Chapter Fourteen

Alan stared at the palm of his hand no longer covered by a glove. Humans said you could see your life line in your skin, a line on your palm. Alan was curious if that line went on for eternity as he was a reaper or if it stopped short. He remember how close he was to death when Eliza showed him his tombstone, but he wasn't up to seeing how much longer he had as he knew that last attack probably etched on two more letters of his last name.

With a sigh, he dropped his hand as he drank from his whiskey flask he held in his other. When he had grabbed it, the flask was full, now it was a few drops away from being empty. "What is wrong with you Eric?" he asked to no one. "If there was something bothering you, why didn't you come to me?" he breathed out through his nose, standing to head to the bookshelf. Setting the flask on the shelf, he pulled out a photo album, casually flipping through the pages of old and forgotten memories when he came to one photo. He paused a moment to study the photo, before pulling the item from its spot. It was him just graduating the academy, his mentor and new partner beside him, Eric handing him the bolo tie. "You had no problem telling me anything back then, you had no problem with keeping your emotions in check but now…" he set the album and photo down to remove his bolo tie, admiring the silver skull. "Do you regret what you did to Grell and I? Would you be able to tell me why you acted in such a way? Why am I asking you when you're not here?" He laid down the bolo tie before returning the photo to the album and the album to the shelf then picked up the flask, draining the rest of the whiskey.

He just tasted the last drop when he turned to his door, hearing it creak open. "Alan?"

"Sir." Alan said with a nod to William. "Are you here to check up on me?"

"That I am." He placed a comforting hand on the shorter reapers shoulder. "How are you feeling?"

"Alright. The soreness is gone but the bruises have not."

"I see." He eyed the flask. "All of it?"

Alan nodded. "Every last drop…I needed it sir. I needed something to calm myself down." He frowned at the flask. "Though it does seem a bit hypocritical as I chastised Eric for drinking."

"Once will not harm anything." He removed the empty flask from Alan's hand, setting it aside. "But let's not refill it so soon. After all, it's best to stay sober in this sort of situation."

Alan gave a nod then turned his back to William. "What will happen to Eric?"

William cocked his head, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"Will he stay in prison or will they…kill…him?"

"Well, he was taken in on account of losing his mind momentarily and 'opening the Record' though I have told Macoy he did not."

"He didn't believe you?"

"No."

Alan scowled. "Tch, asshole."

"Alan."

"I'm not taking that back, sir. He is. The entire Council is." He folded his arms over his chest. "Choosing to act how they deem worthy without proper evidence." He looked over his shoulder. "You must admit they aren't fit to continue like this."

"No…no, they are not, but we can't do much about it." He turned Alan around. "As for Slingby, I can't tell you for certain what his fate is."

Alan resisted the sudden urge but when he allowed his mind to connect to the idea of Eric being killed of something he didn't do, he found no strength to resist in hugging his superior. "He can't die."

William blinked down at Alan before wrapping his arms around him, hoping to provide some comfort for the young man. "I'm sure things will work out for better in the end."

"…things won't. I know it. We don't have the Record, Eric's in prison and at any second, we could all be wiped away."

William rubbed his back. "Do try to be the least bit optimistic Alan."

"Optimism is only false hope. I could be optimistic about my life, but I'm still going to die. I could be optimistic that Eric will be alright when there's a one in a million chance he'll be killed. I could be optimistic that this world will survive when there's not a chance of us getting the Record back." He pulled from William. "I'd rather be realistic then optimistic."

"I see." William gave a deep sigh, tempted to agree with Alan.

"But… Eric…what's wrong with him?" he clenched his hands into fists. "Why has he changed?!"

"Changed?"

"The night he came back from drinking, he changed. I told you this. He wasn't Eric. He was a right bloody ass to every around him then to lose his temper over something as trivial as being called crazy? That's not Eric. Eric wouldn't care about petty insults."

"I suppose you are right there. Slingby doesn't-"

"Then there's your problem."

"My…problem?"

"Yes. The more you call us by our last names rejects any implications of you trying to befriend us or pushing further with Eliza. Rarely, you say our names first names. Instead of Slingby, call him Eric. Instead of Costa, call her Eliza. It's a lot more personal and probably means more than you think."

