The Grim Reaper's Daughter

Chapter Four

I walk within the hollws of death, and the only thing that I have to fear... ismyself.

"I feel... strange... Like I have the power of millions... but the strength of none," Bree explained as she and the Reaper walked through the darkness, an abyss that Bree had become accustomed to within what seemed like hours since they'd started walking. The light became closer and closer with each step, but it still seemed as though they were so far away.

"There is darkness within you now, and it has the desire to be used, Bree. In a short moment, you shall feel better," he spoke, his voice so smoothe, so velvety. Even in the dark, Bree could still spot his face, so angelic... his eyes, the blue of the mightiest ocean.

"What do you mean darkness?" she asked as surges of something she did not recognize ran a marathon through her body.

"What I breathed into you was power... the power to manipulate death. You have the power to kill with just one touch, even with your mind... or you can choose the traditional way... cold blooded murder," the Reaper explained, causing Bree to stop where she stood in the abyssmal blackness.

"You've made me a murderer?" she asked in awe. The Reaper turned to her and smiled sweetly and fatherly.

"You can choose not to use this power, but what you are feeling right now will remain forever. And sooner or later, it shall turn into pain... searing pain for eternity." He put his arms around Bree to comfort her, for he saw that she was in fear of what'd become of her.

"I don't wanna be a killer," Bree said softly. The light ahead was now only feet away, and the radiance of it caused Bree's skin to shine as she looked into it. It should've blinded her, but it did not.

"My dear girl, when I came for your Reaping, I was able to feel your resentment for life. If you'd had the power when you were alive, you would have taken the lives of many. You felt a connection with death and darkness that overwhelmed even me." As the Reaper explained, the two of them came to the brilliant light, and without hesistation, they both stepped into it.

Bree closed her eyes, and once completely surrounded by light, she inhaled the smell of flowers as the chirping of birds filled her ears. Opening her eyes, she and the Reaper found themselves in a colorful meadow full of bright flowers that swayed as a light breeze danced across the opening. For the first time, Bree looked down at herself. She was still wearing what she'd worn in death, a black fitted shirt with tight but comfortable black jeans.

Stepping away from the Reaper, Bree took in her surroundings. The trees were extra green, and the flowers were colorful... too colorful. All of the radiance caused Bree to have to squint her eyes.

"Too colorful? You can change what you see," the Reaper said to her softly, "Just close your eyes and think of what you want it to be." Without words, Bree did as she was told, but there was nothing behind her lids but blackness.

"What do I do?" she asked.

"It's not what to do. It's what you have done. Open you eyes, my daughter," the Reaper said. Bree opened her eyes and the meadow looked completely different. The trees, which were once vibrant and standing tall, were on the ground and lifeless. Most of the birds had fallen from the sky into the array of flowers, which, instead of the colorful radiance that they'd been before, were all a dead and lifeless black. The land looked literally as if it had passed into the realms of death.

"NO," screamed Bree, her voice echoing throughout the large meadow, "I am not a murderer!"

"You are what you have chosen to be," the Reaper cried out, his voice just as thunderous as hers.

"I had no choice! It was either torture or this!"

"And the good would have chosen to meet their eminent demise than become what you are," he said, moving closer to her. Looking into his eyes, the only thing Bree could do was break out in tears. What had she done to herself?