The Black Reaper's Shadow

3. What To Do

Chapter 3

      With no place to go, I began to panic. July needed rest, I needed time to think, and I needed to locate my new owner. There were a lot of things that I needed, but I couldn't focus on anything clearly until July was better. I carried him up the steps from a random train station and found a lone bench on the sidewalk. Setting July down carefully, I felt his forehead. He was burning up. How long had he been like this? I checked my own wound to find the normal scar left over from my body's accelerated healing abilities.

      I shook the doll's good shoulder lightly, trying to wake him up, "July? Can you hear me?"

      His lids shifted open slightly and he gave a nod. I smiled with relief, "July, I don't know where to take you. Do you want to go to the hospital? Do you have any friends we could stay with until you're all better?"

      For a long time, he didn't answer and I almost thought he had gone back to sleep. He spoke softly, "Hei took care of me for a while. He will help us. I know you may not like him, but he is different from the contractor you used to know."

      "If that's where you think we'll be safest, then I can put up with a little discomfort," I said with a light tone as I put the bag on his shoulders again and pulled him once more onto my back. He spoke breathlessly into my ear as he began to fade away, "Thank you, Marie."

      Smiling to myself, I answered him as I started down the sidewalk, "Just show me the way and I'll take care of the rest."

                                             * * * * *

      July may have been unconscious, but I was still able to learn of the Black Reaper's whereabouts by linking with the doll. If I am in contact with the doll or their element, I can establish a link with their spector and hold a conversation, pick through their memories for information, or even control their spector with my own will. Something felt...different about July's spector. I only saw as far as the outside of the complex. Usually, I could waltz right through to the very front door. July's spector felt weak, and it worried me.

      I found the apartment complex easily and found a name tag with a familiar alias, "Li Hakurai". I hit the white call button and Hei's voice answered, "Hello, can I help you?"

      Pressing the talk button, I tried to keep my voice from shaking with uncertainty as July's breaths became even more uneven, "Hei, I know this might not put you in the best mood to see us, but July is really sick and we have nowhere else to go."

      There was a long silence, which wasn't good. That was the cue to get lost or he'd kill us, but before I could turn around Hei came thudding down the stairs and buzzed open the door. His face was full of concern, "Quick, bring him inside."

      Hei shut the door behind us and led the way upstairs to his apartment, "Set him on the couch."

      He shut and locked his door before coming to kneel beside July, "How long has he been sick?"

      I shook my head, "I just ran into him today and he collapsed shortly after we met."

      The Black Reaper set his hand on July's forehead and stood, "You plan to stay with him until he's well, I presume?"

      I nodded, "Yes. He's the only family I have right now."

      Hei smiled kindly, "Get a small pot of cold water and a cloth on the counter. I'll grab some medicine. Can you handle that?"

      I rushed off to do as he said. July had been right. The Black Reaper wasn't the man he use to be, but I didn't want to speak too soon. Once I had the water and the cloth, I came back into the living room to find Hei helping July to sit up, "Come on, my old friend. You have to take this medicine."