Dissecting The Reaper

Chapter 7

I sullenly write the numeric code onto the mirror. Entering Death's office I stare gloomily at the clouds floating through the sky indicating several impossibly different wind directions. They annoy me. Especially when this is a room and there is no wind. Everything here is an illusion created by Death himself to seem friendly and more childlike but it's merely something he did to stop others seeing what really is, everything here is nothing more than a lie. Even as he stands before me his current form is fake. 

Death is standing near the middle of the vast room with his fingers pressed together. How can he control this form so well? I dislike things that cannot be demonstrated and proven. I'd like to dissect him. "Ah, good morning Stein, I hope you are doing well!"

"Good morning," I shift uncomfortably. There's no point in hiding my knowledge. If I do it'll only create suspicion. "I know why I'm here,"

"Yes, my son hasn't been seen since yesterday. His last sighting was with you Stein. I'd like to inquire as to where exactly is," he asks patiently, tilting his head with an empty stare. He seems calm but I know how fickle his temper really is. If there's even a hint that I'm lying... this could go very badly for me. I think of my test subject, Kid and feel a wash of sudden disappointment. The same existential dread I felt earlier in my own house once Kid was finally mine. And suddenly this doesn't feel worth it... nothing says buyer's remorse more than this.

"He had a panic attack yesterday. I took him into my office and treated him. He left after class, I haven't seen him since," I lie easily, sounding defeated with each word. My tone of voice confuses Death, who has only ever seen me display 2 genuine emotions. Rage and bloodlust. He frowns.

"No one has seen him since, not even his weapons. He didn't come home last night which is extremely unlike him," Death elaborates just in case I really am innocent. 

I know not to fake shock. Instead my face falls to mild anger, the same way I'm feeling about himself and how stupid I was to get myself into this. I took Kid in at the most opportune time  but also the time I'd be the most likely suspect - as the last one to have seen him. How could I be so foolish? I berate myself. "What are you thinking?"

"Well... I'm thinking you may be hiding him or know of his whereabouts," Death holds up a single finger. His face is still the blank 'cutesy' mask persona he feigns to appeal to the impressionable students but I know better. This is his most menacing form. The hollow eyes of the mask as opposed to the enraged expression of his real face are more terrifying in their detachment. He feels nothing in this mask. No remorse, no empathy. This is the mask he will wear dancing on your grave. He tilts his head to the side and his ghostly form of a top hat slides into place. "I'm sure you know not to lie to me, Doctor Stein,"

"No, Lord Death," casually I place a cigarette between my lips, lighting it and letting the ghoulish smoke evaporate. It becomes part of the clouds in the office sky. "I'm not hiding your son. I'll do whatever it takes to help you locate him,"

I speak in my normal monotone. Inside my brain there is a panicked screaming I dull using the cigarette. Focus on the smell of the cigarette, the warmth on your fingers. Focus on the delightful cracking of each drag and watching the ash flutter to your feet. Keep yourself sane around this omnipotent reaper you have so royally pissed off. I repeat this to myself. 

Death nods with that blank expression.

"Great," Death claps his hands together and clouds puff from between them. "In that case, I assume you won't mind a search of your laboratory?"

My eye twitches behind the glare of my glasses. I flick ash from my cigarette. Gently, so gently I press it against the inside of my finger. A delightful cold burn melting through my skin. Calm, it's calming me. Focus on the pain, keep your composure. Just focus, Franken Stein. "Not at all, Lord Death,"

"Perfect," he quips, more cheerfully. "I'll get right on that!"

I nod, taking another drag. There's blood on the end. Skin blackened to ash falls from my hand through the sky-realm.

"You are excused, if that is all," slowly he folds his hands together, interlacing his fingers. I do take this opportunity to leave. I run, I run and run until my legs scream in agony and I barricade myself in the boy's bathroom on this upper floor of the DWMA. I lock the stall door, collapsing against the toilet. I am nauseous with panic, the stress boiling through my organs like acid. Is that smoke from my flaming insides or the cigarette?

Plop. I toss my cigarette into the toilet and flush. I burst from the stall frantically staring around. 

Dammit! I grip the stall door, feel like crying. If I rush to my lab now I'll look guilty but if I don't Kid will be found. I grit my teeth, this wasn't worth the hassle. 

There's so much panic I can't close my eyes. A panic attack, I suppose. Gripping my chest I stare at myself in the mirror and am faced with the horror of the Kishin's madness. The world around me fades to neon purple. Death? I hope so, I hope to die here and now like this rather than suffer the wrath of Lord Death once he discovers my freshly carved experiment at home. Breathing heavily I shakily place my hand on the screw on my head. Giving it a few turns, the panic dissipates. 

I review my options. I'm backed into a corner, I don't have many options but there's one thing that might work. A diversion to distract Death so I can make my way to Kid. I mustn't let them find my experiment.