Alice in Between

Chapter 2: The Shoemaker's Son

"Eddie? Are you here? Oh, where did you run off to?" Amy called in the small house. Shoes were everywhere strewn about the floor. Some of them were finished shoes, but most were in the process of being finished. Amy hurried into the other tiny room. "Sorry about all the shoes. I'm a shoemaker. It's a terribly outdated job, I know," she called before sighing in relief. "Oh Eddie! I'm so glad you're in one piece and alive! Now, I've brought a guest. Please don't be afraid..." She wandered off, leading her son into the room that I was standing in.

"THAT THING TRIED TO KILL US! WHAT IS IT DOING IN OUR HOUSE?!" Eddie exclaimed, trying to run at me. Instead, Amy held him back, trying to stop him from spitting at me. "She isn't going to hurt us."

"I'm here because I need some help." I offered.

"Help you? Why would I want to do that?" He snarled.

"Because I need help."

"You just tried to kill me! Anyways, what could you possibly need any help with?"

"Collecting souls."

The boy rolled his eyes. "Seems like a fine job for you."

"Yeah, it is. But hundreds of people a day die," I paused, "and I, being just one person, can't keep up with it all. I've been seeking out an assistant for quite some time. Now I've found you two. Most people look at me and try to kill me, or just start running away. But you two..."

Eddie spoke. "Mother, why did you bring her here? Why didn't you start running? Why did you want me to join this-this monster?"

"I though that maybe you could find Jim. Or Ellen," Amy said quietly, her voice almost at a whisper.

I didn't know who Jim or Ellen was, but by the silence that fell, I could tell that they were a touchy subject.

"I'm sorry," Amy sighed after a long and uncomfortable silence. "I suppose you're wondering who Jim and Ellen are."

I nodded.

"Jim is my husband, and Ellen is my daughter, Eddie's twin. I'm not sure if they're still alive. I thought that maybe if you were collecting souls of dead people, then I might know if... If..." She trailed off, stifling a sob. "Maybe if you and Eddie could find out if they are... you know..." I nodded, putting my arm around Eddies shoulders.

"We have much to discuss."