Life, Death, and Chaos

Part III

Unable to bring herself to face the questioning stares that followed Water's lecture, Death raced out of class and into the nearest bathroom as fast as she could. She locked herself in the largest stall and sat down to think.

              So. She was an elemental. The embodiment of Death.

              How sinister.

              Death took a deep breath. That explained why Chaos wanted her at Chaos Academy, at least. Assuming Chaos was also an elemental, they probably wanted to keep an eye on her.

              But then, Chaos was also Chaos. Maybe literally.

              Death stood up, left the stall, and stared into the mirror.

              There was nothing particularly Death-y about her appearance. Black hair with purple undertones. Glasses. Sparkly purple glasses at that. Who would ever have thought that death would wear glasses, let alone sparkly purple glasses?

              Death's gaze traveled down the length of the mirror. Black leggings. Black Nikes. Dark purple shirt. Silver charm bracelet, with a tombstone, skull, owl, candle, tree, and a chrysanthemum. That was the only thing that really told people she was Death, with all the spooky charms.

              She fingered the tree. It didn't represent death or mourning the way everything else did, but the people at the orphanage had told her mother had added that charm. There was no way she was going to take it off.

              "Eek!" someone yelped behind her.

              Death spun around, her hands flying into fists.

              Life backed away. "Sorry. You scared me."

              Death unclenched her hands, letting them fall to her sides as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I tend to have that effect on people."

              Life blinked and smiled slightly. "You're Death, right?"

              "Literally, or are you wondering if that's my name?"

              "Uh . . . your name . . ."

              "Then yes, I'm Death."

              They stared at each other in silence for a moment before Life cocked her head and said, "It appears we had the same idea."

              "Huh?"

             "We're both hiding in the bathroom to avoid suspicious glances from people wondering if we're elementals." 

             "Who told you I'm hiding in here? Maybe I'm washing my hands." Death didn't know exactly why she was arguing, other than for the sake of it.

              Life laughed slightly. "Your name is Death."

              "So?"

              "So, combine that with the look on your face as Ms. Water talked about the elementals and the fact that you left, like, ten times quicker than any normal person would, it's the most logical conclusion."

              "You think I'm an elemental?" She wasn't sure why the thought was so terrifying, even though she'd already reached the conclusion herself.

              Life blinked. "You're not?"

              "No . . . I am." Death paused. "Are you?"