A/N: I'm terribly sorry I haven't updated this in years. I've been dealing with health issues, and the times I've been feeling alright have been spent trying to keep up with education. Also, I'm sorry if my writing style comes off as different, or if this chapter is rather short-it has been somewhere around 3-ish years since I started this, and I've re-written this chapter half a dozen times.

Chapter 4

Kneeling in the center of the clearing, I focused on the ebb and flow of energy all around me.

The sap in the trees barely moved. An owl was waking half a mile away. two miles beyond that were the villagers, hastily returning to their hovels before the fast-fading twilight gave way to the darkness of a moonless night.

Slowly, I rose, and paced back and forth as I shook off the remains of the trance. My direct approach had not worked out last time, but I had an idea.

"Wind, take me to the southern edge of the colony. After you've done that, find Fear."

It's sigh was audible through the leaves, though it obeyed my command, and I was soon deposited at the edge of the small town.

Not long afterwards, I sensed Fear's presence.

"If this isn't important, I-"

I whirled around to face him. "You can do nothing to me, Nightmare King. Your time is borrowed."

"I am well aware of that, Mors!"

Though his use of the name given to me by The First infuriated me, I refrained from ending his existence on the spot. "Get the girl out of the house. I don't care how you do it-just make sure she doesn't witness the Reaping."

Pitchiner Black nodded, and vanished into the shadows.

Moments later, Charlotte Overland ran out of the house, borderlining on hysterical.

Her mother, standing in the doorway, seemed indecisive on whether she should follow or wait for others to arrive. There is no time to waste.

As I stepped into the circle of weak light created by the candle-flame that spluttered in the breeze, I willed myself to appear to her.

"J-Jack…?" The name was laced with fear and confusion, and I winced at the unexpected ache where my heart would have been if I were alive. It was that moment I placed where I had heard the name before.

"Do not say another word." My tone was harsher than I had intended, as I was certain I would be unable to continue if I heard her voice again.

I almost apologised when she flinched. Almost. But that would ruin the reputation Death has garnered over the years. Ruthless. Relentless. Unforgiving. Feared by all.

Instead, I offered my hand to her, palm up. My voice softened. "You do not need to fear me, Mother. I only wish to walk with you in the woods for a short while, before I must leave this world."

She reached towards me, then, after another brief moment of indecisiveness, took my hand. I led her into the darkness, not once looking back at the clearing, or the house, or the body she had left behind.

I tried not to dwell on the fact that my sister would be alone now.