Death & the Banshee

Part 7

Compass was in the pool doing laps. The quiet atmosphere was calming and perfect for thinking. Even during the chilly fall weather, she still came to the pool. In the back of her mind, he was still there. He's been gone for two and a half months without a word just a stupid letter. She swam faster until she felt the raw burn in her arms. Stopping at the shallow side, she screamed. A pure frustrated scream, one caused by him.

When she lowered her head she heard something hit the water. Quickly turning around, nothing was there. The water looked completely untouched as if nobody, not even her, who had just swam almost 8 laps in this very pool. A loud clang on the metal bleachers caught her attention to her left. Lights flickering above her had her swimming towards the ladder to her right side. She quickly grabbed her white and grey striped towel from the floor. She removed her goggles from around her neck and began to dry her braided ponytail. She cautiously looked around and still couldn't find anyone in the pool area.

"You're a very cautious banshee." A deep voice said from right behind her.

Compass turned around and the reaper bowed his head as a sign of respect. This was the same grim reaper that was once in her room.

"What do you want reaper?" She asked wrapping the towel around her.

"Death sent me."

"I don't care why he sent you. Anything he has to say he can do so himself."

"Of course. He sends an invitation for you not words. Well, he has a message as well."

The reaper waited for an approval to continue. She raised an eyebrow at the outstretched hand that held an envelope. She grabbed the envelope from the reaper and nodded for him to continue. Before he spoke she sat down in the first row of seats on the bleachers.

"Death hopes to see you at this year's Supernatural Masquerade. It is open to selected supernatural creatures. It is held every year on Hallows Eve night. The location is inside the invitation. Death also said that he will explain why he left." The grim reaper said and bowed his head again.

"Thank you reaper." Compass said and he gave her a darkly grin then turned into ash.

Compass stared down at the elegant black envelope and traced the star white seal that was a skull.

"Well what do we have there?" A soft female voice asked.

Compass looked up at her new friend. A girl she had just recently met but connected with right off the bat.

"It's an invitation Stella, nothing fancy."

"Let me see."

Compass turned the invitation around for her to see and her eyes lit up. Stella was excited all of a sudden a don Compass knew something was going to happen.

"You got one too. We get to go together. I got the same invitation not even a few hours ago."

"Really?"

"Yes Ma'am, a fallen angel has her connections."

Compass rolled her eyes and they continued to talk about this ball. Compass decided to let Stella pick her outfit as long as she did the same for her in return. They went to the antique boutique in town and found the capes they were to wear. Soon after the girls went dress shopping and were not allowed to see them until the day of the ball.

Once Compass arrived home she found a note taped to the door. The note said

'Open the box and wear it to the ball. If you do, I know that's you.

Your Partner D'

She folded the note and placed it inside the pocket of her jacket then unlocked the door to her grandmother's house. The warm smell of fresh cookies filled her nose and she knew that today was a good day. Compass quickly went upstairs and put away her shopping bag and dress. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a white box tied with a black bow sitting on the center of her bed. She ignored it and looked back to her desk where her focus went straight for the letter he left her, the one that sat inside the false book. It sat with the other notes and letters he has given her in the past.