers I should know about?"


    I opened my mouth to respond with another quip, but my eyes drifted back to the barista. Her aura flickered, and I felt that familiar pull. The craving. I gripped my mug tightly, trying to focus... and maybe steady my shaking hands.


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    "Seriously, Kal, what''s going on?" Carter asked, his tone gentle but concerned. "You keep looking over there like you''re expecting something to happen."


    I sighed, searching for an explanation that wouldn''t make me sound completely insane. "Sorry, it''s just... that barista reminds me of someone I used to know. Someone who... isn''t around anymore."


    It wasn''t entirely a lie, but it felt hollow. Carter''s face softened with understanding. "I''m sorry. Loss is never easy to deal with."


    "Yeah," I mumbled, taking a sip of my now-lukewarm coffee.


    "You know," Carter said after a moment, "I''ve always found that the best way to honor someone''s memory is to live life to the fullest. That''s what I did after my mom passed. I decided to embrace my love of travel. Your friend... I''m sure they''d want you to be happy."


    I nearly choked on my coffee. If he only knew the truth about Phillip. But Carter''s words struck a chord. Wasn''t that what I was trying to do? Live, despite this strange new reality I found myself in?


    "You''re right," I said, managing a small smile. "Thanks, Carter. You''re pretty wise for a guy who punches things for fun."


    He grinned, his aura glowing even brighter. "What can I say? I''m layered."


    For a moment, we just smiled at each other, and I felt something shift. A possibility, maybe. But then reality came crashing back. I couldn''t do this. Not with everything going on. It was too soon. Not just with Phillip, but with me going from embracing death one day, to living on cloud 9 the next.


    "Listen, Carter," I started, my voice serious. "I really appreciate this, but I... I''m not in a place for dating or a relationship right now. Even though emotionally, I''ve been separated from Phillip for a long time, that just ended. But most importantly, there''s just too much going on in my life and¡ª"


    "Whoa, slow down," Carter interrupted, holding up his hands. "I''m not looking for anything serious either. I travel too much to have someone waiting at home. I''m just looking for a friend. Someone to go to the gym or grab coffee with when I''m in town, maybe spar with occasionally. No pressure, no expectations."


    I let out a breath I didn''t realize I''d been holding. "Oh. Okay. Yeah, I can do that. Friends. You seem nice enough," I teased.


    Carter smiled, and I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders. But my eyes drifted back to the barista. I needed to know more about her, about what her aura meant. And suddenly, I had an idea.


    "Hey," I said, turning back to Carter. "Want to do this again tomorrow?" I smiled slowly. "But maybe you can be on time for kickboxing, then we can grab coffee after?"


    Carter''s face lit up. "I''d like that."


    I nodded, already planning how I could learn more about the barista. "It''s a date. I mean, not a date-date. A friend date. A frate?"


    Carter laughed. "A frate it is. See you tomorrow, Kal."


    And then he stood, leaned in, and gave me a little peck on my cheek that I swear made my heart race... or it was this damn sickness I was feeling.


    As Carter left, I couldn''t help but smile. For the first time in days, I felt almost normal. But as my eyes drifted back to the barista and her flickering green aura, I knew normal was still a long way off.

 A Taste of Addiction

    The city streets were eerily quiet as I walked, my footsteps echoing off the buildings. Sleep had eluded me, the tremors in my hands too violent to ignore. I¡¯d hoped a walk might calm my nerves, but three hours later, I found myself in the heart of downtown, no less shaky than when I¡¯d left my apartment.


    The neon signs of late-night convenience stores and bars cast an otherworldly glow on the empty sidewalks. I hugged myself, partly from the chill in the air, partly from the gnawing emptiness inside. Turning down a side street, away from the main drag, I saw him.


    A man, probably in his fifties but looking much older, huddled in a doorway. His clothes were ragged, his beard unkempt. But it wasn¡¯t his appearance that caught my attention¡ªit was the pulsing green aura surrounding him, flickering so rapidly it made me dizzy.


    My breath caught in my throat. I knew what that meant now. Death was coming for this man, and soon. I paused a moment. Death was coming¡­was that me?


    Without conscious thought, I found myself moving closer. The man¡¯s head snapped up, bloodshot eyes focusing on me with surprising clarity.


    ¡°Got any spare change?¡± he asked, his voice gravelly.


    I shook my head, unable to speak. The man shrugged and struggled to his feet.


    ¡°Worth a shot,¡± he muttered, shuffling past me.


    I watched him go, my heart racing. I should¡¯ve walked away, gone home, forgotten I ever saw him. But the pull was too strong. My feet moved of their own accord, following the man at a discreet distance.


    He led me deeper into the maze of back alleys, to an area I knew by reputation. This was where junkies and dealers congregated, where the police rarely ventured. The man¡¯s pace quickened, his movements becoming more agitated.


    As I watched, I noticed something familiar about the way he moved¡ªthe trembling hands, the sweating, the constant twitching. It was like looking in a mirror. Was this misery I felt the same as drug withdrawal?


    The man ducked into an abandoned building, and I hesitated. This was madness. I should turn back now. But the craving inside me was overwhelming. I needed to know what happened next.


    Silently, I crept to the doorway and peered inside. The man was huddled in a corner, a needle glinting in his shaking hands. My stomach churned as I watched him inject the drug into his arm.


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    For a moment, nothing happened. Then the man¡¯s eyes rolled back, and he slumped against the wall. His aura flared bright green, then began to separate from his body.


    I moved without thinking. My hand reached into the ether, grasping the familiar cold metal of my scythe. As the green light of the man¡¯s soul rose from his body and gathered into an orb, I swung.


    The rush hit me immediately. Warmth flooded my body, pleasure so intense it brought tears to my eyes. The shakes stopped; the gnawing emptiness filled. For one glorious moment, I felt whole.


    Then darkness enveloped me, and I found myself once again handing over the soul to the reaper who played gatekeeper to a great river that rushed into nothing but darkness.


    ¡°Any words of advice for me today?¡± I asked. The gatekeeper just pointed away from the water, and I found myself once again wandering to the strange, ethereal coffee shop.


    This time, I was prepared. I marched up to the counter, where a barista with no face waited patiently.


    ¡°What is this place?¡± I demanded. ¡°Why am I here?¡±


    The barista tilted its head, its face remaining featureless. ¡°This is the in-between,¡± it said, its voice neither male nor female. ¡°A place of transition.¡±


    ¡°Transition to what?¡± I pressed.


    ¡°To whatever comes next,¡± the barista replied, maddeningly vague.


    I growled in frustration. ¡°Why can I do... what I do?¡±


    The barista began preparing a cup of coffee. ¡°You are a guide. A shepherd. A reaper of souls.¡±


    ¡°But why me?¡± I asked, my voice breaking. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for this.¡±


    The barista placed a steaming mug in front of me. ¡°Few do. Yet here you are.¡±


    I stared at the coffee, then picked it up and took a sip. It was tasteless, like drinking warm water. I set it down, disappointed.


    ¡°How do I stop this?¡± I whispered.


    The barista¡¯s featureless face seemed to soften somehow. ¡°You don¡¯t,¡± it said gently. ¡°This is who you are now.¡±


    Before I could respond, the caf¨¦ faded away. I blinked, finding myself back in the abandoned building. The man¡¯s body lay cold beside me, his soul long gone.


    I stumbled to my feet, my legs shaky but not from withdrawal. The high of reaping the soul was fading, but I still felt the best I had since the accident a week ago. Yet, in the back of my mind, there was still a longing. A craving that I knew I¡¯d be forced to fill again.


