Bureau of Collections || ONC2021

Reaping the Reaper

502 stood where he was stationed every day for the last century at the Vault, the place where relics were kept in case of emergencies or confiscated from humans and other employees. They always dressed him in oversized black slacks with a plain belt and a white button-down shirt with a makeshift security badge.

404 did not know why he wore the stupid thing. It meant nothing. Apparently some joke she was unsure was a joke from his colleagues, but he said it made him feel important. She always thought he was just mad from endless days spent in an empty hallway.

She needed to get the Supreme's scythe. She had entered the vault many times, her relationship with 502 friendly. She brought him books and he let her sneak in to inspect and study the relics from time to time when she wanted to verify some of her personal research.

The scythe was more of an ornamental piece these days as better inventions arose over time, but it was still an effective and dangerous weapon, hence why it was locked away. It was her only option. She just needed to get in there. That Scythe was also a direct line to the Supreme's office. She had to deal with him first.

If 221 was anywhere, he would be there and she would do whatever it took to save him if she could. She wasn't even sure she could pull off killing the Supreme with his own weapon, but she would do what it took. She had to stop him and then figure out how to get the rest of Colin from that wraith.

She patted the vial in her jacket pocket, Colin returned and kept safe for the moment. She could not afford to leave him alone in this place. "Let's do this." she breathed as she turned the corner, putting on her best smile as 502 spotted her and returned it.

"Ah, my beautiful princess 404!" he beamed genuinely, "Got any good ones for me today?"

404 embraced him warmly, "How are you 502, it's been a year or so."

"I believe you still owe me an answer to my question." he teased.

Her cheeks reddened "I'm sorry 502, my caseload has doubled of late, I just haven't had time to get away for recreation. I brought you something though, I've been hoarding it from the human world, think of it as an apology for my neglect."

502 raised a curious eyebrow, his excitement growing as 404 offered him a plain brown package bound in twine.

He took it excitedly, carefully undoing the string and opening it to find a boxed set of Stephen King novels inside. "Oh, you didn't!" he gasped, carefully reading the titles in the stack, his eyes shining in wonder. "404, I can't take this, this is invaluable. You could face disciplinary action just for having these."

"Then hide them well. I won't take them back." she smiled, "and enjoy them. Hey, 502. Do you think for old times sake you can let me into the Vault?"

His demeanor shifted, back straightening but a smile remaining, "One condition." She knew this was coming, "You spend an evening at the Pub with me next Friday."

She hid her reluctance, forcing a nod, "Sure." she squeaked, "Maybe you can tell me what you think of Christine. That ones particularly unusual."

"Is it the one with the teenager and the pig's blood 888 was telling me about?"

404 crinkled up her nose in mock disgust, "No that's Carrie, not a fan of that one. Christine is about a demonic car."

502 grinned, "Ah, I see why you would recommend it."

404 knew he was a car fan, he had quite a fascination in human ingenuity, in the old days he had been a large contributor to how physics would work in the human realm, he loved speed. She needed to hurry him along, she was pressed for time.