Identity V - Modern AU (WIP)

Chapter 3

No surprise, I'm working the graveyard shift again.

My occupation is quite interesting to say the least: I work as an embalmer, to prepare bodies for funerals and such. To me, it's bringing the dead back to life.

Seeing what they were like before they died, before blood coated their bodies, is interesting.

My last patient for the night is a young boy, around 16 years old. His life was taken away from him too soon, trapped in a burning car. His lungs gave up before help arrived. Sighing heavily, I begin the process.

After a bit, his body is now dressed in a sharp tuxedo that the family provided me. Apparently, he had bought it for prom a few days earlier, so his mom wanted to put it to good use. His shaggy hair is parted to one side, so that his face is visible. I check the makeup one last time before closing the coffin.

The mother has invited me to the funeral tomorrow at a nearby church. I'll be sure to attend after...a few hours of sleep.

My phone buzzes, reminding me that my shift is over. My schedule at the morgue is 9:00pm to 5am. Most people greet death around the early morning or late at night, so it's perfect.

Well...for me at least.

The next day, I find myself at the church, slightly tired but otherwise fine. No one else has come that I know of but me, so I'm glad to have some peace and quiet for once. The mother walks up to me, and we shake hands.

She wears a black long-sleeved dress, with embroidered flowers scattered across it. Her face is caked in makeup, but her mascara is running down from her eyes. She's been crying, hasn't she?

"Glad you were able to make it," she whispers. "You did an amazing job. He looks like...he's alive again." A slight smile makes its way onto her face, and I nod. She walks off to presumably chat with someone else.

Now, I am alone again.

Well, not for long...

A shutter clicks behind me, from the back of the coffin, and I turn around to see...

Fucking Joseph...why is he taking photos here?

I run over to him, and yank the camera out of his hands. "You don't have permission to do that," I hiss, and scroll through the camera roll. He pouts, and watches as I delete the photos he took of the funeral.

"Why can't I take pictures here?" he complains, stepping closer to me. "I'm always hired to do wedding shoots, and it gets too cheesy for my taste after a while. Can't I take some pictures of it's opposite?"

"The mother specifically told me to tell everyone that no flash photography was allowed. Sorry, but no pictures unless they're taken in a room somewhere out of the main area." I hand the camera back to Joseph, and immediately shove him away from me. "And stay out of my personal space."

"Your wish is my command, dear~" he sings, while running off towards another room. I watch him as he opens the door to a room in the hallway, and slams it behind him.

I sigh heavily, and walk back towards the service.

After it was done, the mother presented me with money for dinner tonight, so I decide to go to a popular restaurant in town. Eli, Naib, Norton, and William decide to eat at home with Gertrude, so I'm left by myself.

I could care less.

I walk in through the front, a bell ringing above the door. Immediately, loud conversations can be heard throughout the place, and I look at the floor as to not meet anyone's gaze. Thankfully, a familiar woman walks up to me, smiling.

"Hello, Aesop!" Michiko greets. "I can get you a table in the back, alright?" I nod, and she guides me to an empty spot in the restaurant. Here, everyone's conversations are quieter, which I'm grateful for. She hands me a small menu, and I look it over while she gets back to taking orders.

Hmm...the takoyaki looks appetizing...

The door jingles, and I assume it to be another family, but I don't notice who it is until I hear him talk to Michiko.

"Hello, Mr. Desaulniers. Anywhere in the restaurant you want to sit?" she asks politely.

"A pleasure to meet you Michiko~" he greets, and looks around, gasping when he spots me. I slam my head on the table, and Michiko gives me a pity smile as she leads him to my table. She hands Joseph a menu as well, and walks off.

"So-" he starts, but I cut him off.

"Why did you want to disturb my peace tonight?" I hiss, hiding my face behind the menu. He chuckles, and pulls the laminated paper down to meet my gaze.

"I just wanted to show you the pictures I took, my dear. Oh, and I simply can't resist the takoyaki here. Hastur is a really good chef, is he not?"

I nod slowly and sigh, watching him as he sets his camera on the table and turns it on. Pushing a button, he finds the start of the pictures and slides his device towards me. "Be careful, dear. I don't want those going in the trash like the funeral ones."

"They said absolutely no photography of the body," I state, but Joseph isn't listening. His gaze is on me, waiting for my reaction. Sighing, I take the camera in my hands and begin to scroll through.

The pictures are...amazing. He took a picture of one of the Bibles by a windowsill, and the sunlight on the cover looks beautiful. You can see the sun from the window next to it. The rest of them are of places in the church that I don't recognize, but they look great regardless. 

"These are...amazing, Joseph. I can't believe I'm saying this, but...good job," I compliment.

"Ah, thank you..." He smiles faintly, and packs the camera away. He stares at his menu, and I decide to look at mine as well, even though I know what I want.

Soon after, I arrive back home, where I'm greeted by a weird sight. Gertrude, Eli's...well, crush, is leaning against him, sleeping, while he's trying to calm the flush taking over his face. Naib is smirking along with William, while Norton is focused on the movie in front of them.

"Be quiet, Aesop. She's sleeping," William exclaims, chuckling. I chuckle as well, and head to my room for some peace and quiet.

Was something wrong with Joseph earlier? I wonder what he was thinking about...