Chapter 4 : Heart Of Glass

Part 5

Azura

"Jack?" I called in the moonlight, awaiting him in the woods.

I couldn't hear anything.

"Azura?" I heard someone say. It wasn't the husky, low voice I knew as Jack's. It was a female's.

"Umm.. Yes? Do I know you?" I asked, peering in the dark for a face I could not see.

"Not really, no," she said, laughing in a haunting voice.

"Then how do you know me?" I questioned, trying to sound polite.

"I'm a good friend of Jack's," she answered.

Instant jealousy. I did not know this woman, but she knew Jack.

"How?" I asked, glaring.

"My name is Morta," she answered, ignoring my question.

"Hi," I rolled my eyes, waving in the dark at nothing. I could tell I didn't sound happy.

"Jack had to leave real quickly.. He had some urgent matters to discuss with someone," she explained.

I started to panic again. This time, it wasn't for my life. It was for Jack's.

"Is he alright?" I asked her, stepping closer to where her voice was coming from.

"He's fine. For now," she said briefly, "He'll be back later."

"Oh.." I nodded, feeling hurt. Who was this woman? "Morta, right?"

"Yes."

"Can I ask you a personal question?" I asked her, crossing my arms. It was quite chilly today.

"Shoot."

"Umm.. Have you and Jack ever.." I couldn't even finish the question, it was too heartbreaking.

"I think I know what you're about to ask.. And no. Jack and I have never been together in the way the two of you are," she answered, "We are like brother and sister."

"Good," I sighed.

"Would it matter, anyway?" she laughed, "I mean, he loves you very much."

"He does?" I smiled. I was glad Morta couldn't see me, I was blushing scarlet.

"Yes."

"Morta, can I ask you another question?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Umm.. What do you do? For a.. living, I guess?" I asked her.

"I send people to the other side," she answered solemnly.

"You mean.. You're Death?" I asked, in awe.

"Sort of," she replied.

"Wow.." I whispered.

"Here, he wanted me to give this to you," she told me.

I felt something touch my hand, it was soft. I lightly held it, trying to figure out what it was. It was the rose he gave me.

"Azura, it was nice to meet you and all, but I have to go," Morta explained. I could hear the sound of scraping metal. I didn't want to know where it came from.

"Right, sorry," I blushed again, "Tell Jack, if you see him, that I'll try to wait up for him tonight, please?"

"I'll try to.." she answered. I heard a whooshing sound, and figured she left. I was glad I hadn't seen her face. Death, in the flesh. Jack's friend. His friend that is also female.

I held the rose tightly with both hands. It wasn't on a stem, so it was harder to hold on to than I thought. I walked home in silence, wondering who Jack was talking to.