Mr. Reaper

1.) Reapers, Audis' N Ice Cream Trucks

The air was thick and the sky was dark on the humid summer night. It was late in June and I was once-again wandering, caressing the ground of the gorgeous city with my slipper clad feet.

It's nights like this when I'm grateful to live alone in my modern two bedroom apartment, my significant other would've probably institutionalized himself at this point. Of course, this isn't the first time that I've escaped my sheets to swim in the fresh air that is nighttime. I drove my parents up the wall when my five year old self would wander the neighborhood, aimlessly in search of that God forsaken ice cream truck.

Needless to say, I'm quite the night owl. I've always found it difficult for sleep to consume me when the twinkling lights were right outside my window.

The winds of Los Angeles whirled mercilessly through the dark fringe that my hair was made of. Ahead of me, there was an old, vacant bridge composed of a concrete roadway with walls made of beautiful gravel. The colors were dull rose and beige; simple yet elegant. The bridge led to an abandoned university. For a while, the old college was used by drug dealers and stoners for their confidential interactions. That is, until one of the burn outs decided to do something productive with his life and gave up his fellow druggies.

The building hasn't been used ever since then; However, every time I pass by, my big blue eyes light up and my brain fills with thoughts of remodeling the space, 'Hm, maybe a nursing home?' 'Or, an animal shelter.' 'What would Carla think?' I dismissed my thoughts, focusing on the warm summer breeze.

It was about three in the morning when I received a phone call from my neighbor, Ethel, a sixty-five year old woman with a devil cat and stringy gray hair who, I'm pretty sure owned a book with every possible excuse under the sun to try and get me evicted. "How are you, Ethel?" I asked in a sickeningly sweet voice. "Everything was peachy until that mutt of yours started howling! I'm going to file a complaint to Carla!" "You do that, have a nice night, Mrs. Withers." "Ashly, I'm seri-" was the last peep out of my phone before I ended the call.

Oh, Carla would hear about this, while she and I were laughing over a cup of coffee and discussing our next assignment.

Deciding to go home and tend to Blu, my gorgeous crystal-eyed Huskey, I wheeled around on the balls of my feet and started to my apartment complex.

Lurking around my building was a sleek, black Audi with windows tinted only one shade lighter. Wondering how that was legal, I ascended the three flights of stairs leading to my apartment.

Upon entering through the mahogany door way, my eyes found their way to Blu, who was lounging in front of the huge glass window in my living room. Once he acknowledged me, I was tackled to the ground, my face met with a big, slobbery kiss from my furry child (the cheeky little bastard). "You know, I get more affection from you than I do any human being." I confided in him.

Sometimes, I have very meaningful conversations with my dog, despite the fact that they're always one-sided. You'd think I'd get lonely and want a conversation with someone that wasn't about Kibbles' N Bits, I mean, I do have Katherine and Mimi, but the only difference there is that hot guys substitute doggy treats. Still slobber, still panting.

My thoughts were interrupted by a persistent knocking at my door. Forcing Blu's heavy weight off of my nearly limp body, I leaned ever-so slightly against the door, wary and curious of who would be knocking at this time of night.

Bearing that in mind, my thoughts drifted off to places with kidnappers and masked murderers. Using the peep hole for its purpose, I could see a hooded figure in the dimly-lit hallway. Taking in the sight, my nightmare-ish thoughts felt like they were becoming reality.

Internally debating whether to grab the first sharp object I got my hands on or jump out of the window, I hesitantly opened the door. Coming face to face with, what looked like the grim reaper, I was one scream away from a heart attack.

"Hello?" I asked, sounding like an ignorant character in an overpriced horror film. Blu, putting on his 'tough guy' act even though he was the biggest softie ever, bared his front teeth and let out a menacing snarl. The guy didn't seem too intimidated by Blu, so he gave up with a huff, trotting away to the couch. "I'm sorry to bother you, miss, but I was wondering if you would happen to know where room three eleven is?" He asked.

Wondering what was wrong with this person, I chuckled. "Three eleven is right across from you, how you didn't see the number is a mystery to me." "How you failed to realize how dark it is in this hallway amuses me. And, I could've been blind, bet that would've solved your little mystery, huh?" Though he sounded aggravated, I could see the smirk tugging at his lips. "Mystery solved, case closed. I, the jury, find the defendant guilty in the first degree." I raised an eyebrow, smiling. "First degree of what?" He asked, thoroughly confused. "Attempting to give me a heart attack. You know, you really shouldn't walk around in the dark in a black hoodie, imitating monsters. Halloween is an exception." "I didn't know that you were the queen of all things creepy. Although, that does explain why I mistook you for one of Count Dracula's relatives." He said, bashing my fare skin. "Okay, Mr. Grim Reaper, try not to scare any children on your way to room three eleven, If you need me to remind you where it is, you know where to find me." I gave him a taunting wink, closing my door. Lingering by my room, I heard him mutter the words "Grim Reaper?" followed by his melodic giggle.

Deciding to reward Blu for his marvelous performance as my vicious guard dog, I retrieved his oh-so beloved bag of doggy treats. Tossing one, it barely made it six centimeters from the palm of my hand before he devoured it in mid air. Sometimes I wondered if he only loved me because I spoiled him with food. Well, I can't blame the dog for my unqualification to be a parent or guardian. If an animal can't even handle me, then it's a good thing I plan on staying solitary. Leaving Blu content with his warm belly, I padded away to my bedroom, completely and utterly unenthusiastic about sleeping.

I will forever wonder how my parents managed to put me under a deep slumber. Surely cold medicine had a hand in it.

As I was willing myself to go to sleep, thoughts of the hooded stranger invaded my already-jumbled brain. For a terrifying character, he seemed quite optimistic and friendly. And maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, after all, the only eerie thing about him was the way his black hoodie contrasted with the lack of lighting in the hall. The way his humor corresponded with mine so easily, he seemed harmless. However, his name was unknown to me. Later that night, or should I say morning, my dreams consisted of reapers, Audis and ice cream trucks that drove forever.