Her eyes moved restlessly in her sleep. The discomfort was reflected in the frown between her eyebrows. As a result, she changed her position from supine to the right side. However, it did not change the situation much. The wrinkles were still visible, so her movements couldn't shake off the discomfort. So, it only meant one thing.
It was time for her to wake up.
A second later, the eyelids opened, revealing her brown eyes. She blinked a few times to adjust her vision to the new light pouring through her irises. She guessed it was late, seeing how bright her room was. Maybe eight or nine.
Reluctantly, she lifted her body, which felt very heavy. That was when she realized something. Her whole body felt sore. Her neck, shoulders, and back looked like they had just been hit by something heavy. Not to mention her two legs that seemed to be separated from her body. Finally, she felt the effects of her long journey.
Yes, that person was Luna.
She turned her head to the right and then to the left. There was no one there but her. What did she expect? Rio or her other comrades visited her? Do not dream.
Speaking of dreams, it looked like she didn't dream last night. In fact, she was curious about how it felt.
Luna removed the blanket covering her. After becoming a human, she finally felt how displeasing that creature was. That was everything that humans felt. Hot, cold, sultry, tired, and more. She had felt those in this extreme state.
While preparing to get out of bed, she thought about her activities for the day. What should she do?
--
Her footsteps felt light as she traced the paved path in front of her. After filling her stomach with a piece of bread and milk she bought, correction, Zach last night, she decided to walk around the apartment building. She wanted to try to blend in with the human world. The information she got during her duty as an angel of death and infiltrated into human activity seemed to have been sufficient as her provision to navigate her new life.
Yes, she was ready.
Her first destination was to go to the nearest supermarket. She needed to buy her necessities. Of course, with the money that Zach left for her.
She took a trolley from the row of trolleys and shopping baskets in front of the supermarket and then walked into the spacious building.
As her feet moved, her brain worked on estimating the order of the items she needed, starting with the most urgent. Food, followed by clothes. Not to be forgotten were toiletries, a medium-sized pot, and a cutlery set. She would skip the vegetable and fruit racks because she couldn't cook them. So, just instant food was the best idea for her.
She pushed her trolley towards the rows of instant noodles and other instant foods. She often saw humans make it. So, she was confident of being able to do the same. After all, there were instructions on the packaging so that even a beginner could follow them.
When she had enough, she moved her trolley to the row of clothes. She took two oversized t-shirts—white and grey—and cream-colored knee-length trousers. She didn't forget to take a pair of flip-flops displayed not far from there.
Then she turned to the toiletries. And the last one was cooking and eating utensils.
While choosing the pot size she needed, something hit her leg quite hard. A second later, there was a loud thud that caught her attention.
Luna turned and found a boy sitting right beside her. He was probably about four or five years old.
"You should be careful not to hit this auntie." A woman's voice was heard near to them. "Come on, stand up and apologize to Auntie," she continued behind the boy.
The boy stared at Luna for a long time, then carried out the order of the woman, who was probably his mother, to get up from his position. No protests or tears. It was great.
And even great, the boy immediately apologized to Luna. "I'm sorry, Auntie." Softly, he said. But the two women there could see the regret on his adorable face. Apparently, he had learned that his careless behavior resulted in the collision.
"Yeah, it's okay. Be careful next time, okay?" Luna said as friendly as possible. It was only a minor problem. The important thing was that the child knew his mistake, so it was enough. She didn't have to exaggerate because, after all, she wasn't hurt.
The boy nodded with his eyes fixed on Luna. Apparently, he was worried that the person he bumped into become angry.
"Did you hear what Auntie said, right? Be careful." The woman's tone was firm, though dominated by gentleness. She did not mean to scold but to warn him. "I'm sorry for my son, Ma'am." She changed her interlocutor to Luna when she said that.
Luna smiled understandingly. Children usually make mistakes. No. Children are supposed to make mistakes because that's where they learn. "It's okay, Ma'am."
Then, they made small talk until the boy grabbed his mother's hand to leave the area and follow him, while Luna's gaze continued to follow their departure with a hidden smile on her lips. She always liked children. To her, they were so innocent and adorable.
However, there was something that made her smile disappear instantly. The existence of a grim reaper who she recognized was named Rosa. And her brain immediately connected the creature's presence with the mother and son duo she had just met.
How could she be so sure?
The look in Rosa's eyes that turned to them was the answer.
"Which one? The mother or the son?" asked Luna, half-whispered when she and Rosa passed. She knew only one would end their life because only one grim reaper was on duty around them.
"The child. What a pity." There was concern in Rosa's voice.
Undeniably, Luna also felt the same way. She who loved children must see them die. So pathetic. "What caused it?"
"Choking." Rosa didn't have to look at her tablet to answer. She had memorized it even from the first time she read it. It was an unfortunate fate that took the life of an innocent being.
Luna turned back to the direction the duo had left. A feeling of inadequacy completely enveloped her. "Do I need to warn them?" It was an absurd idea that she doubted she could carry out.
Rosa looked at Luna in disbelief. "Don't meddle in human destiny anymore. Even though he's still a kid, his death is already written." She warned Luna. Her intonation was similar to the boy's mother used earlier.
An awkward grin appeared on her face. News of her must have been spread. The proof was that the grim reaper, who was not involved in the incident, was talking to her.
"I'll leave. The time almost comes," said Rosa without waiting for her reaction. And in an instant, her figure was no longer there.
Her eyes were still directed to the same place. An imminent panic would soon be heard, and she could do nothing about the situation.
She let out a long breath. Resigned.
Death was indeed everywhere.