    As I made my way out of the building and back onto the street, the realization hit me like the guard rail had a week ago. I was addicted. Not to drugs or alcohol, but to something far more dangerous and impossible to quit.


    I was addicted to death itself.


    But for now, all signs of withdrawal were gone, and I felt better.


    The moon was still strong overhead, and I wondered if now, I could sleep. I hugged myself tightly, torn between relief that the shakes were gone and horror at what I¡¯d done to stop them.


    One thing was certain: I didn¡¯t want to tell anyone about this. Not Kat, not Carter, no one. Besides, I wasn¡¯t quite sure that any of this was real. It was too unbelievable.


    As I climbed the stairs to Kat¡¯s apartment, where I had been staying the past week, exhaustion finally caught up with me. I collapsed onto her spare bed, still fully dressed. My last thought before sleep claimed me was a grim one:


    How long before I needed my next fix?


    And what would I do to get it?

 A Date With Death

    I stepped into the gym, the familiar scent of sweat and lemon cleaner hitting me like a wave. My body still hummed from yesterday''s... high, but the cravings were starting to creep back in. I pushed them aside, focusing on the present moment.


    Kat waved from our usual spot, Carter standing beside her with an easy smile. As I approached, I couldn''t help but notice how his golden aura seemed to brighten the entire room. Sure, everyone had a golden aura, including Kat, but Carter¡¯s was somehow brighter. Stronger.


    "Look who decided to show up on time," I teased, nudging Carter with my elbow.


    He laughed, the sound warming something inside me. "I aim to please," he replied with a wink.


    The instructor called the class to order, and we fell into the familiar rhythm of warm-ups. As we moved into partner work, I found myself paired with Carter, which was clearly Kat being sly. Watching him move was mesmerizing. Each punch, each kick, was delivered with precise control and barely contained power.


    "You''re pretty good at this," I commented, narrowly dodging a well-aimed jab.


    Carter grinned, effortlessly blocking my counter-attack. "Years of practice. It''s all about finding your center, you know?"


    I snorted. "Yeah, well, my center''s been a bit off lately."


    His eyes softened with concern, but before he could respond, the instructor called for us to switch partners. I spent the rest of the class trying to recapture that sense of balance and control I''d seen in Carter''s movements, but it remained frustratingly out of reach.


    ¡°Kal, you¡¯re supposed to be hitting the bag, not staring at Carter,¡± Kat teased.


    My cheeks heated. ¡°I¡ªI was just amazed at how flawless his movements are. This is his first class here.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Kat rolled her eyes, but I didn¡¯t waste my breath arguing.


    After class, Kat rushed off to work, leaving Carter and me to head to the coffee shop. As we walked, I couldn''t shake the memory of yesterday''s events.


    "Penny for your thoughts?" Carter asked, his voice pulling me back to the present.


    I shook my head. "Trust me, you don''t want to know what''s going on in here," I said, tapping my temple.


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    "Try me," he challenged gently, but I just laughed, sure he¡¯d be repulsed by my darkness.


    We entered Bean Town Coffee, and my eyes immediately went to the barista. Her green aura was pulsing a little faster today, the sight making my stomach churn with a mixture of dread and anticipation. Was the flashing like a countdown clock? The man yesterday and Phillip had been flickering so fast, and this Batista was approaching that stage, too.


    "Okay," I said slowly as we sat down. "Hypothetically speaking, if you knew someone was going to die, would you try to stop it?"


    Carter''s eyebrows shot up. "That''s... heavy. Where''s this coming from?"


    I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just something I''ve been thinking about. With everything that''s happened lately, you know?"


    He nodded thoughtfully. "Well, I think if you had the power to save someone''s life, you''d have to try. Right?"


    "But what if it''s their time?" I pressed. "What if by saving them, you''re messing with some greater power¡¯s cosmic plan or something?"


    Carter leaned back, his steady golden aura comforting. "I don''t know about cosmic plans, Kal. But I do know that life is precious. If we have the chance to preserve it, to give someone more time with their loved ones, more opportunities to experience joy and growth... isn''t that worth fighting for?"


    His words washed over me like a cold shower. I glanced back at the barista, her green aura a constant reminder of the power I now wielded. Could I really just stand by and let her die?


    Was she a struggling student, like I had been? Did she have a sister, like Kat, the loved her? My mouth dried. Would she take her own life? Sure, she looked happy and had it all together, but was she hiding her struggles like I had been?


    "But what if..." I hesitated, searching for the right words. "What if helping people puts you in a difficult position? What if it costs you something?"


    Carter reached across the table, his hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch warmed my entire insides. "Then you have to decide what''s more important," he said softly. "Your comfort, or doing what''s right."


    I stared at our joined hands, feeling the weight of his words. For a moment, I allowed myself to imagine a life where I could be normal, where I could pursue whatever was growing between Carter and me without the shadow of death hanging over everything. That someone so good, like Carter, would like someone so¡­dark, like me.


    But as I looked back at the barista, her aura flickering, I knew it was impossible. I was caught between two worlds now, and there was no going back.


    "You okay?" Carter asked, concern etching his features.


    I forced a smile. "Yeah, just... thinking about what you said. You''re pretty wise for a guy who punches things for fun, you know that?"


    He laughed, the sound lightening the atmosphere. "What can I say? I already told you yesterday that I¡¯m quite layered," he quipped, echoing our conversation from yesterday.


    As we finished our coffee and parted ways, I felt the craving I thought I satisfied last night return. Not too strong, but clearly there and growing. But mixed with that familiar hunger was something new ¨C a sense of purpose, perhaps. Or maybe just the first stirrings of rebellion against this unwanted calling.


    Walking home, I made a decision. I wouldn''t just be a passive observer, a mere reaper of souls. If I had the power to see death coming, maybe I had the power to prevent it too.


    The thought both terrified and exhilarated me. As I climbed the stairs to Kat¡¯s apartment, my mind raced with possibilities and questions. Could I really change fate? And more importantly, what would be the cost?

 Obsession’s Edge

    I stepped onto the mat, my heart thumping with a mix of excitement, nerves, and the edge of something darker¡ªprobably the soul withdrawal. Carter stood across from me, his golden aura shimmering with energy, contrasting with the shadows clinging to my own.


    "Ready to learn some real moves?" His tone was light, playful, but there was an intensity in his eyes that made my pulse quicken.


    ¡°How do you still have that much energy after today¡¯s class?¡±


    Carter grinned, that easy smile that always seemed to cut through the darkness. ¡°I¡¯m just excited. It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve had a real opponent.¡±


    I snorted, rolling my eyes. ¡°If by ¡®real opponent¡¯ you mean me, I think you¡¯re overestimating my abilities. You¡¯ll have to go easy on the newbie.¡±


    His laugh was warm, but I could see the concern in his eyes as they flicked to my trembling hands. I hadn¡¯t reaped a soul in days, and the withdrawal symptoms were hitting again. I appreciated Carter not bringing up my troubles and was able to force any thoughts of reaping souls aside, focusing instead on Carter¡¯s instructions.


    He started with the basics¡ªstances and blocks that were similar to the kickboxing moves we practiced in class. His hands were firm but gentle as he adjusted my posture, the touch sending a spark of warmth through me. I tried to remind myself that it was too soon after Phillip, that I didn''t want to get entangled in another relationship. But my body had other ideas.


