Death's Stigma (NanoWriMo14)

Chapter 13

Grim woke up with a pounding headache which he attributed to the empty bottle of scotch laying next to him. He gently slid out from under Katie, who was sleeping against his chest, and found a shower. The water felt good after a week of filth and fighting. He looked at himself in the mirror.

His sea blue eyes had darkened a little and he had bags under both. He tried to count the slashes and scars across his body but gave up a twenty. When he stepped out he found a pair of scissors. He trimmed his hair a little and rubbed the stubble on his cheeks, the first time he was grateful for his inability to grow facial hair.

He let Katie sleep and wandered around for a kitchen. He found it behind the bar. All the appliances were brand new with a fully stocked pantry. He controlled himself even as his stomach realized it hadn't eaten in two days. He poured a cup of coffee and ate a few pieces of fresh baked bread with butter.

"Let's see what else this place has." He said to himself. His gear had faded away last night and he was wearing his street cloths from the ground. He searched each room of the sanctuary slowly feeling better. He found a backpack which he stuffed with supplies and once that was down he sat down in front of the fire. He crossed his legs and focused on the circle on his hand.

"Took you long enough, it's rather lonely in here." Myst said.

"Sorry, I didn't think demons needed company."

"Your boss," She cleared her throat. "Lord Death I mean, he can redeem people. Like clean the taint from their souls."

"Yes he can, but only if the person is willing. Why the sudden change of heart?"

"I've never been away from Lady Skyra this long before. It feels like this black cloud in my thoughts has been lifted. I was so angry when I died and she was always there whispering in my ear."

"You want to help." He said.

"Yes, I want to redeem myself."

"Alright I'll give you a chance. When I kill Sedrin and the other five generals I doubt they will share your view."

"No, the Generals are as old as she is. All I know is that they all served her when she was a mortal and will never turn on her."

"Then when the time comes I'll tell you how you can help."

He returned to the real world and let out a sigh of frustration. He wanted to hate Myst with ever fiber of his being, but it was his duty to save every soul he could. He even felt a little pity for her, he knew what it was like to have Skyra whisper in your ear.

He went back into the kitchen where Katie was attempting to cook.

"How the hell did Ryan do this every day?"

"Practice?" He said shrugging his shoulders.

She dumped a disastrous pile of eggs and potatoes onto a plate and dug in. While she ate Grim wanted to check out the last room in the sanctuary. He opened the simple door and gasped. The room was filled to the brim with weapons. Their were training dummies and shooting ranges. He remembered spending days in here trying different weapons, none of them right for him. Then he found the scythe propped up in the corner. Death had raised one eye as Grim swung it with a flourish and demolished a training dummy. He remembered when they forged Katie and he used her for the first time. He stepped out and Katie was waiting for him in her gear.

"Ready?"

"Yeah, let's show this bastard who he's messing with." His own gear formed as Katie transformed. Grim grabbed the backpack he prepared and they left. The tunnel closed behind them, leaving nothing but the skull there to mark it. He blurred towards the dock and used a car to jump over the wall.