First Cut

I hope this chapter doesn't give me as much trouble as the last one. So much deleting and retyping! I also caught something I missed in my sleepy state last night and had to change it so that's why it was posted twice.

Chapter 13

Annabelle had just received her new death list. Looking over it, she felt it was a little short compared to other lists. With a hint of reluctance, she headed for William's office to ask for his opinion on the list and to take his copy to him as well.

In the elevator, she encountered nobody. Shifted from one foot to the other, wanting to get this over with. She had no idea how to respond to William's recent behavior. While she was tempted to give him a dose of his own medicine, Annabelle tried her best to fight that urge.

As the elevator doors opened, she found William waiting for it. "Annabelle," he said pleasantly, "I was just coming to find you."

"Were you?" she asked. "I wonder why."

He lead her back to his office. "Please stop the bitterness, Annabelle."

Not wanting to get on that subject, Annabelle handed him their list. "Does it seem a little small to you?' she asked. As she waited for his answer, she perched herself on the edge of his desk. If only she could put her finger on what was troubling him. Perhaps then she could help.

'He doesn't want to make it my business, though,' she reminded her, absently swinging her foot. A light blush crept to her cheeks as she remembered how he had caressed her cheek. Had that been to distract her? She did not think so.

"It is a little light," William said, tucking his list away. "Which is less work for you."

She swatted at him with her own list. "Well if you didn't spend your time talking to oddities then I would not have to do all the work!"

"Can I make that up to you?"

Annabelle opened her mouth to answer with a smart remark but she quickly shut it. "I'll think about it," she said, "if you won't tell me what's so distracting."

"Let's go," he told her. "We have work to do."

"You mean I have work to do," Annabelle said dryly as she hopped off his desk and followed him out the door.

"Ah, yes. My mistake."

An American tourist was due to die shortly after lunch. Annabelle and William perched atop the roof of a building across from the site of his soon-to-be accident. Jeremy Anderson would be easy enough to spot, or so Annabelle felt. She continued to watch the streets, noticing William move out of the corner of her eye.

"Annabelle," he called, "come here for a moment."

"What? We have to reap this man, William." She stepped over to the edge of the roof were William stood. He pointed to a small group of people, nearly a dozen or so. They were standing around something neither Shinigami could see. They seemed excited.

"If they're still there after we collect this soul," Annabelle began softly, "do you think we should investigate?" William nodded. "Would you rather collect the Anderson man's soul? You could do it more quickly than I can."

"I will," he told her. "You watch that crowd."

He leaped from the roof and landed gracefully in the street below just as Jeremy Anderson, paying no attention to where he was heading, stepped out in front of a carriage. The driver tried to steer the horses away from him but they continued their trot. The hapless American was trampled as the driver continued his attempt at stopping the horses.

Annabelle knew William would be back within a minute or two but she beginning to feel nervous. Down below, the person in the middle of the group stood still as the rest began to walk ahead of him. Annabelle crouched low but not fast enough to avoid staring into a piercing pair of lilac eyes.

She continued to couch, shutting her eyes as her heart thudded wildly in her chest. Her eyes shot open as she heard William call her name.

"What's wrong?" he asked, offering his hand to help her to her feet. She told him what happened, how a simple little thing like eye contact startled her so. He released her hand and peered over the edge of the roof. He saw no one.

"Which way did they go?" he asked.

"Have you lost your mind?" Annabelle demanded. "You can't go after him by yourself! I won't have it."

"Becalm yourself, Annabelle. This is nothing a rookie like you should concern herself with."

"Send someone else then. You know you have the authority..." She trailed off, staring at William, her expression one of understanding. "This is what's been troubling you isn't it?"

With a small, nearly inaudible sigh, William straightened his glasses. He had a decision to make and fast. "Come to my office tonight before you go home," he said. "I will explain it then."

She nodded, her heartbeat finally slowing down to a normal pace. Satisfied, she offered him a tiny smile for the first time in days. Just as soon as she offered it, it was gone.

"William," she said as they walked across the roof, "I want you to do one thing for me." He stopped and faced her. "Do not confront this... issue... by yourself." She felt it was a small thing to ask.

He nodded. "I won't."