Chapter Three:
"I remember," I said. "Everything. My mother, my sister, my past, my death-" I stopped.
"How come I'm not dead?!" I demanded.
Undertaker placed the book back onto the shelf and turned to me, his grin never diminishing.
"Since you now remember your death, I'm sure you recalled that red-headed fellow with the chainsaw, correct?"
A cold shiver ran down my spine. "Yes. I remember him. Why?"
"He was a shinigami. When he killed you, he killed you with what we call a death scythe." He explained. "He was in a partnership with that woman. Together, they're known as Jack-the-Ripper. She killed the people, and he reaped their souls, therefore, they aren't fortunate enough to become a grim reaper. But when you were killed, it was immediately with a death scythe. You weren't in dying health, nor on the To-Die list. Thus meaning you were able to surpass death and become one of us."
I nodded slowly, trying to comprehend his explanation.
"So, just because I was killed with a direct hit with a death scythe, I was immediately destined to become a Grim Reaper?" I asked.
"Basically, yes."
"So I didn't have a choice," I muttered.
"Sadly, nobody truly has a choice in this world." he remarked sadly. Then he perked up.
"Well, since we are here, I might as well get you your scythe and spectacles." he went to pick me up again, and I jumped away from his reach.
"I'll just take the stairs," I said.
"What stairs?" he asked.
I looked around.
There were no stairs.
"Fine," I mumbled, allowing him to pick me up. I braced myself as he leaped gracefully back up to the top floor.
Again, my stomach did flip-flops and I had difficulty standing.
"You'll get used to it," he said, leading me out of the room and down the hall.
'I sincerely hope I never have to do that again,' I thought to myself.
The next room he lead me to was a small room, with a few people getting their eyes checked.
"This is the Glasses Directory," he said, leading my to one of the open charts. I was instructed by a person in a white labcoat to cover my right eye.
"Right, up, left, down, diagonal right, down left," I said.
"Good," one of the females said, scribbling down something. "Now cover your left eye." she instructed pulling down a separate chart.
"Left, down, diagonal left, down right, up," I said.
"Very good." she turned to Undertaker. "She has 20-20 vision, so she'll use spectacles number five." she said, handing him a piece of paper.
"Thank you," he bowed slightly, and she returned the gesture.
"Let's go pick your frames," he said, leading me to a wall covered with multicolored glasses.
"Wait, she said I had 20-20 vision, why do I need glasses?" I asked.
"Spectacles to a shinigami aren't just for sight, although that is the case most of the time. They help a reaper see a human's Cinematic Record." he explained. "Since you are going to be a field agent, you need a pair."
I huffed and turned to the wall. Even though I'm basically being forced into this, I like the idea of being a shinigami. I really shouldn't complain.
After careful process of elimination, I finally chose a black frame with white roses on the frames.
"These." I said, holding them out to Undertaker. He took them and examined them for a minutes, then handed it back.
"Excellent choice," he said. "Go take them to Pops over there." he pointed to an aged man leaning over a pair of glasses.
"Pops" had short gray hair and gray glasses that were perched on the tip of his nose. He blew on the glasses, making his gray mustache sway with his delicate breath. He grabbed a small carving knife and began to carve an intricate pattern. I approached him, unaware that Undertaker had preferred to watch from a distance.
"Sir?" I asked. With a grunt of disapproval, he turned from his work and glared up at me.
"What do you want?" his voice was gruff and had hints of irritation in his voice.
"I would like these, please?" I said, handing the pair to him. He glared at me and I retracted my hands, taking a step back.
"Not right now. Can't you see I'm busy?" he grumbled and turned back to his work.
I turned to find a frowning Undertaker behind me.
"He won't do them," I said sadly.
"I'll take care of it," he said, walking past me. He tapped Pops on the shoulder again.
"Why can't you just leave me alone you bra-" he stopped when he saw Undertaker leaning over him.
"My apprentice needs her glasses. Would you be so kind as to fit her lenses into the frames?" Undertaker asked. I shuttered when I detected a slight threat in his tone.
"O-of course, sir. I'll get to them right away," he said, gratefully taking the frames from me. Undertaker handed him the slip and Pops nodded.
Minutes later, my glasses were done.
"That was fast," I said as I slipped them on. Nothing changed much, except some of the details were sharper than before.
"Pops is the best at what he does," Undertaker said, leading me away.
"Now where are we going?" I asked.
"First, to get your death scythe. Then, you'll meet the supervisor of this Shinigami Branch." Undertaker said.
We entered a room full of weapons. Butcher knives, silverware, garden tools, and different assortments of swords lined the back walls. There were cubicles that had female shinigami handing weapons to male reapers.
"Undertaker, why are all the women behind desks? Am I the only female shinigami field agent?" I asked.