William glanced at the empty flask. "Alcohol seems to have influenced your anger."

"It hasn't."

William rolled his eyes. "Alan, I've been using your first name all this time."

Alan averted his eyes. "Still…"

William rubbed his arm in a comforting gesture. "Things will get better, Alan. Whether you believe so or not."

"Doubt it."

"Anyway, as I was going to say, Eric doesn't give much thought to insults, even horrible ones, he just shrugs at. Why he flew off the handle the way he did is beyond any of us, however, I know one thing."

"What?"

William took the bolo tie into his hands then slipped it over Alan's head, tightening it up around his neck. "He wanted to give this to his best student and he did, but that student also became his best friend. The friend Eric needed."

Alan cocked an eyebrow as he watched William slip the tie over his head. "And?"

"And Eric is probably deeply regretting the harm he caused you."

"He didn't seem to care that he was hurting me."

"Well, you fell unconscious before Eric came back to his senses. He wanted to help you through your attack. The look on his face wasn't one you could fake. He didn't even seem to realize what he did."

"That's worse then."

"How?"

"He didn't realize who he was harming. That's almost as bad as knowing who you're attacking."

"I suppose so."

"And if the Council does decide to put him to death, he'd end up in that Eternal Purgatory."

"You've seen it then?"

"Yes. Eliza showed me." He moved to his desk, sitting in his chair. "Is it true? Do we just float there forever?"

"From what I've heard, yes."

"Then I won't let Eric end up there. Somehow…somehow I'm going to save him, help him."

"I'm sure you have the support of us behind you. Besides, you risked everything to help me and I shall do so with you."

Alan nodded to him. "Thank you William."

"You are quite welcome. Now, Alan, why don't you go on to bed? I'm sure things will look better in the-"

"William! Oh, thank scythe there you are."

The two of them looked to Eliza. "What's wrong?"

"The Council Reapers are here and they're demanding you." She pointed to his hand. "They know of the mark."

William's eyes widened as they quickly flicked to his hand. "What? How could they have possibly known?"

"I'm not sure, but they want to take you to Macoy."

"What would Macoy do to him?" Alan asked.

"Bad things. Worse than prison and maybe worse than death." She turned around, closing the door. "You have to get out of here William."

William quickly scanned the room for escape then dashed to the window, unlatching it. "I'll head to the mortal realm and find somewhere there to lay low."

Eliza rushed to him. "Please, please, please be careful." She cupped his cheeks. "Promise me you'll be safe?"

He took her hands, leaning in to kiss her. "I promise love."

"Please do." She kissed him in return before turning him around. "Now hurry."

"Wait senpai." Alan said, taking his wrist before he could leave.

"What is it Alan?"

"Go here." He said taking a slip of paper from his pocket. "…she'll make sure you're safe."

"…who is she?"

"A…friend. But I promise you, she'll keep you hidden." He assured before moving to the door.

"Alright. I'll trust you on this Humphries."

William slipped the paper into his pocket and Alan watched William slip out the window before opening the door a crack. "They're coming."

Eliza closed the window then pulled Alan in, forcing him to sit at his desk. "Work. Act as natural as possible. They have impeccable skills for telling if someone's lying."

"And you? They'd question your presence."

Eliza opened the door to his bedroom. "I'll find a place to hide in here. Just act natural."

Alan nodded. "I'll…I'll try too." Eliza closed the door and Alan quickly pulled out a file and his pen, acting like he was working for a moment until the door swung open, the doorknob no doubt making the dent in the wall bigger. "Ah, hello." He greeted with a forced smile that he hoped look normal.

"We look for Mister William Thomas Spears. Has he been here?" they spoke in unison, they're voices without an ounce of emotion and that was somehow every intimidating to the young reaper, especially since their faces were hidden by their hoods.

"No. Why? Is he wanted for something?"

"He has the mark of a demon. We must take him to his punishment."

Alan looked around his office. "I'm sorry. He hasn't passed through here." He tensed as a reaper moved to his bedroom. "I'd rather appreciate if you'd not enter my room."

"Do you have something you wish to hide?"

"Of course not!"

The reapers opened the door and Alan watched from his desk, his palms sweating as they normally did when he was nervous but eventually they ended their search and left Alan's office with a slam of the door. "That was close." Eliza said coming from his room after a minute.

