The Art of Death

Chapter 5

Song: My Tears Ricochet by Taylor Swift

Maddox knows what he is doing is crazy. Absolutely insane. But he owes it to Everlee to show her glimpses of the good in humanity. Damn the consequences. This tiny mortal deserves the world for her suffering so Maddox will deliver it to her. Even if he can only give her a fraction of what she missed, it will be enough to mend her darkness. She will be able to finally have peace in her afterlife.

The after death process is usually quick. Maddox takes the mortal's memory then aids them in entering the afterlife. It's emotionless and swift. He tries not to dwell as it is hard on his once mortal heart. Even after all these years, Death has not gotten any easier to claim.

Maddox turns to Everlee. He transported them to a huge park in the middle of a city. Her wide green eyes take in her surroundings before she reaches her hand up slowly to her red hair. Tears glisten in her eyes as she runs her fingers through the fiery locks.
"Is this Death?" Everlee asks, her heart beating far too fast.

Everlee pauses. How is her heart beating if she's dead?

Her eyes flicker to the freckles painting her arms. Her scars are completely gone. All of them. Her skin glows a healthy hue and her bones feel strong. She rubs her fingers down her long sleeved tee shocked at its softness. She did not have clothes this soft. Death is surely odd.

Maddox lets her take in her current appearance. He didn't have much of a plan but it's beginning to form a solid structure in his mind. He wants to show Everlee bits and pieces of bundling life before he whisks her off to her next chapter. If he could offer any bit of happiness, he would do so willingly. Lucifer could find another Reaper for the next few days. At that thought, Lucifer's voice rings through his head.

You are playing with fire, boy. Your soul will not survive this one.

Maddox scoffs. He hasn't been a boy in a long time. Even then, he never was truly a child.

I've grown accustomed to the burns. Don't you know I lost my soul long ago?

Even as Maddox thinks that, he knows it's not true. Whatever soul he had left has blossomed with this young mortal girl. He hasn't known love in a long time but her sadness calls to him a way that love never did. A mirror for his younger self. Something about this mortal girl shakes his very existence.

You have three days. Make them count. I still expect you to collect the Dead. The Dead doesn't stop for anyone, even Everlee.

Maddox fumes but reigns in his temper. Lucifer could have ordered him to send Everlee away but he's giving him three days. It's a rare blessing from the Devil himself.

"You done with whatever you were just doing?" Asks Everlee, tapping her foot impatiently.

Maddox grins at her, all his teeth showing. Everlee blinks in surprise. He looks so serene, a look she's never seen before.

"What's going on?" She asks, hoping for a direct answer. It seems like Maddox never wants to give them.

"We're going on an adventure." Maddox states like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Am I dead?"

"Why do you ask so many questions, Everlee? It's quite annoying."

"Oh wow sorry that me wanting to know if I'm DEAD is annoying you. I am so sincerely sorry to cause any annoyance in the Great Grim Reaper." Everlee's voice drips with sarcasm.

Maddox only smiles even wider at her. He turns to their environment, splaying his arms out wide to feel the sunshine.

"You are dead. But we are in the city of the living for today. Let me show you what humanity offers."