Collection Of One Shots About Love

Mrs. Waning Moon

It was peaceful. Yet that peace felt fragile, like at any moment the walls would fall, and his corpse would be crushed, but he and I would remain from the rumble.

The place the child died was quiet. I looked into his calm brown eyes and I figured that he didn’t quite know he was dead. He lay there in bed with a curious expression, as though asking, What are you doing in my room?

“You’re dead.” I said, and I would expect to receive a look of horror or suspicion, maybe even panic. This boy though, looked at me and nodded.

“I figured it would happen soon.” He smiled, as though consoling me, and if I’m being truthful, it really did make me feel better about something I never knew I was sad about. Taking children to the afterlife has always hurt just a little, and it was something one would have to get used to. 

He looked at me with his big brown eyes, waiting for me to continue. I decided very quickly that I didn’t want to take him to the afterlife.

“Do you consider yourself an angel, or a demon?” I asked, and as I waited in silence, I became impatient. "Whichever you choose, you will become."

“What about you? Are you a demon, or an angel?” He decided to speak as he swung his legs off the bed and stood up. The first thing you would notice would be the color of his clothing, but for now I would try to ignore it.

“I am a reaper.” 

He pursed his lips. "That sounds cool…"

"Really? Being an angel would surely be more fun for you."

"But... I don't want to be an angel, and I don't want to go to hell..." He pouted, rolling his cute little hands into fists.

I wasn't surprised, but I really did think that he would still be very suited as a Guardian Angel. I knew though, that this boy was meant for the position of a Reaper.

"Then you'll be a Reaper." I told him, and his face lit up like the sky on a sunny day in July. "I should warn you first, though. You'll have to train for the position, and there is no room for mistakes once you are fully qualified. Of course, you'll also need a reaper name."

The boy was practically jumping up and down. "Then what's your name!? And how do I get a name?"

"You may call me Waning Moon. You can keep your living name, or you can take on a more professional form of address."

"Mrs. Waning Moon!" He exclaimed.

I let out an amused sigh, turning my tone gentler. “What is your name going to be then?”

"Batman.”

I couldn’t for the life of me, understand why he chose it. “Pick a different one...”

“Zorro. No wait! King Charles the 2nd!”

“Why… err, no… I’ll choose for you!” I scrutinized his small frame. The boy slouched his shoulders in disappointment, silently begging me to allow him the name, but I'd have to be a fool to let him do as he pleases. 

He looked like he could fit into the smallest of crevices, and what was with his get up? He must have noticed my curious gaze, because he beamed and said, “My mommy dressed me! She said purple was for luck… it was expensive.”

I was distracted for a moment, remembering that he would never see his mother again now. I couldn't think of a name for him at the thought of his family that still hadn't known of his death. “Forget it, I’ll think of something later.” I waved him off. "Follow me."

I turned around and began walking, and behind me I heard his light footsteps, almost nonexistent.

Then everything shifted. I ignored his rapid questioning at the sudden change of secrecy as we crossed into the afterlife, and I noted with some pride that none of his queries contained any fear. My first pupil, I realized, was going to be eager, and that could be both a bad thing and a good thing. 

Six more steps and I was home. This was a place that I'm sure he didn't find very different from his own life. However, the environment was still new, and perhaps it looked older. We were brought straight to the living area of my home, in front of a rocking chair and a small oval table.

My feet stopped, and so did his rambling. As I turned around, I saw him staring at his surroundings like a curious kitten. My thoughts were now organized, and I thought of a name.

"From this day forth, you will be known as Purple Cat."

"That's dumb." He rolled his eyes, and I couldn't help but smile at his cheeky innocence.