Chapter 11: Eloise Grant
February 1st 2023 Wednesday
With a stroke of the pen, Eloise eyed the fresh names in her Notebook with a contempt smile. For none of them had earned her pity or mercy. Not even a simple death for them would have been kind.
Alone in her bedroom, with only the rising sun accompanying her, glinting through closed curtains. Eloise sat in the shadow, with her small rump comfortably nestled in the soft cushions of a roomy swivel chair. Her elbows resting on the hard white surface of a dresser table.
Playfully biting on her long fingernail, Eloise eyed her wall clock that hung nearby and drank in the seconds as the Death Note took into effect. And when the moment passed, after forty seconds had elapsed. She couldn't help but give a pleasurable giggle at the thought of their passing.
"Oh, how envious I am to not have been there to witness it" she spoke softly to the mirror before her, and to the beauty held within.
"Poor Josef" she pouted with her supple lips as she eyed the last name of her list.
"If only you'd kept your mouth shut. Sneaking off like that and hiding in the supply closet. Whispering sweet corporate secrets to our rivals in your dirty phone. You hurt my feelings when you did that. I believed you to be true. Your dedication, your belief and love for the company was… nothing but vile lies" she sneered.
Her hand hung lazily on her wrist as Eloise played around with her pen. It moved gracefully about her fingers. Carefully dancing with a slim body like a ballerina, before being dropped roughly like it was nothing but a tool.
A tiny spot of ink jabbed into the white page below as the body of silver crashed and rolled over the graveyard of names.
Josef Sears. At 8:30am, hit by a car on the way to work. Dies from a broken neck, choking on his blood.
"May you dine with better company in your next life"
Resting a pleasing grin, her hands knotted together as her chin sat comfortably bridged. Eloise lovingly gazed into the mirror and into her unique eyes.
Within the sea of blue sat a small number of speckled browns in each eye. Freckles, she was told by her optometrist, but to Eloise they were like the night sky over a river of pure reflection. Twinkling lights, the stars in her eyes.
They were the most beautiful aspect of her body; she had always thought. Such uniqueness that could captivate any admirer, to whom would be thrilled to gaze into such loveliness.
Mother always said I could have been a model or movie star
"Tis but a waste for the world to ignore my beauty and charms. For no man could not help to turn a gaze and fall prey into my eyes" she said as she continued to admire her splendour.
Eloise soon shifted her chin into the palm of one hand, her silky cheek resting on her fingers. Her free hand searched for her favourite lipstick that rested on the dressing table, amongst the clutter of other beauty products.
And as the shade of plum began to caress her lips, Eloise began a soft lullaby.
"Mirror, mirror. On the wall. Who's the fairest of them all?"
Emerging like a whisper from far in the room that grew in seconds, an expected voice, cold and sinister returned her call.
"Only you my dear Princess. For your beauty is most divine"
Lowering her eye lids slowly, Eloise smiled as a tooth of a fang glinted in her grin.
"You flatter me Tsumi, but surely there are others out there with more wonders of perfection than I?"
Barely a second past before the dead voice replied.
"If competition is what you fear, then do not worry my Princess. For I have gifted you my Death Note. A treasure worth more than any precious jewel for your future crown. It is yours to do as you desire. Rid the world of those that believe your beauty false, if that is what you wish"
In the corner of her mirror, barely seen and wantedly avoided, floated a mass of red slimy flesh with many tentacles. Dotted around the body protruded eyes of unnatural number and size. There was no direction this monster could not see for its vision was spherical.
"Tsumi my dear" Eloise began in a disappointed tone as her eyes opened to the sight. Her lipstick hanging loosely between two fingers.
"Do make sure I cannot see you. Your appearance defiles my mirror!"
Though there was no mouth to speak off, the creature voiced its opinion all the same. Unfiltered by pretence of pleasing its host.
"Though wearily am I bound to you human as long as you wield that Death Note. Never forget that I am a Shinigami! You hold no sway in my comings and goings, child" Tsumi's tone rose in slight anger as it answered Eloise's call.
Caping off her lipstick with a soft sigh, Eliose pressed her glossy lips into a smooch as she winked seductively into her reflection. The vague threats of her demon did nothing but mildly annoy her. Its appearance, though distracting and putrid to witness, was nothing like a God nor demon in her perfect eyes.
Beside the dressing table, opposite of her bed, rested her computer desk with a single laptop nestled on the surface and four draws. Two on each side.
Simply leaning in her chair and with her elegant arm lightly reaching. Eloise pulled the top draw closest to her and searched with precision.
Tsumi was not one to let this action to go unnoticed. For he knew what awaited in that draw and it couldn't help but wait in abated breath.
"Here, Tsumi. And shut up. Or else no more treats for you" Eloise beckoned.
Contracting pupils eyed the prize held within two fingers. Wrapped in a thin plastic shell, decorated in pictures of lemon was a sour treat that could tickle the Shinigami's tastes.
A Lemon sour lolly pop.
Wriggling as it reached out with a tentacle that stretched across the room, Tsumi plucked the simple sweet and swiftly retracted post haste.
It had no mouth to consume but that did not stop the creature. For the very moment the lolly pop made contact with its body, the sugared candy dissolved into its wet, red flesh. Wrapper and all.
"Oh! How that tingles!" it shuddered. Its flesh twisted and wriggled for what appeared to be a long minute of pleasure. Though it did not last as the contorting red returned to natural stillness, with the occasional pulsing around a particular larger eye.
"Very well… Princess. I will abide to your whims… as long as I get my sugared candy. But know this, brat! I desire more savours, more exciting mixtures. I crave the best that this world has to offer!"
As her draw closed with a little squeak, Eloise made no effort to hide her devious smile from the demon.
"You will get that and much more after I rise to the top, my dear Tsumi. For I shall crush all beneath me… with my chosen man at my side" she blushed, eyeing a small picture frame tucked neatly in the corner by the mirror.
Yes… my dear man of charm. I shall join you soon at the pinnacle of perfection soon enough.
Later in the morning, sometime after poor Josef died in a freak car accident on his way to work. Eloise parked her car in front of a tall office building in the outskirts of Lincoln.
Nine stories tall, the structure was one of many owned by Carmine INC; a banking company, whose founder; William Carmine, grew exponentially during the years of Kira's reign.
This particular building mostly held the office space for important filings, such as loans and other dealings. It also dedicated three floors as call centres, in which customers could call and ask questions or seek services.
Eloise is one such member of the call service. A rather boring and uninteresting job that once brought a great deal of stress and worry. She had spent three years in this hell hole, dealing with belligerent customers and ungrateful guests. Hiding in a shell of her own making.
But from the day that her Death Note fell. The one secretly tucked under her white shirt. Eloise had since then felt near invincible, practically untouchable to her consequences and actions.
Like from the very moment she entered the foyer; with its grand entrance designed to impress all important guests. She strode in, dressed to excite with high heels, short skirt and an expensive looking black jacket with an exposed V- shape around her breasts. Eloise deemed herself to be a woman with a confident look and demeanour. The perfect example of an employee at Carmine.
"Morning Allen!" she greeted the receptionist with a forced fake smile. The wrinkles in her cheeks twitched at the sight of the man.
Looking from his luxuriously expensive marble desk was a plump middle-aged man with a dark shadow around his chin. He was a man, to Eloise's personal opinion, that didn't seem to belong in such an esteemed establishment. His bloated figure behind the clean and exclusive furniture didn't fit with the rich atmosphere. He would have been better wearing overalls and pushing a mop or broom.
"Ah! Morning miss Grant. Good to see you looking well this morning. Quite a few of your fellow colleagues seem to be off at the moment. Sick I suppose, but no one has been phoning in as of late... I do hope you're not coming down with something as well" he said worriedly.
The smile on Eloise's face turned real as the muscles in her cheeks tightened as she listened.
"There does seems to be a strong flu going around-" she lied.
Eyeing up the man and his chubby disgusting fingers as he clasped his hands together. Eloise couldn't help but feel sick as the portions of fat oozed out of his grip.
"-But don't you worry too much about it. I'm sure they will call in time"
What a fat pig you are! Squealing from your flabby lips… When I have found a suitable replacement to fill your seat… your death will be as vile as you are!
Unaware of the lies and dark undertones of Eloise's smile, Allen simply beamed politely and waved her through.
"Oh! Miss Grant, before you go" he quickly added, raising a chubby finger in the air as he pointed to the floor above.
"Mr Hill would like to see you in his office as soon as you arrived. Didn't say what it was about I'm afraid, but he did seem pleased when I saw him"
Mr Hill! Tom wants to see me!
Now that was a man to whom she could respect and admire behind the desk. Not this shabby, flabby looking man with his puffy cheeked smile. No!
With all haste and inspired determination, Eliose parted from Allen and his filthy presence and headed straight for the elevator.
As soon as she entered through the open door, Eloise could not have pressed for the third-floor button faster if she tried. The lift gave a light shudder as it began to move. Eloise's legs wobbled, almost causing her to lose balance as she imagined the name behind Tom Hill.
She could see him now, even from her cage of steel. A tall sharp man with enviable features that could drive women crazy. And his voice, deep and coarse. A single word from his lips could send shivers down your spine. But a sentence… a conversation, alone with that man for a minute, an hour.
It made her legs weak to think about it.
Pulling up to her floor, the doors opened far too slowly for Eloise's excitement. Barely a hand width apart, she forced her way passed the opening and hurried as fast as her high heels would let her.
Slipping by series of square cubicles lined up neatly, row by row down a long passageway. The air sang with chatter as Eloise rushed on through. The sounds of calm manipulative conversations emanated around her as her co-workers danced the walk of money.
At full capacity, her fellow colleagues could fill this floor to the total of thirty. But now, glancing around. Eloise could see quite a few empty seats. And a lot more potential sick days ahead.
Situated at the far end of the room stood the door of Eloise's manager. Her chest pumped excitedly as she read the black letters on the glass that spelled out his name. "Manager. Mr Tom Hill"
"Ok! Ok! Calm, you've got this" she muttered under her breath as he tried to compose herself.
Tugging lightly at the end of her skirt to make sure it was straight, Eloise proceeded to rap her knuckles on the glass frame with a tap.
"It's me! Eloise!" she said, trying very hard to hide her excitement. She was positively happy and screaming with joy.
From behind the glass, a voice of that could be described as deep and resound replied in a polite dignified manner.
"Come in"
Opening the door slowly, Eloise stepped into the office of Mr Hill. As the floor manager, Mr Hill liked to be an example to all others under him.
In his office, everything had a place and a use. Such as his desk, which faced the door so that he was ready and able to greet his guests. The filing cabinet was a mere two steps away from his chair, a method to reduce wasted time walking across the room. And finally of note, three indoor ferns that sat on a shelf close to the desk. They added a pleasant colour to an otherwise dull and boring workspace.
"Please have a seat, Miss Grant. I will be with you in a moment"
Eagerly taking his offer, Eloise gracefully sat opposite Mr Hill. Brushing her hair away swiftly from her eyes so that Mr hill could see her precious stars.
Sat opposite from her, reading from a document in one hand and stiffly holding a pen ready in the other, seated Mr Hill in a clean white shirt and a black tie.
Skin as dark as chocolate, strong and firm looking chin, slightly sunken cheeks, deep piercing blue eyes with a sharp no nonsense look. Mr Hill was everything Eloise wanted in a man.
With a relaxed sigh, Mr Hill set the documents aside after he scribbled something down. The papers rested neatly beside a plain looking coffee cup with the company logo; the letter C in front of a red open flower.
"Miss Grant. I would like to start by saying-" he began before immediately being interrupted.
"Eloise! Please… call me Eloise" she squeaked happily with a giggle. "We've known each other for three years now. Surely you don't mind a lack of… formality… Tom…"
Mr Hill did not smile. His face was as solid as a rock even when speaking in softer tones. It made it harder for many of his employees to understand what he was thinking. More difficult to tell whether or not he was offended when they told him an inappropriate joke.
So, when Eloise asked to drop all formalities, it was a bit of a shock to her to see a flicker, an essence of a smile cross his lips.
Oh my God! That smile… he smiled at me! And only me!
A flush of warmth filled her cheeks as she fluttered her eyes at Mr Hill. Her legs started to squirm at the thought of his private smile.
But still, Mr Hill failed to show any more emotion as he continued to address her.
"Miss Grant" he firmly began again.
"… before I start with the reason why I called you here today. Do you perchance know what's happened with our floor team? I've received no phone calls. No notes. Not even a whisper that can explain their absences. I've been trying to get hold of them for a while now, to no avail. Have you heard anything that I should know of?"
A devilish smile teased its appearance on Eloise's lips. She wanted Mr Hill to know that she got rid of them all. The nuisances. The slackers. The sluts. All dead, with more yet to come.
I did it all for you, my love. They will never get between us ever again.
"No! No I haven't" she lied with the sweetest smile.
Looking deeply into his eyes, Eloise leaned slightly forward so that her chest was more prominent and visible for any wandering gazes. Her lip, lightly hidden in her mouth as she bit with a pleasurable pain.
She didn't know it but, the rosiness of her cheeks was becoming very noticeable as the heat of her flush enveloped her.
And yet. Despite the air of desire bursting out of Eloise. Mr Hill did not respond in any expected manner.
His face stayed cold and empty. Eyes, though sharp and focused, never wandered below her chin. And his hands. Firmly gripped and held tightly together, resting atop of his desk. Never moved nor twitched at the sight of exposed cleavage.
Worst of all, his voice remained resolute. It was as though his mind, body and soul were untouchable to Eloise's desperate advances.
"Back to the matter at hand" he began calmly.
"I would like to say that you've been a valuable asset to the company during your time here-"
Oh! My dearest beloved! I did it all for you Tom. I worked day and night, weeks on end for you. I would kill for you… have killed for you… die for you if I must…
She was not lying to herself. From the very moment she laid her eyes on this enigmatic man, his fierce and yet kind demeanour and listened to his moist turning vocals. She would have given anything to be his chosen lady.
For years she had pushed herself beyond breaking. Putting on fake smiles and false positive attitudes to all those around her that would distract and hinder her attempts to impress and woo Mr Hill.
And when it came to social gatherings with other colleagues after work. Eloise would only part her time if Mr Hill would be invited as well. Which sadly was a rarity.
Her lack of interest in informal socialising soon set her as an outcast among others. And little by little, they each turned against her in their own way.
Phil Green was the first to show his true colours. Started mocking poor Eloise for working too hard and not getting any recognition from Mr Hill. Made sweet Josef worked up when it started. Happily, defended Eloise as much as he could. But even he was never true in the end.
Phil was the very first name to bless the Death Note. A simple heart attack greeted him in the early hours of a Saturday morning. Two weeks ago, by now, and still no one has heard or seen from him since. Proves how little that prick socialised if nobody cared enough to check up on him.
Not even my hunk of a man, Tom seemed to have cared about any of those lowlifes. No phone call. No house visits. They were tossed aside like a broken and used toy. Outgrown and worthless.
"-because of this, I'm afraid our time is at an end miss Grant"
…
"Huh!?"
Cold as a winters snow dripping down her back, a shiver stiffened her spine fiercely and without notice, so much so that her thoughts came to a sudden end as her mind shot back into reality.
"I-I'm sorry… but, what did you say?" she had to ask again as she wasn't absolutely certain she heard clearly the first time.
Sighing in vague disappointment, Mr Hill spoke again as though the topic held no weight nor importance.
"Carmine INC is being forced to downsize due to recent downturns in profits. The new golden age of Japan is putting the squeeze on our American friends. Due to this unfortunate news. I, and others are required to minimise our work force… In short Miss Hill, as of today your services will no longer be required"
Quiet as the dead and as bland as a funeral, the girls restroom held no other soul other than Eloise. She did not know how she got there, nor did she remember why she chose to run in there in the first place.
Only the thoughts of Mr Hill remained, like an echo repeating of the wall, his deep voice violated her with mocking breath to her ears.
"Miss Grant.."
"Grant…"
"You've been a valuable asset to the company…"
"Valuable asset…"
"I'm afraid our time is at an end miss Grant…"
"At an end…"
"Miss Grant…"
Like a statue watching over a city, Eloise stood still and silent. Her back was arched over the sink and her hands dripping wet from the running faucet, held tightly to the marble counter.
Rushing through with a powerful stream of water, the sounds of the tap did no falter or disturb Eloise's train of thought.
Seething through clenched teeth, her mouth twitching uncontrollably, baring angry whites. Eloise slowly rose her gaze from the belly of water bellow and eyed the mirror on the wall with watery focus.
"Bastard!" she hissed. Eyes of stinging rejection burned as tears left streaks of red down her cheeks.
"That fucker!... After everything I have done for him!" she yelled as she slammed her palm into the mirror, cracking the glass and fracturing her image within.
"Everything I…" her voice cracked to a low sob.
Struggling to hold back further tears, Eloise could feel her legs begin to tremble as droplets of salt dripped into the rushing water below.
"Why do you cry?" whispered Tsumi, its voice called out quiet and dark.
Rolling her burning eyes, Eloise caught sight of red tendrils flowing out of one of the toilet stalls behind her. Staying out of sight as it had been ordered too before.
"What do you want Tsumi? I'm not in any mood to be giving you treats!" her voice rose to a bark that screamed out of her lungs. Her fists pounded continuously against the sink until her short burst of rage began to subside.
"Just… fuck off and leave me alone…"
…
"Why do you cry?" it asked again as though Eloise did not hear it the first time.
Darker than blood, a thick slimy tentacle reached over the stall door and hung over the side. Swaying left and right, the flesh wriggled as its body seemingly moved closer to the door.
"Did he hurt you? That man you loved. Did his words turn ash and tasteless? Cry not for him my Princess as he is nothing more than a peasant. Your tears are worth more than diamonds to be spent on filth like those found on the bottom of your shoes"
Sniffling her soft cries, Eloise wiped her eyes on the back of her wet hand while hesitantly avoiding to look into the mirror.
"B-but he… I-I love him!" she replied as her voice cracked under strain.
Creaking open the door, a large eye peeked from the mirror and stared unblinking towards Eloise. Its pupil gradually contracted and narrowed to the size of a ten pence piece.
"He does not love you my dear Princess. Like a child tired of his toys, he has abandoned you. Broken and mistreated. But you are not one to be forgotten my Princess. Not like so many others that died by your hands. For you are an experience one could only dream of having.
Taking its time, Tsumi emerged from the stall undisturbed by any protest from Eloise. She did not turn her head away its sight, she did not cry out in disgust of its body as it grew behind her. She instead watched in the mirror as her lips whimpered a sob while the demon reached out to her belly.
Like a gentle but cold hug, the flesh held to her in embrace as the floating mound of eyes stayed behind her.
"Do you remember what I told you, Princess? On that night many moons ago"
Steadily and hesitantly shifting a hand, Eloise touched the flesh around her belly and began to lightly and mindlessly caress it.
"Gngh, huh… yeah" she sobbed a tear.
With slow movements, Tsumi wormed his tentacle under Eloise's shirt and untucked it from her skirt.
"With this Death Note in hand-" it began as the black book emerged from her clothing. Clutched by a being without hands, Tsumi held it on the fleshy ends of its tips.
