Chapter Twelve

"Look at all of this destruction." Thea said.

She and Eliza stood on a roof overlooking the bodies and ruble the Record had created. "It's amazing this is small compared to what the Creature will do if he's ever set free." Eliza looked up into the sky. "Now it's up there. Even further from our grasp."

"Is there any way we could get up there?"

"Perhaps, but I'll need Mister Macoy's permission, even so we'll need two to go. I suggest you and Alan."

"Why us?"

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, the two of you are far more innocent, I suppose. They'd be more willing to allow you two in."

"Wouldn't harder and tougher reapers be better…not that I'm trying to offended Alan, but he's a bit…I don't know. I mean, I know he can fight, but…"

Eliza nodded. "I understand, but I would trust Alan with my life. More so then I'd trust say…Eric or Grell."

"I suppose you're right." She watched the bodies be loaded into a cart. "Would you trust Ronald with your life?"

"Hard to say but I haven't known Ronald enough to judge that."

"True. I mean, you're in Eric's, Grell's and Mister Spears's age group."

"That I am."

"Do you think Ronald will ever, you know, leave me?"

Eliza cocked her eyebrow and turned her head to the younger woman. "What gave you that idea?"

"Well, Mister Spears said he'd had a lot of other woman hooked around his arm."

"William's told me of Ronald's flirting, yes but I'm sure that won't happen. Has he done anything to make you think elsewise?"

"No, it's just that's been gnawing in the back of my mind."

"I'd suggest asking someone who knows him more. Perhaps Eric or Grell."

"I might ask Alan. He's younger than those two but he's older than me and Ronald so he should know Ronald more."

"Alan would, but let me ask you your question. Would you trust Ronald with your life?"

"Yes as I'd hope he'd trust me with his…he said he loved me."

Eliza smile, leaning back. "And you're worried he'll leave you?"

"He's my first romance in…in…well, my first, actually."

"That's sweet." She offered a comforting smile to the younger woman. "I'm sure you two will last quite a long time."

"I hope so. Well, it's late. I'm going to head to bed."

"Alright. Goodnight."

"Night Miss Costa."

Eliza didn't need to watch her leave, her eyes glued to the bodies being taken away, the Undertaker on sight as well, helping load the bodies for burial. "We should never have gone after it."

She tore her eyes from the scene to greet William. "We did it to free you."

"In the end we did nothing of the sort." He looked at his hand, gloves gone, the bandaged having been unwrapped, his contract mark bare to the world. "This thing caused so much hell and now we're on the verge of the world ending. If Michealis would have listened to reason, this would not have happened."

She took his marked hand, holding it between hers. "I suppose even the most infamous of demon butlers have their moments of defiance."

"But I am not his master."

"As he said. He was cheated just as you were."

"Tch. He has nothing to complain about."

"William." She cupped his cheek, getting his head to turn so they locked eyes. "Like I said before. Things will get better. Once I talk to Macoy about going above, we'll have the Record in our hands and things will be fixed."

"Not my contract."

"We'll fix that as well." She leaned up, giving his lips a soft peck. "Consider that a promise. I won't abandon you. I'll be sure to stick by your side." She stroked her knuckles down his cheek. "Do you trust me?"

"With my life."

"Then trust me when I say we'll fix everything."

William took her hands. "I do. It's just…everything is weighing on my shoulders. I don't want any of this to affect anything."

"What do you mean?"

"Our realm, the way it's run, the rules we have. I want nothing to be touched by this fiasco."

"I'm sure nothing will."

"You're quite sure of everything, aren't you?"

She smiled. "Yes I am."

"I wish I had that ability."

"You do. Your problem is just your mind runs to much. You need to calm down and relax."

"Impossible for me." He returned his eyes to the death below. "They have quite a cleanup down there."

Eliza followed his eyes to the mortals once more. "Yes. A shame the Record devoured all the souls." She rubbed her hand over his back. "Well, come. There's no use in watching."

"Alright Miss."

They returned to realm, a nights rest going to do them good but for Thea, she needed to speak with someone before she could turn in for the night.

She found Ronald sitting on his bed inspecting his scythe for any damage. "Evening."

Ronald smiled at her. "Evenin' Thea."

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure the records didn't do anythin' major to my scythe. Lord knows if I have to pay for it again."

"Yeah."

Ronald's smile fell. "Somethin' wrong?"

"A little."

"What?"

"It's about…you."

"Me? Oh boy, I think I know where this is headed." He pat the spot beside him. "Sit." She took the offering, clasping her hands together. "Is it that bad?"

"Well, when we went on our first date, Mister Spears told me to be careful because you had others hang off your arm and that's been in the back of my mind since. I…I just wanted to know if this relationship was serious."

