"The last day of the project, finally." Logan announced that Tuesday after school.

Carlos clapped and started inspecting the plants for the final time. "Yay!"

Logan was somewhat upset. What if Carlos stops talking to me after we're done? He frowned. It was fun while it lasted...

"Why so glum?" Carlos asked as he finished up his notes.

"I'm fine, just tired I guess."

"Well, you better wake up because we're training after we're done."

Logan smirked. Maybe it's not over. "What do you mean?"

"I mean if you want to make the team in a couple weeks you're going to have to work your ass off."

Logan grew uneasy. "Carlos, about the team… I'm not sure that I can handle it."

"Huh?"

"I'm a wimp."

Carlos smiled. "Oh! Don't worry Logan, you'll be great!"

Logan chuckled. "I guess you're right."

The boys finished up their notes and took their final pictures. They put their project together and made it as nice as they could. Logan inspected every detail of it, proving himself to be a perfectionist. The boys smiled at how nice their project came out. I could never make any of my school work look this great, Carlos thought to himself.

"It looks good." Logan said as they stared at it.

"Mr. Lawrence will be impressed with the project and my parents will be impressed with the grade we got. I'm not too great with projects." Carlos laughed.

Logan grabbed the project and started packing it away for school the next day; Carlos sat on his bed and started whistling, waiting for Logan to finish. Suddenly, Logan heard a small interruption to Carlos' whistling. It sounded like a quick burst of flames. Logan whipped around to see a black envelope resting on the edge of his bed. Oh shit. I hope Carlos didn't see…

"What the hell was that!" Carlos shrieked as he jumped off Logan's bed. He did.

Logan scrambled for his bed in a panic, grabbed the envelope, and shoved it in his shirt. "Nothing! It was absolutely nothing!"

Carlos glared at him angrily. "Don't act like I'm stupid. What the hell was that!"

Logan was sweating profusely. If I tell him he'll never hang out with me again. He gulped. Carlos was waiting for an answer. He took the black envelope from his shirt and held it with a clenched fist; Carlos watched him curiously.

"Carlos I don't know how to tell you this…" Logan started.

"What? I'm sure it's not that big of a deal. Your house might just be haunted. We can get some paranormal investigators or some shit on that right away. If these ghosts are bothering you I'll have a talk with them. No one messes with my friends, not even the paranormal!" Carlos rambled nervously, hoping it was something silly like a haunting.

"No Carlos… It's not ghosts, it's, well, me..."

Carlos looked confused. "What do you mean 'it's you'?"

Logan sighed. "Promise me you won't run away when I tell you."

Carlos nodded. "I promise." How bad could it be?, Carlos asked himself.

Logan looked nervously at his friend. "Carlos, I'm… I'm Death."

Carlos smirked skeptically. "You're Death? And what do you mean by that Logan? I know you kill plants and stuff, but I think you're exaggerating."

"No Carlos, I'm not. I'm Death. Like, you know, the Grim Reaper."

Carlos' smirk quickly disappeared as he heard Logan's words and looked at the envelope in his hand. He sprinted towards the door. Luckily, Logan was closer to the doorway and was able to throw his body onto the door before Carlos could get to it. He cringed. He can't leave me. I need him. I can't go back to being alone.

"Please! Please Carlos don't go! Listen, I know this is crazy and weird and horrifying, but please don't leave! I have no one! I can't help this! I can't help who I am! I don't even really kill people!" he held up the envelope. "I get these! They tell me when people are going to die! I go and get their spirit and bring it where it belongs! That's it! I don't want to be this way! I really don't! It's a bloodline thing! Just please, please don't go!" he pleaded frantically.

Carlos looked at him sympathetically. He was afraid of Logan, he was afraid of death, especially after what had happened on Saturday at the ice rink. I don't know what to do. Logan needs a friend, but he's Death. Carlos suddenly smelt death on Logan, it made him want to throw up. He could see tears in Logan's eyes. Usually, he would call him a baby or a wimp, but not today. He's been alone, for so long. Because he's Death. And he can never escape Death, because he can't run away from himself.

"Please." he begged again.

Carlos looked up at the boy's worried expression. His stomach twisted into a tight knot. "I'll stay."

Logan beamed. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I don't think you understand how much this means to me." He stepped away from the door.

"We have hockey to practice though. Can Reapers play hockey? Or is it too mortal for them?" Carlos joked.

Logan laughed with relief. That was more terrifying than my job…

Carlos lay in his bed that night, his head filled with thoughts. He was afraid, he was afraid for his life.

What if this is all a trap? What if this little "I don't have any friends thing is" is just an act to lure me in? What if he's planning on stealing my soul! For his freakish collection!

Carlos sat upright in his bed. That would never happen. Logan is a great guy and he would never do something like that. He can't help that he's Death. Hell, he's like a celebrity. My friend is known all around the world. Carlos smiled.

I feel like I'm going to shit my pants. A celebrity? More like everyone is afraid of him! He's Death! Plants and animals die when they're exposed to him for too long! He smells like death! He wears a black cloak and steals souls away! I saw him! At the ice rink!

Carlos shook his head. Logan is a nice boy, he can't help who he is. He can't help that it runs in the family. He's just the a Grim Reaper. You heard what he told you, he only takes the spirits of the dead to where they must go. He can't kill you, he only takes care of you after you die.

Carlos still felt anxiety in the pit of his stomach whenever he thought about Logan. He felt bad for being so afraid, but frankly, he just couldn't help it.

Logan was amazed that Carlos stayed and played hockey with him. Logan was amazed that he had told someone his secret. Logan was amazed that he finally had a friend. He sat in his bed in his cloak, waiting for the appropriate time to leave for his mission. His life may have been filled with death, but maybe it was time for Logan to start living.

He smiled to himself. "I'm finally not alone."