Chapter 6

Ray was lightly shaken awoke by the steward. She was awkwardly laying on a bench in the train car, the smell of blood having faintly faded away.

“Oh, thank the lords, you’re okay,” the steward said, rising from where he knelt. “I was worried you might have died.”

The reaper put a hand to her throbbing head, and lifted herself up with very little strength. “Where are we..?” She asked.

“We just arrived in Alden, all the other passengers have gotten off,” he explained, helping Ray out of the bench. “Everyone who survived is getting medical assistance right now, you’re the last to-”

“Do not take me to a doctor,” Ray said, her eyes widening.

“I-? I’m sorry, why not?”

“I don’t need one, that’s all,” she said sternly, brushing the steward aside.

She adjusted her blazer and tightened her belt, and collected her things from the floor. Looking out the window, she saw the morning sun peak through the haze outside. She squinted her eyes, frowning.

“Which way is north?” She asked, preparing to leave. “I have somewhere to be.”

“Ah, well, are you sure you don’t want any help?” The steward asked. “You looked like… well you looked pretty awful after you came back down.” He rubbed his hands nervously.

“Shurgate Company, do you know?” Ray ignored him.

The steward sighed. “Yes, I can show you the way,” he said, leading her off the train. “Take that street up a ways, it’s not too terribly far. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.”

She moved onward, then paused briefly. Hesitating, she turned her head back towards the steward. “Uh, thank you, by the way,” she said, then hobbled away.

Alden was a large, bustling city. Much bigger and newer than Belmus. The train station sat in the middle of the city, with many more trains coming and going. It was almost impossible for Ray to hear her own thoughts.

The streets were clean as the morning fog dissipated. Horse-drawn carriages straddled by, and people took up the sidewalks. Citizens wore much nicer clothing, fine linens that matched the grandeur of the city. Ray felt small, her own home town was nothing in comparison to Alden, she realized. It was a gift that the city was never raided by Dracula.

As she moved forward, Ray passed by an intricate building. Instantly, she noticed the sign saying “Alden Reapers” and knew where she was. A couple of reapers in uniform, different from hers, stood outside the front door. They wore longer coats, trimmed with green instead of soul-like blue.

No scythes, Ray thought, I wonder if they’re the same.

She had slowed down, and one of the reapers caught her eye, and sneered.

“I thought you Belmus brats went and died,” he said.

Ray couldn’t help but stop. She gave the two a threatening look. The second reaper let out a small gasp, and turned to his friend.

“Hey, I think that’s the one girl, from the rehab thing,” he whispered, tugging on the other’s sleeve.

The rude one’s eyes widened, and he turned away from Ray. “Whatever, get inside,” he ushered his friend.

Ray scrunched her face. Rude ass.

But what did he mean, ‘went and died?’ Were her colleagues okay? Did those reapers know what they were doing in the city? Thinking too hard, Ray frantically hurried her pace towards her destination.

She finally arrived at a pristine, golden building. A large, fancy plaque confirmed for her she was at the Shurgate Company. Still frazzled from the reapers she saw earlier, she burst through the door without much thought. She opened the door a little too loud, as a secretary quickly rose from her seat, startling the reaper.

Ray took a deep breath, and approached the woman behind the desk. She took out Beatrice’s letter, taking note again.

“Excuse me,” she said, putting her letter away, “I’m here to talk to… Henry Shurgate?”

The woman adjusted her glasses. “Do you have an appointment?” she said slowly, looking the reaper up and down.

“I’m from Belmus, he should be expecting me.” She was not confident at all.

“Oh,” the woman started, “you’re the one that woman mentioned, you fell quite behind haven’t you?”

Ray smiled awkwardly.

“Well, no matter, Mr. Shurgate is busy right now. Can you wait?”

Ray nodded, and went to find a comfy couch to sit on. It was a thousand times better than the benches on the train. While she sat, she studied the letter carefully, going through it multiple times and heavily investigating the handwriting. She felt warm, forming a small, sad smile.

Her mind began to fill with the times she would write to Beatrice. It wasn’t often they were far apart from each other, but Ray enjoyed writing little letters to her partner whenever she could. Even if it was just to slip it under her bedroom door, she was enticed by the excitement of a response. And Beatrice always responded.

Over time, they had written so much, however, that Dirk grew distasteful of their exchanges. He began to demand that Ray let him see the letters she wrote before giving them to Beatrice. And as time went on, Ray became more scared to write even a single word on paper.

That was when Beatrice introduced shorthand back into Ray’s life. A skill she remembered from her childhood, but could never quite place where. Ever since then, the two have written to each other in a way only they could read. Dirk still hated it.

