Hey everyone! I know it's been like roughly two weeks since I updated, but here I am with a new chapter! Yay!

This chapter was my own idea that I've been wanting to try, so here we go!

Updated: 11/23/2013

…

He sat there, a piece of parchment in front of him. He watched as name after name appeared in blood red ink, scrawled on by an invisible pen. Once the names were finalized, they flashed and stayed on the list forever.

But then, he watched with narrowed eyes as one flashed before the ink began to wobble on the page; it shook and bent, withering against the fair background.

Then, the red ink seeped from the page; where a name once was, was now blank, as if it had never been there.

He let out a feral growl; no one got away from him.

Good thing he noticed the name before it disappeared.

He would come for him himself.

…

Benny jerked in his sleep, eyes flying open to see lightning flash pass his window and harsh winds shake the panes. Gasping as he tried to catch his breath, his eyes widened as lightning illuminated his backyard. Getting out of his bed on shaky legs, he stared into the darkened yard, waiting for the next batch of lightning to strike.

When it did, he felt his heart jerk in fear; he hadn't imagined the figure he thought he saw then.

Because, standing in his backyard was a tall figure, a long thin object clasped in its hand; it was too dark to make out details, and for that Benny was grateful.

But its face was tilted up as if it was staring at Benny; he couldn't tell for sure, but he could feel it.

When he blinked, it was gone.

Taking a shaky breath, he pulled down his window-blinds and curled up in bed, trying to forget what he just saw or the flash of pain and fear it had stirred in him.

But when he closed his eyes, the figure loomed behind his darkened eyelids, watching, waiting.

His eyes opened and he sighed.

Who needs sleep?

…

The next day, Ethan caught up to an exhausted Benny, whose hair was mussed more than usual and bags were deep under his eyes.

"What happened to you? You look like shit," he said, running a hand through Benny's hair; Benny briefly closed his eyes at this only for them to fly open at once. "What is it?" Benny shook his head and intertwined their fingers.

"Nothing. Just didn't sleep well last night."

"Are you okay?"

"Healthy as a horse E. I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

…

As they settled in their first class, Rory babbling next to them about a new brand of squirrel he tried, Benny had to fight to keep his eyes open. Every time they closed, he saw the dark shadow of someone as they stood menacingly in his yard. Opening his eyes, he let out a yawn as the teacher walked into the hall.

When they returned, they were not alone. Benny felt an unknown tremor run through him as he surveyed the new student that now stood by the teacher's side; he was tall, maybe an inch or so taller than Benny himself. He had pale blonde-white hair and dark eyes that shown pure black in the classroom light; his skin was pale, paler than any that had been seen before; it stretched over his features tightly, showing the shape of his face perfectly; his arched cheekbones, his high eyebrows and straight nose, thin pale pink lips that turned up in a sneer as the teacher began to speak.

"Everyone, this is Garth Ripper, a new student as well as our new classmate; say hello everyone." A murmur ran through the class as everyone muttered out various forms of 'hello'. Sighing, the teacher began speak again, "Garth, is there anything you'd like to say about yourself to the class?" He raised an eyebrow at her and then glanced around the room, his dark eyes surveying his surroundings.

"Sure," he said, his voice thick and rich; many people seemed to relax before their very eyes at the pure sound of his voice, "I am 17, just moved here, and am so looking forward to my time at Whitechapel High."

"Thank you Garth," the teacher said, voice and gaze slightly dazed. "You may take any open seat you see." He nodded and moved through the room; everyone seemed to watch him as he walked; his movements were smooth and graceful, unlike what you would expect from his looks.

He was tall, as Benny had noticed, but frightfully thin; it was easy to tell from his face and hands alone; his hands were long and thin, his pale skin stretched tight over the long fingers that seemed to dance along the table's edge. He was dressed simply, dark blue jeans clad his long legs and a grey long-sleeved shirt covered his torso; around his neck was a long silver chain which hung a large silver scythe that rested right in the middle of his somewhat broad chest. On his feet were large black biker boots that seemed intimidating yet made him seem almost intriguing.

Benny pulled his eyes away and glanced at Ethan, who was looking down at his desk, a frown on his face.

"What's wrong?" he murmured, leaning close to Ethan's ear. Ethan met his eyes briefly but then looked down again; Benny was surprised to see the look in his boyfriend's eyes; they looked almost heartbroken. Ethan went to open his mouth only for the teacher to begin speaking.

"Class, today we're going to start a project for the week; meaning it's due Friday. I'm picking your partners since some of you tend to get distracted with who you usually work with." Benny grimaced as their eyes flashed to him and Ethan; he ignored them as they continued speaking about what the project was supposed to be. He only paid attention when the partner list was mentioned again. "The list is printing out right now, and once it's posted I want you all to begin working. For now, chat quietly among yourselves. I'll be right back." As the teacher left the room, everyone began talking at once. Benny glanced at Garth, shivering when he was staring back, his dark eyes seeming to pierce into his soul. Shaking the feeling off, he looked at Ethan, who was silently reading.

"E?"

"What?" Ethan muttered, eyes not straying from the book.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"E-" Benny stopped talking as the teacher walked in; he eyed the paper in their hands with distaste. He knew he wouldn't be working with Ethan this time. As it was pinned to the board, everyone scrambled up at once. He sat back and waited until the tide died down to go see who he was to be paired with this time. His eyes widened first as he saw that Ethan was paired with Rory; seething over that, he searched for his name.

He felt his stomach drop as he followed the line to the name next to his.

Benny Weir - Garth Ripper

In a zombie-like state, Benny moved back to his seat. He looked at Ethan, who was talking quietly to Rory as they mapped out what they would be working on already. Ethan glanced at him briefly before he put his focus back on Rory. Sighing, Benny grabbed his bag and moved into the seat that separated him from Garth.

"Hi…" he said cautiously, the other guy just watching him. "I'm Benny; your partner."

"Right," he said, scooting some so he was facing him. "I'm Garth," he said, extending a hand out for Benny to shake. As Benny did, he felt a cold chill race down his spine.

Something wasn't right about this guy, he could feel it.

…

At lunch, Benny was surprised to see Garth approach him and Ethan.

"Mind if I join you two?" he asked, giving Benny a big grin; Benny couldn't contain the shiver he felt shake him. Ethan just shot him a glance then shrugged.

"Sure, whatever," he muttered, shoveling his food down his throat. Benny rolled his eyes and then turned to Garth.

"Benny, I was wondering if I could come by later so we could begin to work on our project?"

"Sure," Benny said as Garth handed him a piece of paper.

"There is my cell. Text me with your address. I'm sure I can find it."

"O-okay…" With another grin, he got up and left. Benny watched him for a moment before turning to Ethan, who just sighed. "Okay E, what's wrong?"

"I saw the way you were staring at him," Ethan muttered, pushing his food around now.

"And what way was that?" Benny asked, obviously confused. Ethan groaned and looked at Benny now.

"The fact that you don't even know makes it worse!" When Benny didn't respond, Ethan sighed again. "You looked at him like you used to look at me."

"Used to? I don't think the way I look at you has changed."

"It hasn't, but you were looking at him-"

"E," Benny said, grabbing his hand, "I don't want Garth. I want you. So tone down the jealousy okay?" Ethan smiled a bit as Benny leaned forward to kiss him.

"Okay. Sorry-"

"Don't be sorry. The fact that you got so jealous just means you still want me." Benny grinned at Ethan, who returned with a smile of his own.

Neither noticed the dark eyes watching them intently; or more specifically, watching the green-eyed boy.

…

Ethan was walking into his last class when he bumped shoulders with someone, darkening his vision momentarily.

A long bony hand reached out from a dark sleeve as a black hood fell back, revealing a bright white skull that opened its mouth to screech loudly.

"You okay there Ethan?" a rich voice asked, causing Ethan to blink and see who he had bumped into.

"Garth," he said quietly, taking a shaky step back. The other boy just moved forward. "I'm f-fine."

"You sure? You seem to be shaken."

"I'm fine; just have to get to class." Scooting past the taller teen, Ethan hurried away, the image of what he saw burned into his retinas for the rest of the day.

…

"I'm telling you, there's something wrong with him," Ethan said into the phone, only to get a sigh in reply.

"E, are you sure that isn't your jealousy talking?"

"No Benny, it's not! I bumped into and saw-" here, Ethan faltered; what had he seen? Ever since had gotten home, his memory of the vision had been hazy. "Something," he finished lamely, making Benny sigh again.

"Fine, I'll have Grandma check him out when he gets here. But I gotta work on this project with him E, 'something' or not."

"I know… Just be careful okay?"

"Always am Babe, you know that." Ethan sighed as he thought about how close he had been to losing Benny before. "Hey, he's here, I gotta go. Love you."

"I love you too. Be careful!" He sighed as he ended the call before peeking out his window, watching the lanky boy allow the taller into his house. "Please be careful." Ethan watched with a fierce intensity as he stared at the house next door. He felt his jaw drop as he watched Grandma walk out not even five minutes after Garth arrived; what worried him even more was the fact that she didn't even get in her car.

She just kept walking.

Getting worried, Ethan ran out of his house and headed straight to the one next door.

…

Garth grinned as he was led into the Weir house, only for him to meet the suspicious eyes of an older woman.

"Garth, this is my grandma. Grandma, this is Garth, my project partner." He felt her eyes on him, but just shot her a look, smiling as her eyes glazed over before she turned to Benny.

"I. Have. To. Go," she said, pausing between each word. Benny watched wordlessly as she left the house.

"That was weird," he muttered, making Garth shrug.

"Old people are weird. Who knows what goes on in their minds?"

"True," Benny said with a relieved laugh. "Let's get to work."

"Right," Garth said, standing back as Benny turned to lead him deeper into the house. When he wasn't looking, he waved a hand and watched as a light rippled outside the windows before all was still again. "Let's get started then."

…

Ethan ran up to Benny's house, but before he could reach the front porch, he felt a powerful force knock him flat on his back. Looking up, he saw a slight shimmer in the air that he was sure no ordinary human could see.

"BENNY!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. "BENNY!"

…

Benny turned as he thought he heard something; straining to hear something, he figured it must have been the wind. Turning back, he saw Garth staring at him, his eyes roaming over his face.

"What?" Garth narrowed his eyes before he spoke in a low voice.

"You broke the law Benjamin." Benny's eyes widened at the serious tone in which the other guy spoke with.

"Wh-what?"

"You cheated."

"Huh?"

"You can't cheat Benjamin."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Garth stood at his outburst, his eyes narrowed.

"YOU CAN'T CHEAT ME OUT OF WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MINE BENJAMIN!" Benny cowered at a bit at the force in the guy's voice, a light chill shaking him.

"What should have been yours?"

"YOUR LIFE. YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED THAT NIGHT BENJAMIN. BUT YOU CHEATED YOUR WAY OUT." Benny felt his eyes widen as the teen in front of him transformed.

The skin peeled off, exposing the pale white bone beneath; his eyes dropped out, dissolving in thin air, leaving only the sockets behind; his hair fell out in clumps, leaving a gleaming smooth skull behind; his clothes billowed out from the body of bones until a long black robe encased him; the scythe around his neck fell from its chain before turning into a full sized one; gripping it in his boney hand, he grinned at the scared Benny.

"Garth Ripper… I can't believe I missed that!" Benny exclaimed, making him laugh.

"YES THAT WAS ONE OF MY NOT-SO-CLEVER DISGUISES. I HAD TO GET CLOSE TO YOU, YOU SEE… SO THAT I COULD TAKE WHAT BELONGS TO ME: YOU."

"You know, that old guy gave his soul so I could live-"

"WRONG. IT WAS YOUR TIME AS WELL AS HIS. HE TRIED TO BE THE HERO, BUT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE, AS WERE YOU BENJAMIN."

"I'm only 17. I shouldn't be dead yet."

"EVERYONE HAS TO GO EVENTUALLY," he said, bringing his scythe up high as he was about to slash it down on Benny when a loud sound disrupted the otherwise silent room.

Both Benny and the hooded skeleton looked up at the now shattered window and a panting Ethan.

"HOW DID YOU GET PAST MY SHIELD?!" Ethan held up his dad's gun, dropping it on the floor. The skeleton seemed to sneer before looking at Ethan; Ethan was looking at Benny.

"Why don't you ever listen to me?"

"Because I'm a stubborn jackass." Ethan grinned briefly before looking at dark-robed figure who was watching them intently. His smile fell as he stood up to his full height, which was nothing compared to the tall figure.

"You can't have him."

"THAT IS NOT YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE ETHAN." Ethan stooped and picked up the gun, eyes hard as he pointed it at him.

"Don't think I won't."

"YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU IF YOU DO."

"Yes. And I'll take that chance if it means that he gets to live." The skeleton sensed Ethan's honesty and lowered its scythe. Benny had no idea what was going on, but he could tell by the determination in Ethan's eyes and the look on the other's face that something of horrific proportions was about to happen.

"YOU WON'T DO IT."

"Try me." He raised his scythe again and Ethan cocked the gun. "Leave now, or I'll do it."

"AND DAMN YOUR OWN LIFE IN RETURN?"

"Yep." Benny still had no idea what was going on, but he knew he shouldn't get involved; Ethan seemed to have a plan.

"HE CAN'T CHEAT ME ETHAN. HE BELONGS TO ME NOW."

"Try to take him. I've accepted what's gonna happen, so go ahead." He narrowed his eyes, watching the skeleton do it too.

"I'LL TAKE HIM BEFORE YOU GET THE CHANCE." Ethan didn't respond this time, his concentration fully on the gun in his hands. He had to make sure to time it just right so Benny didn't get hurt.

In one second, multiple things happened; the scythe came down, aiming right for Benny's chest; Ethan pulled the trigger on the gun, making smoke envelop the room; a pain-filled screech resonated off the walls while another, less pained scream shook a slighter form. Benny sat there, blinking as the smoke cleared, looking around; his eyes landed on Ethan, making a strangled cry escape his lips.

Ethan was on his knees, the gun on the floor as he caught his breath. He didn't look at Benny as he stood up slowly, examining the thick black robe that now covered his body. On the floor, next to the gun, was the long-handled scythe, and engraved on the side was his name in beautiful cursive handwriting. Taking a shaky breath, he finally met Benny's eyes.

"E… what did you do?" Giving Benny a sad smile, he sighed.

"I had to B. You would've died otherwise."

"But you… you became…" Benny didn't seem to be able to say it, so Ethan chuckled.

"The Grim Reaper. Yeah."

"But why? Why would you do this to yourself?"

"To save you. I couldn't lose you B. You're my best friend and I love you. This was a small price to pay."

"B-but-"

"Don't worry about a thing. I did my research. I'll stay in my human form as long as I have something to hold me to the human world. And I only have to act as what I am when someone tries to hold on when it's time for them to go. And by the way, it was not your time. The old man traded you for him fair and square."

"How do you know that?" Ethan tapped his temple and smiled.

"I know." Benny watched as Ethan closed his eyes; in a shimmer of light, the robe and scythe were gone, leaving Ethan looking the same as he always did.

"So… nothing has to change?"

"Nope. You're still a spell-master –slash- Elemental on the run and I'm still a seer who just happens to help dead people find their way to their respective underworlds now. We're still the same Benny and Ethan we've always been."

"So you're not gonna turn into some creepy skeleton or anything?"

"That's just really for appearances more than anything, so no." Benny grinned as he leaned down to kiss Ethan. "Unless you want me to scare the crap out of someone, then maybe."

"The Grim Reaper for a boyfriend might come in handy then."

…

So the ending SUCKED, I know.

But the content of the actual story itself hopefully made up for that.

I hope ya'll liked it & thanks for reading!

See ya'll next time.

~Bethan~

-JustMe133