    And God, Carter smelled so good, like apple pie spice and sunshine, a scent that wrapped around me, comforting and unsettling all at once.


    As we moved into more complex techniques, I found myself picking things up faster than I should have. It was as if I could anticipate Carter¡¯s movements, see the trajectory of his strikes before he even made them. Or maybe my reflexes were just sharper than I realized.


    "Are you sure you''ve never done this before?" Carter asked, raising an eyebrow as I countered one of his attacks with surprising ease.


    I shrugged, equally surprised. "Beginner''s luck, I guess. Or maybe those two years of kickboxing with Kat are finally paying off."


    But deep down, I knew it was more than that. I felt stronger, faster¡ªlike something inside me had woken up. Another side effect of my new... abilities?


    Despite my newfound skills, Carter¡¯s experience eventually won out. With a swift movement, he swept my legs out from under me. I grabbed his arm as I fell, pulling him down with me. We landed on the mat in a tangled heap, his body pressing against mine.


    For a heartbeat, we just lay there, staring at each other, breathless. His eyes were a mesmerizing stormy blue, so close that I could see the flecks of gray in them. I felt myself leaning in, drawn by a force I couldn¡¯t name.


    But then Carter pulled back, rolling onto his back beside me. "I''m sorry," he murmured, his voice rough.


    "For what?" I asked, still caught in the moment, my heart pounding.


    He turned his head to look at me, a rueful smile playing on his lips. "For... well, I was about to kiss you. I don¡¯t know what came over me. I¡¯m not usually¡ªrelationships aren¡¯t really my thing, with all my traveling and all."


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    "Right," I said, ignoring the pang of disappointment. "Me neither. Not after¡­ well, you know."


    But the truth was, Phillip had been gone from my heart long before we broke up. I¡¯d just been too afraid to leave him. Afraid of what Phillip would do if I broke up with him, and truth be told, I was afraid of being¡­lonely, not that being with Phillip had filled that void.


    We lay there for a moment longer, the silence heavy with things unsaid. Finally, Carter pushed himself up and offered me a hand. "We should probably hit the showers," he said, the playful tone back in his voice.


    I chuckled, trying to shake off the lingering tension. ¡°But not together.¡±


    ¡°Oh, did Kal Edwards just make a joke?¡± he teased, flashing that smile again, the one that carried me away from my struggles, if even for a moment.


    After cleaning up and changing, we met back in the gym''s lobby. ¡°Coffee time?¡± I suggested.


    Carter shook his head, running a hand through his damp hair. ¡°I can¡¯t today. I have to pack; I¡¯m flying out for Paris in a few hours.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± I said, trying to hide my disappointment. ¡°For your job? An assignment?¡±


    He nodded. ¡°Just a short one. I¡¯ll be back in less than a week. You still going to Bean Town?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, thinking of the barista with the blinking green soul. ¡°It¡¯s kind of become my routine.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll walk you there,¡± Carter offered, his smile softening. ¡°I¡¯ve got a few minutes.¡±


    We walked in comfortable silence, the late morning sun warming our skin. As we reached the coffee shop, Carter turned to me, his expression suddenly serious.


    ¡°Well, this is where I leave you,¡± he said, his golden aura shimmering.


    Before I could respond, he leaned in and pressed a soft, sweet kiss to my cheek, just like the first day we¡¯d had coffee together. Even though he had done this before, this time, it my body reacted differently. A jolt of electricity seemed to light up my entire body, grounding me in the moment, making everything else fade away¡ª the cravings, the supernatural world, all of it. For just a second, I was just Kal Edwards, a confused twenty-two-year-old college dropout, experiencing a moment.


    Carter pulled back, his eyes searching mine. ¡°Sorry,¡± he said quickly. "I''m just a touchy-feely kind of guy. Didn''t mean to overstep, but that kind of thing comes naturally to me. Won¡¯t happen again."


    I found myself smiling, despite the confusion swirling inside me. ¡°Too bad,¡± I teased, surprising myself. ¡°I kind of liked it.¡±


    He laughed, the sound like sunlight breaking through the clouds. ¡°Want me to walk you in?¡±


    My gaze flickered to the barista inside, her green aura pulsing. The cravings hit me again, harder this time, a sharp reminder of my grim reality. "No,¡± I said, too quickly. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. You should go pack.¡±


    Carter nodded, giving my hand a final squeeze before turning to leave. I watched him go, the weight of my secret pressing down on me once more.


    But then, just as he was about to disappear around the corner, I found myself calling out, ¡°Hey, Carter?¡±


    He turned back, his eyes lighting up as he walked toward me again. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I just wanted to say thank you,¡± I said, the words tumbling out before I could second-guess myself. ¡°For finding me that night, confused and wandering the side of the road. I was in a dark place, and I didn¡¯t know how to dig myself out of the hole I felt I dug for myself.¡± I laughed dryly. ¡°Now, I know that hole was so insignificant in the scheme of everything going on in the world. I just want to thank you for¡­I don¡¯t know¡­showing me that there are good people out there in the world. For stopping to help me, even though I said I didn¡¯t need it. I dunno. I just appreciate¡­you More than you know.¡±


    Carter smiled, that same easy smile that always made the world feel a little brighter. ¡°Kal, you¡¯re breaking my heart,¡± he said, his voice teasing, but his eyes were soft, serious. ¡°How am I supposed to leave now?¡±


    I chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through me. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it to be depressing. It was just¡­an uplifting thought.¡± I grabbed both his shoulders, then spun him around, giving him a little push away from me. ¡°Go on, don¡¯t miss your flight. I¡¯ll see you when you get back.¡±


    He lingered for a moment, then nodded, turning away again. I watched him go, feeling the ache of something unfinished.


    Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the coffee shop door, my eyes already drawn to the barista''s flickering aura. Back to my new normal¡ªan obsession with the color of people¡¯s souls, no matter how abnormal it might be.

 A Dance with Fate

    Excitement and nerves battled within me as Kat and I entered the pulsing nightclub. My sister looked stunning, as always¡ªher effortless beauty shining through, with silky brown hair that cascaded perfectly around her shoulders, eyes full of mischief, and a smile that could light up the darkest room. Her emerald green dress hugged her curves in all the right places.


    I glanced down, smoothing my own dress. It was the only one I owned, dragged out of the closet after what felt like ages. Though black, it felt frilly and unnecessary, a false illusion. I was uncomfortable, already vowing never to wear a dress again.


    "I still can''t believe you wanted to go clubbing," Kat shouted over the music, giving me a curious look.


    I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I''m single now. Time to enjoy life, right?"


    Kat''s eyebrows shot up. "Since when do you enjoy life by going clubbing?"


    "Since now," I replied, avoiding her gaze.


    The truth was, I was here for one reason: Suzette, the young barista with the flickering green aura. I¡¯d overheard her mentioning this club at the coffee shop earlier. My obsession with her fate was growing stronger every day, and I still hadn¡¯t decided if I was going to try to save her or take her soul like the others. The craving was getting harder to ignore, the pull toward her almost unbearable.


    The place was packed, bodies moving in sync to the beat, the air thick with the smell of sweat and alcohol. As we weaved our way to the bar, I turned to Kat. "Hey, weird question. If you knew someone was going to die, would you try to stop it?"


    She pulled back, her brown eyes searching mine for a hint of what was really going on. I almost told her. Almost confessed the torment I was in over Suzette, the young barista whose fate I knew with certainty. But instead, I just smiled.


    "It¡¯s not even a real question, Kal," Kat laughed, the sound barely audible over the thumping bass. "Of course, I¡¯d intervene."


