7. From the Diaries 3

From the Diary of the Reaper

I have commited a terrible sin aginst the Duty...and I am unrepentant. Azrael is displeased, and many amongst the realms of the occult begin to speak out against me, saying I am not cut out for the job. I silenced them easily, saying that I answer only to Azrael, and if they dislike my actions as Reaper they are free to challenge me for the post. Since the sin against the Duty, I have had three such challenges, each ending the same: the fall of my opponent.

The sin I have commited...I took a life before its appointed time. But for what he sought to do, I would drag him to the depths of hell with my own two hands.

Not knowing one is doing wrong is no excuse for such actions...

From the Diary of Mandy

I still can't believe it nearly happened. I'd heard that there had been...incidents around. Girls found dead, signs of rape. Police were searching for the culprit, as were my agents, but nothing turned up. I should have been more suspicious, but two years of easy success - two years without Death over my shoulder - had made me overconfident.

I had forgotten that, just because I would not die if Grim didn't come for me...didn't mean I was invincible.

I had been walking down the street, heading home from school - my domain, as it should be - when a huge hand had grabbed me and pulled me into an alleyway. I tried to fight back, but who ever it was was beastly strong. Then I heard the chuckle.

"Hey, Mandy."

I stared in shock into that dumb, goofy smile. "Billy?"

"Been a while," he said, chuckling. It had been a while. Billy had been transferred to a different school, one to handle his 'special needs,' so we hadn't seen each other or hung out for quite some time. Not that I minded. Being around Billy just reminded me of the days with Grim.

"What are you doing here, Billy? DOn't you know it's dangerous out here?"

He smirked. There was something...unsettling about that smirk. "We're just going to have some fun, Mandy. DOn't worry, it'll feel real good."

I knew what he meant. All the clues came together. I struggled, trying to fight him. But he'd become incredibly strong since we'd last met, and I was...powerless in his grip.

I tried not to hear, not to see, not to feel...but as I felt his hands on me, my weakness overcame me. "Grim..." I whispered with the merest shred of my voice.

I heard her call. I did not even think. I ignored the call of Duty, of responsibility, of Azrael's summons...I went to her.

When I saw what he was doing to her, wrath consumed me. The heavens split as my fury manifested itself in the mortal plains as a storm. I raised my scythe, and my fury and vengeful will gave it an edge beyond the definition of sharpness. I struck, and Billy's soul was ripped from his body as his head went flying. I could hear the sound of breaking glass as his hourglass shattered, and the remaining sands spilled from it.

I saw in his mind what was going on. He had learned about this aspect of human interaction, experienced it, and learned that it was fun. He had come to his usual conclusion of sharing fun with as many people as possible. He had no idea what he was doing was wrong or hurtful; no idea that the strength he had developed left those girls broken and dead.

In time, I may see my way so far as to forgive his innocent sins, but that night I didn't care. I stood before Mandy, floating over the body of one we once thought was a friend. I saw the trauma of what had nearly happened inside of her, and I wrapped my cloak of woven darkness around her, and held her. I shifted us back to her home.

When she stopped shaking, I laid her down in her bed, and wished her a dreamless sleep. I worked a spell to guarantee it.

I will never forgive Billy if Mandy does not recover from this...

I never would have though Billy was the culprit. At least I can now see to it it gets through the grapevine that the felon has been dealt with.

...I have to be stronger. As much as I was surprised to see Grim show up like that after a two year absence, I can't rely on him. I must be strong enough to rule on my own. That is the legacy I must leave behind...the day Grim comes for me.

It has been 10 years since that day. I have watched Mandy grow up into a beautiful young woman, now 25 years old. I have...missed spending time with her. But now, things have become...serioues.

Azrael called me before him, and I answered. He has determined what must happen. He told me I must sever Mandy's ties to the mortal coil before the week is out...or he will, and find a new Reaper to take my place. I can hardly believe it.

I don't know what I'm going to do. Mandy's my friend...and so much more than that, if I could ever bring myself to tell her...

I cease my pacing. Suddenly, I know what I can do. Azrael said sever her ties to the mortal coil. He never said she had to die.

Now I understand why he smiled when he gave me this order.