The Grim Reaper's Girl

The Plan

The Grim Reaper was confused. It was a feeling he didn't encounter often, and he didn't like how it made him feel. 

He had been mostly alone for eternity, rarely having to keep another soul around for longer than necessary. Even when he did, it was mostly to break the monotony of his job as a courier of souls. All along, he'd thought he was placed on this earth to do a job, but Mindy's recent venture into the light had gave him much to mull over.

Firstly, where were all the souls he delivered? The light only showed one soul, Mindy's, and was void of any other souls or objects. Even if it was an interim place for souls to pass through, it should show at least one other soul - the girl, Aurelia. 

Secondly, Mindy had spent a week in that light, but she could only recall a minute or so of it. Did time slow down in there, or was something affecting her memory? If so, how did it do that? There were no such powers in this earth, as far as he knew of, that could slow time down or remove memories from souls. Granted, this was in the light, which was a dimension he had no knowledge in, but the raw power required to accomplish that was unthinkable. 

Lastly, and most importantly, the light had seemed familiar. The Grim Reaper had seen and felt the light before - he just couldn't recall when. 

It was exasperating and baffling for him. He never forgot anything, ever. He was certain he had seen the light, felt its powers, but when? How did he escape? Why did he forget? 

Mindy was at his side, walking silently, but her mind was full of questions too. The Grim Reaper could sense that most of her thoughts were related to the time difference and how she felt only a minute or two had passed in the light, but she had also been worrying about the next soul. Now that she had seen what was in the light, she was even more determined to find out the truth behind it, before they sent the next soul into it.

It was admirable that a human could have concern for souls she had never even met, the Grim Reaper mused. 

The Grim Reaper stopped walking and looked at Mindy. It was time to find out the truth, and he was glad he was not alone to do that.

"Mindy, I need your help. Would you be willing to try to go into the light again?" he asked, aware that Mindy already made up her mind to do so.

Mindy nodded in response, a determined smile on her face.

Okay, now for the next part. This, he wasn't sure if Mindy would agree to.

"In order for me to also enter the light, I would need to go into your mind and guide you. It will prevent the light from taking over your senses like the last time. Is that okay?"

Mindy's eyes widened slightly. "You mean like a possession?" she asked.

The Grim Reaper tried to smile reassuringly. "No, more like a hitchhiker. You'll still be in complete control of your faculties, but I'll be there by your side,  mentally instead of physically."

Mindy considered for a second. The Grim Reaper could hear her thinking to herself that he would see all her thoughts, but on the other hand, he already did and she had nothing else to hide. It was also the only real option they had here, if she didn't want to stay entrapped in that light for all eternity. 

She nodded again, this time somberly. 

The Grim Reaper returned her smile and they continued walking.

After a while, Mindy turned to him and asked, "Have you considered a softer approach to getting the souls to go into the light?"

The Grim Reaper raised an eyebrow, a questioning look on his face.