Chapter Sixteen
The sun is high,a cool breeze flows around us, and birds sing and chirp in the trees. I’ve never really just appreciatedlife, always too busy taking it, or living in my little bubble. Gray walks by my side for hours, taking me to the forest and through it, to a certain spot he seems to have in mind.
It’s close to where I killed the first man a while back, where I’d first heard about this witch madness. My thoughts get taken to Richard and I instantly go into high alert. I stop and scan around me and my breathing quickens. Gray notices and gets closer to me.
“He isn’t nearby, Evelyn. I wouldn't come all the way out here and do that to you.” I calm at his words. He’s right. He wouldn't do that to me.
Would he?
“Come, we are nearly there.” I watch his hand reach for mine before he pulls away, remembering. He sighs and turns back around, continuing onward. I follow.
A little while later, Gray stops in his tracks and turns to look at me. “Be quiet, move slowly and watch.” I nod and don't make a sound. Gray goes over to a tree and slowly gets onto his knees. I stay still, observing. I hear little noises coming from him and so I move slowly towards him. Gray moves some leaves and twigs around, revealing a small rabbit. It's squealing and sounds like it’s in pain. I crouch down to see better.
“This little girl, she got bitten a little over an hour ago and is slowly dying from blood loss and pain.” Gray tells me and I think about it for a minute.
“An hour ago? We've been walking here for a couple of hours. How did…?” I stumble at the last words.
“Death date,” Gray whispers in confirmation. I nod.
Gray reaches down to the rabbit, and it sniffs his hands. The rabbit instantly calms and quietens. Gray looks at me, gives a soft smile and then looks at the rabbit. He goes to place both hands around the little thing to pick it up, but his hands go through it. He lifts both his hands and a small blue ball of light floats his palms. He brings it closer to me.
“I am a vessel of every soul that dies. I am everywhere and nowhere, whenever and wherever, anyone or anything’s time comes to an end. I am their light in a sea of storms, showing them the way to the shores of the afterlife. To the… Beyond. Death doesn't end with me. Think of me as…a boatman.” Gray then guides the blue ball of light to his chest and it breaks apart, wafting like smoke into his rune, which now glows a bright icy white blue. The body of the rabbit is still, at peace.
“I do not go around taking souls like this all the time. Usually, they find their way to me. My rune only glows blue when I collect a soul nearby me.”
I really am lost for words as I stare at this rabbit's body.
“Come,” Gray says, breaking me out of my trance. We both stand and he looks at me. “Death doesn't have to be violent, aggressive, torturous or cruel. Some deaths are natural and some even peaceful. Some welcome their ends with joy, even if they do not take their own lives. I do enjoy killing the ones that are destined to die on the day I visit them, and they put up a fight. Others, I go and hold their hand till they're ready, or I listen to their stories before they pass. Some find me a calming presence while others fear me. Only those who are to die, can see me.” I think back to yesterday, how he was helping me with Jacob.
“Yesterday, you were a guard. You helped me. How did Richard see you? Bernie?” I fold my arms under my chest. Gray flicks his eyes down to my chest and then back up.
“That, my love, was for you. It drained me quite a bit, but I thought we could do that kill together. With Richard around and you losing your job, I thought I'd come into the real world and help you.”
“Are you in the real world with me now? I can see you but not touch. You can touch everything else but me?”
“My goddess, it is hard to explain.”
“But it doesn't make any sense. You said only those who are to die can see you, does that mean I am going to die?”
“One day, yes you will. Like everyone else,” Gray says, his tone solemn. I start to argue more but his rune glows blue, stopping my words.
“It is time to go help someone pass now, Evelyn.”
I nod and follow Gray’s lead. It takes a little while to get to where Gray stops, deafening silence between us. He’s avoiding my questions and I feel like I'm overthinking things, but I just feel I don't know him.
“You will know me well enough soon. We have all the time in the world, my love.”Damn I forgot he can hear me sometimes. Gray chuckles at that too.
“Stop listening to my thoughts.”
“Never, my queen. The more our bond strengthens, the more of your thoughts I can hear.” He motions me to come closer to him, and I feel the pull and walk up to him.
“What do you mean ‘our bond’?”
“When I gave you your necklace, did you feel something? Like…a warmth, perhaps? That was part of the magic of that pendant bonding us together, by our very souls. It’s not exactly weak right now, but it is not strong enough for us to be togetherfully, yet. For that, souls are needed. But they have to be collected properly, my love.”
He puts a finger to his lips and I clamp mine shut. We’ve ended up at the other side of the forest where someone is sitting against a tree. Their head lolls down against their chest, barely moving. Gray walks towards this person and I follow him closely. As we get closer, the old man raises his head and looks at us.
“Thank god, my prayers have been answered. I’m ready, Death. I’m ready,” the man says to Gray. I gasp and my eyes grow wide.
