I Since the Omar incidents, August and I had not gotten the name from Death. The fact that no one died was fortunate, but it meant that I couldn't leave Jericho. My favorite place to kill time had evolved into the library. August, on the other hand, was rarely here. I couldn't tell if he was upset that I knew about this secret place or if he had another reason. Even though we'd known each other for a while, it was still difficult to understand what he was thinking. Outside of work, he and I hardly spoke.
"You're just overthinking it," Mandy commented after I had discussed this with her. "Despite being a truly nice person, Gus doesn't really have a relationship with anyone."
"A nice person..." I tried to picture, but picturing August and I on the same page was unusual. He continued to discourage me. "I expected you to be upset since he treated you as if you were a child."
"He was always a bit of a jerk."
"He appears to know people all over, but no one appears to know him well."
I looked up at the same sunset sky I'd seen every day since coming in Jericho.
"You're right. I'd known him for a long time but knew nothing about his past. Nobody wants to discuss their pasts."
I locked my gaze on Mandy, hesitant to inquire about her past. Her words and tone suggested she didn't want to talk about it,unlike I, who was murdered in cold blood, longed for justice that no one could provide. I should stop worrying about the past, but who could?
"I've to go. See you later."
Mandy smiled and approached Dex, a young grim reaper her age. He was new to Jericho, but he got along well with Mandy. It was probably for the best that she had a friend her own age, but I couldn't help but feel that I had lost mine.
They walked closely together, conversing the entire time until they were out of my sight. They made me think of Gary. What if I didn't die? Would we be friends? Would Gary and I have a chance? I thought I was about to experience true love, but that murderer took it from me.
I redirected my attention to the evening sky. My emotions were well captured by the orangey color on the horizon.
I was pleased when August arrived to notify me that we had some job to do. I knew I shouldn't be joyful, but I'd been in Jericho for so long that I'd forgotten what day of the week it was. Reconnecting with the living side was just what I needed to feel better.
August did not say who our target was. He took me to the Fifth Avenue. It was a busy morning, and people were on their way to work. Lights were installed on both sides of the road. The shop was decked in red and green tones, signaling that Christmas was approaching. Horns and engine noises could be heard from all directions. On a regular day, I would be completely annoyed and irritated. I now craved such a mess. At the very least, it made me feel alive. Not because I dislike Jericho. But, unlike Jericho's artificial lights and sounds, the living side was unique.
"Where are we going?" I asked, as August led us along the path, mixing with the people. I gradually grew accustomed to people walking through me. It wouldn't be any different than learning to dance if I had to dodge.
"Almost there," he simply replied.
I could feel his coldness from the moment we left the police station. Even though that day was the first time I saw him show sympathy for humans and thought we understood each other better. The fact that he didn't talk to me outside of work showed me that we didn't think the same way.
August abruptly came to a halt in front of a bookstore. His expression shifted from surprised to an incomprehensible expression. Was it possible to be happy while also wanting to cry? That was exactly what I saw on August's face.
I followed his gaze to the book stack on display. Before I could even see the title or author, the sound of a car crash drew my attention to the intersection in front of me.
The silver car crashed into the side of the dark blue car. The driver was knocked out, while the other driver was left shocked in the car. Minutes afterwards, paramedics arrived and assisted the owner of the blue car in getting out of the vehicle to be transported to the hospital. August and I remained in the ambulance while paramedics attempted to save this man.
I couldn't believe everything was fine for a split second before the accident. This man had a slim chance of survival. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here.
As soon as we arrived at the hospital, the porters wheeled the man on the stretcher cart into the operating room. August and I stood outside, watching the chaos in the emergency department while others waited in line to be treated.
"Are you alright?"
I turned around because I recognized the voice. Gary came up to me at a half-walk, half-run pace. I couldn't stop smiling after an unexpected encounter. His lovely features brought back memories of our time at Jerry's. The fact that he walked right through me confirmed the reality.
Gary walked over to the woman with shoulder-length hair who had been waiting for him. She had a small face, honey-colored skin, and brown eyes that twinkled when she saw him. Lips twitched into a little smile. Her right ankle was wrapped in an ankle bandage.
"I was in a hurry. I fell down the stairs when I got off the subway station. It's nothing. I'm sorry you have to come here. You've got work to do."
"It's fine. I got off work late last night. I'll go to work later. Can you walk?"
Gary's soft voice made me feel as though my heart was constricting. He assisted her in leaving the emergency department. Every action was tinged with concern. This woman was obviously important.
Three months had passed since my death. It wasn't unusual that he met someone he liked. I probably wouldn't have stood a chance in the first place.
I shouldn't have felt anything, but the woman standing next to Gary was supposed to be me. Why was I always losing?
Even though the two of them had left the hospital a long time ago, I kept my gaze outside, hoping for a chance with the man.
"What happened to my husband?"
A woman in her forties rushed over to the nurse's station. She was our target's wife. The scene made me realize I was working. I shifted my gaze to August. He was lost in thought. He'd been acting like this since we were in the ambulance. Something bothered him, so I didn't say anything.
Mr. Lee was still alive when the nurse brought him out of the operating room. His wife attentively monitored him in the ICU and chatted to him even though he couldn't hear her. Two hours later, Mr. Lee's spirit appeared before us.
"Honey, honey, I'm here," he called to his wife, but she was crying over her husband's soulless body. "Turn around, I'm right here."
"She can't hear you." I said when August remained silent. My voice might have startled him out of his trance. He turned to face Mr. Lee.
No one wanted to be separated from their loved ones. Mr. Lee cried, but there were no tears, which made him even more upset. He scolded us and cursed the driver.
"This is not fair! Not fair!"
Like I didn't know death wasn't fair.
"You're dead. You can't change anything. Follow us willingly. It will benefit you more," August remarked.
"I have two kids. I can't let my wife deal with them alone. I'll stay."
"Staying doesn't help anyone. She can't see you. No one can."
"No. I believe she knows that I'm still here." Mr. Lee stated firmly as he observed his wife holding his hand.
"You can't stay here." August's tone conveyed his impatience. "The dead do not belong here. Follow me if you wish to take care of her."
Mr. Lee immediately paid attention.
"I can stay with her."
"As a spirit, you must come with me first. After that, it is entirely up to you."
Mr. Lee looked at his wife.
"Wait, my dear. I'll be right back."
Mr. Lee followed August into the black smoke, heading towards the void. He opened the door and invited the spirit to enter before closing it.
"Will he be back to the living side?"
"No. That was what he wanted to hear."
"You lied."
August gave me a blank stare.
"The dead are dead. Doesn't matter how you died. You cannot change anything! Death is the end."
I was irritated by the way he became furious with me; it wasn't fair for him to be angry with me.
"I understand that it's a job, but you shouldn't lie to him like that. Can't you tell he's worried about his family? Why don't you just explain nicely?"
"Nicely, you say? You're dead. What is too difficult to understand? It is not our obligation to sympathize with the deceased. It is our responsibility to get them here by all means possible. If you can't take it anymore, just walk through that door!"
He pointed to the closed wooden door. He despised me as if I were a plague.
"What's wrong with you!" I screamed. I had to clench my fists because both of my hands trembled. "I had been raped. I was murdered. I had to leave my beloved family. Never got a chance to know the person I liked. My life had been shattered. You think that was easy to understand? You're heartless! I don't know how you die, but you deserve it."
...What the hell am I saying? I didn't mean to say that.
I averted my gaze, afraid to look up at August.
"I'm sor…"
August vanished before I could complete my sentence.