I was in a forest, surrounded by ravens. "I've missed you old friends..." They parted to form a path... leading the way. "Yes, yes... I know." I changed into my Reaper attire & began walking along a black path. Crows & ravens called out to one another as I arrived at a throne. She was pale, with short, bright red hair that covered her left eye; the exposed eye was a deep grey color. She wore a dark grey dress that was almost black that touched the ground. On her left arm was a tattoo sleeve of a mass of spiders; her left shoulder had a phoenix. She wore a spider necklace & fishnet gloves. Sitting on her hand was a large black widow spider. "Hello Casket. You got my message?" I nodded. "Good... we felt your disturbance... are you ok? Honestly." I sighed deeply. "The one who killed me... I saw him... of my own volition." She stared at me. "YOU WHAT!?!" crows & ravens flew off, scared of her voice. "I panicked & my heart... well-" I exposed my chest to her & she gasped.
"Why didn't you-"
"Because I know you... you would've killed him."
"He deserves it! He hurt you!"
"We don't kill. You & Mom taught me that."
"I... I know, but still!"
"Mortality... what's going on?"
She sighed deeply. "The boy you saved... I know him... he wants to be a Reaper so bad but..." she looked at me intently. "I fear that he may cause harm to others. Mentally, he can't handle it." I was lost. "What are you saying... that I shouldn't help him? That I shouldn't've brought him back?" she nodded as a thick fog encased us. "Look." I saw Jack with his sister Jenna but something was wrong; she was in a hospital bed, an IV in her arm. Their mom wasn't in any better shape, sobbing as letters pilled around her. "His life insurance would've made sure they never wanted again. In fact, if any of them were to die, they'd be better off financially." I was so lost as I watched Jack walk out of the hospital & towards the building that I saved him from. I watched him go on the roof & the image faded. "Marleen has been observing his thoughts... now that he can't die, he's lost on what to do." I felt tears well up in my eyes, but I had a thought.
"That explains it."
"Explains what?"
"He wanted to know if we could heal."
"What did you tell him?"
"I lied... kind of. I told him that only a few Reapers can heal."
"You know that when he finds out-"
"I know... I know, but how will his family react?"
"Then you heal them."
"No! I c-"
There was a loud meow as Jackie appeared. "Sorry to interrupt but you're needed Cas." I nodded & looked at Mortality. "I gotta go." she nodded. "I know. Be safe out there ok?" I nodded & took a deep breath.
"CAS!" I jolted when Jack called my name. "Are you ok?" I nodded, smiling wryly. "Yeah... I'm fine. There's something you need to know before becoming a Reaper. You ready?" he nodded & I pulled out my weapon, pointing it to his heart. "Jackson Faller, from this moment on you will be a Reaper in training. You will do only what is needed of you. Most importantly, you will not take a life; your own or someone else's. Do you accept?" he nodded. "I need to hear you say it." he nodded again. "I'll do whatever it takes." the tip of my scythe began to glow a black color; I hadn't seen that in years. Within a few moments, the glow died down & Jack looked around. "That's it?" I shook my head. "This is just the beginning."
"First thing's first. Death... you have to come to terms with it." he looked odd.
"What? I h-"
"No. You have regrets. You need to accept her."
"Her?"
"Death. In a way I am her. She's in every Reaper ever created."
"How do I do that?"
"Replay your death but without me in it. Imagine if I didn't save you. Go through it again. Just close your eyes & think."
He took a deep breath & closed his eyes. His skin stared to turn blue; he's holding his breath. The air was filled with a thumping sound & it got faster & faster; he's panicking. He grabbed his wrists, which was odd; he died jumping off a building, not cutting himself... he slouched over while his breathing quickened & clawed at the air, then... he froze. He didn't move for about five minutes. "Now here's the hardest part. Get ready Jackson. Let's see the person you really came out to be."
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