There is Power in Death

Chapter 12

Benji's flower leads us to the outside of a cat cafe in Brooklyn. We make ourselves visible before walking in. 

"I come here all the time on my breaks. It's a pretty chill place and the cats are all very friendly. Except for that white with the black spots. She doesn't like me that much."

"This place looks familiar. I might have come here before. Maybe when I was younger. Never mind that, we should get some food."

"Agreed."

We get some food and drinks and sit down at one of the tables.

"I used to come here all the time when I was living. I had to drastically change my appearance because my death was all over the news and people would recognize me from a mile away. They never ended up catching the murderer. He was killed and I was the one to reap his soul."

"What did you look like when you were alive?"

"I looked pretty plain. Blond hair, brown eyes, and my choice of style was hoodies and sweatpants. What about you?"

"I had brown hair, and both of my eyes were green instead of just the one. I always had to wear suits or dress shirts because my family was a bit of a big deal. My father was always at work at some big company I think. I think we owned it. My mom never left the house, our servants did that. I'm pretty sure my aunt was the one that took care of me."

"Then what about your death? It doesn't seem like anyone's making a big deal out of it. Wouldn't the heir to a big company dying be a huge deal?"

"My family and servants are hiding it from the public, and I doubt my dad even knows. My aunt is the one in charge of the house. I think my mom was afraid of her? It's fuzzy."

"What do you mean 'it's fuzzy'? It's your death. Do you even remember your family's name?"

"My aunt's name is- it's- Kal? I think. I never bothered to learn my dad's name, or my mom's, for that matter."

"Okay, well what about your friends?"

"I didn't have any. Everyone wanted to be friends with me for the money. I did have two friends online. I think their names were Dylan and Hana, at least those are the names they used online."

Come to think of it, I used my real name online. I don't think I had to worry about hackers or creeps. Our security was too high for even the most experienced hackers to get through, that's excluding the time I hacked into the database for research.

"Did you ever use an alias? I'm guessing you had no choice."

"Nah. I didn't care about that, besides, I would have to deal with creeps all the time. It was pretty normal."

"I see. Where did you used to live? I lived here in Brooklyn."

"I lived somewhere in Canada. I think it was somewhere in Ontario."

A cat jumps onto the table and starts brushing against Benji's empty mug. 

"Oh hi there, Milly! How are you," they start petting and talking to the cat.

Other cats start coming over and bombarding us. The one that Benji pointed out earlier is in the mix. She hops onto my lap and curls up, falling asleep almost immediately. I look at her collar.

"Hi Muffins," I look up at Benji and smile, "She likes me. I guess she's just very picky with the people she likes."

We just sit there with the cats for an hour, doing nothing but pet them. I never want to leave this place. 

"Alex, we should head back now. They close soon."

"Ah! you're right!"

We get up and pay, walking out. As soon we're outside we make ourselves invisible to the living once again. 

"So where are we going now?" I ask.

"I'm not sure, you choose."

"Then let's go to a cafe. One that's really calm and not busy."

"Your wish is my command! Lets' go!"

Benji opens the portal and it opens up to a very calming cafe. We order a small snack, feeling obligated, and sit down on the couch in the corner. I turn my M.I into a phone and check to see if Talan has messaged me, which he hasn't. I turn it into a book and begin to read. 

Benji's M.I is in the form of a phone and they're scrolling through something. We sit in silence until the sun starts going down and we leave.

"We should find a hotel to stay at. I don't know how long they need and it hasn't even been a full day there. Follow me, it's not too far of a walk from here."

"Okay."

They lead me down the street to a large hotel.

"I can get a room with two beds for pretty cheap here."

We walk in and the lady at the desk looks at Benji strangely.

"Hello sir. Ma'am? Sir? Ah whatever, how can I help you?"

"Room for Benjamin. It should already be reserved."

Her face darkens, "Y-yes, let me just get the key for you."

She walks off and I stare at Benji.

"How did you do that? We never reserved a room."

"We didn't. I did. I have a room permanently reserved for me and whoever else accompanies me. Benjamin is a cover up name that I use. It's also a part of a code."

"Here you go." the lady returns and hands Benji a key.

I follow Benji to the elevator and we go to the second floor. We stop at a door that has caution tape covering it. They unlock the door and it opens to a small room. It's a standard hotel room with two beds, a TV, a bathroom, and a sink, fridge and microwave.

"Why was she scared of you?"

"That is something that I can't answer. I don't know the real reason. It might be because I used this with my friends when I was alive."

"I see."

We both lay down on the beds and start falling asleep when my phone starts ringing.

"Hello?"

"Alex, it's Talan. You have to come back to HQ ASAP! And bring your scythes. Hurry!" 

He hangs up after that, but he sounded worried.

"Benji, we have to go. There's something going on at HQ. Apparently it's important."

1030 words