(A short-story I first published on tumblr as an answer to a prompt (https://linkedsoul.tumblr.com/post/175150473752/ayellowbirds-monstersdownthepath). It ultimately became a pilot short story for a novel of mine (https://linkedsoul.tumblr.com/post/176122082517/stories-of-qelt-masterpost). I usually don't post on Wattpad but apparently some people can't access it on tumblr, so I decided to post it here too!! Please do not repost anywhere without my permission thank you) There is a Fæ that watches over your village, and yet tricks people to take them away whenever he fancies. No one dares to approach him. Yet, you do. Five times, you refuse to give him your name. Once, you do not.

"What the hell?" I took a step closer to the mirror, staring at my reflection in disbelief. The person looking back was still me, but at the same time it wasn't. I had the same thick, dark, curly hair. The same hazel eyes. The same olive skin with a light dusting of freckles (ugh) scattered across the bridge of my nose. But my curls were now streaked with highlights. And not the subtle, golden-brown ones that sometimes appeared during the summer. No, these were an aggressive, dazzling blond that went from the roots of my hair all the way to the tips. It looked like I had spent a full day getting my hair done in some upscale salon. Never mind that I had never set foot in such a place since the day I was born. My eyes appeared somehow wider and more luminous. The colour brighter, my eyelashes darker up against them. And, when I looked closely, my pupils seemed to be slitted almost like a cat. I looked down at my body. My skinny arms-which had always refused to gain any definition no matter how hard I exercised-were lined with flat, wiry muscles. My bony shoulders were now curved and smooth. My scrawny legs were toned like a dancer. I reached down and lifted my shirt, revealing two subtle lines running vertically down my perfectly flat stomach, hinting at the rock-hard abs underneath. My whole body was rippling with strength. Like liquid steel.

Everyone's born with one. A reaper. When you're born, your reaper is far away. From that moment, it starts to move closer. You never touch it til the day you die. Not it. He. My reaper is a he, and he disappeared three weeks ago.