The Beauty of Death

Chapter Three: Black Powder

After I had collected all the lost souls, I went in search of Thomas and Elizabeth and I found them, sitting in an ambulance. I smiled at Kizzy, loving the fact that she had finally gotten to grow her hair out like she always wanted too. Mommy, when I get older, I want to have pretty long hair like you. A tear ran down my cheek as I thought back to that summer night. It had been her birthday and we sat outside, watching the fireflies and stars while we waited for Thomas to come home. He had snuck in through the back door and scooped Elizabeth into her arms. She screamed and giggled as he tickled her.

I remember kissing him sweetly, so happy to see him. I wiped away that stray tear and reached into my pocket, withdrawing my little sack of black powder. As I walked closer to her, she turned and looked at me. I could see myself in her eyes, and I knew that she could see me. Younger children almost always saw me. I took out a small handful of the black powder, not completely ready to kill her and I blew it into her face. The powder was colorless and odorless to the other mortals, but she saw it. Her eyes fluttered and she fainted, nearly hitting the ground.

Thomas lunged forward, catching her in his arms. "Medic!" he screamed and his eyes landed on me as I backed away from the large group that was forming around them. I turned and disappeared back into my castle. I took off my coat and tossed it over a chair. I reached up and shook my dark brown hair from its high ponytail. I was tired and just wanted to shower and go to bed. I heard the ambulance's sirens in the distance getting fainter and fainter.

Someone jumped out from around a corner and I screamed bloody murder. I glared at my friend, Kaden. His black hair was a crazy mess as always, only this time he had a new tattoo on his face. Just below his eye was a Bishop chess piece. "Hello, dearie!" he said in his British accent. I pushed passed him, not up for his tricks and games.

"Go away, Kaden," I growled as I stormed towards my stairs.

"Oh, what's wrong with you, love? Reaper being a prick again?" I froze and slumped my shoulders as the tears burned my eyes.

"No, that's not it this time." He came up behind me and turned me to face him. His face was soft and concerned something that you wouldn't expect to see in a demon. His big black eyes reverted back to his somewhat human ones and he rested his hands on his shoulders.

"Then what is it, Rosie?" I shook my head and the tears refused to stop falling.

"I really fucked up, K." He shrugged his shoulders.

"I always do, love. We all make mistakes." I shook my head and looked away from him. "But I get the feeling that this isn't something your magic can just fix." I sighed heavily, not sure how to word my situation. I took a deep breath.

"I was suppose to collect the souls from this accident today," I began.

He nodded his head and removed his hands from my shoulders. "Like normal, so?" I sighed heavily and slumped against the wall.

"And...I saved someone." Kaden's eyes dropped and he pointed at me.

"You? As in the apprentice of the Grim Reaper? As in the cold heartless bitch who took peoples' lives without batting a lash, you?" I nodded my head, not enjoying his sarcasm.

"Yes me." I shook my head. "I was watching the accident and I saw this man, running with his daughter to get her to safety...and the car was going to flatten them. So, I...kinda...threw the car into a cornfield." Kaden squatted down in front of me.

"What was it about this guy that made you stop his death?" I shook my head.

"It was Thomas and Elizabeth." His eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

"You mean...your husband and daughter?" I nodded my head. "Darling, do you realize how crazy you sound?"

"This coming from the guy who goes to mental institutions to fuck with the patients?" He chuckled.

"I have a funny story to tell you about my visit today, by the way, but it can wait. Where are they?"

"The hospital...I used my powder on Elizabeth..." I trailed off.

"To put her into a coma? Are you bloody mad? He'll kill you when he finds out." I nodded my head.

"I know...and I only have three months to think of a plan that will kill them both, and make it painless." He nodded his head and rose to his feet.

"Come along, love." I rose to my feet and followed him. "And wear your cloak." I grabbed my cloak from over the chair, throwing it back on.

"Where are we going?" I asked, confused.

"The hospital. I must see this man who has claimed your heart."

"He didn't claim my heart, Kaden," I protested. He turned around to face me.

"Then why else would you save him, dear?" I sighed heavily and he took my hand. We took a running start and jumped over the balcony railing, appearing in the hospital. He walked around and I froze when I saw them. Elizabeth was laying in a hospital bed, IVs and wires poking out from under her skin, while Thomas was sitting in a chair beside her. Kaden stopped and came back to peer into the room.

"This them?" I nodded my head and he walked into the room, trying to drag me along. "What is it now, love?"

"He can see me."

Kaden's brows shot into the air and he looked from Thomas to me. "How many people can actually see you?"

"Those that have died." He nodded his head and took my hand tightly in his.

"Perhaps a little possession can straighten this out."

"What do you mean?" He smirked at me.

"Take over a nurse's body and go in there and strike up a conversation with him!" My eyes widened at him.

"Have you finally lost your last marble?! I can't do that."

"Unless you don't want another chance at love." I shook my head.

"This isn't right, Kaden. I can't ruin some poor girl's life, and I can't hurt him." He raised a brow.

"What are you afraid of?"

"My boss killing me."

"Everything will be alright, just trust me." He was glancing behind me, but before I could look over my shoulder he shoved me into some random girl. I took an actual breath and reached up, touching the dirty blonde hair. I was pale white and I turned around, staring straight at Kaden. I glared at him and he smirked, walking straight into Elizabeth's room. I followed him and froze when I saw Thomas looking straight at me.

"Can I help you?" he asked. I stood there, licking my lips. "Hello?" I snapped out of my nervous trance and walked over to him.

"Pardon me for staring...but I was just coming in to check on your daughter." He nodded his head.

"Thank you." I made it look like I was really checking on her and then I rose back up.

"What's her name?" He sighed heavily, tightening his grip on her hand.

"Kizzy." I nodded my head.

"That's a beautiful name." He smiled.

"Thank you." I turned sticking my hand out to him.

"I'm R-" I stopped and Thomas stared at me. Kaden came closer to me and started to whisper in my ear.

"Your name is Penny," he whispered.

"Your name is?"

"Penny," I replied. "My name is Penny." He took my hand in his and shook it.

"It's a pleasure, Penny. My name is Luke." Luke. Not Thomas. I heard some noises starting outside and I heard someone flatline. I sighed heavily, knowing that that was my cue to leave.

"I have to go. I'm sorry, it was nice meeting you." I hurried from the room, Kaden running alongside me.

"What are you doing?"

"Duty calls." I replied as I hurried into a bathroom. I jumped out of her body and rushed back out to find my dead soul.