First Soul
Page 27
“Why is it only me who can save Lester?” he asked.
“That is something you should ask Lester,” Death suggested.
He shook his head in annoyance because Lester wouldn’t answer his question. Stephen was restricted by the very person stood in this strange. This was a lot of pressure and responsibility to put on his shoulders and he’d been dealing with it so far but he was at breaking point.
Stephen didn’t trust easily, he had two best friends, ones he’d had since childhood. He didn’t give a place in his heart easily. Somehow, Lester had made his way in and Stephen believed him. He’d continued on this journey knowing it was to help Lester. He’d wanted to meet the person keeping hold over him. He’d wanted to hurt the person but how could you hurt Death?
His mind raced through everything he had learnt. He knew Lester was innocent; he just had to prove it. With so little information, how could he save him? He’d had somewhat of a rocky start with Lester and he felt like this put him on the back foot. Why couldn’t it be Deyna who had trusted him from the start? She could prove Lester’s innocence. She would stand here until she was blue in the face telling Death that Lester was innocent. Somehow he knew that words wouldn’t help Lester. It was actions Death required.
Stephen was an action man.
He tried to think back to what Lester had said about the murders. The details were blurring due to his panic, he clenched his fists, this was not the time. He took a deep breath and thought back to what Lester had told him, his movements of the morning. Lester had told them everything he could due to the restrictions. Everyone looked at him, three pairs of eyes pleading with him to get the answer right. Shining rubies glared at him pleased that he couldn’t find his tongue.
“I can’t...”
Whilst he shook his head, he could see dejection land heavily on Lester’s shoulders. Lester was counting on him and he was failing. Death’s china white hand reached for Lester, before Death could take him, he jerked into action. His first thought was to protect Lester like he would protect any of his friends. They’d been though the ringer together and to fall at the last hurdle was heartbreaking.
Death had hardly given him a chance to figure this entire thing out, pressuring him so he couldn’t think. Stephen had spent the majority of his life not thinking about the actions that had gotten him into a lot of trouble, he spent time avoiding it but now he had to think. He needed to.
For Lester.
The look of pure fear on Lester’s face had him reaching out and trying to grab Lester. He couldn’t let this man sink into the pits of hell because his brain wouldn’t work right.
“Wait! How the hell do you expect me to figure everything out? At every turn you sent those bloody creatures after us?!”
Death smiled, or at least Stephen thought he did, the skeleton always seemed to smile.
“I’m rather fond of my creatures.”
“I bet you are,” Stephen snarled.
Death pulled Lester towards the house. Phillip grabbed Lester’s arm, the two of them playing tug of war. How was Phillip holding onto Lester? Lester’s internal light didn’t even flicker. Stephen realised that Lester was becoming whole. Stephen knew as their journey had progressed that Lester was becoming more of the man he’d been, the eyes had been first and now he was starting to look less like a ghost.
“You will not take him. Take my soul, take it instead!”
Stephen thrust his hand at Death so he could take him. Death let go of Lester and lurched towards him. Phillip tumbled to the floor holding onto Lester.
“No, Stephen!” Phillip shouted jumping in front of him.
“You cannot do that, Stephen!” Lester stormed.
“No, Pip. It’s fine.” He looked at Lester. “You didn’t do it. I know that now, but I’m undecided on the murderer.”
Lester touched his hand, the cold barely a flicker on his skin. “Whatever you decide lad, I’m just happy you believe me to be innocent.”
“Whilst this is all touching, blah blah blah,” Death sighed, “I have souls to torment for all eternity.”
Deyna clucked her tongue at Death’s flippancy over such a comment.
“No, I’m sick of you calling the shots!” Stephen stormed. “Here are my rules-”
Death laughed. The very sound struck his heart and forced it to stop. He shuddered but held his chin up refusing to let Death see how he reacted to the sound.
“You do not have the authority to order me around,” Death snapped.
“I do, actually. There have to be some rules to this game, otherwise you wouldn’t have let Lester go on this quest. He’d still be locked up. Am I right?”
Death stopped laughing and slithered closer, the little snakes licking at his feet greedily. He stood his ground pushing Lester behind him.
“What are your terms, boy?” Death conceded.
Stephen took a deep breath. “I will save Lester’s soul.”
He was sure if Death had a fleshy face he’d have seen an eyebrow rise up in surprise.
“I will save Lester’s soul, every part of it, but the other two souls will be saved as well.”
He couldn’t leave the other souls knowing that it may not have been Lester with them on this quest. It may have been another soul who’d asked for help. He couldn’t leave them if they were as innocent as Lester. Those souls on his conscience was too much to handle, he had to do something to help.
“Really... and what are you giving me in return?”
“My soul, no questions asked, you can have my soul for an eternity to torment as you wish. I even give you permission to kill me here and now if I get it wrong.”
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CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE