Chapter 3: Closer

Death City was experiencing thunderstorms and lightning lit up the halls of the Shinigami mansion.

Thunder crashed all around its walls, shaking the very foundation of the house.

Unable to sleep from all of this noise and light, Kid Death had gone for a stroll through the mansion.

There was nothing the five year old particularly wanted that night, just some air and time to stretch and think alone. He passed by his sister's room warily. She'd often placed traps and gags of sorts outside her door and Kid had often fallen prey to them. They both experimented with their Shinigami powers but only Morta had gone so far as to use them on her sibling.

However, tonight, instead of a soul shock or a runaway scooter, Kid was greeted with the sounds of gentle sobbing. As he listened more closely, he heard an increase in the terrified sobs with every flash of lightning or peal of thunder.

Taking his chances, Kid pushed open the already slightly ajar door.

Morta was curled up with a teddy bear in a corner of her room. She shivered and sniffled from the cold of the linoleum floor and her own tears. Too frightened to notice her brother, she squealed and dived under her bed covers at a particularly loud clap of thunder. The whole bed trembled as a result of her fear.

Kid crept over to the quivering lump and sat next to it.

Morta peeked out, eyes wide with anxiety and exhaustion, then she hid once again as thunder ruled the sky.

Kid patted the area where her head disappeared into, and along with the storm, the trembling gradually stopped and was replaced by a gentle snoring.

As much as Kid wanted to stay with his little sister, he'd tucked her in just like the nurse did and left silently to return to his own room.

It was better not to push his luck.