The Reaper

Chapter 1

The rain trickled around me as I walked the dark streets of Alador City. I was on my way to a client's home; I was summoned for what I can only assume to take a soul.

I don't do many requests, in fact, this is only my third one, if that is what I'm being called to do. It's not like a reaper to take requests, but I do.

My name is Morana Collins, and I am the Grim Reaper of Alador City.

I turned twenty-one six months ago, which meant it was time for me to take over for my father as the Grim Reaper in our city. There's been many like us over the years, and from my understanding there is one in every city of every state. We even go to a special school to learn how to use our powers and what we're supposed to do when we come of age.

Now, I'm the Reaper for Alador City, Oregon.

My father was grateful when I came of age, he was tired of the death and cruelness of it. But me, being young and perhaps quite different to my father, I welcomed death. Not so much my own, but helping those find peace and go to their forever homes, unless they decide to reincarnate.

Yep, that shit is real.

Hell, I've been told I'm the reincarnation of some badass witch or something; she was able to curse some of the most powerful beings in the world, and for that, she was hanged.

I stopped in front of an apartment building and looked down at the slip of paper in my hand. This is the place. I push the buzzer three times, per the client's instruction, and wait for the client to let me in. When the buzzer sounded I walked inside and made my way up to the apartment.

There was a cold chill that ran up my spine the second my foot touched the first step. Even doing what I do, I've never felt this dark of a chill; it makes the hair on the back of my neck.

At the end of the hall, the door was slightly open. I took a breath, not sure what to expect when I entered the apartment. The door creaks when I enter and I'm greeted by a woman who looked like she had just escaped a meeting with me by someone else's hand. "Are you the Reaper?" The woman asked, I nod.

"Are you Emily Sanchez?" She nods, coming closer to the light. When she did, I was able to see everything: a black eye, cuts, and bruises covered her tanned skin. I shut the door behind me and lock it before following Emily to the table.

"C-Can I get you something to drink?" She stammered; I give her a weak smile and shake my head,

"I'm fine." I reply, "I'm more interested in finding out what happened to you." Emily tensed as she tried leaning back in her chair and wincing. "It's clear those injuries are pretty fresh, by a couple days, at least."

"Yes." Emily says quietly,

"Do you know the person that did this to you?" I ask; I'm pretty sure this is why she wanted me to come. For vengeance.

"I think so," she answers, "but I'm not certain." I reached my hand out for hers,

"May I see your hand?" I asked.

Emily was hesitant for a moment, but took my hand and I whispered in latin; this is where my past life comes in handy. What I whispered was a spell to be able to look into a person's past. It allows me to see things that most would push out of their mind due to the trauma.

I was brought back to a dark alley, and there before me, was a man, his hand clasped around Emily's throat, and not in the sexy, fun way that a lot of kinky women seem to enjoy. No, this was damn near murderous. This was an 'obey me or else' type of grasp.

Trying to pay little attention to the scene before me, which was proving difficult from the rage beginning to boil in my gut as I watched this filthy pig put his hands on someone who was not his nor did she want anything he was offering.

His features were appealing, I will admit it, but a man who thinks he can take whatever and whoever they want by force, then they are the ugliest creature to walk the mortal plane and doesn't deserve to be given the life he has. He had sandy, blonde hair and eyes as dark as chocolate; even from the distance I was, I could see he was ripped under his shirt.

Why does someone that looks this good, can be this much of a monster?

I removed my hands from Emily's, "I know who I am looking for." I tell her, "What do you want me to do?" I asked her, wanting to know what she wanted to happen now.

I've always wanted justice for those who deserve it.

Emily shook her head, her hands beginning to tremble, "I-I don't know..." I smiled a bit, the poor thing was terrified, "I'm scared to even leave the house." Emily confides, "At least with my job, I can work from home, but I'm not sure for how long. I just don't think I can set foot outside of my apartment knowing he's somewhere in the city." Nodding my understanding, I stood and looked her in the eye,

"I will take what you have told me into advisement once I've located him." I tell her, "And I will let you know when it is done." She nods and walks me to the door, "And don't worry," I say, "this will not be on your judgment when your time comes. I promise you this." A gleam of light shines in her eyes for a brief moment.

"Thank you." She mutters under her breath before closing the door behind me as I leave.

Now then, let's find this son of a bitch.