Hey Guys~

Long time, no update. :') Sorry it's been longer than normal.

Shit's about to get real in upcoming chapters, and the end is in sight! (Don't worry, we still have plenty of chapters before then.) I'm excited for the final chapters, they've been planned out since day one of this fanfic, but I'm pacing myself.

Forgets-a-lot- It's not a dream, I promise! XD I wouldn't do that to you guys! I'm glad it was a well-received chapter, I was honestly nervous. O_O Thank you, I try to keep it as plot-oriented as I can, which can sometimes be hard because I get distracted, haha. I read through the chapters every now and then after posting so I can fix any errors (Grammar, punctuation, etc.) Also, I love that song. Joy Division is awesome! All the lyrics I post are from songs I have listened to while writing this story.

And to the guest who commented on Ch 11, there will be some Death POV in a future chapter(s), I promise!

*As always thanks to everyone who follows, comments on, and favorites this story!*

Chapter 14: When Morning Comes

When I think of all the worries,

People seem to find.

And how they're in a hurry,

To complicate their minds.

By chasing after money,

And dreams that can't come true.

I'm glad that we are different,

We've better things to do.

-The Grass Roots

I found myself in a dark room, curled within the sheets of a king size bed. Beside me sat Death, lounging in a worn leather armchair, his head propped on top of his hand as he turned the page of a book. I watched him as his eyes ran over every line, refusing to miss a single detail. It took me back to a time when things were less complicated. When we were simply strangers forced to coexist together.

We had nothing to lose back then.

I would do anything to hit the pause button. Or perhaps rewind to a point where I could stop myself from being so damn proud. I should have known the box was too good to be true, but before my time with Death I didn't see myself in a situation like this. I thought he was comparable to all the other beings I met along the way. That he was trying to lead me astray as he told me I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was blinded by inexcusable ignorance.

"Good morning, Lora." Death sat his book aside. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did." I ran my fingers through my hair, which was still tangled from the events that took place the night before. "I would ask you the same, but I know you don't sleep."

He came over and sat on the edge of the bed. "Always so witty."

"I have to stay interesting." I rose a brow teasingly. "How else would I keep your attention?"

There was a spark in his eye. "There are plenty of ways. I could name a few if you want."

"Sure." I tilted my head, gazing up at him expectantly

For a moment he wandered into thought.

"Your eyes." He cupped my cheek with his hand. "And your strong will. Despite how inconvenient it can be at times."

"I'm not sure if I should take that as a complement." I smiled up at him.

"It is." He softly kissed me, and then stood. "I promise."

"You're such a tease!" I scoffed.

I reached my hand out for his, and he took hold of it.

"You don't know how badly I would like to relive last night, Lora." Death's hand tightened around mine. "But we don't have much time left."

"Time left for what?"

"There are three tasks the papers say are required to open Pandora's Box. We only have a year to perform the final two tasks after the first is completed."

"Then we have plenty of time!" I insisted, sitting up quickly. "Why do we have to rush?"

"Lora." Death said slowly. "The first task has been fulfilled."

"When?"

"When you took the life of a friend."

My eyes widened. "Harold?"

He nodded.

At the time I thought Death was being cruel when he told me to reap Harold, testing me. Maybe he was, but he knew it needed to be done in order to use the box. Had I not been a reaper I would've been faced with a horrifying dilemma. One I wouldn't have been able to talk myself into. He made it to where I could take the life of a friend who's time was already up.

"That's been almost a year." I could feel the dread rising within me. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It has. Which is why we need to start as soon as possible." He ran his fingers over my knuckles, an intent look on his face. "I wasn't ready to tell you at the time. Things where difficult back then."

"And they're not now?" I joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"Possibly worse."

So much for lightening the mood.

"I just want you to promise me something." I pulled him closer to me. "Keep searching for a way to save yourself. Please."

"Don't worry about me, Lora. I have my ways."

Despite his words I found myself worrying more than ever.

I didn't have much time to enjoy the afterglow of last night as Death threw me into a packing frenzy. When I wasn't sure whether to bring something or not I brought it anyway. Using the philosophy 'better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it' as an excuse to bring the whole room with me. My nerves were frayed as I zipped up my last bag, and I took a prolonged look around the room to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything.

This journey would be my hardest yet. I could feel it in every fiber of my being, coursing through my veins as if to remind me I was past the point of no return. Past the point where I could make the final U-turn before hitting the never-ending interstate. Hellbent was my fate and I had to accept it. No matter the cost or personal injury.

Would I be able to do the unthinkable if I had to?

"Are you ready?" Death asked as I slung my bags over my shoulder.

"I guess you could say that." I mumbled, not feeling the drive I was so accustom to.

"Don't be so glum, Lora." He lifted my chin. "It doesn't suit you."

"You make it sound easy."

He took one of the bags from me and headed toward the door. "I never said it was, but we can't afford to procrastinate any longer."