Undertaker shrugged.
"Most prefer to stay indoors, not risking to brave the harsh world out there."
"Harsh?" I echoed.
"It's not that bad all the time, but at times, it can become dangerous." He explained. "Some souls are tricky to collect, and some try to rebel against you. Other times, demons try to steal the soul, and you have to fend them off."
I cringed. Demons? Rebel Souls? No wonder why they preferred to stay here.
"Pick your weapon," Undertaker instructed. "Make sure you really like it, because you can't trade it in."
I walked along the wall, checking the weapons off as I passed them. I had to find the perfect one.
"Too big, not big enough, too colorful, too dull, who would even think of using that?" I muttered to myself.
Then I found them.
I shrieked with excitement and leaped for them.
They were a pair of katanas, each approximately four feet in length. The handles were black and the blades looked brand new, making them have a deadly glow.
"These!" I said, presenting them to Undertaker.
He looked them over.
"Those are nice, but can you wield them properly?" he asked.
"I think so." I said. "Holding them feels natural, like they were meant for me." I said.
"Then you should take them. If a death scythe feels right, then you were meant to have it." We walked over to one of the counters where an orange haired lady sat with a plastic smile etched on her face.
"Hello, are you here to check those out?" she asked a little too sweetly.
"Drop the act," I said.
Her smile faltered a moment.
"Excuse me?" she asked.
"Drop the act. I hate it when people force themselves to be happy. Just save me the trouble of wiping that grin off your face and drop the happy-go-lucky act." I said. She sighed and frowned.
"This job is just so BORING!" she groaned. But William won't let me out in the field. He's afraid I'll get hurt."
"If you'll pardon my asking," Undertaker spoke up. "But aren't you Mr. William's wife?"
"Not yet, I'm his fiance, Jane. I still have about three weeks before the Decaying Process takes place, so I'm enjoying my freedom for the time being." she leaned her head on her hand, sighing again.
"What's the Decaying Process?" I asked.
"You haven't told her?" Jane asked Undertaker.
I looked at him, expecting an answer.
"I was going to later," he said grinning.
I sighed, annoyed. "I want to have these for my death weapon." I said, getting to the point.
"You mean Death Scythe?" she asked.
"Yes, whatever." I said. She nodded and pulled out a form.
I filled it out, as it was mostly my personal information.
"This is your official Death scythe now, Miss Jasmine. You are not allowed to personalize it, trade it, or destroy it in any way, shape, or form. By doing so, you accept any consequences given to you." she said. I nodded. She handed me their designated holder.
"Thanks Jane." I said.
"No problem."
"Now I get to meet thesupervisor of this branch?" I asked.
"Yes. Mr. William T. Spears." he said.
I nodded and sheathed my weapons in their holders and strapped the belt to my waist.
We reached the office where William was. Undertaker didn't bother to knock, but rather proceeded inside.
"Who dares to bother me at this time?" a bored voice asked. I peaked from behind Undertaker and saw a man dressed in a black suit and tie leaning over a bunch of paper work.
He looked and gasped when he saw Undertaker, instantly getting up and bowing to him.
"My apologies, sir. I didn't know it was you." he said.
"That's quite fine," Undertaker said, and William straightened. "I'd like to introduce you to my new apprentice: Jasmine Marie Opal."
"I see, so this is the one you spoke about. My name is William T. Spears, official supervisor of the Dispatch Management Division. I look after everything that goes on around here."
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Spears." I said.
"Please, call me William."
"Okay, William." I said.
He examined my face, instantly confused.
"Undertaker, if I may ask, why does she have official reaper spectacle? She hasn't passed orientation yet."
"I have taken full responsibility over her. Therefore, I feel as if she skips orientation since I am her teacher."
William looked as if he was about to argue, but thought better of it.
"Very well, sir. It is your decision." He stuck out his hand. "It was nice meeting you, Jasmine, but I'm afraid I have so much work to do."
"Ok." I said, taking his hand and shaking it in a polite manner.
"Let's go dearie, I bet you are exhausted." Undertaker said.
"Now that you mention it," I yawned. "I am a bit tired."
We walked out of the room and Undertaker gathered me in his arms again. I didn't protest.
Undertaker snapped and a yellow portal opened up. I closed my eyes as he stepped through it.
I opened them and we were back in his shop.
Undertaker walked over to the coffin I had woken up in, gently setting me down in it.
"Sweet dreams dear~! See you in the morning," he said, shutting the lid.
I fell asleep in the same darkness I had woken up to.
A/N: I apologize if I confused you with the titles like how William is head or supervisor of the shinigami branch or whatever, I tried to look it up, then things got complicated aaaaannnnnddd...yeah. Hope you enjoyed and I'll be back!
~JasmineCrevan