Reaper [Original]

Grim Beginnings

"Reaper!" The desk bell continues to chime at a constant pace. "Hello! Is anyone even here?" The voice sounds female, unfamiliar.

I finish screwing my foot back on, getting up from where I sit to test it out. One step. Two steps more. I fight the urge to grin when I no longer hear the squeaking of gears.

"Mr. Grim Reaper! Are you in there!?" I lace up my black work boots before cleaning the oil off my hands with a dirty rag.

The room I stand in was lit dimly, two metal tables pushed against the brown walls. Boxes of parts were scattered along the floor, more parts hanging from the ceiling. On the table, also known as my work table, were broken devices beyond repair. Nothing is impossible to repair in my case. There was an electrical fan in the far corner, providing little air in this hot and musty room. There were only two doors: one that led to the front of the store and the other led to my small living space, not living room. I don't have a living room.

I take a deep breath, the smell of oil and sweat filling my nose. The ringing finally stopped. I walk out of the room, pushing the door open.

"You're from Aquarius territory," I say aloud, hiding my surprise.

The cyborg girl crosses her arms.

"Hmph, that's no way to treat a customer."

Her hair is a light blonde color, barely passing her shoulders in length. Her skin is pale and visibly smooth. She was wearing a white tank top with camouflage pants that seemed skin tight. Except that wasn't what had caught my attention. Unlike her left eye, an icy blue, her right eye glowed red. I could see the small mechanical parts in her sclera from where I stood, they made a soft 'whir' sound.

"It's not that, just surprised to be graced by your presence," I say in a mock tone.

Her cheeks turn a bright red and I flash her an innocent smile.

"You're one to talk! At least I don't look like I belong on Scorpio!" She says accusingly, looking me up and down.

I look down at my clothes in confusion. My brown baggy cargo pants had smudges of oil on them, my white muscle shirt, old and worn out, stained by oil and other substances. My tan skin was also darker due to my line of work.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I run a hand through my wild black hair.

"Men," she sneers.

I roll my eyes. "Are you gonna give me the request or not?"

"I need an upgrade," She places a hand on her hip with a small smirk.

"What're the models," I scribble down some notes on a piece of paper.

"Models RC-11578 and LH-127 from the 8th series," I nod, scribbling it all down.

"25,000 credits," I look at her.

She holds out her hand hesitantly. I scan her fingerprints, information on Lisa Wells appearing into my memory chip. I blink quickly, swiping the information away for the time being.

"Come back in two weeks for the upgrade."

She nods. "See you in two weeks."

Once she finally leaves I lock up and go to my living space. It only consists of a small kitchen, one bathroom, a closet, and a bed. It's pretty small but I lived alone so it doesn't matter.

I grab my laser sword and clip it onto a belt loop before grabbing my bag and heading out. Even though it was against Taurus law to carry laser weapons, I never cared. I have a license.

ヾ(･|

I walk in the rain, dark clouds overhead up above in the sky. It's not raining hard, a light drizzle of water barely making a sound. I keep my guard up, eyes sharp as I walk past a group of gang members and into an alley. I stop abruptly.

Another group stands in the alley not too far- pipes, crowbars, and different gun types in their possession. I turn on my heel and hear some of the men snicker. My only way out was being blocked by the group from before.

"Please guys, can't we just make peace already," I hold my hands up.

"Not after what you did, that's unforgivable," one of them growls out.

My reputation wasn't unknown to the gangs here in Taurus. I was known as the Grim Reaper- hence the reason behind my shop's name. The gangs knew me to be a murderer, and I was, but my killings weren't just limited to Taurus territory. I murder people from the other divisions as well.

"Not after what you did to our boss' girl and their baby," another voice says angrily.

"Hey now, she was the one who wouldn't leave me alone."

I stumble back at the sudden blow to my jaw, a throbbing pain in its wake. I spit out blood onto the floor, rubbing my jaw. I control my anger and scan the group, eyes calculating. One against twenty. I don't plan on dying today.

Guns are pointed in my direction, my hand immediately going to my side. There's a low hum as my laser sword is activated. Any sane person would know that they didn't stand a chance, swords aren't for gunfights. Good thing I'm not sane.

"Shoot him!" All of them fire at the same time, the sound of gunshots filling the air.

Time seemed to slow down, my breath even as I hold my ground. No laser guns, just bullets. I deflect a bullet, head tilted as I manage to change its trajectory. Reality slowly comes back as I manage to deflect all of their bullets swiftly with quick ease. I hate guns.

I charge them as they stand there in shocked disbelief. Some are quicker to recover. I jump back as someone swings a pipe at me and bring down my own weapon onto their wrist.

He shrieks in agony, staggering back, a quick and clean cut.

I'm surrounded in an instant. Some keep their distance, others stand closer. The fear is clear in their eyes.

"What are you," the ringleader asks in horror and disbelief.

I grin a cheshire grin.

"Don't you know?" I pause, feeling their fear rise. "I'm the Grim Reaper," I say, slowly losing the remnants of my temporary sanity. "And your time is up."