Chapter 4
-Grim Reaper K45-
I let a powerful phantom get away with their host’s body. That is an unforgivable failure, and I have to rectify it as soon as possible.
I have to find that spirit.
Returning to my current base, I sift through the papers regarding all the spirits that were released from Hell’s waiting room. It takes hours, but I go through each spirit’s crimes and set aside the lesser spirits and even some of the stronger evil spirits. I need to find someone who did a lot of harm during their life.
Only someone truly horrific could have as much power as that spirit had. That black smoke-like power that mirrored my own white one…it wasn’t as strong as mine, but if I had let it touch me, the damage would be severe.
And then I’m left with three profiles for the spirits in my area that would be strong enough to be phantoms.
A murderer with two victims.
A serial rapist with five victims.
A serial killer with eight victims.
Disgusted, I place the profiles back down on the table. I have never encountered a spirit that was more powerful than having four murder victims - but eight? That is horrifyingly powerful. Even I wouldn’t be able to subdue that spirit.
So, that one definitely isn’t the spirit I’m looking for. Meaning that they are either the serial rapist, or the double murderer. It’s just the case of figuring out how powerful that spirit was. The serial rapist would be more powerful than the double murderer, but not by an overwhelming amount.
Still, my first assumption for that spirit back at the coffee shop…it would be that they are the double murderer. Powerful and stronger than the average evil spirit, but not powerful enough to really stop me.
Opening up the double murderer’s file, I quirk an eyebrow at the lack of information provided. Normally, a file will show all the evil deeds committed throughout the person’s life, but this file…it only contains two evil deeds.
Two murders.
A boy who murdered his parents.
Disgusting.
Grim Reapers don’t have parents or families - we aren’t born, we are simply brought into existence for one purpose, and that is to serve the Angels and Devils, keeping the balance between Heaven and Hell. We round up souls and bring them to Heaven or Hell’s waiting room, and then the Angels and Devils take it from there.
But I have one purpose, and one purpose only. Justice.
And whilst I do not understand the concept of family, I do understand that it is wrong to murder your own parents. And thus…I shall bring this spirit to justice. He shall receive the punishment he deserves, back in Hell.
—————
-Jess-
“So, what do you think you did to become an evil spirit? And one powerful enough to fend off a Grim Reaper?” Scilla asks, walking past an alley before coming to an abrupt stop next to a soggy cardboard box.
Crouching down, she carefully pulls back the top flaps of the box to reveal a tiny little kitten. “Oh my god! Aren’t you just the cutest,” she coos, gently reaching into the box to take the kitten into her hands.
“You’re so cold…” Scilla whispers, looking inwards to me for help. “We need to take it to a vet. But that might be expensive, Scilla. We need to save everything we can right now…” I fade off, my heart aching as I look at the tiny bundle of fluff.
It reminds me of myself.
“I don’t care. I would rather stay an extra few weeks at that house than let this poor baby die,” Scilla says resolutely, taking off her scarf and wrapping the kitten up in it.
“Alright. There’s one near here, I saw it the other day,” I explain, leading Scilla in the direction of the vet hospital. She offers to sink behind my consciousness so that I can just take us straight there, but I don’t allow her to.
It’s almost like I don’t remember how to walk.
Which is strange…in that one memory I know that I couldn’t walk but it seemed as though those people had only just caused that, so…maybe it’s because I don’t remember anything else?
I just remember the pain.
Scilla and I make it to the vets before I even realise, and then we have to wait outside whilst they try and fix up the kitten.
“Good news - this little one is weak because she hasn’t had anything to eat for a few days, and was was starting to get sick in the cold. But there is nothing else wrong with her. Are you the owner?” One of the vets asks, and Scilla shakes her head.
“No…I found her in a box as I was walking past an alley. I don’t know how long she was there for,” Scilla replies sadly, both of our hearts breaking for the tiny little kitten.
“I see. Well, if you’d like, we can take it to a cat shelter, or you can adopt it. I can give you a few minutes to think about it?” The vet suggests, but Scilla instantly shakes her head. My heart crumbles slightly as I realise that she’s already made her mind up. “Scilla, dear. Couldn’t we adopt it and-“
“We’ll adopt it,” Scilla says firmly.
My soul wraps around hers gratefully, and the vet leads us back inside to see our new little baby. Getting a cat and the veterinary fees will be expensive, and will set us back several weeks in our escape plan, but Scilla is right.
A life is always more important than anything else.
It means that we’re more likely to have a run-in with Scilla’s horrible boyfriend, but I can protect her if he tries to hurt her or the kitten in any way.
On the walk back home, Scilla doesn’t stop smiling, before that same thought occurs to her and the smile slips from her lips. “What if…what if he tries to hurt her? She’s just a baby,” she whispers, clutching our kitten closer to her chest.
Shaking my head, I stare through Scilla’s eyes and take a good look at our baby. “I won’t let him hurt either of you. I promise. I’ll protect you both with my life. Or my- death, I guess. My existence?” I try, successfully getting a small chuckle from Scilla.
“What should we name her?” She asks, stroking the kitten’s fluffy little head. “I don’t know, what is a good name for a pet?” I ask, having no idea about pets.
Scilla hums, stopping in front of the door and digging the keys out of her pocket. “Hmmm…maybe Myrtle? It was my mother’s name,” she says softly. My gaze softens gently as I wrap myself around Scilla’s soul once again.
“It’s lovely, Scilla.”
We get set up with a makeshift bed for Myrtle, before deciding to go back out to fetch some cat supplies. “Do you think she’ll be alright here on her own?” I ask, not wanting to leave Myrtle. But Scilla nods, placing a light kiss on Myrtle’s head.
“She’ll be alright. It’s more important that we get some cat litter and food - she has a full tummy right now after the vet’s appointment but we need to make sure we have some dinner for her.”
Nodding in agreement, Scilla and I leave Myrtle in a box in the bathroom, where she will be somewhat contained and won’t be able to somehow die in the time we’re out.
But that doesn’t stop both Scilla and I from worrying the whole time we’re shopping for little Myrtle.
“Myrtle!” Scilla calls once we get back home, all out cat supplies in tow. Opening the bathroom door, Myrtle lets out a gentle ‘mew’ when she sees us, and comes scrambling over, looking a little wobbly on her feet.
Scilla instantly swoops Myrtle off her four tiny paws, showering her face with kisses. And then Scilla lets me take control and I get to properly meet our baby for the first time.
“I love her so much,” I whisper, kissing Myrtle’s nose. She instantly licks it after, before sneezing and starting to clean her face using her paws.
I’ve always wondered what it was like to have a family.
But finally, I know.
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