The Art of Death

Chapter 2

Song: Hard Sometimes by Ruel

TRIGGER WARNING-> SUICIDE 

Chapter 2 of the Art of Death

Everlee is 15 when Death calls to her again. This time it is from the comfort of her room rather than the restraints of a hospital room.

Maddox is on a routine patrol of the Earth for any lost souls when he gets the call from Lucifer. Lucifer didn't specify who or the cause of death, just tells him itʼs important that he arrives ASAP. No dwelling around other places. Maddox isnʼt used to being on a tight schedule. A plus of being a Grim Reaper is that they donʼt have many rules and can basically do whatever they want as long as they collect the souls. Obviously, no fraternizing with humans or causing any unnecessary distress. Itʼs a tad bit surprising that Lucifer wants him there ASAP. Usually, a Reaper tries to arrive within 30 minutes after the death. They donʼt always have to witness it. This human must be important. This aspect makes Maddox excited. He could use some spice to his life right now.

Everlee sits on her plush twin sized bed wrapping herself in her red fluffy comforter. Everything is too loud for her right now. She cocoons herself within the blanket closing her eyes. It does nothing to stop the buzzing in her ears. Light is filtered in through her window, kissing her eyelids. The only noise in the room is the consistent ticking of the old overhead fan. She tries to focus on her breathing, inhaling every time she hears a click from the creaky fan.

Leaning back on her bed, she peels open her eyes to stare mindlessly at the fan above her. Her fiery red hair fans around her, tickling her pillows gently. The paint on her ceiling is starting to chip, a result of her parents buying an older house. Sighing, she turns her head, her eyes skim her bookcases. Everything is starting to go out of focus but she forces her eyes to focus on her only prize and joy of her room.

Her four bookcases were not easy to build. She wanted to find wood with character. With flaws. To remind her that something can be perfect but imperfect at the same time. It took a long time to find this, but when she did, it was better than she couldʼve ever imagined. The wood is an ashy white color, paint splattered in random places. Scars from the artist before sprinkle across the wood offering texture to the otherwise smooth wood. They looked amazing against her one dark green wall. All four of them were filled head to toe with books. Sheʼd been collecting books since she first started reading at a young age. Once she started, she found that she couldnʼt stop. Her bookcases filled quickly, then her closet, and finally carts full of books settled next to her bookcases.

Everlee could not express in words how much she loved books. Her life was dull in comparison to the stories she found herself lost in. So why try to compete? She gave up living in the real world and instead dived into worlds of fantasy, history, and love. Everything she ever needed or wanted could be found in these books. They explained the words she couldn't express. They filled the loneliness in heart. The words of her favorite books tainted her skin like the scars that painted her ivory skin.

Maddox appears in a dark room. The only light source is streaming through the narrow window. Itʼs completely silent besides the humming of an old fan. The walls are a soothing grey color with one hunter green accented wall. Grey bookshelves cover the green wall while the rest of the walls stay bare. The room contains a small bed, a grey dresser, grey nightstand and the bookshelves. Maddox notes more books on carts next to the bookshelves, but other than that, the room is sparsely decorated. The only sign of life lays on the red comforter, completely still. Maddox wonders if the person is already dead. He observes the room more carefully, noting the clothes spilling out of the laundry hamper. Schoolbooks are sprawled across the dresser. Heʼs guessing a teenager lives here. His almond eyes flicker to the small nightstand and his heart stops momentarily. An orange pill bottle sits gently on the table, the lid off. He moves closer, noting that the label has been scraped off hastily. Maddoxʼs cold heart softens a bit. He now knows the cause of death.