    Just like Carter had said over a week ago. Why did I want to hear a different answer? I nodded, feeling a twinge of guilt. If only she knew the weight of that decision.


    ¡°I got it,¡± Kat said, laying down a twenty at the bar. ¡°But if you feel good enough to go clubbing, maybe it¡¯s time for a job.¡±


    I just laughed, waving a dismissive hand at her. I had other problems to deal with at the moment.


    "Oh, by the way," Kat said as we ordered our drinks, "Mom and Dad called again. They''re worried about you."


    I felt a familiar flare of anger. "Then they should call me directly."


    Kat sighed. "They gave up. You never answer. Maybe they''re just as stubborn as you are. You can''t be mad at them forever for leaving. They have their own life to live. You should call them."


    ¡°And tell them I totaled their minivan?¡± I took a long sip of my drink, avoiding her gaze. "Maybe," I muttered. In reality, I didn¡¯t know how to face them. Not after everything that had happened between us. Not after they left. Not after how much time has passed.


    "So," Kat said, changing the subject, "how''s Carter? You two seemed pretty cozy at the gym. And you¡¯ve been spending time with him almost every day for weeks now."


    "He''s away on business," I replied. "Some ¡®little¡¯ travel assignment in boring Paris.¡± I playfully rolled my eyes. ¡°And he''s... becoming a good friend."


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Kat winced at the word ''friend''. "Just a friend? Are you sure?" She always had a way of reading more into things than I did. I wasn¡¯t sure how I felt about Carter. He was¡­ like a breath of fresh air. But so not someone I ever pictured myself with. He was too¡­nice? Too good. Too carefree. Didn¡¯t all girls like the bad boy? I laughed at myself. I had the bad boy. Thank God he¡¯s dead now. Again, my thoughts turned too dark. Too grim.


    My eyes caught sight of who I was looking for across the dance floor. There she was¡ªSuzette. Her green light was like a beacon in the sea of golden auras, flashing lights, and moving bodies. But it wasn''t only her green aura that held my attention. Next to her was a man whose soul was flashing even faster, almost in sync with the strobe lights. My breath caught in my throat. He was going to die tonight.


    My hands began to shake, the withdrawal symptoms intensifying, making my head spin. The hunger for his soul, for that rush, was almost overwhelming. I had a choice to make: try to save him and suffer through this misery, or take his soul and find relief.


    "I''m going to dance," I told Kat abruptly, moving toward the man before she could respond.


    Kat grabbed my arm. "What are you doing?"


    I forced a smile. "It''s time I move on, right? Come on, let¡¯s have some fun.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll bring the drinks. Meet you there.¡±


    As I approached the man, I could see he was already drunk, his movements uncoordinated. "Hey," I shouted over the music, "want to dance?"


    He grinned, his eyes unfocused. "Sure thing, beautiful. Fair warning, though ¨C I''m on ¡®shrooms and everything''s pretty wild right now."


    We started dancing, Kat joining us with a group of strangers. Despite the fun atmosphere, I couldn''t take my eyes off the man''s rapidly flashing aura. My mouth watered at the thought of reaping his soul, but I forced the craving down. Both Kat and Carter said that if given a choice, you always try to save someone.


    As we danced, his aura¡¯s flashing grew more intense. I could almost taste it, the high from taking his soul, but I had to stop myself. I needed to intervene, not let him die.


    After a while, the man stumbled over his own two feet. "I think I''m gonna head home," he slurred, his eyes glazed over as he turned to leave.


    "I¡¯ll come with you," I said quickly, grabbing his arm. Then I cracked the most flirtatious smile.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said. ¡°But fair warning, I¡¯m not sure how I¡¯ll perform. You know, ¡®shrooms.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you already mentioned them,¡± I said, holding him upright.


    Kat appeared at my side, concern etched on her face. "Kal, what are you doing?"


    "Just looking for some fun.¡± I winked at her. ¡°Don¡¯t wait up."


    She hesitated, then smiled and let me go. If only she knew the truth.


    Outside, he staggered toward his car, fumbling with his keys. Was this how he was going to die? Impaired driving?


    "You¡¯re drunk," I said, pulling the keys out of his hand. "I¡¯ll drive."


    He didn¡¯t argue, too out of it to care. But as I turned to unlock the car, he suddenly wandered across the road, right into the path of an oncoming car. I lunged for him, yanking him back in time to save him as the car sped by, horn blaring.


    My heart pounded. I had clearly just saved his life, but why was his aura still flashing?


    "Hey," he said suddenly, looking up at the night sky with wide, dilated eyes. "What do you think it''d be like to fly?"


    He began walking away from me.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Just cooling off. Feeling the breeze in my hair. Pretending to be a bird.¡±


    I hurried to keep up as he headed down the sidewalk. At least he was out of the road.


    ¡°Come on,¡± I protested. ¡°Let¡¯s get you home.¡± Safe. Away from traffic.


    ¡°I live this way,¡± he said, holding out his arms and flapping them like a bird as we ran down the street and up a bridge that crossed the river.


    What the fuck was I doing? If it was this idiot¡¯s time, why was I trying to get in the way?


    Before I could react, he darted up on the edge of the bridge, his arms still flapping, and suddenly, I could see his demise.


    "No!" I screamed, chasing after him. But I was too late. With a whoop of joy, he leapt over the railing and plummeted toward the river below.


    I ran down to the shore, my heart pounding. His body floated face-down in the water, the green orb of his soul hovering above it. Tears stung my eyes as I kicked off my shoes and waded in, dragging him to shore. I had failed. I hadn''t tried hard enough. But there was a part of me that knew I had waited for this to happen. Hoped it would happen.


    With shaking hands, I reached into the heavy fabric between worlds and grasped my scythe. The weight of it felt both familiar and terrible.


    "I''m sorry," I whispered, swinging the scythe through the glowing orb.


    The rush hit me immediately, a wave of euphoria washing away my guilt and pain. As the man''s soul flowed into the scythe, I saw flashes of his life¡ªchildhood laughter, teenage love.


    As I passed his soul to the silent gatekeeper, I trudged up the steps to the coffee shop, ready to demand some answers.

 The Weight of the Unknown

    Nearly a week had passed since I''d reaped the soul of the man from the bridge. Nearly a week since I''d visited that strange purgatory with its faceless barista and meaningless coffee. I''d thought I''d demand answers, but all I got were more riddles.


    "Why couldn''t I save him?" I had asked.


    "Because you''re a reaper," was the simple response.


    I pressed on, trying to unravel the mystery. "What does it mean to be a reaper?"


    "You reap souls," was the barista''s only answer.


    "Why?"


    "Because that''s who you are."


    The more I pushed, the more the answers circled back on themselves, leaving me spinning, more lost than when I started. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn''t break through that maddening loop of logic.


    As the days wore on, I found myself longing for the simplicity of that otherworldly coffee shop. The real world felt increasingly distant, its vibrant colors and cacophony of sounds almost painful compared to the muted tones and hushed whispers of the afterlife. I was starting to feel like a ghost myself, drifting through a world that no longer felt like home.


    In an attempt to anchor myself to something tangible, I''d thrown myself into observing Suzette. I tracked her schedule. She worked until 2 PM every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays when she attended art classes at the University of Chicago ¨C the same school I was just expelled from. There were many other similarities between our lives. She lived with her boyfriend, whether he was a jerk or not, that was still undecided. Her favorite color appeared to be black, like mine, if you went by her wardrobe alone. She preferred the no make-up, ponytail look. And, of course, we both were somehow marked to die in our early twenties. Only, I''d stop her death, right? I had to, according to both Kat and Carter.


