"So…" I drawled, staring at the serene scene before us. "What's your opinion?"
"Opinion of what?" Death asked, giving me a sideward glance.
"Of the two important men in my high school life," I replied.
We were sitting on the bench where Boss and younger Evangeline were seated. The two delinquents, mere memories and not real people, disappeared into the dark abyss.
The park that was once filled with parkgoers also disappeared with them, rendering the park completely empty—except for Death and me, of course. What was left were the ducks that were swimming in the pond.
"You know what? Scratch that," I said. "Before you answer my question, can you at least tell me why there are still ducks in this memory when there's no soul left in this park?"
"There is a soul left," Death snickered. "Yours."
I rolled my eyes at him, not willing to play with his games right now.
"Obviously." I made sure he noticed the irritation in my voice.
But even if he did, Death didn't show any signs that he did.
"I don't know." Death shrugged. "I thought they fit perfectly in the scenery, so I didn't bother removing them along with the younger you, Boss, and the other park-goers. Plus," he added as an afterthought, "Who doesn't like ducks?"
I frowned. "That doesn't make sense."
He shrugged again.
"We're in the In-Between, Evangeline." He pointed it out. "I am Death. And you are dead. The logic of the living has no place here."
"I guess." It was my turn to shrug. "Anyway," I shook my head, changing the topic. "Answer my question!"
Death raised his eyebrows. "My opinion about Boss and Klaus?"
I nodded eagerly.
Death hummed, contemplating for a few seconds. He leaned back on the bench, his gaze fixed on the ducks gliding gracefully on the peaceful pond.
"Well," he said, "for starters, let's talk about my opinion about Boss first."
I nodded.
"Boss… seems like a complex person." Death began. "As a gang leader, you'd expect him to act like a stereotypical one: beating people up, threatening to murder those who block his way, all that shit that the media forces you to think a delinquent should be."
"But he is more than that," I whispered, more to myself than to Death.
"He is more than that," Death agreed. "With his physique and how cold he acted, you'd think he was a man of steel. But it seemed that beneath that tough exterior, he had a vulnerability that few knew."
"Though he wasn't necessarily hiding it," I said. "People were just afraid to get to know him more."
"And you weren't?" He inquired.
"I wouldn't say I was afraid; I have more reservations." I clarified. "There's a reason why I didn't join his thug club after all."
"And that is?"
"I don't want to."
"That's an easy answer, but knowing how much of a simpleton you are, I'll accept it." Death chuckled.
"Hey!" I yelled. "You just called me a simpleton!"
"Yes, yes, I did."
"You—"
"For Klaus," Death continued, not even waiting for me to finish my insult. "He presented himself as a seemingly good-natured guy. He was the kind of guy who appeared empathetic, always ready to lend a listening ear and offer a helping hand. To many, he seemed like the embodiment of kindness and sincerity."
"If you think he embodies kindness and sincerity, why do you hate him?" I probed.
"You didn't even let me finish." Death huffed.
I gestured for him to continue, so he did.
"However, his acts of kindness were calculated. He does it to gain the favor and trust of others. He seemed to know exactly what to say and do to win people over, as expected from a student politician."
"He's a student council president," I corrected.
"Same thing."
"Well, I heard before I died that he was running for a position in the local office," I suddenly remembered. "I guess the school is a breeding ground for future politicians."
"Whether you believe it or not." Death smirked.
"Whether I believe it or not," I nodded in agreement.
"Boss and Klaus were like two sides of a coin," Death continued, returning to the topic. "Complementary in some aspects, yet fundamentally different in others. Boss was the bold and brash one, while Klaus was the calm and collected one.
"They each had their strengths and weaknesses, their flaws and virtues. Both of them had an impact on your life. In their own ways, they shaped who you became, influencing your choices and experiences.
"Their presence in your life served a purpose. It's not unusual for people to encounter individuals who leave a lasting impression, changing the course of your journey known as life."
I felt a mixture of gratitude and nostalgia wash over me. Despite the complexities and challenges of my high school days, both Boss and Klaus left a mark on my heart, shaping me into the person I am. Or rather, who I was.
"Weird, you sound so knowledgeable and well-versed about human life right now." I couldn't help but chuckle.
"But I am!" Death insisted, folding his arms together like a child. "You're not the first soul that I brought to the In-Between. And Boss and Klaus aren't the only people with that personality; throughout the millennia I've worked as a Death by Suicide."
"I didn't say that I was!" I replied defensively.
"You're making it sound like I was just born yesterday!" Death pouted.
I chuckled even more until my stomach started hurting. This seemed to infuriate Death even more. But instead of yapping at me, he did the polar opposite. He looked at the view in front of us and immediately calmed down.
I did the same.
As we sat in the stillness of the In-Between, the ducks continued to swim in the pond, seemingly oblivious to the profound conversation on the bench.
"Death," I asked, breaking the silence, "Are there other memories you want to show me?"
A mysterious smile played on Death's lips, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.
"Of course," he replied. "We have not reached the tip of the iceberg in your high school memories. But for now, let's rest here for a while, and perhaps you'll discover more about yourself and the souls you once knew."