Parallel Lines- *RAYOR*

Chapter 18

He has a kind face that is old, but not in the way of someone who has let himself go. In the way of someone who has lived their life to the fullest and enjoyed every minute of it.

Because of Gabriel's poor health, he starts his reaping two hours later than others, at ten o'clock.

From what I know, Nicco is happy about this, because both he and Levy do reaping with Gabriel and they get to get up later too. I told Arielle about the new arrangement- she was due to leave in a week or so- and she was ecstatic.

"A white castle, you said?" she said dreamily. "Will it be bright? Will everyone have wings?"

"Yes," I answered to all of them. Exceptfor the last question, she didn't have wings, but it seemed insensitive to point it out. Wasn't I touchy about not being born with them whilst Gabriel was?

"Oh, that would be amazing. Will Aster- I mean, will you and Aster visit me?"

"If we can. But don't except us regularly." I thought. "Maybe you can visit us on Earth during one of your trips."

"What will I be doing?"

I loosely explained. "Influencing people's decisions to make them choose good options."

"How?"

"I expect they will teach you," I say. I check the time. It's quarter to nine. I'm allowed to leave later to take care of Gabriel since Death is busy with arrangements for moving Arielle. "Do you know where Gabriel is?"

"He was playing violin, but he said he felt dizzy and went to his room."

"Is he still here?"

"No, he went out for reaping."

"So early?" I ask. "I think I'll go get him. If he's feeling dizzy, he should lie down."

"Oh, can I come with you? Please?" asks Arielle, her eyes very blue. "I promise I won't be too much of a bother."

I consider. "Fine, but it's not going to be interesting."

"Then let's scare them."

I flinch at Aster's voice. He's behind me and grinning, his hair wet from his morning swim.

"That's a good idea," I say, trying to disguise how rattled I am. "I think they were reaping in..."

"Malaysia. I pity them, it's blisteringly hot now."

"But it's, like, autumn," says Arielle, her brow furrowed.

"Still," says Aster.

"Well, I could work on my tan," says Arielle.

I roll my eyes. "You won't even be there for an hour. We'll track them down fast enough." We walk to the barrier. I'm very bouncy because I've had more sleep. 'Bouncy' is Aster's definition for it, because he's used to me being sullen. I'm just more awake, I think.

We fall through the portal, and I grasp my scythe tightly. Before I can swing it, Arielle pulls both of us in a direction, so strongly that I gasp because I didn't know she was so good at teleporting. Aster and I end up in a heap on the floor, outside a stall.

I groan and open my eyes. My leg has twisted from under me and a painful-looking scrape splashes green across my skin. I wince and pick out a stone that has lodged into the flesh, and look up.

Aster's apologising to Kei, who we seemed to have crashed into. He's got his arms folded but he's nodding. No one can deny that no one hates Aster. He makes an effort to be nice to everyone he meets.