    Had someone intervened in my death, too? Is that why I was still alive?


    I pushed that thought away. Yeah, someone intervened all right. Me. I fought with the gatekeeper and stole the scythe myself. If you want something bad enough ¨C like how I wanted to get back to Kat ¨C one needs to be willing to fight for it.


    Her green aura was flashing more intensely today, a constant reminder that her time was running out. The internal debate raged on ¨C should I intervene or let fate take its course? The thought of her death consumed me, and yet, I couldn''t bring myself to decide what to do.


    Today, I found myself back at Bean Town Coffee with Carter, trying to act normal despite the storm raging inside me. As he walked in, his warm smile sent an unexpected flutter through my chest. For a moment, the world felt a little less gray.


    "How was Paris?" I asked, forcing a smile of my own.


    Carter''s face lit up, and he launched into an enthusiastic retelling of his trip. His eyes sparkled as he described the hidden gems he''d discovered, the people he''d met, the stories he''d uncovered. I found myself getting lost in his infectious enthusiasm, realizing how much I''d missed his light-hearted presence.


    As he spoke, I marveled at how quickly he''d become a part of my life. We''d only known each other for a few weeks before he left, but he brought a warmth I hadn''t realized I was missing. His hand brushed mine as he gestured animatedly, and I felt a jolt of electricity at the contact. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to let him in, to share my burdens with someone who seemed to genuinely care.


    But even as I enjoyed Carter''s company, the darkness inside me threatened to spill over. How could I ever explain what I was, what I could do? This optimistic, kind-hearted man would never understand. Just like Kat. Why burden them with my impossible reality?


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    And then another thought struck me. Was that what I did with my messed-up relationship with Phillip? Kept all my struggles inside until they overflowed? Until they dragged me down to an impossible low¡­


    I tried to give Carter all my focus, the warmth he brought with his stories and his laugh, but my mind kept drifting to Suzette. She was there, behind the counter, her aura flashing like a dying neon sign in the back of my mind. With each flash, I felt a pull towards that other world, the world of endless rivers and faceless baristas.


    "Kal?" Carter''s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. He was watching me, concern etched into his features. "Are you okay? You seem... distant again."


    I plastered on a smile. "Yeah, I''m fine. Just¡­ tired." I was starting to wonder why he put up with me, but honestly, I was focused on him for seventy-five percent of our coffee "date." Okay, maybe more like fifty percent.


    He didn''t believe my excuse; I could see that. But he didn''t push. Instead, he reached across the table, covering my shaking hand with his. The warmth of his touch sent another jolt through me, momentarily grounding me in reality. "You know you can talk to me, right? About anything."


    I swallowed hard, the urge to tell him everything bubbling up inside me. But I couldn''t. Not now. Not ever. So, I pulled my hand away, standing up abruptly.


    "Thanks, but I think I need some air," I said, avoiding his gaze.


    The bell above the door chimed softly as I stepped onto the sidewalk. The cool breeze hit my face, but it did nothing to calm the storm raging inside me. I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I had to get a grip. I couldn''t let this obsession consume me. But even as I told myself that, I knew it was already too late.


    The door opened behind me, and I knew without looking that it was Carter. He stood beside me in silence for a moment before speaking. "Kal, please talk to me. I can see something''s wrong. You''re anxious today. Shaking, sweating, and¡­more distracted than usual. Is something going on?"


    I shook my head, biting my lip to keep from saying something I''d regret. "I''m fine, Carter. Really."


    He sighed; his frustration clear. "You''re not fine. You''re pulling away from me, and I don''t understand why. I thought we were getting to be close¡­ friends."


    Friends. The word felt like a knife twisting in my gut. "Maybe that''s the problem," I muttered, feeling the crabbiness I was now recognizing as just another sign of withdrawal bubbling up.


    "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    "It means you should stop trying to fix me, Carter. I''m not one of your travel stories you can tie up with a neat little bow."


    Carter''s eyes widened, hurt and confusion warring on his face. "Kal, I''m not trying to fix you. I care about you. I just want to understand¡ª"


    "Well, you can''t!" I shouted, drawing stares from people out on the street. "You can''t understand, okay? So just... just leave me alone. It''s better for both of us." Deep down, my own words hurt me to speak, but I didn''t know what else to do but push him away. I sure as hell wasn''t ready to bring him in any closer than he was already.


    He stared at me for a long moment, hurt flashing in his eyes. But he didn''t argue. He just nodded, stepping back. "If that''s what you want."


    It wasn''t. But it was what I needed. I needed him away; the last thing I wanted was this darkness I harbored to consume him. Better push him away now before we both got hurt much worse later, and being around me, hurt might just be more than mental anguish.


    I watched him walk away; my heart heavy with the weight of what I''d just done. But I didn''t have time to dwell on it. Not with Suzette''s life hanging in the balance.


    I walked back into the coffee shop, my gaze immediately finding Suzette. She was staring at me now, her expression a mix of confusion and something else. Fear, maybe? I couldn''t tell. But I didn''t care. All I could see was the flashing green aura surrounding her, growing more intense with every passing second.


    She was going to die today, I felt it with certainty that chilled me to the bone. And I still didn''t know if I was going to save her or let fate take its course.


    Either way, if I was being honest, I was relieved it was happening today. That way, I could move on with my life. Maybe get that job Kat had been pushing me towards. Maybe figure out what the hell I was feeling for Carter¡­if he would even listen when I did figure it out.


    But right now, there was only one thing in this world that mattered to me. And she didn''t even know my name.


    As I watched Suzette work, her movements graceful despite the looming shadow of death, I felt the weight of my knowledge pressing down on me. I was the only one who knew what was coming. The only one who could potentially change it.


    If I even wanted to do that. Deep down, I just craved that high waiting for me when I escorted her soul.


    But as the memory of the bridge jumper flashed through my mind, I wondered ¨C did I even have the power to change fate? Or was I just fooling myself?


    The answer, I knew, would come all too soon.

 The Inevitable

    t was ten PM. I sat on a bench outside the campus library, waiting for Suzette in the dark like a fucking stalker.  My body taut with anticipation, feeling every bit the predator lying in wait. The thought made my stomach churn with a nauseating mix of guilt and hunger.


    My phone buzzed again ¨C Kat''s fifth call in the last hour. I ignored it, my head pounding in time with my racing heart. My hands shook as I rubbed them against my jeans, trying to still the tremors and remove the sweat. Without thinking, I started scratching my arms, the withdrawal symptoms getting worse by the minute.


    There was no way I could carry on a conversation with Kat and pretend everything was okay. Because it wasn''t. Not by a long shot.


    The night air was cool against my feverish skin, carrying the scent of approaching rain. I was so lost in my own misery that I almost missed it when someone silently sat down beside me. I tensed, ready to lash out, but when I turned, I saw it was my sister.


    "How did you find me?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. But that was the damn moodiness I couldn''t control at the moment.


    "Tracked your phone," Kat replied casually, her eyes scanning my face with concern. "You scared me again. Are you okay?"


    I blew out a breath, trying to steady my nerves. "You''re the second person who''s worried about me today."


    "Who else?"


    "Carter''s back," I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but the mention of his name made my chest tighten with an emotion I wasn''t ready to name.


    Kat nudged me playfully. "You missed him?"


