The Reaper Child: Book II [Child!Reader Protagonist]

~Chapter 13~

Just when you were in your deepest stage of sleep the following morning, you found yourself being scooped up out of bed.

You made a slight squeaking sound as you slowly opened your eyes. You looked up to see that the owner of the arms carrying you out of your bedroom was your mother.

"Good morning, (Y/N)!" Grell announced. "Hope you enjoy your morning bath!"

"A bath?" You tried to rub the sleepiness out of your eyes with your fists. But it didn't help much.

"Mhmm..." Within moments later in a blur, you were undressed and plopped into the tub.

When the sudden sensation of the warm water made contact with your skin, you gasped and tried to escape by trying to claw your way out of the tub like a cat only to easily be held in place.

"You're not going anywhere, darling," Grell told you with a grin. "I told you that you were having a bath first thing in the morning."

"I don't want a bath!" You crankily protested. You did not like this sort of awakening one bit.

"Like I care." Grell rolled her eyes. She rolled up her sleeves "Now hold still!"

You growled like a provoked kitten and glared at her.

"Oh, don't look at me like that!" Grell said as she began to wash your hair. "No child of mine is going to smell like a dog's arse. Besides, you have bubbles here. No reason to be mad at me."

You looked around the tub. There were definitely a lot of bubbles, even for this decently sized tub. But even then, you just sulked.

"You do like bubbles, don't you?" Grell said.

"Yes..." you looked down, frowning at the water.

"That's the spirit!" Grell beamed. "Close your eyes," she instructed you before she poured some water on your head to rinse off the shampoo.

Fortunately, the bath didn't last much longer. Before you knew it, you were all washed up and wrapped in a towel. By that time, your initial crankiness had subsided.

"See? Wasn't so bad, now was it?" Grell grinned at you. After drying you off, she took you back to your room where she helped dress you in today's outfit: A red shirt with dark blue overalls.

"I can't express how adorable you look in those clothes!" Grell let out a happy sigh.

"Your father left early for work a couple hours ago so it's just you and I until later this evening. I was thinking that we can spend the day at the park? It's a lovely day out. Perhaps we'll be able to feed some ducks.

You nodded eagerly. The fact that Will wasn't here was a relief since that meant you didn't have to encounter any awkward moments with him this morning. Of course, you definitely would later when he returns home from work, but you had plenty of time to worry about that. For now, you were going to enjoy another fun day with your new mother.

It has been less than twenty four hours since you've been picked up. And for the first time in your entire life, you had a true home. You looked forward to all the adventures yet to come with your new life.

After a quick breakfast was eaten, Grell went back upstairs to get ready. She had still been in her pajamas the whole time. Once both of you were ready for the day, you and Grell headed out. When you saw Grell's red car sitting out in the driveway, flashbacks of your experience in that vehicle flashed through your mind. You gulped, knowing what you were about to go through again.

Luckily Grell actually let you buckle up first before she began the thrill ride. And this time, you were more prepared. You held on as tightly as you could and braced yourself as Grell travelled on the road at ridiculous speeds.

"Won't the police pull you over!?" You shouted over Grell's music that she was singing along to, as if she hadn't just nearly ran over an old lady crossing the street. Her old, frail body dodged the oncoming vehicle just in time.

"They used to, darling!" Grell said. "But I have a way of getting myself out of tickets. That I will teach you someday!" She glanced briefly over her shoulder. "Just don't tell your father... Besides, they all gave up long ago!"

Neither of you said anything for the rest of the intense journey. You continued holding on. You closed your eyes praying for the ride to be over soon.

Finally, your body jolted forward with your seatbelt holding you back in place as Grell slammed down on the brake. But you kept your eyes squeezed shut, only opening them again when you heard your mother put on the emergency brake and shut off the engine.

You breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the ride was over (for now) and let yourself relax. But your body was still trembling. You wondered if you'd ever fully get used to your mother's exciting driving skills. You also wondered what kind of driver Will was and how he put up with Grell's driving as well.

When you looked out the window, you frowned. Nothing outside resembled a park. You and Grell were in a parking lot in front of a mini strip mall.

"This isn't the park," you pointed out.

"Yes, I know."

"I thought we were going to the park," you said.

"We are, don't worry," Grell reassured you. "I just remembered I need to get something. Now listen carefully." She turned in her seat to look at you. "We will go inside the door. I need you to stay by my side as we walk around. But at some point, I will squeeze your shoulder. That will be your signal to walk over to the other side of the store. Then, you will just climb the shelf as high as you can. This will catch the attention of the store clerk. But whatever you do, keep trying to climb to the top. Do all of this with no hesitation."

Puzzled at the sudden given instructions, you said, "But why-"

"No questions!" Grell interrupted you. "Just do exactly as I say. I'll take care of the rest. Now, what did I just tell you to do?"

"You said to stay by your side until you squeeze my shoulder. Then to go to the other side of the store and climb a shelf," You repeated.

"Very good." Your mother smiled. "Starting at the moment we leave this car, you do not under any circumstances say a single word. Just let me take the lead, follow my instructions that I just told you, then all should go well. Do you understand, (Y/N)?"

You nodded.

"Alright, then let's go!" Grell said cheerfully. Both of you left the car and began walking towards the building. You had no idea which store you were going to and you didn't dare ask Grell.

You had no idea what Grell was planning, but you knew it couldn't be good.