Even though I smile at him, I know that I’m not at all attracted to him. That’s reserved for my mysterious reaper. A part of me wants to go to the last place I saw him, but even I can admit that’s not a good idea.
“Can I get a caramel macchiato, please?” I ask once I get to the head of the line.
There’s comfort in the normal things. My life doesn’t have to be a wild adventure and jumping out of airplanes to enjoy my new lease on life. I was watching YouTube videos recently of people who had their cancer go into remission or disappear, and the way that they celebrated gave me hives.
To each their own, but you won’t see me do anything like that. I’m not sure yet how sturdy my new life is. I’m pretty sure I’m still as mortal as the rest of the world.
A part of me doesn’t want to push too hard yet to test it.
My coffee tastes amazing as I take a small sip, and I weave through the tables to find one by a window to set up at. Laptop, internet connection, headphones, and my favorite heavy metal band is enough to keep me happy.
The days slip by as I go about the normal activities of my life. Sometimes, I’ll walk to the riverfront to eat lunch on a bench, watching the boats as they pass by.
Sometimes, I wonder where they’re going, or what adventures they’ll see. However, I know that’ll never be me. I’m happy to imagine though.
My life is small, it’s spent surrounded by people in the city, and I imagine what it would be like to have friends. Would I enjoy or hate it if I had someone to drag me to a new movie or insist that I try something new?
Maybe one day I’ll let myself be that adventurous, but I have plenty of time. I can continue to enjoy the little routines I like, hyping myself up to try small new things. Like today, I swing by a new bakery to pick myself up a treat.
While I’m there, I see a flier for a bar playing Dungeons and Dragons, and I decide to take a chance. I can already see the character I’ll design. He’ll be tall, snarky, and a reaper.
No one will believe that I’m crafting a character that I actually met, and it can continue to be my little secret. Bane has to stay in his world, and I in mine.
It doesn’t mean I haven’t jerked off every morning in the shower, trying to get him out of my system, or that I fall asleep with his name on my lips.
No one has to know but me.
Chapter
Four
Bane
There’s a body next to my feet. Blood pools around the open gash on his forehead. His wide vacant eyes stare off into nothing as his soul leaves his body.
Taking a step back so as to not get my shoes covered in the warm sticky liquid, I look to my side and see the white shimmer of a soul appearing.
The man comes into view, his face a mask of confusion. I know what’s going on inside his stupid little human mind. “I know what you must be thinking.” My deep voice makes the man jump, his head snapping my way. “Where am I? How did I get here? Who are you? It’s all the same.”
“Who are you?” he asks. “Where am I?” He frowns. “How did I get here?”
“Are you mocking me, boy?” I growl.
He blinks, shaking his head slowly.
Humans. So slow.
My chest deflates with an irritated sigh. “Simply put, you are dead. And I’m here to collect your soul.”
“Dead!” He shouts, eyes practically bugging out of his head. “I can’t be dead.”
“I can assure you, you can be dead, because you are. Look.” I point to his body on the ground. “Very much dead. You’ve already lost most of your blood and your heart stopped beating.”
The scream that tears from his lungs when he sees his body makes me wince.
“Could you not.” I growl, done with this encounter. It’s been going on long enough. “You’re being quite annoying.”
“I can’t be dead. I can’t!” He grabs at his hair, shaking his head. “I have so much to live for! Please, please give me another chance. Let me go back. I’ll do anything."
