Skeleton Keys (on hold)

Chapter Three

 "Mary?" Dad's voice woke me from my thoughts. I realized I'd just been staring at him.

"You're the grim reaper?" My voice shook a little.

Mr. Ward chuckled softly, taking a seat in his chair again. "Oh no, Ms. Brooks. Your father isn't the Grim Reaper-"

"There is only one Grim Reaper," Dad interrupted, shooting a glance at Mr. Ward. "He's the head or ruler of the Afterlife. My boss." Dad pulled the old wooden stool back over, and sat next to me. His scythe towered over both of us, even as it rested against his shoulder. "When my grandfather died," he continued. "I was bought here just like this. I hadn't been told what to expect and I barely understood what was happening. Your Grandpa became a Reaper then, just like what happened to me. And then, I became a Charon."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, and not just about the Reaper stuff. I think this was the longest string of words my Dad had ever said to me. Well, excluding that time I'd broken a window when I was ten.

"What's that mean? A Charon?" I asked.

"Do you know where the name Charon comes from?" Mr. Ward asked. He continued when I shook my head. "In Greek mythology, Charon is the ferryman who carries the souls of the dead across the river Styx. In your case though, it is more like a starting position."

Dad thought for a moment, then said, "It's like a squire to an old jousting knight, or an apprentice to a master craftsman. It's the level you start at before becoming a Reaper. You have to learn your trade before you can be sent out."

This was unreal. But glancing again at Dad's scythe- I don't know. It didn't scare me as much as I thought it should.

"If you accept this, you'll have to live here in Hathmore. You won't be able to go back to Florida." Dad said this slowly, regret lining his face. "You should know the facts if you're going to take this position."

Live here? In Hathmore? That frightened me more that the whole supernatural show I'd just witnessed first hand. Dad's worried gaze told me he knew it would too. Why wouldn't it? There was nothing here! A few stores, a couple of factories and warehouses, a little community college and that was it!

"So, I won't be able to leave Hathmore? I'll have to be here for the rest of my life?" I asked in a panic.

"Oh no!" Dad said. "Didn't Grandpa go and visit you in Florida? Didn't you two travel all over together? You won't be stuck here all the time...just most of the time." He looked away from me, focusing on the little trinkets attached to the end of his Scythe.

I was only 22, most of the time for the rest of my life was still a very long time. I stared down at my hands. Could I really live here again? Leave everything that I loved in Florida to be- here.

"Why don't I read what your grandfather said in his will?" Mr. Ward picked up his folder of papers again, flipping through them until he found what he was looking for. "Ah, here it is. 'To my granddaughter, Mary Ella Brooks, I leave the apartment above the store and most of its contents, all besides what's listed below, in hopes that she will accept her position in the family business.

"To my first born," Mr. Ward continued. "Luke Adams Brooks, I leave my position as Reaper as tradition dictates. And to-" Mr. Ward paused a moment, peering closely at the papers before straightening. He cleared his throat. "To my assistant, Apollo Lambros."

I felt my Dad stiffen beside me. I looked up at him before glancing around the room. The foreigner stood in the doorway, shoulder leaning on the frame. He wasn't wearing a suit this time, but a black button down shirt that was open at the collar, and a pair of dark jeans.