Life after death Ch.2 Memories

An epic story of a young man who dies and becomes the reaper, but still has strong ties to his previous life. Including his brother and fiance. The previous reaper, who is in the process of dieing, requires the young man's help

Life after death...

Scene:1
  It was pitch black. Nothing but pure silence, and not so much as a shuffle or whisper. It was as if this place had no connection to the outside world. Or rather if it was a world all in itself. So lonely and without meaning.The only thing that could be seen was a small lighted area. But there was no such thing as a "light bulb" in the space. It was as if light itself had rested it's weary wings in the midst of the enemy, darkness. But it had no fear, neither did it take over. It just simply waited, patiently and quietly. In the dim shallow light could be seen a flat surface, much like a table, and laying on it was a cloaked figure in black. It's coverings were torn and tattered and pieces of it trickled to the floor like beautiful black water. If such a thing could even be considered beautiful at all. It was in a hood, with nothing visible, not a face nor a finger. It was completely hidden by the large mass of messy cloak. With It's hands laid flat and against the body.
  Suddenly, in the distance, the faint sound of foot steps could be heard. Tap... tap... tap... Ever closer and closer. But the sounds were far apart, so slow, and taking their time. They were drawing slowly closer to the laying thing. Tap...tap...tap... The laying figure in the light twitched a little and it's head, or what seemed to be the head, sluggishly turned towards the noise. It's hand shakingly rose from it's side and painfully reached out to it. Tap...tap...tap... Then all grew silent once again. Suddenly, and without noise, the person, that grew closer to the lighted area, appeared. It was Hector Valhal. The lying figure let out a sickly sigh and returned it's hand back to it's resting place. Hector quietly spoke out:

  "Do not fear, it is I."
 

  "...Yes... and I am ever so grateful." Said the figure with an old, horse, voice. "...Did you bring another?" 

 

Without a reply, Hector slowly opened his mouth and blue illuminated smoke gently poured out from it into his waiting hand. He cupped both of his hands together and the smoke melted and gradually dripped into his hands. Drip by drip, it slowly began to form into a clear liquid, just like water, pooled in his hands. He leaned over the figure and feed it into where it's mouth should be. It weakly consumed it and let out a faint gasp for air. Hector smiled and returned to his original standing.  

  "Was that satisfying, Darpa?" Hector said as he looked down at him and crossed his arms.

 

  "Yes... thank you. I am forever in your gratitude. I'm guessing that was of a Hack reaper... It tasted foul, like... a rotten fruit, or... muddy water."

 

Hector walked off to the side a little as if in thought, "But you know very well that they help you far more then a normal human's soul does. You will have to make due."

 

  "Yes... and I thank u for that, child." Darpa said with his words trailing off, "This may just save me after all. And it's all thanks to you, Hector."

Hector continued to slowly tread around Darpa, as if something was nagging at his mind.

  "...Is there no better way?" Hector quietly said without looking over at him.

 

Darpa was silent for a moment, then his head turned towards Hector.

  "Yes... But I must first look into the matter. There is a single person that may be just enough to save me. Only his soul would be needed, only one. No more useless sacrifices. But..."
Hector stopped and turned to Darpa.

 

  "Would I still get my wish?" Hector said with a questioning look.

 

  "...Yes, my child. Why would you ask that? ...Do you not trust me?"

 

  "It isn't that. If this person will save you... then I have to kill him. No matter what, even if I die." Hector said with a deadly stern face.

 

Both were silent as the iris' in Hectors eyes gave off a faint yellowish glow. Darpa broke the silence with a hoarse whisper.

 

  "Your eyes, I love them. Not even the hackers can recreate them... A true mark of the reaper!"
As he said this, two glowing yellow eyes could be seen peering out from under Darpas tattered hood. Nothing else could be seen and everything else grew quiet once more.

-Ch.2: Memories...-

Scene:2
  A busy street. The city noise filled the morning air as the cars and people continued their march onward and day turned to night, and then back again. The city never sleeps... and nither does the ear shattering noise. It's morning again, and still no peace. But people of the area dont notice it. As if they are all mindless puppets continuing on their ways just like they have all there meaningless lives. In a shop window could be seen a sign that read "Hot coffee, It'll melt it all away!". Sounds too good to be true.
  Inside the shop was small and calm, very home like. As you enter the door there's a wall directly to your left. In front of you is a long bar that's lined with stools and stretches all the way to the right, it stops at a wall. To the right, from the door, small tables are lined up against the window view wall, the same wall that the door is connected to. The previous sign is hanging against it, over one of the two-person tables. Not far from that, two young figures sat at one of the small tables, facing each other. One was a man, the other, a young women. She was about the age of twenty three. The man was the light haired youth, Chase. The women, Kira. She was the young lady in the picture, running from behind the camera. She was unchanged. Her brown hair kept in a messy bun with a pencil jabbed in it to keep it's place. She wore a solid white button-up shirt with a white dress shirt under it.She wore it un-tucked with a pair of form fitting light grey jeans. An engagement ring was on her right hand along with a thin silver ring, on a different finger, with a tiny green stone inlaid in it. Her face was beautiful and young, but yet still mature, not childish in the least. She knew what she was doing and any man would kill to even look upon it. A laptop case was lazily propped against her chair with the strap laying where it last fell. Both youth were slowly sipping on their coffee with sad faces, not saying a word. Even in the noise of the outside world, all around them seemed silent. Chase looked down into his drink as if in another world. Gently swishing the warm liquid in a circular motion. Kira's cup made a noise as she set it back down from a sip. Chase's eyes looked up at it, then fell back to his mug once agian. The ding of the bell as a customer left was unheard by either of the dazed youth and the clock ticked away noisily. Finally Chase sat back upright in his chair and scratched his curly white hair.
 

