The Day Death Died

The Day Death Died - Chapter 15

"I don't know, Edwin. They were my friends. I love Alex." My voice cracked as I spoke, a wave of grief rising in my chest, threatening to overwhelm me.

Edwin stood nearby, his arms crossed and his face impassive. "Maddison, they're not the same people you knew anymore. They're not people at all."

I shook my head, biting my lip to stop the tears. "You said they were lost souls. My friends—the lost souls of Alex, Emily, and everyone else. They're not evil beings, Edwin. They're just... trapped."

His sigh was long, drawn out, as if explaining this to me was exhausting for him. He rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. "You're not listening. They are possessed. They are no longer the lost souls you once knew. Whatever happened on this land, whatever darkness has rooted itself here—it's taken them. Their bodies, their spirits, are nothing more than vessels now, carrying out whatever twisted plan that evil has."

I swallowed, my throat tight. "Who is the evil? Who could do this?"

Edwin shrugged, a rare flicker of uncertainty crossing his usually composed features. "I don't know."

"How can you not know?" I demanded, my frustration bubbling over. "Isn't this your area of expertise? You're Death. Shouldn't you know who or what's responsible for all this?"

His expression hardened as he glanced at me, clearly irritated. "I don't know everything, Maddison. I don't handle the 'evil entities' department. My job is to guide souls to the afterlife, not to meddle in whatever ancient darkness is at play here." He rolled his eyes and moved toward the car, pulling open the door and climbing in.

I stood by the driver's side for a moment, staring up at the dark silhouette of the ruined school. My heart felt like it was being torn in two—one part of me wanted to rush back into that school, to find Alex, to save him. The other part of me knew Edwin was right. I wasn't prepared. Not yet.

"What's the plan, Maddy?" Edwin's voice came from inside the car, softer this time.

"I just..." My voice faltered, and I took a shaky breath. "I don't know what to do."

"We leave," he said, his tone more gentle than before. "We make a plan. There's nothing more we can do tonight."

I nodded reluctantly, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. As much as it hurt to leave Alex and the others, we weren't equipped to handle whatever was inside that school. Not yet. I climbed into the driver's seat, gripping the wheel tightly as we pulled away, the dark mass of the school fading in the rearview mirror.

The drive back to my house was silent, the tension hanging thick in the air. Edwin stared out the window, lost in thought. I couldn't help but glance over at him every now and then, wondering if there was more he wasn't telling me. But the usual quips and biting remarks were absent. For once, he looked... unsure.

When we finally pulled up to my house, I noticed something strange. The lights were on, but it wasn't just my parents inside. Through the front window, I could make out two men sitting on the couch across from my mom and dad. Their backs were to me, and something about their posture set me on edge.

"I'll meet you in your room," Edwin said quietly, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. Before I could respond, he vanished in a wisp of smoke, leaving me alone in the car.

I stared at the front door for a moment, my heart pounding. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

"Here we go," I muttered to myself, stepping out of the car and walking toward the house. I closed the door behind me with a little extra force, hoping to give myself a moment to gather my thoughts before facing whatever was inside.