The Reaper (S E Rise's The Fade series Book 1)

by S E Rise

  I need to keep my head. I want nothing more than to tear him limb from limb but I need answers.

  “I thought we had concluded our business Marley or did you not understand the ultimatum I had given you.”

  Marley threw back his head and laughed at the ceiling above him. When he once again regained control of himself he brought his focus back into what I had said.

  “Oh I understood you just fine Jack. Though I must warn you…you might find me a little harder to beat up on than the boy I once was.”

  I let him continue. I needed to steer this in the direction of Brin’s father.

  “You going to take my other eye now Jack? Does this break the rules of your ultimatum or do I specifically have to summon you. You did say summon me right?”

  Or use words of enchantment against me…

  “And your way of getting back at me is to kill the sick and elderly in their beds and to steal old men away as they bury their father’s? That’s kind of chicken shit if you ask me.”

  His toothy smile turned into a sneer and he tilted his head to the side in an attempt to pop his neck.

  “It will all make sense eventually Jack and I can’t wait for you see how it turns out. Hey Jack, you want to see something else I learned in prison?” he asked wrinkling his nose in a impish sort of way. Like a kid that has a naughty secret he just has to tell to someone.

  “Not really.” I said and turned to leave. The light of the red eye filled the room as he lifted the patch. Insanity raged within.

  “I got a new eye and a whole lot of new tricks to show you Jack. You’re going to love this one.” He said and wherever the red light touches, small mangled bodies began to stir.

  Ah shit.

  As the dead orphans manage to gain their feet, I took a step backwards. There were at least fifty of them. Their teeth were gnashing, fingers clawing and the red glow shown from their eyes. I took a step towards the window and they attacked. I made it perhaps two steps before the first one sunk his teeth into the flesh of my forearm. With its teeth still buried into my arm, I swung it whole bodily around and smashed it into the others that approached. The teeth had torn a shallow strip from my flesh and I wasn’t about to let another of the little beasts have the chance to take more out of the other arm. The things were quick though and I had to stomp, smash and throw a handful or more of the pajama clad zombie attackers out of my path. I didn’t wait for permission to leave and I tossed myself through nearest pane glass window. The glass was old and from another age, therefore it did not shatter as one might think it would. Shards and slivers of knife sized pieces entered me as I smashed onto the ground. Though painful, none were debilitating enough to keep me from rolling onto my back and looking back up at the window.

  I expected to see the pajama clad biters leaping out and towards me but was rewarded with a different sight altogether. Marley watched with an amused expression and occasionally petted one the dead red eyed orphans that surrounded him.

  “Give that pretty little girlfriend of yours a kiss for me and tell her not to worry, her daddy will be coming home soon.”

  Shit.

  I turned and walked away as calmly as I could. I didn’t want him to see that his words had gotten to me or that I was truly worried for the first time. He knew about Brin.

  Shit.

  Chapter Twenty Four

  It was too late at night to call her, I mean I could but then after what I had been through I wasn’t sure I could keep from telling her everything. If I did that then I had no doubt that our relationship would come to a swift and abrupt end. So I did the next best thing. I sat on the door step of her apartment until dawn. Exhaustion eventually got the best of me and I dozed off for a bit. The street sweepers woke me and I leapt to my feet; instantly awake and hyper alert. Brin would be getting up soon and headed to work. I didn’t plan on letting her out of my sight. I crossed the street to the curb side coffee café and stole two cups of coffee from an unsuspecting patron. I didn’t have the time or the patience to go about it the right way.

  Thirty minutes later she emerged and I surprised her with a morning coffee.

  “Good morning to you, I just happened to be in the neighborhood and thought you might enjoy a cup of coffee.”

  “Oh my God, Jack, I was just about to call you.”

  “Really now? That’s a pleasing thought.” I said and I felt anything but pleased. I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear what she had to say. I handed her the warm cup of java and she accepted it without question. I had no idea what the lady I stole it from had ordered and I hoped it was actually coffee.

  “Thank you,” she said and took a sip. “I was just going to call you. My Dad called early this morning. He said he is fine and just got a little overwhelmed by everything. He said he would be home late tonight.” The smile on her face was one of relief. I wasn’t about to take that smile away. I seriously doubted that it was her father that had called but I couldn’t tell her that.

  “Wow, that’s fantastic.”

  “I know right? I can’t tell you how relieved I am.”

  “Yes you can, if you don’t mind me walking you to work.”

  “Not at all sir.”

  “Good because I just so happen to have something special for you.”

  “For little ol’me?”

  Chapter Twenty Five

  It was an opera house on its last legs but it still booked quality shows from time to time. The seats were worn and had the smell of age but not in a bad way. She had been thrilled at the idea of going to the opera and I could only imagine how she would experience it. We were alone but for one other couple seated closer to the stage. I had been here from time to time over the years and knew exactly were to sit to experience the best sound. This was actually the first time I had not been alone here and it felt…it felt right.

