The Black Reaper's Shadow

5. Temporary Change of Scenery

Chapter 5

     Once we returned to Hei's apartment, before anything else could go wrong, the rest of my day was spent laying on the couch with a book Hei had recommended to keep me busy while he and July started dinner in the kitchen. Apparently tonight was some kind of party night. Hei explained that this kind of thing happened two to three times a month. It's his way of visiting with his friends while helping them with the evolution of their dolls. From what Hei said of them, Cain was a very young child who couldn't talk and mostly just sat around with the other doll Takashi who was the kind of kid to be very quiet and distant, but he seemed to understand Cain where others couldn't. I was anxious to meet them. I may not be able to link with them now, but I still get most of what they're trying to say from body language alone.

     A buzz came from the speaker by the door and a male voice sounded energetic, "Hei, I'm here! Hit the button already!"

     The Black Reaper came sliding up to the small panel and struck the black button before going back to work. It didn't take the guy long before he was opening the door and called out, "Hei, is Yin..."

     His eyes were glued to me as I read quietly, trying to ignore his boistrous presence. He hadn't finished his sentence and I looked over at him to see what the problem was. The chocolate skinned man's dark brown eyes were a mix of shock and confusion, "Hei, why is there a teenage girl on your couch who looks exactly like..."

     "She will be joining us tonight," Hei cut him off, "Marie, this is Jared and the doll with him is Takashi."

     A sixteen year old boy with lightly spiked raven hair stepped out from behind Jared and gave a single casual wave as he stood losely with his other hand in the pocket of his baggy jeans. I smiled warmly at the boys emotionless face, "It's nice to meet you, Takashi."

     I looked to his owner and held my hand out to him, "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Jared."

     The contractor came over and shook my hand with a light smile, "Ditto, Marie."

     Hei called out from the kitchen, "She and July will be keeping Cain and Takashi company while we get our more important business out of the way."

     I saw Takashi tense and his eyes widened as he spoke in a broken monotone, "She is a...doll like me."

     Jared beamed with interest, "No way! You're just as far along as Yin."

     His doll was studying my face with confusion, "Why are you like...this? You should be...23 by now."

     My expression was gentle as I smiled, "So, you know me better than I thought. There was a certain event that stole years from me and left me looking like this. I'm fine though."

     Jared stared toward the kitchen, "I would really like to hear the details, but I need to talk to Hei before I forget."

     Takashi came to sit with me on the couch and I could tell he was eager to ask questions, so I closed my book and set it aside beofre shifting to a comfortable position, "What's on your mind?"

     "How do you do it," his monotone sounded forced which drew out sympathy from me. This is how Jack must've felt while he was working with me on my own evolution.

     I exhaled with a grin, "Lots and lots of practice. You sound like you're doing pretty well already."

     He lowered his gaze to the floor, "I do not like talking. People...who can talk well do not...realize what a gift they...have. They use it to...hurt others when they should...be using it to help others."