“I prefer The Grim Reaper, an unbiased guide into the unavoidable destiny that awaits you. The sickle is a tool used at harvest time, signifying the passage of time—the cycle of life and death.”
The Grim Reaper waves his bony arm forward. “You have nothing to fear, except the truth.”
A fierce wind sweeps his cloak around his skeletal body, and the black cloud surrounds us.
When the ebony fog clears, I’m back in Graham Pierce’s foyer.
“Why are we here?” I ask, but the Grim Reaper only nods.
The same scene plays out. A lavish party, men in tuxes, women in gowns, passed champagne and the bright lights of holiday decorations. Graham is in the same circle of men until he breaks away from them, passes us in the foyer and enters another room off the side of the circular staircase.
The Grim Reaper prods me forward until we’re in the same room.
Graham comes up behind a woman, grabs her arm, and roughly spins her around.
“Shit!” I mumble.
Cheryl’s drawn, lined face is filled with fear. My beautiful, vibrant woman is pale, weak and thin, way too thin.
“I told you I wanted you by my side tonight,” Graham growls in her face. “Is that too much to ask of my wife?”
“His wife?” I shout.
She tries to break away from him. “Pleasedon’t make me.”
“People have been asking about you all night, and I’m tired of making excuses, so get out there and be a proper hostess, or you know what will happen.”
“No, no, not that.”
“Then you better do as you’re told because you know the consequences.”
“What the hell are the consequences?”
The Grim Reaper lowers his head.
Cheryl inches her way toward the bar along the wall, and Graham steps in her way. “No liquor. Tonight I’d like you sober for a change.”
Cheryl bites her lower lip. “You can’t tell me what to do,” she murmurs.
“I can and I will, or everyone will find out you’re a murderer. With the reliable information I’ve collected, you’ll go to jail for life, and that brat of yours will end up in the system. Is that what you want? To have her life end up as miserable as yours?”
Her eyes widen. “No, no, I’ll do as you say.” She rests her hand on a pendant around her neck.
“I told you I don’t want you wearing that thing.” Graham snatches the necklace, rips it from Cheryl’s neck and pitches it across the room.
It lands at my feet, but I can’t take my eyes off Cheryl on her knees sobbing.
“Pull yourself together, and get out here and help me entertain our guests.” Graham storms out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
“Let me go to her,” I plead. “Let me help her.”
The Grim Reaper puts his hand on my shoulder, and I’m unable to move. I’m forced to watch Cheryl’s agony, helpless and unable to rescue her from this hell.
After another few torturous minutes, Cheryl gathers herself together, wipes at her eyes, and heads for the door.
“I’m here, baby,” I shout, but of course she can’t hear me.
As she walks past me, I see the bruises lining her arms and the dark circles under her eyes. I gaze down at my feet and pick up the necklace Graham flung across the room.