  "...So, how long has it been? This is the first time I've been out of my apartment sense it happened. Eric made me get out and get some fresh air." He said, talking about his roommate from before.

 

Kira was quite for a moment and then looked out the window.

 

  "About three weeks..." She said as she rested her chin on her palm, continuing to sadly gaze out the window. "But it only feels like... like maybe three days or something like that. A lot has happened."

 

Chase took another sip and then sat it back down.

 

  "And when would the wedding have been?"

Kira half turned her head with a cold glare.

 

  "Sorry," Chase said with a sigh as he crossed his arms "He never was very good about sharing his life with people. Even me."

 

Kira went back to her viewing and continued the conversation.

 

  "Two or so months from now." She said while played with the ring on her finger without looking.

 

  "*Sigh* I miss him so much. We didn't always got along... but brothers aren't supposed to anyway" He said with a quiet lonely laugh.

 

   Another ding from the door rang through the small room. A man at the bar tapped away at his laptop. A women order something at the counter. Someone threw away a paper in the trash as they exited with another ding. The clerk at the counter filled a coffee cup full to the top as a little foam dripped over the side. People passed the window in endless lines, trying quickly to reach their destinations. Both youth remained quiet the whole time until Kira broke the silence.

 

  "...Hector... I love you." She said with a tear streaming down her cheek. "Come back to me..."

Scene:3
  It was a silent hallway lined with doors, dimly lighted and void of upkeep. One after another on both sides doors could be seen, each having a different number placed on them.  5-D, 6-D, 7-D and on and on. It seemed as if it never ended, continuing until eternity. Hector walked slowly through the hallway, looking straight ahead. He wasn't looking around or observing his surroundings, but he was still searching for something. With his eyes sternly set, he knew exactly what he was looking for. Door after door he continued his march. Quite a time later he stop at one of the doors, he had reached his destination at last. He turned to his right and looked at it. 13.E. was written on a slender and miss kept plate placed eye level upon the door. Hector reached his hand down and grabbed the door knob, but it was tightly locked. He stood there for a moment, a calm and patient look on his face. Then the lock suddenly popped as if by some magical force and he continued in. The room inside was just as dim and unkept as the hallway had been, but it was still neat and tidy. Every thing in its right place. But most of the things were covered in a thin layer of dust, unmoved for some time. After he entered the room he gently closed the door behind him and looked around. After a moment he heard a soft noise and looked to his right. A sickly looking elderly lady sat in a rocking chair, an old quilt covered her. She just sat there with her head on her chest and her eyes half shut. But she looked some-what peaceful, sitting there motionless and silent. Hector walked to her and spoke out:

 

  "Hello." He said with a soft smile. But she remained motionless. "How are you?" He continued.

 

She remained unmoved for some time, but after a few moments, slowly,  a smile crept over her wrinkled face. Hector drew closer and then knelt beside her.

 

  "Do you know who I am?" He said as he reached out and gently layed his hand on her arm.

 

  "...Yes. You're my savior, aren't you?"

Hector warmly chuckled and replied.

 

  "Are you simply misled, or is there a meaning to what you say?"

 

The women also giving a warm laugh, but it was weaker.
  "...No, child. My life is done. I know well who you are, and there is plenty of meaning behind it. To be trapped in this box called life... with no escape, and nothing but crumbs remain. There is nothing here for me anymore, child. I must accept my next place, whether it be paradise, or the cold depths."

 

  "...Well said, you are full of wisdom." Hector slowly said with a tear running down his face, "...I know exactly what you mean."

He leaned over and gave her a loving hug. She weakly looked up with surprise in her wet eyes. Hector then stood up and reached his hand out.

 

  "Are you ready then?" A smile once again swept over her face as a tear trickled down and she placed her frail hand in his.

 

  "Yes..."

-End of chapter 2-

Fact:
There are three versions of the same story, each having big differences. Version one, the one your reading, is shorter and more basic. Version two includes a lot more character depth, putting more emphasis on Kira and chase, making them bigger and more important characters. And an anti reaper organization is also added in this version. And version three is completely different, but keeping most of the characters and story structure. That one takes place in a different world and has way more characters.

*If you like this story then catch me on myspace, I'd love to hear from you =] The url is Juice_Box_rocker

...Death, with a steady heart beat.

 

Author's Note

Chapter two of my on going book. Please continue to read my work =]

Reviews

[shythatway]

Since this is an online story, I would have preferred shorter chapters and more 'space' in the story. I also believe you need to work a bit on your grammar. ;)

That being said, you really do write very descriptive. That's great! I love the story idea and your characters, and most importantly - I think you have a wonderful sense of imagination. Do keep going!

[Lorraine]

Chapter two is so much better. It has cleared me of my questions in chapter one. Now I know that Hector Valhal is the brother. I kinda like his character and his name rocks as well. I like the conversation between Chase and Kira. The atmosphere is there. I can feel the regret and sadness lingering in the air. The time when Kira said her fiancee's name was like the 'boom' in the whole chapter. It was when everything started to make more sense. I like also like the interaction between Darpa and Hector, although, as of now I haven't quite grasped that other world. Maybe the next chapters will do help me more. This chapter is also very descriptive, from the people to the places. Good Job.

Keep Writing. ^___^