The Black Reaper's Shadow

2. Remembering

Chapter 2

       Jack's gentle hand held mine as he led me into a metal room, half buried in the middle of a train yard, "You'll be safe here until I can set my plan in motion. It will feel like only a moment, so don't be afraid of being alone."

       I nodded, "Okay."

      He settled me against the wall, "Are you comfortable? You might be here a while."

      I nodded once again, "Yes."

      Jack took a fold of bills and an envelope from his suit jacket and slipped it into the pocket of my coat opposite from the pocket that held my mask, "This should hold you over until you locate your new owner. That boy I introduced you to over the summer will take care of you. If I'm not here to wake you up, don't come after me. You have to move on. Find a life that you can be content with. A mercinary's life isn't the only option for you. Happiness is a choice you have to make on your own."

      I dropped my gaze to the floor as I contemplated his words, "A life determined by me?"

      He smiled softly with a hint of sorrow in his eyes, "Yes, Marie."

      His arms wrapped around me, "Thank you for taking such good care of me. I couldn't have asked for a better doll or companion. I will miss you terribly, my friend."

      My eyes shut calmly and I hugged him back, "Please come back."

      Jack's voice wavered as he released me and set his hand on the side of my face, "I've never lied to you before, so I won't promise anything now. I will try, though."

                                                     * * * *

      My eyes snapped open and I found myself squinting up at a royal blue sky. Jack was gone. Somehow, he had known he wouldn't come back.

      I sat up on the bench I had slept on last night. Birds sang in the trees around me and throughout the park. My head was spinning as I tried to listen to their lively songs and my stomach growled angrily.

      Breakfast. I needed to find food. Last night, after leaving that officer to find a ride home, I had been so tired that I didn't even eat dinner. I should've taken better care of myself.

      Standing from the bench, I walked through the park as the sun began to peak over hells gate. A warming glow touched the side of my face and I shut my eyes, soaking in the light. I took off my coat and hung it over my arm as I walked along the sidewalk. My black t-shirt and sweatpants absorbed the heat the sun brought forth and I enjoyed my leisurely stroll on my way toward breakfast. I picked up a simple cup of coffee and a pastry so I could sit outside in the warm air of the morning. The glaze was sweet mixed with the light saltiness of the fluffy donut. I relaxed and let all the icicles of stress from my past melt away. My thoughts turned to my next move.

      I finished my breakfast and pulled the envelope from my pocket. Opening it, I read Jack's neat handwriting which gave me directions to a bank and a safe deposit box. I dumped the key into my hand before stuffing it into my pocket and making my way down the sidewalk. The bank wasn't all that far from where I'd sat down to eat and I didn't have any trouble retrieving the contents of the box, but the weak feeling I had in my legs still hadn't gone away. Maybe food hadn't been the only problem. Perhaps I was catching a cold. I did make quite a transition from that freezing icebox to the hot reality of here and now. I soon found myself walking out of the bank with a backpack on my shoulders filled with any supplies that I would need to survive.

      I became fully aware of police sirens in the distance, growing closer. This time, the noise carried an encroaching air of something, danger possibly. They were still pretty far away so all I had to do was cross the street and find my way calmly to the observatory without drawing attention to myself. I tried to ignore the throbbing of my head as I stepped off the curb and onto the pavement, but something caught my wrist right as a police cruiser screeched around the corner, lights flashing without a siren blaring. It barely missed me as it swerved and squealed to a stop.

      Turning to thank whoever had saved me, I found a familiar looking teenage boy with blond hair and icy blue eyes. His breaths were short, same as mine, but he appeared to be more exhausted than I was. He sank to his knees and I knelt in front of him, "Are you okay?"

      He looked right into my eyes with an expressionless face before wrapping his arms around me and hugging me tightly, "You are safe. I am glad you are not hurt, Marie."

      When he finally released me, I studied his face. I knew him from somewhere. I'd seen him before. He reminded me so much of Jack, but there was only one person like that and he shouldn't be any older than ten right...five and a half years have passed. Could this boy really be..."July?"

      He nodded with a weak voice, "Yes, Marie. We have to go before..."

      "Hey, miss. Are you alright?"

      I wrapped my bulletproof coat around him and brought the hood over his head before burying my emotions in my doll state. I helped July stand as I ignored the approaching officer and brought my friend's arm around my shoulders so I could support him. We began to merely walk away, but the nosy human grabbed July's shoulder to stop us. The doll yelled in pain and cringed, causing me to let him go and attack the officer. I made several quick movements to shove him away, disarm him, throw the confiscated gun out of reach, and take a defensive stance between the man and July. My monotone was sickeningly even, "You will not harm this doll, human. He is injured and sick. I am taking him some place safe."

      The officer scowled in confusion, "He's a doll? What about you? Are you like him?"

      I opened my mouth to answer and July cut me off, "Do not, Marie. The police are after dolls now. You would be painting a red bulls eye on both of us if you answer. Let us go before the others arrive. Please."

      Turning to him without hesitation, I supported July once again and started to walk once more. The officer retrieved his gun and aimed it at us, "Stop, or I'll shoot."

      July faltered for a moment and I shook my head while focusing on the path in front of me, "Keep going. That coat is bulletproof and I can manage on my own."

      We ignored the man until we had crossed the nearby crosswalk and the human pulled the trigger, sending a bullet straight through my stomach. I tried to keep my frustration in check as I barely stopped for a moment before continuing, "Do not worry about me, July."

      He gave a single weak bob of his head before his breaths grew even more ragged than before and he sank, unconscious. My emotions immediately burst out, "July? Answer me."

      The doll didn't respond as I secured my bag to his shoulders and shifted him onto my back, "Hang on, July."

      The officer across the street was calling for backup as I started to run for the nearest underground train station. I needed to lose the police for even a few minutes. The sirens were closing in fast as I stumbled uneasily down the stairs and shoved my way through the crowds of adults on their lunch breaks. I could hear police shouting for people to move aside as they chased after me, but I managed to slip through the train doors just before they closed tightly. I glared at the angry officers on the other side of the glass until the train began to move.

      I set July down gently in a seat and ignored the few people staring at us as I took the backpack from his shoulders and set it aside. I moved my coat and checked the shoulder that had bothered him earlier with concern. He'd been hit with something sharp, but not by the police. A contractor was most likely responsible. The wound was only three days old and bruised. I exhaled sadly and kissed his feverish forehead before sitting beside him, letting my face fall into my hands. My voice was only a whisper, "After six years, this is what I come back to? Oh, July. I'm sorry I didn't come back sooner."