"Where are you going?" Aera asked as she sat down in the car spot next to him. Marzipan lay down at her feet, with his soft nose on her lap. His big eyes watched her with such love and trust she'd never experienced before.

"He loves you." The Grimm Reaper remarked. "Are you two ready for a short trip to the town? I have to pick some souls, but we can go and eat ice cream or whatever you want. Meat for Marzipan. It won't take long. I have 30 minutes until the first appointment today. Then I'll have another at 6 p.m. So, we have two free hours."

"We'll accompany you. If it's alright." Aera suggested. "Won't we, Marzipan?" The dog lifted his head and watched his two companions cheerfully. His tail started to move impatiently.

"He seems willing to go. The first one is an old man. It would be easy. He expects my visit. He would love your company. He likes dogs, as well, so it won't be a problem if we take Marzipan with us. In fact, I think the old man will appreciate Marzipan's presence."

"It sounds great. What do you think, Marzipan?" The dog answered with a confident bark. He wanted to go.

"I love this place," Aera exclaimed as she stopped on the bank of the river. The water was so clear that they could see fish swimming. Little ones moving around, waving through water, swimming back and forth only to disappear moments later as if they were never there.

Marzipan could hardly resist the temptation of jumping inside the water. Yet he hesitated. He seemed ready to jump then he turn back as if not seeing the river would help him stop the desire of being embraced by water, the beauty of taming that wild beast.

He didn't jump. Instead, he continued his walk along the dusty path.

"He seems to love this place." The Grimm Reaper remarked. "It's just a lovely place Marzipan showed me a few days ago. You should see the bridge."

"You were right about the old man," Aera said out of the blue as she followed them while her eyes wandered over the large field, wholly covered with poppies.

"Marzipan is a smart dog. He knew the old man needed some comfort and he didn't hesitate to offer his love even if the man was a complete stranger."

"This is so out of this world," Aera spoke out as looked at the bridge in front of her. There was nothing special about it and yet there was. The river, the trees everything seemed to belong to another world.

"This is what the bridge looks like, isn't it?"

"The one over Styx? This isn't it." The Grimm Reaper assured her.

Meanwhile, Marzipan had already covered half of the distance towards the other bank and turned around. He stopped there, in the middle of the bridge, waiting for Aera and the Grimm Reaper to come.

"I'm afraid of the bridges. Sure this isn't...you know, that one? I'm not ready yet"

"I've never seen it, either. I can't cross it. I'm not allowed to."

"Do you remember your former life?"

"I don't think I had a former life. I've always been a Grimm Reaper."

"Isn't it boring?" She asked as she made her first step on the bridge. The bridge swung as she stepped. "It's scary. How makes it, that he doesn't care? I got dizzy just looking at the water. And I am already dead. What could happen to me, after all? Yet, I'm scared while the dog plays around like he was walking on solid ground."

"He was coming here frequently. Since he was a puppy. He trusted his owner. He wanted to prove he wasn't a scary cat."

"I've never known dogs are proud, too." She turned around. He was just a few steps behind her.

"Do you need any help? Here, take me by the hand." He offered her his hand. She pressed her tiny fingers around his cold hand and smiled as she kept her hand so close to his.

"You know so many things about each of those souls. It's amazing." Aera exclaimed.

"I have to. This is my job."

It was 2 a.m. when they left for another meeting. The Grimm Reaper had insisted to take them back to the hotel, but Aera was so sick of staying inside that she decided to go.

"Fine. But you must stay away. DO NOT GET INVOLVED." He warned her. "He has to die tonight and he can't be saved. Do not do anything stupid. Could you promise me that?"

"Yes, alright. Anyway, what can I do? I'm a ghost. I can't move an ordinary paperclip and you're worried I could prevent an accident?"

"That's the worst part: every part of your body cries to do something while your brain demands you to stay away."

"I'll manage it."

The night was cold and stairless. They sat silently in the car unable to see each other. Marzipan was lying as usually at her feet with his head on her lap. The Grimm Reaper was next to her, on the back seat, just behind the driver's seat.

He hadn't come yet. Part of Aera wished he wouldn't come at all. Though, he did. And he had way too many drinks.

"Stupid youth," The Grimm Reaper cursed. "They think nothing bad could happen to them."

"He is so young," Aera muttered. She felt pity for him.

"There's nothing we can do."

"What about Chang-sung? Could he save the boy?"

"Aera you promised not to interfere." He scolded her gently.

"I know, but... we can scare him a bit...he would never drive in this state."

"His death was decided already. Nothing could be changed. Chang-sung's job is to help him find peace. Maybe, help him prevent something similar from happening in the next life, but in this life..." He stopped as a sad song was playing on the car radio. Aera sobbed. Marzipan started to get agitated as he sensed his discomfort and wanted to help her. The Grimm Reaper didn't know what to do to help her. He didn't dare to say a word as he couldn't find anything good enough to comfort Aera.

The car was rolling with speed. Too fast. Much too fast. It was dark and the young driver couldn't concentrate on the road. His head was spinning. He considered stopping for a way. Take a breath of fresh air, but he decided to keep going. He wanted to be home. He didn't want to lose more time.

If only that tree weren't there. If only...but it was and he couldn't explain how he ended there. Just moments ago he was on the road and then he tried to take the corner. He was driving too fast. He lost control and then, the world was spinning around him. It only stopped when the car reached the tree. It was too late.