Three Ghosts for Anastasia (Angels & Grim Reapers BOOK I)

Chapter 2: Marco, the Grim Reaper of Death Inc.

                     

"Hello, Marco..." I felt my voice stiff as I spoke these words.

The man in the black clothes had his head covered with a black hood, while his silver scythe shone on his back. He came closer and closer until he stood at the edge of my bed and then he...

"Idiot, stupid, clueless human!" his voice was angry as he took off his hood, revealing his shiny black eyes, like pearls in the dark. Grim Reapers eye had no iris or pupil, just dark obsidian orbs that could also glow...especially when your boss was angry.

I  shrugged. "What did I do again? I didn't violate any rules!"

"Oh yeah?" and he took from his pocket a letter which he opened before me.

"Today at 12 pm you showed your eyes in front of five girls! If that is not a violation then I am an angel!"

"They asked for that! Besides Mary is always such a..."

"Asshole?"

I pointed. "Exactly! I did cover it later and no one said anything."

His body relaxed and he took off his scythe, transforming it into a small key ring, holding it between his fingers and sat on my desk's chair.

"Marco, have you calmed down?"

"A little, I had two airplane crashes today and we had a lot of work. I am completely worn out."

Well, this wasn't a surprise; he was one of the hard workers of Death Inc., the corporation in which all the souls are gathered, judged, and followed the right path; Hell or Heaven. A horrifying and lonesome job. How did I know that? Well, he was the one who discovered my "gift" after all.

Marco rubbed his eyes and looked at me. "Leave me be; how was your day?"

"The usual, school, library and helping two ghosts pass to the other side"

"I saw the report; your work rate has dropped the past three months"

"Hey, don't look at me like that! They don't come to me, I have to find them!"

"Then, you should go ghost hunting, perhaps you will become more experienced if you go out at night!" he said with burning eyes, trying to tease me.

And began humming the Ghostbusters tune.

"Don't provoke me, Marco, I have university entrance exams coming and I can't waste much time on ghost hunting."

His hand moved fast and touched my chin lifting it to him; he was scary when he looked at me like that. He lowered his head close to my ear and his piercing voice made me shiver.

"You know the contract; you better keep your promise..."

"I never forgot it in the first place; you better keep your promise too." I pulled back staring at him with no fear.

It seemed that my answer was enough for him; he stepped back and smiled tiredly to me. He did seem to be younger when he was relaxed, although I never dared to ask his actual age. Suddenly, his cellphone rung and he looked at it annoyed; a new job had come and I understood what that meant.

"I have to go." He said looking at me.

"Be careful; don't let those superiors of yours exploit you like that."

He covered me with the blanket and he patted my head, smiling.

"You have no idea Ana, and it's better not to know. Now, get some sleep and tomorrow concentrate on finding more ghosts."