GRIM

A beat throbbed in my chest as she bolted out of the office. It was deep and menacing.

I clenched the file in my hand.

Estelle was simple. She had two months. Sixty days seared onto her forehead, and all her records were trash. She hardly completed her fieldwork correctly—ever. It made my skin boil even more than Death's curse.

And she came into my office with the mindset of a sycophant like I would absolve the issue without her having to do any of the heavy lifting.

Let's see how she fares if we start tonight. I had infinite time. And the thought of seeing her caught off guard stirred something in my hollow chest. It would be thrilling to see someone who's face said one thing and their actions said another.

She was going to be fun to correct.

I grabbed the files and stored them in my draw. My pocket wallet ticked and a million more souls were released from life. Every second. Hundreds. Thousands. Millions. It was tiresome. I couldn't believe I used to handle them all by myself.

I waved my hand and the crimson and ink colored portal tore through the air, a small glare revealed a green suede couch and a bunch of books scattered on the tan rug.

The muscles in my neck tensed. She was a disaster in and out of the office. An unsavory way to maintain one’s living quarters.

I stepped through the portal and it closed behind me. A weak hiss came from the sofa but I didn't give the beast another thought as I avoided all the books on the carpet. I crouched low and instinctively grabbed them off the floor and placed them back on her black bookshelf in alphabetical order. Disturbed at how she turned it on its side and used it as a TV stand.

One book caught my attention and I scanned the cover. Six Ways to Seduce the Devil. I winced and flicked my wrist. Another portal opened by my side and I dropped the book, sending it to a landfill.

There was no need for trash like this when she was working under me. It’s insulting.

I walked over to the matching loveseat and took a seat. I glanced down and my black suit was saturated in cat hair. Two minutes and I was covered. I groaned and leaned way from the chair.

What was taking her so long? My patience was growing thinner with each click of my watch.

The door knob rattled but the presence of another was behind her.

I shifted in the chair and uncrossed my legs.

The door swung open.

She stumbled into the room. Her brown hair bounced as she twisted to face the man.

“Sorry for the mess, I didn't expect, well. You know.” Estelle smiled and it was shy and delicate, her gold eyes shimmered like stars in the darkness.

I glared at the man sweeping his hand through his hair as he chuckled.

Estelle’s bashful behavior pinched a nerve in me as she pushed him against the couch.

My nails dug into the side arms of the chair and my glare deepened. Not even an hour after work and this was what she planned to do with her weekend?

After a meeting with me? Estelle knew she was on thin ice. No. She needed to correct her mistakes immediately.

“Your break is over.”