I woke up to the sound of birds singing and the waves crashing on the shore coming through my open windows. I liked keeping them open because the fresh air reminded me of flying, something I hadn't done often since arriving in Venus Cove. We'd gone a long time without stretching our wings because if we were seen, the results would be disastrous. Of course,I had an excuse to go out since I had to reap in the town and surrounding area. It also gave me at least a little time to take the souls to be judged then either to the Gates of Heaven or the Doors of Hell. I never went past the latter, but I'd occasionally stop in the Kingdom to catch us with those I'd known before mankind.
See, that's another part of being me. Different people, from different places, have different beliefs about me, and have led different lives. Some on the sinner side of the scale sometimes try to resist me taking them. I can usually tell where a soul will end up because of how I get the urge to appear. It's like how you act differently around different people naturally. The majority of the time, I stick to the classic, long, flowing, black gown, halo, and scythe. However, when I get around the really bad sinners... Let's just say I try to keep that reserved for the worst of the damned if I can help it, though sometimes it slips through if I'm angry. Luckily, when reaping, me and mine aren't seen by mortal eyes. I even had a difficult time keeping an eye on my reapers sometimes when in human form.
It was actually a rather interesting process. Our blades of scythes, while they were solid, never physically altered the body, only severed the ties the soul had to it. We would then determine whether or not the soul was ready for judgement and if they were, take them to be judged and from there, to the nearest entrance to their final destination. We'd then return to the body to end the life. Though there are always exceptions. There had been cases of having to bring souls back to their bodies and rebind them, and while it was a hassle, it was a welcome one, especially when seeing the look on the faces of doctors and family when someone who's vitals were gone or going suddenly got better; suddenly experienced a miracle. Those special few who had seen the end and come back were always either reassured in their faith or ready to make a change in lifestyle.
Anyway, I rolled out of bed and changed out of a black P!ATD t-shirt and pajama bottoms into my new uniform. It consisted of a gray skirt, white blouse, navy blazer, and a sky-blue tie. I paired it with brown combat boots and black stud earrings, which I showed off by pulling my dark curls into a ponytail. I'd purposely slept in, dreading our first day at Bryce Hamilton. High school meant a social life (no matter how small), and with a social life comes attachments, which aren't amazing to have in our line of work. We were made to love mankind as a whole, but never have favorites. I sighed picking up my phone from the charger and grudgingly going downstairs. I received an odd look from my siblings as I walked right out the door, picking up my black messenger bag on the way out.
The school was located on the edge of town near the waters of Shipwreck Coast. It was made up of two large brick buildings, one of which with two bell towers and an iron gate that had been a convent in the sixties. Since it was one of the only schools in town, most people who went here had parents and grandparents who'd come here as well. The first building, it covered 1st through 6th grades and the converted convent had 7th through 12th, but the majority of campus was dedicated to high school. The preschool was located in the middle of town, closer to where most parents would be working.
My siblings and I stood in front of the gates as students began to arrive. I'd put on many faced and put on many facades over the years, but I hadn't ever been a student before. It was just never necessary for my job, but I knew how important first impressions where to missions. We had to put on the hardest act for an angel: acting human. I heard Bethany take a deep, shaky, breath and turned to her. I took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She gave me a grateful smile and looked back at the school. She was wearing a gray jumper and Gabriel had on a button-down shirt, a tie, and trousers. A contrast to the majority of the student body who'd made various alterations based on which clique they were in.
"I must admit, I struggle with some of these latest fashion trends." Gabriel said, pursing his lips at the sight of some of the more distasteful alterations.
"So much for being infallible." I rolled my eyes and smirked, earning a miffed look from my brother.
Ivy laughed, "This is the 21st century. Try not to look so critical."
"Isn't that what teachers do?"
"Not popular ones." I sighed, making them all look at me questioningly, "What? I had to be one in the 40s. World War 2." I shrugged.
Ivy squeezed Gabriel's shoulder and handed Bethany and I our class schedules, a school map, and other important papers for our "transfer" to Bryce Hamilton. Bethany and I had mostly different classes since I was being brought in as a senior and she was being brought in as a junior, but since it was a small school, we shared a literature class, French, lunch, break, and PE. I was there to look after her, but she needed to learn how to take care of herself when I wasn't there. "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." Bethany said, putting on a determined face. "Let's do this.
"We'll be fine, Bethany." Gabriel assured her. "Remember where we come from."
We began walking towards the school, leaving Ivy at the gates. We'd expected a reaction to our arrival, but the people parted for us and watched in awe as we walked past them as if we weren't of this world...Which... We really weren't.
"Besides, what's the worst that can happen?" I laughed awkwardly, not knowing just how bad things were going to get.