  Tears rolled from her eyes as the enchanting voice brought the final scene to a close. She held squeezed my hand with a fierceness I had not expected. I returned the embrace and waited for her to say something. She stood and I followed her up. Still holding my hand she turned and looked up into my eyes.

  “Thank you Jack.”

  “You’re welcome.” I answered and she pulled me down into a fierce but tender kiss. Her lip quivered just the slightest bit.

  I breathed in her breath as her lips hovered close to mine.

  “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into Jack, because it just might be too late to turn back.” She said and didn’t give me a chance to answer. Her lips were needful and I gave them what they desired.

  It was dark when we emerged and it had rained. The smell of rain on the street was intoxicating and we strolled along like two lovers without a care in the world. I believed she was safe in my arms and she knew she was. There is that moment in the relationship when you know things are going to become intimate. It isn’t an obvious thing, more a subtle thing. The casualness in which your hips touch or the sigh upon her breath during a kiss. It is a special moment in the relationship, it is a first between you two and it is deliciously new. No matter where the relationship goes down the line or how many times you make love there will never be a moment like this between the two of you ever again. When you both know it, it is magical.

  Chapter Twenty Six

  We laughed and walked arm in arm, simply enjoying each other’s company. If the thought “It doesn’t get any better than this” ever enters your mind, then know that fate has heard you and in her jealousy has decided to intervene.

  I felt the compulsion slam into me then and it made me miss a step. She noticed my discomfort and asked me if I was okay. The compulsion was like none I had ever felt before and I had to stop for a second.

  “Jack, are you okay?” she asked and I heard the edge of worry enter her voice. Before I could answer I turned and faced the dark alley nearest to me.

  From the shadows two men appeared.

  The thug closest to me aimed a revolver at Brin’s head and shouted at her to co
me to him.

  “What, Jack what’s going on?” the second one kept his eyes on me and pressed the barrel of his gun under my chin.

  “Everything is going to be fine.” I said to her and the thug pointing his gun at her head looked at his partner in confusion.

  “What did you say?” he asked and the one holding the barrel under my chin looked at him.

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  I was forgotten and I made my move. The compulsion burned in me and I gave into it with extreme prejudice. These two were going to die. There was no doubt and for the first time ever I was going to be the one doing the killing. I had never been faced with this situation before. Never have I had to reap the souls of someone that had died at my own hands. The world slowed and I stepped between the moments. Forgotten and free to move at will, I buried my eight inch blade into the throat of the mugger closest to me. He dropped to the ground with a gurgling crunch. I saw the second one panic and level the revolver once again at Brin’s head, his finger on the trigger was about to squeeze.

  I needed the gun pointed in my direction.

  “Hey Fucker.” I pushed the words at him and saw his eyes turn in my direction. I spread my arms to contain his attention and stepped towards him.

  “What the fuck?” he said and turned the barrel in my direction. I simultaneously stepped to the outside edge of the barrel and spun myself down the length of his outstretched arm. With a sickening thud, I buried the 8 inch blade to the hilt into the side of his head. The tip pushed out the other side. His finger squeezed the trigger in reflex and ricocheted off the wall behind me. Brin screamed at the sound of the gun discharging and I felt my world begin to collapse.

  The mugger dropped to the ground and I left my knife buried in the side of his head. Brin stood in stunned shock. I yelled her name and crossed the distance.

  No, this can’t be happening.

  No, no, no, no….

  She looked up in to my face and then down to the hand to where the togo cup of coffee had been.

  “Brin…” I asked and expected her to collapse in my arms.

  “It hit my coffee.” She said in disbelief.

  “What?” I asked and realized I had grabbed hold of both her arms.

  “It didn’t hit me. It hit my coffee.” She said and I reluctantly let go of her shoulders and simultaneously checked her body.

  “Jack, stop I’m fine.” she said and grabbed hold of my face. I stared into her eyes and felt myself let out the breath that I had been holding for way too long. I took another and brought myself back into the situation and world I had just created. The compulsion and pains of hell tore through me and I nearly became weak in the knees. I pulled her aside, looked up and down the street to see if anyone had noticed the gun shot and pressed her against the wall. The souls of the two muggers sat on the ground and looked towards their dead bodies in disbelief.

  “Don’t move.” I said to her and both of the ethereal thugs looked up at me.

  This had never happened before and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. They weren’t unsanctioned because I felt the compulsion and pains of hell within me but I had never had to reap the souls of someone I had knowingly killed with my own hands. This was supposed to be forbidden. I pulled out my Reaper’s Scythe and hesitated. I saw her flinch out of the corner of my eye and wondered at her response. There was no way she could see it and I turned my thoughts to the actions at hand.