    I was grateful she was keeping the conversation light. "I don''t know. I barely know him. I haven''t given him the effort I should if I was really making friends with him."


    "Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "Struggling with baggage from Phillip?"


    I tensed at the mention of my ex, the name bringing a flood of memories I''d rather forget. "You''re probably right. Lots of Phillip baggage overflowing to Carter."


    "Well, little sis. Unload some of it. It''ll make you feel better."


    Would it? I wasn''t so sure. But as I sat there, the weight of my secrets pressing down on me, I realized that maybe it was time to let go of at least one burden. All the details of my past with Phillip seemed nothing more than an old memory right now. A person I no longer was. I wasn¡¯t sure what happened, it probably was because this world didn¡¯t quite seem as real to me anymore, or my own embarrassment was nothing like the intensity of the withdrawal I was feeling, but my shame I felt for sticking with Phillip seemed to be so insignificant now. Maybe it was time to unpack¡­


    "He was a nice guy the first year we dated," I said, gazing at the library door instead of my sister. "Then this past year... he changed, and I have no idea what triggered it. He just became..."


    "Completely possessive?" Kat suggested, her voice softening with concern.


    I laughed bitterly. "Yeah. That and abusive... mostly verbal, but there were times..." I didn''t have to say it. I knew Kat understood what I was getting at. "Phillip just... made me feel worse and worse about myself. It was like nothing I could do was right. It made me wonder if I was someone else, if Mom and Dad would have stayed here."


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    "Oh, Kal," Kat said, pulling me into a hug. Her warmth fighting with the cold emptiness I felt inside. "Mom and Dad''s dream was to travel. It has nothing to do with you and me. And you know that you''re an amazing person, right?"


    I laughed dryly. If only she knew the truth. I was sitting outside a university at night, waiting for a young woman to die so I could feel good. Some amazing person I was.


    But confessing the secret that had weighed me down for an entire year did make me feel¡­what?


    A little lighter. A little freer.


    That''s when Suzette emerged from the library, her green aura flashing like a strobe light. She descended the steps and turned to head down an opposing street, her pace unhurried, unaware that her time was running out.


    "Kat, let''s walk," I said, standing abruptly.


    My heart raced even faster, knowing that something was about to happen. But what?


    We followed Suzette at a distance, Kat still talking. "Seriously Kal, Phillip was just an idiot. I know it''s hard when you fall in love to see things for how they are. But you deserve so much better. Someone who lifts you up, who sees your worth."


    I half-listened, my eyes fixed on Suzette. The world around me seemed to slow, each second stretching into an eternity. I could feel the tension building, the air thick with anticipation.


    And then, it happened. A man in a hoodie emerged from the shadows, moving swiftly toward Suzette. He grabbed her and dragged her into a nearby alley before she could scream.


    "Did you see that?" Kat gasped, her voice filled with shock and fear.


    But I was already running. My body moved on its own, driven by a primal instinct to protect, to save. I sprinted toward the alley, my mind a whirlwind of fear and determination.


    When I reached the entrance of the alley, I saw the man holding a knife to Suzette''s throat, grabbing her purse. Her soul was blinking so fast now, I couldn''t tell if it was almost solid. And I knew, in that moment, that I didn''t have a choice. I was going to save her. I had to save her.


    I was a good fucking person.


    "Stop!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the brick walls.


    The man spun around; his eyes wide with surprise. But when he looked in my direction, his gaze passed right over me, as if I wasn''t even there. He couldn''t see me. I was right behind him, but it appeared that to him, I was nothing more than a shadow in the dark.


    I reached out to grab him, but my hands passed right through his body as if he were made of smoke. Panic surged through me as I realized I couldn''t physically stop him.


    There was my answer. I was a reaper. I was powerless to intervene directly.


    And then Suzette fought back. She struggled against him, pushing him away with all her strength. The man snarled in frustration, and I knew what was coming next. The knife slashed out in a quick, vicious arc, aimed right at her.


    I did everything I could to jump between Suzette and the blade. I tensed as the cold steel buried itself deep into my stomach.


    But there was no pain.


    I looked down and realized the man''s arm had passed right through me. I wasn''t the one bleeding. I wasn''t the one dying.


    Suzette gasped for air, her hands clutching at the bloody blade lodged in her stomach. She crumpled to the ground, her life slipping away in front of me.


    "No!" I screamed, the word tearing itself from my throat as I watched her soul solidify, the once-flashing green aura now a steady, haunting glow, snaking out of her body and forming a little globe, waiting for me to take it.


    The man grabbed her purse and fled, pushing Kat aside as she stood frozen at the entrance to the alley, watching in horror.


    I could have gone after him, but as I watched, his soul changed from gold to green right before my eyes. Killing Suzette had sealed his own fate. He would face justice, one way or another. His time was coming, but not tonight.


    Suzette''s soul hovered above her lifeless body, and my own body screamed for it, the withdrawal tearing me apart from the inside out. Tears streamed down my face as I reached for my scythe.


    There was no escaping what I had to do.


    "I''m sorry," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I tried. I really tried."


    As I swung the scythe, reaping Suzette''s soul, the faceless barista''s words echoed in my mind. My job was to reap souls. Nothing more. Nothing less.


    My duty.


    The soul filled the void inside me, quelling the ache and the hunger, but it did nothing to ease the pain in my heart. I was crying for her lost life, for the person she could have been, for the choices I couldn''t make.


    The rush hit me, momentarily drowning out Kat''s screams. As Suzette''s good memories flashed before my eyes, I realized the terrible truth of my existence.


    I wasn''t meant to save lives. I was meant to take them.


    And it was something I couldn''t escape.


    So, I embraced the darkness and let it carry me wherever it wanted me to go.

 Fifteen Minutes in Heaven…er…Purgatory

    The otherworld hit me like a wall of sulfur and shadows. Suzette''s soul flowed from my scythe towards the gatekeeper, three weeks of watching her, hoping to someone cheat fate, vanishing in an instant. I didn''t even know her, not really, but she meant something to me.


    My hand snapped up, driven by an instinct I didn''t understand. My fingers reached out towards the green light, and I felt it¡ªher soul. I made a fist, its warmth pulsing against my palms like a trapped firefly. The gatekeeper stood before me, his bony hand outstretched, waiting. But I couldn''t let go. Not yet.


    "I need to understand," I said, my voice barely a whisper in the oppressive silence.


    The gatekeeper tilted his head, then nodded slowly. He pointed towards a stairway I had taken before, shrouded in mist, that led to that damn supernatural caf¨¦.


    I ascended the steps, Suzette''s glowing soul held close to my chest. As we crossed the threshold into the mist, the world blurred, and I found myself back in the strange, sterile place that was feeling more like home than Kat¡¯s apartment. Suzette''s light slipped through my fingers like sand, twisting and forming into a being with arms and legs and a head. In a flash of light, Suzette stood beside me, her eyes wide with confusion.


    The faceless barista was already there, standing behind the counter as if they''d been waiting for us all along.


    "Wh¡ªwhat happened?" Suzette''s voice wavered, looking around the eerily calm caf¨¦.


    I froze, regret hitting me like a tidal wave. Why the hell didn''t I just hand her over to the gatekeeper? I had no idea what I was doing, but there was no going back now.


    "Let''s get some coffee," I said, gesturing to an empty table. "And I''ll try to explain."


    We slid into one of the white faux-leather booths, the table between us spotless, yet oddly welcoming. I glanced at the Barista, hoping for guidance, but they remained silent, faceless, just like always, and simply handed us each a steamy mug.


