Reaper Society

Chapter 13: Chatty

My mood's utter shit as I polish off the rest of my food. I've never been one for waste, and it seems even without a proper appetite, I need more energy if I want to survive. Dante and Tegan make small-talk about the place we're in, something neither Blair nor Asher told me about. We're in an alternate dimension, somewhere between the worlds where time flows in non-linear ways.

My head starts hurting when they explain the way time works here and how the fabric of this plane allows for multiple growths. And by 'multiple growths' they mean space - like literal room to move in. By the time they start detailing the weird way the rune-carved knives - scythes - can cut through dimensions and create portals, I'm starting to feel queasy.

"I think I've heard enough for today." I interrupt Dante on his interjected explanation of the layers of protection around the portals - including something called 'holy fire'. I don't want to touch theology with a ten-foot pole right now, considering less than week ago I was headed straight to the Pits and was being haunted by what I suspect was a demon. Last thing I want is to confirm my suspicions about that before I can get some decent rest. And a shower.

"Yes, of course," Dante pauses and gives me a sheepish smile. "I forget you've only just come into the fold."

"We just want to make sure you know all of this. It's clear the Soul-Stealer isn't going to tell you much." Tegan sighs. I blink at her, not sure I heard that right. Did she just refer to Asher, my mentor, as a Soul-Stealer? No... That can't be literal. How could something called a Soul-Stealer be a force of good - like we're clearly supposed to be?

"Um," I'm about to ask her to clarify that, when a gentle tune buzzes through the air. All conversation dies out as the jingle stops and a bright voice fills the room. For a moment, I think it's some mystical force, but then I spot the built-in speaker in the center of the ceiling.

"Break is now over for Teams 233-237; please return to your posts. Teams 238-242, you have an hour break. That is all," The gentle voice concludes and the Reapers in the room start getting up from the tables. Some stretch and huff, but soon they all begin filing out of the room. Dante and Tegan stand.

"That's us," Dante sighs and offers me a hand. I take it as if to shake it, but he turns his hand up a few degrees to clasp my palm the way I've only ever seen athletes do. "This is how we greet each other or say goodbye." I raise my eyebrows.

"You can also give hugs or anything you would from before. We're all from different cultures so Reaper-greetings are a little more neutral than what you may be used to." Tegan explains and holds her hand out to me. "But this is how we greet our comrades." A warm sensation spreads in my chest at the thought that these two already think of me as a 'comrade'. I release Dante's hand and clasp Tegan's briefly.

"We'll try to check on you during our next break, Puppy-Chow." Dante adds with a smirk and playful wink. I narrow my eyes at him for the use of my nickname, but I can't seem to muster any anger or annoyance at him. It is my 'official' nickname, after all. I'm just going to have to work at getting it changed to something cool like his or Tegan's.

"Alright," I nod in agreement, waving as the two turn and march out of the room with the rest of the Reapers. Just as they leave, more Reapers begin to filter in. These Reapers, also clad in black, look like they've just come from the infirmary. Some are wearing white bandages under parts of ripped clothing, and a few have fresh runes carved into their skin, the still-pink area around the designs giving away just how fresh they are.

I have a few moments to gawk at them as they zombie-shuffle towards the line for food. A different Reaper is stationed where Reginal had been, making quick work of passing trays, food, and drinks to the other Reapers. A second Reaper dashes out from a door I hadn't noticed behind the first, carrying a large pot of fresh spaghetti.