Flame (Sequel to Green Eyes)

chapter thirteen

"So let me get this straight," Eric says, examining his death scythe, "You want us to ask around about that fire? But we were there; why do we have to ask about it? Plus, Alan just got out of the hospital. Are you sure he can handle it?"

"I'm right here you know Eric." William sighs, his gaze turning from Eric and to the smaller reaper. Alan Humphries is a very thin reaper with light brown hair that curls around the nape of his neck. A while back, he was hospitalized due to his...condition.

"Do not question me." William says, adjusting his rectangular glasses.

"Well I am." Eric says in retort and William sighs.

"Just do it Slingby. Humphries. And use the information I have given you." He says, before purposely striding off to his office. Eric watches him go, his grip tightening on his death scythe.

"I'll be fine." Alan says reassuringly, "As long as I take it easy." Eric watches as William vanishes, turning down a new corridor.

"Let's just get this over with." He mutters.

~~~~~~~

"Ronnie." Grell whines, pulling his lips into a white line as he waves a hand in front of the blonde reaper's face, "Ronnie, come on, say something."

"Something." Ronald mutters half-heartedly, leaning forward in his hospital bed, his hands resting on his lap. Grell sighs. Normally the flamboyant red head would be trying to paint this white, bland room red, but he has to cheer up his friend first. Grell studies Ronald through narrowed eyes, pressing his fingers against his temple. Ronald just isn't being himself lately; no longer smiling, staring off into space like he was moments earlier... "That's not what I meant dearie, and you know it." Grell says, poking Ronald's cheek.

"Then what do you want me to say?" Ronald asks, swatting away Grell's hand, "That my life is so damn wonderful? Well news flash! It's not." Groaning, Ronald falls onto his back, sinking into the mattress. An exaggerated puff of air escapes Grell as he stares down at his friend, shoving his red-rimmed glasses up his nose. Ronald looks exhausted with dark crescents shadowing his eyes. His white shirt is wrinkled and his hair is disheveled.

"Don't be over dramatic dear," Grell says, running his fingers through his bright crimson hair, "That's my job." The ghost of a smile flickers across Ronald's face and a spark of hope ignites within Grell; there may be hope for him yet because the pain of a broken heart is one of the hardest to deal with.The smile quickly vanishes and Ronald flips onto his stomach, his head buried in his arms. The cheap hospital bed creaks, "Think about this way." Grell attempts to make his voice cheerful but when Ronald sends him a sour glare, the red reaper knows that he failed, "You are Romeo and she is Juliet. Your love is forbidden yet you continue to see eachother. You risk everything for her and she risks everything for you." Grell throws his hands into the air, "It's true love!"

"Romeo dies and Juliet commits suicide." Ronald says and Grell's smile wavers, his hands dropping to his side, "Grell, I'm trying not to be rude here but you're only making it worse."

"Then don't think about her!"

"How?" Ronald asks bitterly, "I can't not think about her! I try, but I just can't."

"Did you try-"

"Grell. Leave...please."

"Fine, be like that." Grell huffs and crosses his arms over his chest, "I have things to do!" Ronald only buries his face into his pillow, not uttering a word.

~~~~~~~

"William darling, how are you on this marvelous day?" William glances up from his stack of paperwork, scowling when he sees red. He is hunched over his desk, a pencil clasped firmly with his fingers.