    "What is this place?" Suzette''s brown eyes darted around nervously, taking in the surreal surroundings.


    "I''m not sure, exactly. My best guess is that it''s purgatory. A waiting room between worlds."


    "Purgatory?" The word didn''t scare her like it should. "You''ve been coming to Bean Town Coffee every day. Who are you? I mean, I know your name is Kal, since I write it on your cup. But you''re more than a name, aren''t you?"


    My throat tightened, and I took a deep breath. The scent of coffee filled my nostrils, but it was off somehow, like a memory of coffee rather than the real thing. "I''m a reaper. I guide souls to... whatever comes next."


    "Whatever comes next?" Suzette raised an eyebrow, her voice steady despite the impossible situation.


    "Yeah, and don''t ask me more than that, because I don''t know." Damn, I was sounding as cryptic as the Faceless barista.


    Her eyes widened even more, her hands trembling as she clutched the edge of the table. "So, I''m dead?"


    "As much as I don''t know things, that I am certain of."


    Silence settled over us, heavy and suffocating. I watched her, wondering what it must feel like to be told that your life was over by a stranger, in a place that didn''t even feel real.


    Suzette''s gaze locked onto mine, her voice barely a whisper. "Is this it? Is this all there is after death?"


    The weight of her question made my soul feel even heavier. I hesitated, then shook my head. "No... There''s something more. I just don''t know what it is. I''ve been doing this for such a short time, and I''m still figuring things out. And it seems nobody wants to tell anybody anything." That admission hit something deep inside me. Like how I never told my sister anything. Like how I wasn''t opening up to Carter. "I''m sorry I''m not of more help."


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    Her expression softened, and she reached out, her hand abnormally cool against mine. "It''s okay," she said softly. "I''m not sad. Maybe I should be, but this place... it brings my soul... peace. I should be fearful, miss my family, grieve for what I left behind, but there''s something here that makes me feel like I finally belong somewhere." Suzette finally took a sip of her coffee. "Mmm. It''s good."


    I laughed, surprised by her reaction. "You''re kidding, right?" And I tasted my mug¡ªstill was like nothing other than hot water.


    "Seriously," she continued, completely sincere. "It''s the best coffee ever, and I work at a coffee shop, I should know! If this is death, it''s not so bad."


    The faceless barista approached our table, their movements fluid and otherworldly. "I''m sorry," they said in their genderless voice, "but you''re out of time. Suzette needs to move on."


    I stood up, panic rising in my chest. "No, wait. We''re not done."


    "Just like death, your time is up. It''s not something you can avoid. It''s not something you can change," the barista said, their words cutting through the air like a knife.


    I threw up my arms, feeling powerless and trapped. "Then why am I a reaper! What good does being able to cross worlds do for me? For anyone?"


    The barista was silent as they helped Suzette to her feet.


    Suzette turned towards me, her eyes now filled with a wisdom that seemed beyond her years. "Maybe your role has nothing to do with death, but helping souls on to their next phase. Maybe you just need to accept your role is that simple. I know you made me feel a lot better today."


    Was it that simple? Had I been fighting my new nature? And is that only causing me frustration and unrest?


    The Barista was already guiding Suzette towards the mist at the far end of the shop. I tried to follow, but my feet felt leaden.


    "Wait!" I called out, getting up to follow her. "Suzette!"


    She turned back, a peaceful smile on her face. "Thank you, Kal. For being there. For trying. You''re a good person."


    A good person?


    I stopped in my tracks.


    It was almost like the faceless barista read my mind. "You went against your nature to try to save someone. You might not be able to intervene, but just know, you still have an important role. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you''ll be happy with yourself." The barista continued to lead Suzette into the mist.


    "Wait!" I called again. "I still have questions¡ª"


    But the moment I crossed into the mist behind them, everything shifted and I was just lost in a dense fog, but only for a moment. Then, darkness enveloped me, and I felt myself falling.


    I gasped, my eyes flying open. I was back in the alley, the smell of blood and fear thick in the air. Only seconds seemed to have passed. Suzette''s body lay beside me, her eyes vacant, accusing. I scrambled away from it, my heart pounding.


    "Kal!" Kat''s voice cut through the night. I turned to see her rushing towards me, her eyes wide and wild. "What happened? You just¡­ disappeared!"


    I blinked, disoriented, still feeling the loss of Suzette''s soul like a physical wound. "I¡­ I was too late," I whispered, my voice shaking.


    Kat reached out, her hand gripping my arm, grounding me in the reality of the dark, cold alley. That''s when she saw Suzette. She began to panic, but I stopped her.


    "Kat, she''s gone. There''s nothing we can do." My own words made my body tense. "She''s gone and I couldn''t save her."


    "That''s not your job," Kat scolded, her voice surprisingly steady.


    "Not my job?" The barista had basically said the same thing. "But you said that if you knew someone was going to die, you''d try to help."


    "Yeah, I would. But¡­" She blew out a breath and her shoulders sagged. "I don''t know, Kallie. I just almost lost you a month ago. I don''t want to go through that again."


    I nodded as a thought struck me. Maybe Kat was right. The faceless barista was right. Saving lives wasn''t my job.


    I was a reaper.


    Kat was holding it together more than I expected. She was strong, I knew that, but this showed that she was stronger than anyone would predict. "Kal, you shouldn''t have done that. It''s too dark here. I couldn''t see you. That¡­" And she started crying, pointing at Suzette, "She¡­ could be you." Her phone was up to her ear, calling 911.


    I stared at her, the weight of everything I''d been hiding crashing down on me. The guilt, the confusion, the constant struggle to figure out who I was supposed to be. It was too much, and I couldn''t hold it in anymore. How easy it would have been to simply go on, keeping my secret, but it was time to admit that I couldn''t do this all alone.


    "Kat," I said, my voice shaking. "There''s something I need to tell you."


    The wail of approaching sirens filled the air. Time was running out. But as I looked into my sister''s eyes, I felt a glimmer of hope. At that moment, sitting in a dirty alley beside a girl who died way too young, hugged by my sister, I realized there were a lot worse fates than mine.


    And maybe, just maybe, it was time to stop running from who I was.

 Shadows & Revelations

    The rhythmic thud of my fists against the pads echoed through the gym, but my mind was elsewhere. Yesterday''s events played on a loop in my head: snapping at Carter, pushing him away, trying to save Suzette, and confessing all my secrets to Kat. My life as a reaper had reached a turning point.


    I scanned the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of Carter, but he was absent. Guilt gnawed at me, our last awkward encounter feeling like an eternity ago. I hadn''t meant to leave things so unresolved, but the weight of my supernatural existence had become overwhelming.


    "Whoa, easy there," Kat''s voice cut through my thoughts. "You''re really going at it today."


    I forced a smile, grateful for her easygoing nature. "Yeah, just working through some stuff."


    After class, we settled on the bleachers, sipping water and cooling down. Kat''s gaze was curious but nonjudgmental. Last night''s confession had been a watershed moment, and she''d taken it all in stride, asking questions but never pushing too hard.


    "So, how are you holding up?" she asked, her tone gentle.


    I took a deep breath, surprised to find that I felt more alive and present than I had in months. "Better, actually. It''s like a weight''s been lifted."


    As we wiped away the sweat, Kat peppered me with questions about being a reaper. I found myself smiling, feeling a spark of life I thought I''d lost.


    "And you can really see when people are going to die?" she whispered, fascinated.