"Where did you hide?"

"You're wardrobe. I must say, you have some charming outfits. You'd be a very handsome young man in most of those."

"…thank…you." He shook his head, standing. "Anyway, now what?"

"I'm not sure." She crossed her arms. "Where did you send William?"

"…a good friend of mine. I just hope he realizes she's not human."

For William, it was quite easy to tell she wasn't human. For anyone, it wouldn't be hard to tell as her iris constantly changed color and moved like gentle waves, skin almost as pale as his. Her hair was long, black turning grey, long nails that fell over the sides of her cane she used. She was hunched a bit, eyeing him up and down, taking in his suit and glasses. "Another reaper, hm? A friend of Alan's?"

"I am Miss. My name is Wi-"

"William T. Spears. Yes, yes, he's told me much about you."

William blinked. "I…see. Well, I'm sorry for such a late house call, miss, but-"

"Don't call me miss boy. Makes me feel too old."

William's eyebrow twitched. "I am no boy."

She rolled her eyes. "Never mentioned you were sensitive. Compared to me, everyone's a boy or girl." She placed her other hand over the cane. "Call me Elvira."

"Ah, alright, Elvira. Alan has sent me here as he has assured me you'd allow me refuge."

"Refuge? What are you running from?"

"The Council, if he's spoken to you about them."

"Mm, he's had strong words about said Council." She stepped back into the house, going to the stove in the small kitchen.

William followed her, closing the door behind him, taking in the woman's house. It was filled with many books, a glass orb in the back corner atop a pedestal, strange items in glass jars upon shelves. He almost felt like he was in Undertaker's shop. "Interesting home."

"Thank you dear. Now take a seat. Would you like some tea?"

William swiped some dust from cushion before doing so. "Please."

"Alright." Though she paused to take a glance at William again. "Hm. He's described you pretty well."

"He has a wonderful memory at times."

"Mm, he does."

"Might I ask you relationship with Mister Humphries?"

"Alan." A slight smile spread over her crusted lips. "Kindest boy I ever met. Helped me a lot in his human years."

"He knew you alive?"

"He did, he did. Often comes to see me dead as well. A shame he's sick as he is." She waddled to William, handing him a cup. "I often make him tea and crumpets the way his mother did. Sometimes calls me mother." She laughed, sitting beside him. "He's a good boy, he is."

"I must agree." He said taking the cup then a sip. "This is…wonderful. Thank you Mi-Elvira."

She leant back, smirking at him. "You're welcome dear." She set her cane against the couch, summoning her own cup from the counter. "However, after what Alan's told me, you don't mind conversing with a witch?"

"I found no harm in witches. If they stay out of my way, I stay out of theirs." He drank again. "I've actually had a fascination with witches for some time in my academy days. I always found their magic to be quite intriguing."

She reached over, patting his thigh. "We witches don't often get admires."

"I know." He eyed her hand before she took it away. "Has he told you about my personal problems?"

"You hate someone in your personal space? Yes he did, but he's also told me you have a flame."

"Eliza Costa, yes."

"Eliza?"

"…is there something wrong?"

"I heard a few demons just a night ago talking about an Eliza. Apparently she half blinded one demon with her lover's knife."

William cocked his head, blinking. "I have no knife with me and Eliza is normally with I."

"I'm merely repeating what they said."

"What did they said they were going to do to her?"

"Revenge apparently. I stopped listening after they mentioned tearing out one of her eyes for payment."

William paled at that. He turned back to his tea, staring at the light brown liquid. He was perplexed. How could Eliza have done that? Perhaps it was another Eliza. He was sure there was more than one Eliza in London with the name Elizabeth being quite common. "I'm sure it's someone else."

"Mm, perhaps." She drank from her own cup. "Anyhow, why are you running from your Council?" William took a deep breath then proceeded to tell her everything, even about the Record.

He finished with a long breath out, eyes finding her eyes, not realizing how scared he actually looked, but he was scared. He never really put everything into one thought until now. He realized how far he fell and how much further he had to fall. "That's my problem."

"A big one, yes." She patted his shoulder. "It's alright. I'm sure you'll retrieve this Record in time."

