Chapter 18
"Well, she's dead," Gracie said, her voice cutting through the air.
Natasha froze, her palms flying to cover her mouth.
"Oops, I'm sorry... I didn't mean—"
"No, it's alright," Gracie interrupted, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Natasha decided to push the memories aside. The past was the past; there was no use digging up things that couldn't be changed. Heather was long gone, and Lilith... well, Lilith didn't exist anymore. It was better to focus on the present.
Later, she shared the news of her promotion with her colleagues. Some congratulated her warmly, while others shot her envious glares. She didn't care. Her path was hers to walk.
After gathering her belongings, Natasha headed back to the top floor. On the way, a grim reaper crossed her line of sight.
"Don't look, don't look," she muttered under her breath, eyes glued to the floor. Grim reapers meant death, and she didn't want any part of it. Someone's soul was about to be collected...poor them.
When she burst into Drogen's office, she was out of breath.
"I saw... I saw a grim reaper," she gasped.
Drogen's eyes widened as he hurriedly stood up. "Did he approach you?"
"No," she shook her head quickly, "I think he's here for someone else."
Drogen relaxed slightly but still looked tense. "Alright. Until he's gone, act like nothing is happening. Understand?"
Natasha nodded, trying to steady her breathing.
"Now," Drogen continued, "your first task as my secretary, review these files for me."
"Right away, sir," she replied, eager to distract herself.
Barely had she started when distant screams echoed through the building. Her heart sank. Someone had died.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she followed Drogen as he went to check. But when she saw the body, her world tilted. It was Gracie, lying in a pool of blood, her lifeless eyes staring at nothing.
"Gracie! No, no, no!" Natasha pushed past the crowd, her knees giving out as she knelt beside her friend. "We just talked a moment ago. How... how did this happen?"
Tears blurred her vision, and breathing felt impossible. Emotions stormed inside her, raw and uncontrollable. Drogen winced, her turmoil affecting his own control...
"Nat," he said softly, "the police are on their way. You need to leave."
"I should've followed that reaper," she sobbed. "Maybe I could've seen who did this—"
"Natasha, listen to me," Drogen said firmly, grabbing her shoulders. "You need to calm down. Come with me."
When she refused to move, he sighed and scooped her into his arms. She didn't resist, too lost in grief. He carried her to the elevator, and as the doors closed, they vanished into thin air.
When they reappeared, they were in Drogen's apartment. Natasha pulled away, her tear-streaked face filled with anguish.
"You should've let me stay," she whispered. "She was my only real friend."
"Nat," Drogen said gently, "that body you saw... it's just an empty vessel now. You might see her again if she chooses to become a grim reaper. Pray she makes that choice."
"Really? Then how can I see her now? Is there a way to convince her?" Natasha's eyes lit up with a desperate hope.
"Most souls prefer to pass on and be reborn, grim reaper are people who either have regrets or obsession and don't want to be reborn yet or someone who sined and instead of rotting in hell, decided to become a grim reaper to pay for their sin, if your friend doesn't have any regrets or obsession with this world, she'll definitely be reborn"
"She was murdered," Natasha said bitterly. "She'd want revenge. She has to."
"Revenge is forbidden for grim reapers."
"Then help me convince her, Drogen. Please."
Drogen hesitated, her pleading eyes tearing at his resolve. Finally, he sighed.
"I'll try." He wrapped her in a hug, gently patting her back to calm her trembling.
When her sobs subsided, he pulled away.
"Stay here. I'll find your friend," he promised before vanishing like smoke.
*******
Drogen arrived in the underworld, heading straight for the new arrivals section.
"Sir Drogen," a guard greeted him nervously. "How can we help you?"
"I need to speak with one of the souls," Drogen replied, his tone sharp.
"That's against the rules, sir," the guard stammered.
"It'll be quick," Drogen said coldly, his gaze enough to make the guards step aside. No one wanted to risk his wrath.
Inside, thousands of souls lined up for the river of rebirth. Drogen's deep voice boomed across the hall.
"Who's Gracie?"
Gasps rippled through the crowd, but a familiar face pushed through.
"Hey, it's you" Gracie's voice was filled with surprise. "Wait... are you dead too?"
"No," Drogen said bluntly. "Natasha sent me to convince you to become a grim reaper."
Gracie's eyes widened. "What? Are you... are you a grim reaper?"
He nodded.
"I knew there was something off about you! But why can Natasha see grim reapers?"
"Long story. She'll explain later. Are you willing to become a grim reaper?"
Gracie hesitated. "I... I don't even remember how I died."
Drogen frowned. "You don't remember anything?"
"I remember seeing the face of the grim reaper who collected my soul as soon as I woke up, I looked down at my body to find out I was dead, stabbed to death to be specific....but the moments before? They're gone."
Drogen sighed. "Murder victims often lose their last memories to prevent them from seeking vengeance and becoming evil spirits."
Gracie clenched her fists. "If I become a grim reaper, can I investigate who did this?"
"You can. But personal revenge is forbidden."
"That's fine. I'll figure it out within the rules. I'm not passing up this chance...I'll be sure to find the bastard who murdered me and Make sure to be the last face he sees on his way to hell" Gracie said, clenching her fist. Her resolve was fierce.
Drogen nodded, though a part of him wondered if he'd just made things more complicated.
"Come with me."