Ronald rubbed her back. "'Course it is! I know I threw myself into the dating ring more than once, but I feel completely different about you."

"You do?"

"Yeah! In fact…" he swallowed, taking her into his arms. "I think I…love…you."

Her cheeks flared red never having someone not of family say such things to her. "Do you mean that?"

"Yep. Never said it before and never felt it before, but I know the feelin's I have for you are real."

"…really?"

"Yep."

"…this is serious?"

"Dead." He laughed, his cheeks a little red. "That what got your mind in a knot?"

"Yes."

"Ah, don't worry love. I want you around for a long time…you want me to stick around, right?"

"Yes."

"Then there's nothin' to worry about."

"Good." She laughed, laying against him, eyes falling closed.

"Tired?"

"Yes. It's been a long day."

"…yeah, so, um, you wanna stay here tonight?"

Thea craned her neck back to look at him with a smile. "If you don't hog the bed."

"Nah. I'm good at sleepin' on my own side."

"Then why not and…I love you too."

With the night still young and Alan unaware of where he was going, he started his search to find a way into Heaven either by finding an angel or finding the way up. Even then, it'd be difficult to convince them that he didn't mean harm.

The first place he went to was a church, a common place for angels to be found if they appeared in the mortal realm. He stepped inside, walking to the Altar in the very front of the church, keeping his senses open. "You punish those with sin, huh?" he asked. "Well, I bet if I wasn't dead already, I'd be goin' ta hell for all the sins I committed. Killing, theft and there are gonna be others." He looked up. "But I'm not sorry for any of 'em."

"You'd make a perfect demon."

Eric turned around, arms crossing seeing such a creature in this place, the Demon Scout that had taken the Record from Sebastian. "Shouldn't ya be burnin'?"

"I was made to withstand such holy environments."

"Oooh. Am I supposed ta be impressed?"

The demon smirked, its four arms folded behind its back. "You mock someone that can help you."

Eric rolled his eyes. "I ain't makin' a deal with a demon. 've already seen it backfire on the boss man." He turned back to the altar. "Besides, what could ya offer me?"

"The return of immortal life."

Eric laughed. "Return of immortal life? The hell you goin' on about? 'm already immortal."

"I was speaking of your little friend. Alan Humphries, was it?"

Scowling, Eric spun around, scythe at the ready. "Alan ain't part of any deal."

The demons smirk unsettled the reaper more so then he would care to admit, but the moment he blinked, he found the demon gone. In fact, he wasn't in the church anymore, his scythe wasn't by his side and his uniform had been replaced by a fully black, mourning suit. "The hell?"

"Eric!" Grell fell into him, sobbing. "It's too soon."

"What?"

"What do you mean what?!" the red head shouted at him. "He's gone!"

"…gone?" he didn't need to ask who. "What do you mean gone? He was sleepin' when I left."

"You left and let him die!"

"Grell, calm down." William appeared, soothing the red head. "It was not Eric's fault that Alan passed."

"Why did he leave our darling alone? If he was there, he could have helped ease his pain."

William pulled Grell into a soothing hug, letting the red head cry into his shoulder as he spoke to Eric. "You should say your final goodbye before Undertaker lowers the coffin."

Eric turned around, watching the scenery come to life before him, from the dead trees and grass, to the thick fog and grey-blue scale of colors. A gentle breeze began to brush him while he passed graves that appeared as he approached the others surrounding an open grave and coffin. All of them were dressed completely in black, not even white to be found upon their clothing. Ronald was comforting Thea while Eliza stood by Undertaker, their heads bowed in respect.

Once he was there, tears instantly burst from his eyes seeing his best friend in the coffin. His hands were folded together over his chest, his glasses removed from his closed eyes. The bolo tie removed, his reaping uniform hiding the marks of the thorns under his skin that entwined over his heart. "A-Al…an?" he swallowed reaching in to place his hand over Alan's folded ones. "Al? Hey, c'mon. Ya…ya aren't dead. Ya aren't. I just left ya fer a night. Yer fine. I know ya are."

"Eric." He turned to Eliza only to have her place Alan's tie and glasses in his hands. "We thought it best you'd be the one to place them on his memorial in the Library."

"No…no!" he dropped the items to grip Alan's shoulders and shake them. "Wake up! Yer not dead! Yer not!" his tears fell onto Alan's cheeks. "Alan, please!"

"This is what you want then? Mister Humphries to die when I am clearing giving you a chance to save him?"

Eric found himself fall onto his hands when the coffin and Alan disappeared. Now he was kneeling at the foot of Alan's covered grave, Alan's name full engraved into the headstone. "No…i…I want to save 'im."