    I nodded. "Green auras. The faster they flash, the closer to death."


    "That''s intense," Kat said, shaking her head. "How do you deal with it?"


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    "Not well, obviously," I laughed dryly, then paused to consider. "It''s dark, yeah. But it''s nothing compared to how lost I felt the night of my car accident. After dropping out of college and leaving Phillip. At least now I have a purpose, even if I didn''t choose it."


    Kat''s eyes softened. "Have you thought about calling Mom and Dad? They''ve been worried sick since the accident."


    The familiar sting of abandonment flared, but I pushed it down. "I''ll text them," I conceded. "It''s a start."


    As we headed to the locker room, Kat brought up my cravings. "You said it gets bad after a couple of days, right? Why not just... find a soul every two days? Before it hits?"


    I blinked, surprised by the simplicity of her suggestion. "That... could work. I could be almost normal between reaps."


    Kat grinned, then pointed to a sign hanging on the wall. "Speaking of normal, the gym''s hiring kickboxing instructors. You should apply, unless you¡¯re going back to college?" She raised a hopeful eyebrow.


    I laughed. "Not going back. That¡¯s just not my place.¡±


    ¡°Then you know you have to face getting a job. This place could be good for you,¡± she said, a teasing lilt in her voice. ¡°Balance out the dark with something¡­normal. Plus, you get to blow off a little steam. Besides, if you¡¯re going to officially move in with me, I¡¯m going to eventually start charging you rent.¡±


    We laughed softly and I thought about the job, and for the first time in a while, I felt a flicker of hope. I wasn¡¯t fully at peace with my new life, but I wasn¡¯t fighting it anymore either. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll apply. I come almost every day already, and I know all the moves by heart. And Phillips folks keep calling me, pushing me to get all my stuff out of his house so they can sell it. They need to move on, too."


    As we left, I felt a weight lifting off my shoulders. For the first time since the accident, I felt like I could breathe.


    "I need to take care of something else," I told Kat, thinking of Carter with a lump growing in my throat. I knew that he was too nice, too good for me, but that wasn¡¯t not my decision to make.


    ¡°Carter?¡± she asked with a hopeful smile. When I nodded, she said, "Go get him, tiger," and then winked, giving me a playful shove.


    As I reached for my phone to message Carter, I realized that letting Kat in had been the right choice. Maybe I could let Carter in, too. The darkness didn''t have to consume me. I was in charge, even when it wasn''t my choice. My choice was how I reacted to that darkness.

 Uncharted Territory - The End...for now.

    The walk to Carter''s apartment felt like traversing another realm. Each step brought me closer to bridging the gap I''d intentionally kept between us. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on his door.


    Carter''s eyes widened in surprise when he saw me, but he didn''t hesitate to invite me in. "Kal, hey. I''m glad you came."


    As I stepped inside, my gaze wandered over the travel photos, family pictures, and martial arts trophies lining the shelves. The apartment was so... him. Warm, grounded, with a sense of adventure. A pang of longing tugged at my chest, making this conversation even harder.


    "Nice place," I said, trying to break the tension.


    Carter smiled softly. "Thanks. So, what''s on your mind?" He motioned for me to sit beside him on the couch, his patience making me want to spill everything.


    I took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "I''m sorry for how I acted yesterday. When you brought up us being friends, something inside me snapped¡­ The truth is that I like you, in more ways than just a friend. But that still doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m looking for a relationship, and I know you¡¯re not either.¡±


    He leaned back, a small smile playing on his lips. "I get it. I''m not trying to force anything here."


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m dealing with a lot right now, but I don¡¯t want you thinking that all I want is to stay ¡®just friends¡¯ either.¡±


    His hand reached out and took mine. Nice and warm that sent a tingle throughout my body.


    "Can I be honest with you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. When he nodded, I blurted out the unpretty truth. "I''m... scared."


    His eyes widened. "Of what?"


    "Abandonment," I admitted, feeling a lump form in my throat. "My parents left as soon as I turned eighteen. My ex exploited that and was abusive. I don''t want to jump into anything, but I want you in my life."


    Carter moved closer, his presence warm and comforting. "I like you too, Kal. A lot. But you¡¯re not the only one with things going on. I¡¯m only twenty-five and I promised myself that I¡¯d put my career first... It¡¯s a dream of mine¡­"


    "I know," I said quickly. "I''m not asking for a relationship. Just... you. However that looks."


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    He laughed softly, a mix of relief and uncertainty in his voice. "I''m not sure how that looks either, but I¡¯m listening."


    I took a breath, trying to find the right words. "Maybe we could be... friends. With a few benefits, when we need them. No pressure, no expectations. Just¡­see where it goes.¡±


    ¡°Benefits?¡± The corner of his mouth turned up into a sweet, yet slightly enticing grin. He arched a playful eyebrow. ¡°What does that entail?¡±


    I smiled, feeling bolder. "Can I try something? And have it mean nothing if it doesn''t work out?"


    He nodded, and I leaned in, pressing my lips to his. The kiss was soft, tentative, but it felt right. A spark of electricity seemed to pass between us, and I felt Carter''s hand gently cup my cheek, deepening the kiss with a tenderness that made my heart race.


    When we pulled away, he met my gaze, more serious now. "This doesn''t change how I feel about dating. My career comes first."


    I nodded, understanding. "Just friends. With a few benefits, when we need them. Okay?¡± That¡¯s all I could promise, anyway.


    He didn''t agree or disagree verbally, but his actions spoke volumes. Carter pulled me close, his stormy blue eyes filled with a mix of desire and affection. Then he kissed me again, this time with more passion and certainty. His lips moved against mine with a longing that matched my own, and I felt myself melting into his embrace. And for the first time in a long time, I wasn''t running from something. I was running towards something¡ªtowards healing, towards letting someone in.


    "Can I stay here tonight?" I asked, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "Just to... be close to you? For you to¡­hold me?"


    Carter wrapped an arm around me, pulling me into his chest. "Whatever you need, sweetheart. I''m here."


    And I just laid there, surrounded by his warmth, and simply enjoyed the moment. We watched a show on Netflix, ordered Chinese for dinner, and kissed a few more times. It was just nice to be¡­normal.


    As we crawled in his bed together later that night, my mind wandered. I knew I couldn''t keep my reaper identity from Carter forever, but for now, that was okay. I''d keep my darkness away from him, maybe even grow from his light. It was a fragile balance, but it was a start.


    Drifting off to sleep, I felt something I hadn''t experienced in years¡ªhope. The road ahead was unknown, but I wasn''t traveling alone. Kat and Carter were by my side, even if Carter didn''t know everything yet. I wasn''t fully at peace with my new life, but I wasn''t fighting it anymore either. Both Carter and Kat radiated positive energy that balanced my darker side, offering a sense of normalcy I desperately needed.


    You had to choose who you surrounded yourself with, right? People that raised you up and didn¡¯t drag you down.


    As Carter''s breathing evened out beside me, I allowed myself a small smile. I felt that I had a place that was comfortable to me. Whatever came next, I was ready to face it¡ªboth the shadows of my reaper duties and the light of new beginnings.


    * * * * *


    What''s next for Kal and Carter? Has their unconventional arrangement evolved into something more, or have they gone their separate ways?


    And Kat? She''s about to face a supernatural challenge of her own.


    The story continues two years later...


    Find out what happens next in the Death''s Scythe series, starting with Reaper Cursed.


    Learn where to find the story here: www.joynellschultz.com/DeathScythe</a>