Grim ON HOLD

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Not Edited

''... and black means go occupy yourself for a couple hours someplace else,'' Kraven finishes as he explains to me what each colour of his ties' mean when they are hung on the door.

''Got it,'' I answer as I throw my head back onto the leather recliner.

''Good. Now get out I've got someone coming over,'' he tells me with a smirk.

''What? Where am I supposed to go?'' I ask in disbelief. It has literally been just hours since I had become a grim and Kraven was already getting rid of me so he could get laid.

''I don't know and I don't care. Bye,'' he says sarcastically as he practically shoves me out the door.

Great. Where the hell is a recently dead - newly turned grim meant to go at this time of night? I can't go anywhere someone might recognize me - that would be hard to explain. Taking a stab in the dark I begin walking to a bar I saw on the way to Kraven's apartment.

Frank's Bar

the faded red neon sign read. Taking a hesitant step into the bar I scan the dimly lit room. The place wasn't too crowded - which was good and the people seemed friendly enough.

Taking a seat at the bar a rough looking man approaches me with a hand towel slung over his plaid covered shoulder.

''What can I get you?'' he asks in a deep gravelly voice as he eyes me up and down.

''Just a beer thanks,'' I reply watching as he turns to reach for a mug and quickly fills it and hands me the beer before he continues wiping down the bar.

I sit quietly enjoying my beer as the tangy liquid stings the back of my throat with every mouthful. It isn't until a few minutes later that the bartender speaks up.

''I haven't seen you around here before. I'm Frank,'' he says extending his hand.

''Henry,'' I answer shaking his hand. ''So you own this place huh?'' I ask.

''Yeah it's a dive but it's all I've got,'' he replies looking around the bar with a fond expression.

''I don't think it's a dive. It's nice,'' I tell him while looking over at a group of guys playing pool. I wasn't used to bars like this. Hell I didn't even know bars like this existed in New York. All the bars I'd ever been to had weird names and served even more weirdly names cocktails.

''Glad you think so,'' Frank replies dryly.

Frank and I continue our conversation for a few more moments before I get up to use the bathroom. As I wash my hands something in the mirror catches my eye. Looking up I stumble back in shock. There in the mirror was a man whose face held the exact same horrified expression as mine. I take a cautious step closer to the mirror as I slowly raise my hand to my face watching as the man mirrors my actions.

It's then that I realize the man in the mirror is me. But how?

Kraven.

Turning on my heel I rush out of the bar barely giving Frank a second glance as he calls my name. Once I reach Kraven's apartment I dig out the key Kraven had given me from my pocket before barging my way in.

''Kraven,'' I yell ''Kraven get your ass out here,''

It takes him a few minutes but soon enough he stumbles out from his bedroom with a sheet wrapped around low on his hips.

''God damn it kid I'm kinda in the middle of something,'' he says in an exasperated tone.

''Why didn't you tell me,'' I scream at him.