"Then shall we make a deal, Mister Slingby? Fetch me the Red Record once more and I'll keep Alan alive."

"But the Council ass said 'e remove the thorns if the Record was brought back to him."

"Do you believe the Council? What have they done to help Alan elsewise? If they wanted, they could have saved Alan years ago but they didn't. Only when it's convenient for them, does he decide that Alan can be saved."

Eric bowed his head. "Ya got a point."

"Then? Retrieve me the Record and I can assure you Alan will remain immortal."

"…what if I don't?"

"You lose your Alan and gain a visit from me."

"Fine." He gathered his strength then stood, turning to the demon. "I'll put me faith in a bloody demon."

"I'm glad." He reached out to shake Eric's hand.

Eric took the demons hand to shake it but something felt wrong. Off even. When he went to retract his hand, the demon didn't let it go, instead, the demon yanked him forward, its claws digging into his palm, a sickly sweet smile spread on the demons lips. "The hell? Get off me!" he demanded. Even with reaper strength he wasn't able to get the demon to let him go until pain burst through all his limbs, his vision turning white, a silent scream falling form his mouth. His eyes rolled back in his head before he fell back and unconscious, the demon gone from the site so when Eric woke up, he found himself alone and feeling not like himself. "Fuckin' demon." He muttered sitting up while holding his head.

He returned to the realm slightly dizzy so he wasn't surprised for Alan's concern when he used the smaller reaper as a sort of crutch. "Eric, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

"Me head hurts."

"Let's get you a drink of water then lay down. Where were you anyway? You were missing all night and this morning."

Eric thought. "Out. Need ta blow off some steam."

"Were you drinking?"

"Yeah."

"Then that's why your head hurts. Honestly. Isn't there something you could do to ease yourself other than drink and smoke? Their horrible habits and-"

"Shut up. Just, shut up Al. 'm not in the mood ta hear yer ramblin'."

Alan promptly shut his mouth, a little hurt. Eric didn't often tell him to shut up. If he did, it was playfully but this time he was serious. "I'm sorry." He said after a moment. "I didn't know I got on your nerves like that sometimes."

"Just got a bloody fuckin' headache and I don't need ya chastising me like me mum."

"…I'm sorry."

Eric removed himself from Alan, a hand still held to his head. "I'll fix meself up."

Alan wanted to say something else, but the glare Eric gave him shut him up again. He watched Eric go before walking the opposite way. Eric was probably just a little hangover. Maybe he'd apologize when he was better. "Morning Alan." Thea greeted.

"…morning."

"What's wrong?"

"Eric's drinking. He's just a…pardon me, but an asshole when he drinks." He looked over his shoulder. "I've tried talking to him about it, but he doesn't listen to me."

Thea hugged him, an action she learned from last time she liked. Alan was gentle and smelt good. Even though she was giving the hug to Alan to make him feel better, it made her feel better as well. "I'm sure you'll get through to him."

"I doubt it." He rubbed her back. "He has a thick skull and listens only when he's interested."

"But you're his best friend."

"He doesn't care sometimes." He pulled back. "Anyway, it'll wear off soon hopefully. So, how are you and Ronald doing?"

"Good." She kissed his cheek. "He said he loved me."

"Then he must be serious about you. I've seen him on many dates. I've never heard him use those words once."

"So he said." She hugged herself. "I feel so special."

Alan touched her shoulder. "You are. To all of us."

She felt her cheeks turn a light pink. "Thank you and so are you."

He smiled. "I'm not special. Just ill." He left her with that, his mind still on Eric. He hoped he was going to get over it soon.

Thea watched Alan walk away. She felt a strange sense of worry washing over her though she didn't know where or why it came. Shaking her head, she reported to her department, ready for the rest of the day when she caught sight of William talking with Mister Macoy. "Any progress?"

"No sir."

"I heard the Record was open."

"It was."

"By who?"

"We presume a demon couldn't resist its power."

Macoy shook his head. "This is not good. What of the portal Miss Costa reported?"

"Nothing's been done about it yet."

"Well, forget it for now. We have more pressing matters at hand. Do you know where the Record was taken?"

"Heaven."

Macoy scowled. "Of course. The feather pillows have it."

William waited patiently for orders that Maocy never gave. "Sir?"

"What?"

"What shall we do?"

"Go up and take it back. Tell Costa she has permission to make a onetime portal up."

"Alright sir."

Thea made sure Macoy was gone before she approached William. "Are you alright sir?"

"Yes." He took a deep breath. "I just need to some time alone." He walked past Thea going to return to the graveyard when Eric passed him, a strange air coming from the blonde. "Slingby?"

