Bella walked into the staff room of the store to find Amisha sitting there, fidgeting with her fingers. She looked so scared and tired that Bella's heart sank. This girl had been through a lot. To be kidnapped by a French Billionaire while on your way back from school in India? That was crazy to even think about. How influential were the Beauforts to have pulled off something like this?
"Hey." Bella spoke gently, "you're safe now. You can relax."
Amisha turned toward Bella and just looked at her for a few seconds. After some time had passed, she walked over to her and hugged her tight. Bella was caught off guard, she didn't know how to respond, but knowing that the girl was probably seeking comfort at the moment, Bella reciprocated the hug.
"Thank you," Amisha spoke, "Thank you for saving me."
"You should thank Armel. He was the one who planned the whole thing. We just helped him out."
Just then, the others showed up at the door too. Looking at the scene, the others felt really bad for Amisha. Love walked over to the two girls and joined in on the hug. She then waved at the others to join in on the big group hug to comfort Amisha who needed it. Once they all pulled away, it was time to talk.
"Amisha, it was my fault that I overlooked your safety. Please forgive me." Time apologized.
"It wasn't your fault, Time. None of us would've imagined this could happen."
"No, Amisha. I should've seen it coming. Anyway, I think rather than dwelling over the fact that I messed up, I'd like to appreciate these three young people here for saving you." Time turned to the three French folks, "Thank you so much for all you've done and will do for us."
Amisha then looked at the two boys standing there, proud that they'd helped her and blushing from the gratitude Time had bestowed upon them. She walked up to them and bowed to them politely as they do in her culture when they are grateful to someone. The boys were caught a little off guard but awkwardly bowed back to her.
"Thank you so much." Amisha smiled, "Bella told me that it was you Armel who planned my rescue. Thank you, Ben, for helping too."
"You don't have to thank us, Amisha. We are glad that you are safe. That's all that matters at the moment." Armel blushed harder.
Amisha couldn't help but notice how adorable he looked at the moment. The dimpled smile, the pink cheeks, the curly hair. But more than his looks, he was a good person. He'd risked his job and done the right thing, not caring about the consequences. It would've been so much easier for him to ignore her and just do what he was asked to, but he didn't. He chose to do the right thing and that saved her from being used by Life to get to Shiuli.
"Amisha, Time and I must leave now." Love took her hands in hers, "for your protection, for the time being, we have arranged you to stay with Bella for a few days before we can take you back to the place we are currently residing."
"You mean, I can't go home?"
"No, Amisha." Time sighed, "I'm so sorry, but they know the location of your home and it is not safe."
"What about Shiuli? Can't I go stay with her for a few days?"
Love felt that question sting a little. Honestly, she could and she should. Time was furious at Love when she suggested that they let Amisha stay with Bella for a few days. How could they trust these people with Amisha when they'd only known them for a few hours? But Love was adamant because she knew something the other creatures did not. She did have a hidden agenda here. Amisha would be the safest here and with a strong protection spell that only Love could cast, all the four of these humans here would be safe from Life and his minions.
"Amisha, we understand that your safety is at threat and if we can help, we would love to," Armel spoke.
Amisha looked at everyone around her. She wasn't sure about this arrangement. Firstly, she hardly knew these people even though they'd just rescued her from a kidnapper. Secondly, she was in freaking France! This was too much to take in.
"What about my parents?" Amisha was concerned, "They must be so worried!"
Amisha was kidnapped on her way back from school. Even though only a day or so had passed since she had gone missing from home, she was sure everyone would be doing their best to find her.
Time walked up to Amisha and whispered, "I can cast a spell and make them forget about the whole kidnapping part when it is safe for you to go back home. Until then, I will personally make sure that they aren't so stressed about the situation."
"But this is all happening so fast!"
"I know," Time sighed and patted her shoulder reassuringly, "But this is not only for your own safety but your family's safety too. Not to forget Shiuli and Death."
Knowing there was no way else they could deal with this situation, Amisha agreed to stay with Bella until the creatures had figured out a better plan.
***
"I must be in hiding, but I must still fulfill my duties as the creature of Death."
Death and Shiuli were still bound by a pack and she was still his apprentice. Death had gotten a notification of a special soul that they had to recover from Lebanon. This was a young man in his 20s who was a musician and would die due to a heart attack.
"Who is the soul?" Shiuli asked.
"It is a man named Ibrahim. He is in his 20s and will pass away due to a heart attack."
"Heart attack in his 20s?" Shiuli was shocked, "He's too young!"
"I know, my love. But we do not get to ask these questions. Our job is to just do what is asked of us."
Shiuli leaned on Death's side and rested her head on him. This is how they'd met; his job was what brought them together, hence cribbing about how hard it is was not something Shiuli was going to do. She would have to be stronger from now on. She was Death's girlfriend.
"Let's go."
Death closed his eyes and before Shiuli could even take a deep breath to get herself ready for the task, they were in Byblos, Lebanon. They were standing by the cliff overlooking the sea when Shiuli saw another person sitting a few feet left of them. He was a man in his 20s and he had a guitar in his hands. He was humming to himself with a smile plastered on his face, showing how the sea breeze and the spectacular view were enchanting him.
Shiuli did not have to ask, one look at Death and the way he nodded, she knew who that man was. It was Ibrahim. It was him, whose soul they were going to take.
"Let's sit down here for a moment," Death suggested, "We still have time."
Shiuli sat down next to Death, her head still resting on his shoulder. Death pulled her closer and put his hand around her. It was a weird feeling that surrounded them. Shiuli felt sad, upset, yet calm about taking this soul. It was unfair for his life to end like this! But life wasn't fair… she of all people knew that very well. But the thing that brought her calm was the fact that the man looked so much at peace at the moment. He looked like if his world ended at this moment, he'd still be at peace.
"Is the afterlife as calming and peaceful as this?" Shiuli asked.
"It depends on your deeds and karma," Death replied, "On the judgment grounds, your final fate is decided."
"Do you think my parents found peace?"
Death felt the melancholy in Shiuli's voice. He turned towards her and pecked her cheek quickly before answering, "They did. They were good people Shiuli."
"And do you think I can ever go see them?"
"Humans who are alive can never visit the afterlife, my love."
"But I'm an immortal now, Death," Shiuli tried to reason, "Can't I just see them briefly and come back?"
Death was pained because he saw the pain in Shiuli's eyes. Just when he'd think that she was happier and getting over the sad demise of her parents, they'd come across a situation that would trigger her memories of that day again. There was nothing wrong with remembering your parents, but Shiuli did not just do that. In that process, she would blame herself for being the lone survivor of that accident. It was her survivor's guilt that kept her from embracing herself for who she was.
"Baby," Death cupped her face, "What if I told you they were happy and peaceful? Wouldn't that be enough? Can't you trust me?"
"I trust you, but my heart…"
Shiuli couldn't complete that sentence and she couldn't. Because on the other side, Ibrahim had fallen to the ground, motionless.
"It is time," Death got up, "Wait here while I got fetch his soul."