Running the Line of Death

Chapter 4

"A death what?..." Ashton struggled to keep his voice low, as well as calm and collected as Lucifer had been able to. He listened attentively to what Lucifer had to say aside from the constant questions racing through his head.

"A death runner. It's a person with a special ability to pass between earth and a place known as wonderland." Lucifer began explaining.

"Wait what's wonderland?" Ashton asked as the thoughts of strange beautiful creatures and endless breathtaking forest filled his head. He envisioned things his imagination made up when he was once a small child, but this was not the wonderland Lucifer had been referring to.

"Wonderland is a special place. It's like heaven, but for certain people; people who've committed suicide..." Lucifer paused, giving Ashton a chance to take in what he just heard.

After a moment, Lucifer spoke again. "Wonderland is what you'd imagine it to be almost. It's beautiful; endless trees and large meadows filled with grass, flowers, and other wildlife. In the centre is the largest meadow where tall grass grows with arrays of beautiful flowers; lilacs, roses, dandelions, daffodils, just so many beautiful flowers. At night the fireflies come out providing short flickers of light that look like twinkling stars, and the moon acts as a spotlight illuminating the open land."

Ashton began picturing his dream in his head, it was exactly like Ashton's dream of the girl. Was that where Ashton was? Was the girl, the girl Lucifer had talked about? If so, that could partially explain why Ashton had been so obsessed with her writing on the seat.

"Anyways", Lucifer continued to speak, "A death runner can pass over to wonderland, and has the ability to return to Earth, if we wish. The way to tell if someone is a death runner is a distinguished scar on the left wrist in the shape of a vertical lifeline. You have the mark Ashton, you're a death－"

Ring!

Ring!

Ring!

The bell rang and cut Lucifer off. All the students in class seemed to raise in unison and leave. Ashton and Lucifer stood and started to leave with the rest of the students when Ms. Valary spoke out.

"Ashton", Ms. Valary said.

Ashton stopped in front of Ms. Valary's desk and turned to face her.

"Yes, Ms. Valary?" Ashton responded.

"Could I speak to you for a moment?"

"Yeah, sure."

Ashton turned to Lucifer and Lucifer caught on.

"I'll meet you out in the hall Ashton."

"Alright."

Lucifer left and Ashton was left alone with Ms. Valary.

Ms. Valary's voice was cheerful and welcoming. Her smile was bright as could be and rested comfortably against her tan skin. Ms. Valary's mid-length black hair was pulled back tightly into a ponytail leaving her bright hazel eyes to show. When she stood, she only looked to be about 5'5, excluding the height she gained while wearing her 3 inch heels. She had slight structure to her face, but most of the features held more delicate details. Ms. Valary leaned against her desk, resting her hands peacefully in her lap.

"How was your first class, Ashton? Was it ok?"

"Oh yes, Ms. Valary, thank you for your concern."

"You're welcome Ashton. I just noticed the slight anxiety and want to make sure you transition well. If you need anything, my door is always open."

"Thank you Ms. Valary."

"You're welcome, now you're free to go but don't forget to go back to the office for your schedule."

"I won't Ms. Valary, thank you again."

"You're welcome, have a nice day now."

"You too Ms. Valary.", and with that Ashton left the room.

Lucifer was standing across the hall waiting for Ashton, as he said he would. When he noticed Ashton he started to walk over and the two headed to the office. They were silent at first, neither knowing the appropriate response to the conversation that just took place between them in homeroom. Ashton still had many questions he'd like answered but the biggest question was, was his dream really a dream?

"Hey Lucifer..." Ashton was reluctant to ask the question.

"Yeah Ashton?" Lucifer started to gain a small sense of anxiety.

"Could I ask you something..."

Lucifer blew his nerves off with a smile, his best concealment of the anxiety that was relentlessly filling his head with bad thoughts. He took a deep breath and, with his best efforts, tried to sound supportive and optimistic.

"Of course Ashton! You can ask me anything.", Lucifer said while smiling brighter.

Ashton took a deep breath to fill his empty lungs from the shallow breaths he had been taking before speaking. He wanted to at least sound as content as Lucifer had, even though he was breaking down in fear on the inside. Ashton tried to speak, but the air refused to leave, not allowing him to talk. He tried again; still nothing. Lucifer stared in curiosity.

"What is it Ashton?"

Ashton stopped trying and took another deep breath before trying to talk again.

"I had a－"

"Ashton! You're back!", a familiar voice called out.

The boys had reached the Main Office and Christian was just getting ready to leave

when he noticed the two. The voice came from Christian.

Ashton smiled. "Hey, Christian."

"Here to get the rest of your schedule?"

"Yeah, haha do you have it?"

"Mhm, got it right here," Christian handed the schedule to Ashton with a large smile, "and good news. You have all the same classes as Lucifer."

Lucifer's face fell pale and everything around him dropped dead silent. His eyes were wide with fear at the realisation of what was happening. Ashton noticed his strange behaviour and tried to bring Lucifer back to reality.

"Lucifer? Lucifer, are you ok?"

Lucifer was trapped in his own thoughts for just a moment. He felt himself traveling to wonderland, before being brought back to reality abruptly. Lucifer blinked wildly and he started to breathe again. He looked at Ashton consciously, coming to a conclusion of his thoughts. Ashton was not to find out Lucifer's thoughts. Lucifer must keep it a secret to protect Ashton. After staring intensely at Ashton, he started drifting into his thoughts once more.

"Lucifer, what's wrong?", Ashton slightly shook Lucifer's temporarily paralysed body. Lucifer shook his head and smiled.

"Nothing, nothing's wrong. That's really awesome that you have the same classes as me. We can hang out and talk often now."

Ashton's anxiety subsided a little and he smiled back.

"Yeah haha, it will be fun."

The bell rang and they headed to class after Christian wished Ashton good luck.