I followed behind him, staring at his back as we descended the spiral staircase, only to find Tessa waiting for us at the bottom. She gave me a small wave, and I couldn't repress the slight smile that spread it's way across my lips. I was truly happy to see the reaper again, and I knew I couldn't be mad at her for following orders. Tessa stuck beside me, even when her fellow reapers looked down on her for it.

"Are you heading out?" She prompted as we reached her.

"Yeah." I replied.

Death made his way outside, but I stalled.

"You okay?" Tessa seemed honestly concerned.

I nodded. "Are you?"

"I thought Jody was going to wring my neck, but she's fine now." She lowered her eyes. "I hope you can forgive me, Lora."

"I already have." I promised. "I'm not the best at holding a grudge."

"Well, when you work with someone like Billie you just expect the worst reaction."

Suddenly Billie was standing beside her, arms crossed.

"I heard that." Billie growled.

"It was intentional." Tessa let out a small laugh. "My hints haven't been working, so I thought I'd get straight to the point."

Billie rolled her eyes, unamused.

"I just wanted to say goodbye." Tessa's tone turned serious as she looked at me.

I rubbed the back of my neck anxiously."You say that like we won't see each other again."

"We've learned to expect to worst. Particularly from you." Billie put a hand on her hip, narrowing her eyes at me.

"You say that like you'll actually miss me." I replied sarcastically. "That bothers me even more."

"Trust me, I'll be more than happy you're gone." Billie scoffed, disappearing as soon as the statement was out.

Tessa smirked. "I think you're growing on her."

"It really seems that way."

Tessa put a hand on my shoulder. "I will miss you, Lora."

"I'll miss you too." I assured, giving her a hug, and she awkwardly returned the gesture.

I walked out the front door, shutting it gently behind me as I bid a silent farewell to the reaper house. Death was waiting on the porch, leaning against the old wooden panels as he watched ominous clouds swirl within the sky. I absorbed his profile, the sharpness of his features. I would describe him as otherworldly in every aspect, ethereal and ever-changing. Something about him felt unreal, as though he were barely in my grasp.

Intangible.

My place with him was delicate and temporary. We both knew this fact when we decided to further our relationship, but to him my lifetime would be significantly minuscule in comparison to his existence. A blink of an eye. Maybe less. It hurt to know I would barely be a dot on the map of him. The hunter who refused to give up on a task that could potentially bring all of his roads to an end forever. A girl who decided to have him and destroy him all in one breath.

"I hope you're not still angry with me for keeping things from you." He murmured as I approached. "I would hate to spend our time gathering up loose ends."

"I'm not." I came up beside him. "I don't think I ever really was."

The trees whipped around in the brisk wind, creaking as they gave way to the force.

"How strange." He said, mostly to himself.

"Not really, when you think about it."

He rose a brow. "Do tell."

"Everything's different with you." I explained, keeping my eyes on the rippling grass in the field. "I understand the balance of things because of you."

"I doubt I would call it balanced." He breathed. "Everything is chaotic, especially when things are brought to an end."

"You've taught me about more than death." I insisted, clasping the sleeve of his coat. "You've taught me how to live without my ghosts."

Silence engulfed us, and I placed my head on his shoulder. At first I was apprehensive, but I finally relaxed as he drew his arm around my shoulder. More the ever I found myself seeking the refuge of him, terrified of what was to come. There was no way to cease the motions that were driving us toward Pandora's Box.

"Let's take our leave." His voice was quiet, subdued.

"Alright." I whispered.

We were transported to a road in the middle of nowhere, rows of corn surrounding us for as far as the eye could see.

In front of us sat a Cadillac DeVille. It was eggshell white with a beautifully crafted frame that curved elegantly. The chrome accents were perfectly polished and it was impressively well kept. It may as well have been pulled through a time warp, because I could envision it rolling down the street of a 1950's town. Cars were made to leave a lasting impression back then.

"What's this?" I prompted him as I left his arms and circled the car.

"It's mine." He stated as he opened the trunk and stashed my bag inside.

"I knew horsemen had steeds, but I thought it was more literal than this." I threw the remainder of my luggage in the trunk. "But I'm not disappointed."

"Well I certainly wouldn't want that."

Death rounded the side of the car, and I was right behind him.

"Shouldn't we be teleporting?" I asked as he opened the driver's side door. "Why drive?"

"I want to savor our time together." He admitted as he took a seat. "Is that a crime?"

"No, no." I waved my hands. "Of course not. It's just, you made it sound like time was of the essence."

"It is." He dipped his head. "But that doesn't mean we should break our necks. We have enough time to take a minor detour."

Rain began falling from the sky, coating my hair in a fine mist as I stood beside the car. Low rumbles of thunder sounded in the distance, lightning splintering across the sky as I stared into his dark eyes. It wasn't like him to be this way, and that alone made me think something was off. Yet, I knew better than to question his motives.

"Get in." He ordered, and I ran to the other side, jumping in.

I took a deep breath as he turned up the radio. When I looked up at him I found he was already gazing down at me. His eyes were unreadable in the dreary afternoon light, but I knew we had the same thing on our mind. The solemn expression on his face told me everything I needed to know.

It was in this moment I realized we were equally troubled.