Eric paused, turning to William, a hand still placed to his head. "What?"

"Are you alright?"

"Fine. Just…got a headache."

"From what?"

"Just, stuff."

"Drinking?"

"Get off me case asshole."

William blinked, surprise flickering through his eyes. He knew Eric could be foulmouthed but to say such thing to his boss was unexpected. Yes, he told off who bothered him, but Eric had never once said such things to his superior. "What was that Slingby?"

"Fuck off. I ain't in the mood ta deal with yer shit or the shit Al's already given me. Just let me be."

"What's gotten into you?"

"I dun need everyone chastisin' me."

William let Eric go after that, now noticing how the blonde took to limping. "…odd."

"I know they said it 'bout you, but what crawled up his ass and died?"

William turned to Ronald, shaking his head. "Alcohol will turn anyone into a monster. Now if you'd excuse me Knox, I have Miss Costa to find."

Ronald split from him to see Thea, his eyes still trained on Eric who was resting at a table looking almost knocked out. "He's really out of it."

Thea nodded. "Does Eric normally act like this?"

"When he's drinking, maybe a little cranky, but nothin' like this. I mean, to actually call the boss an asshole is goin' too far. Even for him."

"I think it's best to just let it wear off." Alan joined them; arms crossed a near glare sent to Eric's back.

"You sure he's gonna be okay?"

"After another hour or so, yes." He sighed. "But I'm going to make sure he's alright." He walked to Eric, gently rubbing his back. "Feeling better?"

"Nng."

"Do you want some water?"

"No." Eric let out a heavy sigh as he moved into a sitting position, his tired eyes looking up to Alan over the rim of his glasses. "But 'm feelin' better."

"Good. I was worried about you."

"'m fine. Just…yeah." He stood, cracking his back. "Gotta apologize to the boss fer callin' him an asshole."

"Apology accepted." William stood beside Eliza.

"And since I've been given permission. Come with me. Thea and Alan will be heading to Heaven for a bit." Eliza said.

"I really don't know about this." Alan said to William. "I mean, what are we supposed to say to them?"

"Just tell them that the Red Record is to be kept under our Council's eye once more." William answered.

"…I'm sure they won't care." Alan looked up into the sky, squinting slightly.

Thea sighed. "I agree with Alan. I'm not sure about this."

"The two of ya will be fine." Eric said leaning against a tree's trunk, feeling better than he did earlier. "Just don't fall through the clouds."

"Do be careful darlings." Grell said, tapping both of their cheeks. "We'll be waiting for our little angels to return."

Alan rolled his eyes. "Let's get this over with."

"Alright." Eliza said beginning to open the portal.

"Have fun." Ronald said to Thea after pecking her cheek. "Be waitin' for ya."

"I'll try." She took Alan's hand, looking up at the older boy. "Ready?"

"I suppose." In unison, they stepped through the portal, entering Heaven with its golden rays, perfect clouds, marble buildings and angels flying where they pleased. "It's beautiful up here."

"Yes." Thea agreed.

"Reapers?" they met eyes with an angel that landed before them with wings greater than any others. They flowed from his back; spread wide giving off a strange sense of comfort. "Why has your kind come here?"

"We wish to have the Red Record back in our hands." Alan said. "Back where it belongs with the Council."

The angel shook his head. "No. The Record is safer with us."

"But the Council has it under control."

"If so, why was it taken from them to begin with?"

"…we were the ones to take it from its secure hold." Thea said.

Then angle glanced over his shoulder. "If the ones that took it to begin with want it back, how would I know that you will not use it to your advantage?"

"We won't. We just want to return it to our Council then never touch it again. It's all we want to do."

"Let me show you are set up first. Then you can decide if you still want it back. Come."

"Your name first."

"Emelth."

"I am Alan and this is Thea." She smiled.

"A pleasure. Now follow me." Emelth began leading the two reapers through Heaven to a marble temple surrounded by golden armored angels with sharp spears. "The Record is heavily guarded in here. We have made sure nothing will be able to steal it."

"It…does look like you have a good set up."

"And we will not give up the Record."

Before they could say elsewise, the angel snapped his fingers and the two fell through the clouds, Alan landing first then Thea landing on top of him. "Ow."

"Thea!" Ronald helped her up. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"I'm fine Ron. Just a bit sore."

"You okay Al?" Eric asked helping Alan up.

"Nng, yeah. I'm fine."

"Where's the Record?" William asked.

"Don't have it. They wouldn't give it to us."

Eliza sighed. "For the love of scythe."

William wiped his eyes. "This is only going to get worse."