  I brought the scythe down and across their tethers. I didn’t wait to see them leave. I put away my scythe and turned back to Brin. Her eyes were wide and she looked more frightened now than she had before.

  “Jack, what just happened?” she asked and took in a deep breath, her face turning down and towards the two dead bodies. I didn’t know how to answer and before I could she asked another question.

  “Jack, I can smell the stink of blood. Holy shit Jack, did you just kill those guys?” The expression on her face told me she already knew the answer.

  “No, but I wish I had. Come on let’s get out of here. I doubt they will be returning anytime soon but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

  She didn’t believe me and there wasn’t much I could do about it.

  “Don’t fucking lie to me Jack. I know what death smells like and right know it reeks of it.”

  I almost smiled at her words. Of all the words she could have chosen it had to be those.

  “Brin, there is a lot of their blood on my hands because of what I just did to them. I will not pretend that I didn’t do what I just did to them. What I can tell you is that they will think twice about ever mugging someone ever again…I hurt them badly, I’m not ashamed of it and I would like to get the stink of their blood off of me.”

  Her eyes, though unable to see me, looked up into mine for what seemed like an eternity. Her next words surprised me.

  “Thank you for saving my life.”

  “Of course, sorry about your coffee though.”

  She looked at me in confusion and then her face brightened in amazement.

  “Oh My God! I almost forgot about that.” she exclaimed and I took her hand guiding her away from the two dead men in the shadowed alley. I would have to come back for those two and dispose of them the proper way. The easiest way would be to open the entrance to the black trap and drop them both in to the black then open the exit in the black as well. If not then the moment I opened the exit they both would come tumbling out. Not a scene I wish to explain.

  In the corner of my eye I see the figure step out of the shadow and lean against the wall. I have no doubt who it is.

  Well Marley, now you know how far I will go. I hope you like the answer.

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  If I had expected to continue our evening at her place I was in for a disappointment. But as luck would have it, she made it easy for me. I needed to go back anyway, before they were discovered and get rid of the bodies. I couldn’t exactly use the “I have to go to work” excuse at the moment. The mood had definitely changed and there wasn’t an easy way to alter our course.

  “Hey do mind taking me by my Dad’s place? I am exhausted after all this excitement and I want to see if he is home yet.”

  That was a subtle hint if I ever heard one.

  “Not at all.” It was a genius move and I silently applauded her for it. We passed her place and continued on for a couple blocks until we were in front of the deli. She turned and looked up at me and I could see she knew what could have happened tonight.

  “No worries. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Good, because I’m not going to let you.” She said and I felt the promise in the touch of her lips. I held her for a moment longer and felt her give in for the release. She stepped back and smiled. “Okay, I’m going to go up and check to see if my dad is home and I will see you tomorrow. Okay?”

  “Tomorrow it is.” I responded and as she bit her bottom lip, I almost changed my mind about letting her go.

  She turned and headed directly to the door of her father’s apartment. Though it was above the Deli, he still marveled as how easily she able to function without her sight.

  And yet, there is not a trace of magical ability within her. I would have been able to tell by now.

  I stepped back and before turning away I looked up at the window as the light came on. Her father’s figure looked down upon him as she let herself into the hall of stairs that lead up to his apartment. He silently waited as he mentally envisioned her knocking on the apartment door. Plenty of time had elapsed and still the figured looked out the window. Is he looking at me or just looking out the window in general?

  Whatever her dad was doing it felt weird and I decided to hang out for a moment longer. Brin eventually exited from the door she had entered and I watched as she oriented herself. I almost panicked for a minute as she brought out her phone, hesitated and put it back into her pocket.

  I silently followed her back to her place and waited for her to enter. I walked
up the street and dialed her number. She answered on the first ring.

  “Hey, missing me already?”

  “I am and I am just making sure you made it home safe.”

  “Ah aren’t you sweet.”

  “I am…How’s your Dad doing? You still at his place?”

  “Nope, I’m home. Dad still wasn’t home yet.”

  “Oh man that sucks. I figured he would be home by now. Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be there in the morning.” I said and unfortunately, I knew I was right. After a few moments we said goodnight and I headed back to where the bodies lay.

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  I headed back to where the bodies lay and stopped. Looked up and down the street and reconfirmed that I was in fact at the right alley. I am sure that this is the alley.

  So where are the bodies?

  That’s a damn good question.

  The bodies were gone. I stepped in to the shadow, saw their blood splashed across the wall and on the ground. This was where I left them. I had no doubt.

  Apparently someone had decided to clean up after me.

  How considerate of him…

  This didn’t sit well with me and I decided to turn back towards Brin’s place. Of course duty called once again and I felt the compulsion taking me in the opposite direction. Hours later I swung back past Brin’s place. All looked normal; but only as much as I could make out of course. I suppose I could let myself in to her place but I am not willing to do that. Normally, I could probably get away with it because of the Forget Me spell but the spell didn’t work on her.