"How? It's in bloody Heaven. We have no way of getting up there." He set his cup down on the table in front of him so he could lay his head in his hands. "Unless some sort of miracle happens, we're doomed."

"Miracles do happen, William."

"They do, but there few and far between." He sighed. "And I've never once been lucky. Every miracle I asked for turned into a nightmare."

"I'm sure you've had miracles, they were just in disguise."

"Tch. My life has been a nightmare. I can't name anything good that's come out of it."

Elvira leaned back, drinking again. "Really now?"

"Yes."

"Then try. Right now, tell me three things that you're happy about."

William paused, thinking for a moment. "…I had wonderful parents for the first years of my life…I was promoted to supervisor…and I have Eliza."

"Oh yes. That was very hard, wasn't it?"

William felt his face heat slightly. He hadn't realized how dramatic he was being. Those three things were good and he could think of a few more. "I apologize for that."

"It's alright. We all have our moments. Now tell me, what you mean by the first years you had good parents."

William scowled at the thought of his human life. "I'd rather not say. I'll start telling you my life story."

"Go ahead. I have nothing better to do and from the looks of things, neither do you."

"…alright." He took a deep breath. "When I was alive, my father told me that if I didn't do everything to perfection, I'd be an outcast in society. He made sure everything I did was perfect, I couldn't screw up once." He wiped his hands over his eyes. "He always said, 'This world has no place for commoners or peasants. It's the nobles that deserve higher praise and not doing things to perfection makes you lower than a peasant.'" He leant back against the back cushions of the couch, frowning. "I wanted to make him happy. I wanted my father to appreciate me as his son, so I did that. I did everything I could to his standard of 'perfection.'" He frowned even more. "He thought that way even when my mother was alive, even when she was pregnant with me. In fact, I didn't even know my father until I was five when he deemed me worthy as a son to carry on his line. He took me from my family I was happy with, from the family that showed me love. From then on, I was taught very quickly to do things his way to his standers or I was beat." He gave a soft smile. "My father introduced me to his fiancé later on and I was excited. I was going to have a mother again, even a sibling. She was pregnant, apparently. I was so happy. I was going to be able to use the word mother again…until…" he took a deep breath. "My father always had a murderous look in his eyes. I was never sure why, but I finally found out one day. I was cleaning the rooms when his standers rose quite suddenly. He yelled at me, cussing at me, telling me I didn't deserve nobility, I didn't deserve to…live then he knocked me out." He swallowed the growing lump. "Then…just as I woke up, he threw me into the water of a river near our home. I couldn't swim and even if I could, my father held me down until my life faded…until I died." He let out a shaky breath. "…but that's…what I meant."

Elvira, who had sat quiet throughout the entire story, leant forward to wipe a stray tear from his cheek. "There, there. It's the past now."

"…still. I was never able to meet my almost step-sibling…my…step…" something clicked in William's mind to words Thea had said to him. "I would have had a step-brother but he was killed." "…I think I might know who that step-sibling would have been…"

"Who is that?"

"A Miss Windfalls…" his eyes widened. "My almost step-mother's last name was Windfalls…" he groaned, slumping back. "Thea's been my step-sister all this time?"

"Hm. Seems you have family dead as well."

"It's not like we have a familial bond."

"You could still develop it, couldn't you?"

William thought. "…perhaps…if I'm not put on the death list…if she accepts me as her step-brother considering my father murdered them."

"…that might make things complicated."

"Indeed." He wiped his eyes again before stiffening and jumping slightly as something landed on his lap and curled onto it. "What the bloody hell-" he paused, seeing it was a black cat with white paws. "…o-oh…" he flushed, seeing Elvira's amused smile from the corner of his eye. "A cat."

"Mm hm, but don't worry. She's harmless." Elvira reached over, scratching under the cats chin. "Kiki's her name."

"Kiki." William repeated stroking Kiki's back. She meowed and tilted her head back, William seeing her eyes that mimicked his perfectly. "Is this a…reaper cat?"

"Oh no. She just changes her eyes to match those that she first meets."

"How…intriguing." He reached down, scratching his finger under Kiki's chin. "She's a lovely thing."

"When she's a cat, yes."

William paused, turning his glance to her. "When she's a cat?" he asked.

"Mm hm." William blinked, his focus returning to the cat. He'd rather not question it.