Reaper By Night

Chapter Three

The unlikely duo paused just outside the building. Geni's gaze flicked back to the third floor, relieved not to find Vicine watching them from a window. "We need to be more cautious," Grym remarked, his voice cool and composed, capturing Geni's attention. He wasn't looking at her, however, Grym's still focus was on the ascending moon in the night sky.

"What do you mean by 'careful'? Careful how?" Geni asked, seeking clarification. She assumed Grym referred to Vicine's warning, but she still didn't fully grasp his intended meaning. Did he want her to lay low? Was he referring to the overall case? More careful, how?

Grym remained silent, his gaze shifting to the dimly lit roads while streetlights flickered to life, one by one. Gradually, he faced her with a furrowed brow. "We need to be cautious about our public association," he eventually responded. "Vicine's warning implies that someone is monitoring us closely."

Geni tilted her head in visible confusion. "Are you talking about those responsible for all of this? Why would they care about me? I'm just a mere human, remember?" She had to be missing something.

A flicker of annoyance passed over her boss's face as he sighed, "Yes, but you're also the only reaper I can currently rely on. That makes you their next target for undermining me. We don't know how many other reapers are working against me, so until I've vetted them all, you're my sole backup. It puts us at a disadvantage because they'll realize the same thing - without you, I'd be on my own. It's easier to pick off a lone bison from the herd."

Geni's frown deepened, "So, which one of us is the bison?"

"I'm the Grim Reaper... I've always been a wolf," Grym responded casually, earning an eye roll from Geni who didn't appreciate being compared to an easy target. "Just keep your phone close by and call me if anything seems suspicious." He retrieved his own phone from his pocket and began scrolling through it.

The device was a modern marvel, considerably more expensive than Geni's five-year-old model. She was already aware of Grym's preference for high-class items, apparently that included cutting-edge technology. Still, she couldn't resist trying to peek over his shoulder. "What are you doing?"

His gaze remained fixed on the screen as he finished typing the message. "I'm getting a list of the current members of the Dayworld's town council, along with their addresses. This way, we can start identifying those who are already possessed or likely to be possessed next," he explained. After a couple of minutes, a notification sound signaled the arrival of a message containing seven names, addresses, and brief descriptions of each individual. "The first one is five blocks over on South 10th," he said.

Geni immediately shook her head. "Wait, Grym. It's dark out. They'll be asleep. Some of these people are wealthy and have elaborate houses with guard dogs and security alarms." Grym didn't respond and simply began walking in the indicated direction. "Wait, Grym, please! What's your plan? Walk up to their houses and ask, 'Hey, have you felt like there's someone else in your body lately?' Let's be realistic."
Grym glanced back at her briefly. "Don't be ridiculous, Genevieve. We're surveying each home, observing individuals who seem like ideal candidates for possession without raising suspicion."

Geni could have done without the patronizing tone. "Okay, but what exactly are we looking for then?"

The Grim Reaper's face showed a brief but contemplative expression, causing them both to slow down. Grym proceeded to list the criteria to watch out for. "It would be a male, but ideally, not a family man. These spirits are unlikely to possess a woman, as they belong to the 'politics is no place for women' crowd." He disregarded Geni's disapproving look. "But if they have a family, it increases the chances of them noticing the change. Also, they shouldn't be too outgoing for the same reason. They need to be politically involved, not just in name but actively participating. Preferably someone older, reliable, and wise. These spirits want recognition for themselves and the individual they serve.""

It was a thorough list, "So, no family men or social butterflies, but politically engaged individuals who are trusted by the town," Geni summarized, earning a nod of approval from Grym. She beamed at his satisfaction before they resumed walking. "So, who's our first visit?"

Grym glanced at his phone, reading out the name. "Mr. Samuel Robinson, sixty-five. Local businessman."

Geni nodded. "Yeah, he owns a couple of tech shops in town and has a knack for working with machines. His wife passed away a few years ago in a hit and run. It caused quite a stir in our small town of Sparkwood, at least on the Dayworld side, especially among the wealthier class." Grym looked at her in surprise, and Geni offered a faint smile and shrugged. "Word tends to spread quickly here."

Grym nodded slowly, his long strides forcing Geni to quicken her pace. "He does sound like a promising candidate," he remarked, falling silent once more. "Since he's just the first, we can't afford to take too long. They won't be awake late into the night. I hope we can identify the possessed individual swiftly."

Geni frowned. "And if we can't? Are we going to stalk these men every night until we find them?"

Grym didn't meet her gaze, missing the disapproving expression his response elicited from Geni. "I'll have you observe them during the day and report back to me."

"No way! I only work for you at night. I have my own life during the day! I can't drop everything!" Geni protested. Grym ignored her arguments, much like he had earlier when she had to start her shift early. "Grym, I'm serious! I have a creative writing class at the college tomorrow afternoon, and I'm scheduled at the diner from noon to six!"

Grym glanced at his phone for the address, then at the street signs ahead, guiding her around a corner. "Seems like you'll have plenty of time in the morning to investigate the remaining names on our list. I'll make sure to send you a copy."

Geni grabbed Grym's arm, halting his stride and forcing him to face her. "Grym, I'm serious. I need balance in my life, not to mention sleep! I'm only human, after all. You keep me up all night working on cases with you, and I still have my normal life to attend to during the day."

His expression conveyed disapproval as he responded, "Genevieve, consider what would happen if these spirits succeed. I'm not just talking about their possessions, but the exposure of the Underworld and their attempt to dominate the Dayworld."

Her surprise at his response momentarily silenced Geni. "Well... I suppose there would be conflict between humans and the denizens of the Underworld?"

Grym's expression remained unchanged. "It would be war, a prolonged struggle. Your people armed with guns against individuals who heal faster than they can be taken down. The Underworld would devastate the Dayworld, and the surviving humans would be enslaved by the victors. I assume preventing the destruction and enslavement of your kind is more important than anything you might be worried about missing out on tomorrow?"

Geni ran a hand through her hair, pushing back the brown curls from her face. "That's not fair, Grym, and you know it. I'm saying I need balance between this job, you, and the rest of my life. Not to mention taking care of myself. I'd like to remind you that I'm just an ordinary human, fragile and in need of three meals a day and at least six hours of sleep. If you want me to devote my mornings to you, then you need to ensure I'm home before 1 in the morning so I can get enough rest and be ready to work by eight."

The counter argument elicited a slow nod from the tall man, his gaze unwavering. "I will revise your employment agreement, and your working hours will now be from one hour before nightfall to 1 a.m. And then again from nine in the morning to... 11 in the morning. This should allow you enough time for sleep and an hour before you need to be at the diner you insist on continuing to work for."

It was likely the best compromise she could hope for, so Geni nodded in agreement. Grym then resumed walking toward the large white and grey house at the corner of the next block. "Good. In that case, we have arrived. Let's see if we can observe anything unusual regarding Mr. Robinson."