One Foot In & One Foot Out

Chapter 12

"So all those times when you would text me and say, "I'm dead af", you were being serious??" Lucia says jokingly.

Jael rolled her eyes and laughed at her friend's cheesy joke. The three of them returned to Jael's house after stopping for takeout. She felt it would be better to break the news to them on a full stomach. She didn't know how telling her friends that she was half dead would go but she hoped they wouldn't hate her for not telling them for the past three years.

Nervous and petrified was an understatement. There was a reason she didn't want everyone to know about her occupation. She didn't want to end up in an insane asylum and to be shunned by her family and friends. If Kostas had never seen what happened, she probably wouldn't have told him either.

"So, explain this to me again. I...I just need to hear it again. You're half dead?" Byron asks trying to logically fit the information into his head.

"Yes, I am half dead. You guys remember the night of Gen and Ez's accident?" Jael asked.

Byron and Lucia nod their heads.

"That night something happened. Something supernatural and unbelievable. I wouldn't have believed it either if someone else told me. I was in the room and it was as if time stopped. I believe it actually did. Everything and everyone stopped moving and was frozen in place except for me and I later on found out Kostas too. In that frozen time, I was greeted by Death himself."

"And Death is supposed to be Damien Mori??" Lucia interrupted.

"Yes. Damien Mori as in Mori Industries. Multi-millionaire Damien Mori is a grim reaper. Well, correction, he's the head of the reapers, but he's basically the same thing. Just even more powerful. Dude even drives a white Aston Martin like it's his apocalypse horse. Oh, and I guess I should tell you that Davin, the one I went on a date with is Davin Mori. He's also a grim reaper."

"Wait a second. Davin is Davin Mori?! As in the guy you almost hooked up with in his kitchen?! And Damien Mori aka your boss, is the one you also almost hooked up with too?!"

"Well when you say it like that it sounds pretty bad."

"Damn Jay you've almost hooked up with the whole family! Who's next? The dad and granddad?" Byron says laughing against the chair

She was glad he could still laugh, even if her dating habits and lack of control was the butt of the joke.

"Shut up B," she says.

"Girl I'm not even finna judge you. Those brothers are sexy. So, you working for Damien is only a cover for the real job you do for him? Which is being a reaper?" Lucia asks trying to comprehend.

"Yes. Although, I do sometimes work in the actual building whenever Damien doesn't have a reaper job for me. Gotta keep up appearances. Anyway, on that day he said that Genesis and Ezra were dying. I made a deal with him to save them and in exchange I would work for him as a reaper and when I died fully, I would live with him in The Middle and be his "queen". Whatever the fuck that means, but I can tell you I have no intention of doing that.

However, Kostas and I have reason to believe that he may have tricked me into thinking they were dying when they actually weren't. If I can prove that he lied, then the contract will be null in void. I won't have to work for him anymore and definitely won't have to be his "queen".

"Is it really that bad working for him? Must not be since you've almost slept with the guy," Byron asked.

"Sometimes it's not too bad, but for the most part his temper and attitude aren't the best. He can be quite dangerous when he doesn't get his way or if I try to defy him. Recently I also feel like he's been up to something and like there are things he is not telling me. And let's not forget whatever his hidden agenda. So, for the past three years I have been reaping souls. Being a reaper has its perks though. It's pretty cool, but at the same time depressing because you remember that you're dealing with people who have just died.