Her smile turned bright as she reminisced, a befuddled Dirk amusing Beatrice as they exchanged letters. He wasn’t there with her, Ray could think safely.

She began to doze off, still tired from the train, when the sound of a door slamming open rushed her back awake. A large, boisterous man entered the building, the front doors swinging behind him. He radiated good feelings.

“Welcome back, Mr. Shrugate,” the secretary said, stacking some papers together.

“Diana! So great to see you again. Those reapers can be such a bore!” He chuckled as he walked over, taking the papers from the woman. “Have I any appointments left today?”

The secretary pointed with a pen in Ray’s direction. “Another Belmus Reaper is here for you, sir.”

The man turned as Ray stood up, a bit sluggish. His face lit up at the realization of who was in his presence.

“My, my!” he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. “My girl, please, please come with me to my office! I have much to say to you.”

He gestured his hands for Ray to follow, and the reaper complied. They went up the stairs not far from the secretary desk, and down a hall with various doors. At the end of the hall was a set of double doors, to which Mr. Shurgate happily burst through. He invited Ray to sit at one of the plush seats.

The office was big but cramped. Large bookshelves took up an entire wall, and the back was decorated by a large window with lavish curtains. There was a fireplace opposite of the bookshelves, glamored with pictures and candles. Mr. Shurgate’s desk was a mess, papers cluttered and books scattered, along with a grand typewriter at the center. Despite being clearly lived in, everything felt fresh and new. All except for a peculiar box sitting by the fireplace on the floor.

Perhaps old keepsakes? Ray thought.

“Please, pardon the mess my dear,” Mr. Shurgate said, taking a seat at his big chair. He was a jolly man, Ray felt welcomed by his aura. “Now, your friend told me you would be coming by soon, I’m so glad you made it! I hope the trip was well?”

Ray looked at him with a concerned smile. “It was… Fine, thank you,” she lied.

“Wonderful! Are you thirsty, would you like some tea?”

“No, thank you.”

“Alright then,” he said, leaning back in his chair and clasping his hands, “let’s get right to it then. First of all I want to thank you and your guild for its movement.”

Ray nodded. “Your company is one of our biggest sponsors, but why us so far out from here?”

Mr. Shurgate smiled. “For people like you my dear, Ramona.”

Ray flinched. “Please, just call me Ray, thank you.”

“No worries, it is a pretty name. Your brother was quite proud of it,” he said.

Of course he did, Ray thought, trying to stifle a frown.

“Regardless,” he continued, “I sponsor your guild for people like you, who have been haunted and seek rehabilitation. I think what your guild does is quite honorable, and I’m proud to help it. Miss Clementine has been a wonderful business partner.

“Clearly what you do works, I mean look at you! You look quite healthy and you came all the way out here too. This is something that I have been working towards with my wife, so you understand where I am with this.”

“I had no idea, sir,” Ray said, taken aback.

“Well she likes to stay out of the spotlight,” he chuckled lightly. “But any how, what can I help you with today?”

Ray sat upright, full attention on the man. “I need directions to the location you gave my peers, to Terminus Prison?”

“Ah…” Mr. Shurgate’s smile faded. “So you do intend to join them, then?”

“Yes sir.”

“I was told to keep this information very secret, so I gave them my only map I had…” He rummaged through his desk drawers as he spoke. “I know you reapers can get competitive with other guilds.”

“But do you have the directions memorized? Perhaps I could-“

“No, no no I don’t but I do have a solution!” He perked up, pulling a decorated piece of paper out and putting it in an envelope. He took out some wax and stamped the envelope, and handed it to Ray. “I have a wonderful old friend that can take you, he knows the way there.”

“I don’t think I…” she took the letter and looked at the man.

“No no you must have him take you, I cannot allow you to journey there on your own. I understand this ah, ‘mission’ is very important but without your other reapers, it is much too dangerous, methinks.” He looked at her with hopeful eyes.

Ray sighed. “Who is this friend, then? I will at least talk to him.”

“His name is Hemlock, yes yes. A swell old fellow, known him for nearly a decade now. He’s a wonderful hunter, I’m sure you’ll get along. And please, take that letter to him, it’s important.” He paused, tapping a finger to his jaw. “Yes, he usually works at night so he should be available now,” he said, taking out a blank piece of paper, and scribbled onto it. “Knowing him, he’s at this bar, just follow these directions. That I at least know where it is,” he chuckled.

“Right now? It’s hardly noon,” Ray said.

“Yes a day drinker, but I promise he’s a great man. He’s never given me trouble before.”

The reaper stood up, and Mr. Shurgate held out his hand for a shake. She took it, a bit awkwardly. He thanked her a million times over, and sent her out.