"-your every wish could come true… Men…Women… power…it is yours for the taking… at the price of a name"
Dangling the book temptingly like a worm on a line. Eloise could not help but to weakly reach out for the Death Note.
Yes… all mine, all mine… they will be… mine… he will be mine! Eloise thought wistfully as she attempted to grab the Notebook. However, as her fingertips brushed the corner of the Death Note, Tsumi move it higher from her reach.
"But in return-" it continued as its voice deepened like an empty grave.
"We must play a game…"
Floating away from its host like a feather on the wind, Tsumi moved to the other end of the restroom, unceasingly watching a confused Eloise struggling to understand.
"Game?...(sob) W-what game?"
Barely taking a step away from the sink, Eloise stuttered to a halt as something new caught her eye. Falling from the ceiling with no one to drop it, fell with a flutter a white lined piece of paper, clearly torn from a book.
Eloise's eyes followed until the page slid to a stop on the tiled cream floor below.
Tsumi did nothing as this transpired, said nothing but instead held the Death Note closely to its body. Its giant eye fixated on its host while the many smaller eyes stayed true to the page below. While curiosity took Eloise in it grips like a predator clutching its prey.
And like a child taking its first steps, Eloise made small baby movements towards the foreign but familiar object. Cautiously taking her time as though the page was an unknown threat that needed to be taken seriously.
Knees wobbling as she descended to a kneel, Eloise crawled the final few inches and reached out with inquisitive fingers.
Touching briefly with the tip of her finger nail, the paper moved. But not by her touch.
A swelling began to occur as a small mound appeared in the middle of the paper. It was as though that something had emerged from underneath.
Glancing apprehensively towards Tsumi, the great demon did nothing to assure her that everything was all right.
Warily pinching the corner of the page, Eloise yank it hard and away from its resting spot.
"GnnnYAAAAHHHH!" she screamed as the paper revealed the hard shell of a crawling cockroach.
Falling back onto her behind, Eloise shuffled herself away from the horrid creature as it hissed.
In no time at all, Eloise found herself with her back against the wall and the cockroach safely a distance.
But before she could sigh a relief and scream profanities at Tsumi for scaring her. A new feeling brought the hairs on the back of her neck to a stand.
Stiffly turning her neck towards her left hand, an innate fear gripped her as she found it perched onto the floor and not alone.
Eight large and thick legs, black as the night crawled onto her fingers. Each leg tickling the senses as it touched her delicate skin.
Instinctively, Eloise retracted her hand in haste before she struggled and clambered atop of the sink counter. The spider menacingly stayed where it was and the cockroach failed to move either.
Chest pounding, Eloise's heart raced as her breathing grew intense. She couldn't help but keep looking towards Tsumi for answers while also keeping the creepy crawlers in check.
"I-is this the game you fuck!" she yelled in terrible anger.
"Get them the fuck away from me Tsumi!"
But Tsumi did not move. It did not speak. Its large eye stayed with Eloise while the smaller ones each focused on a crawler.
And more soon arrived. From between the cracks of the floor, within the bowl of the toilet and deep within the sink hole, poured hundreds of black and brown bodied insects.
Huddled tightly in the corner, sat terrified atop of the sink counter, Eloise was at a loss for words and screams as the cream floor turned black with wriggling nightmares.
She could feel her face turn cold as her skin paled to white.
But she wasn't ready for what came next.
Bursting through a nearby tap, forcing its thick segmented body through was a large and lengthy millipede. Its body filled the basin in its thousands of legs before pouring over the side and falling to the black mass below.
The creature was of considerable size compared to the rest that swarmed around it. Much more so that Eloise could track it as it moved across the floor with purpose.
It soon found itself outside the middle restroom stall and with a million legs all stopping at once, it curled into a spiralled ball while the dark mass of insects began to converge around it.
Darker and thicker the substance of creatures became, forming taller and larger while perching the millipede on top.
Soon, in a manner of long torturous seconds. The floor of black receded to tiled cream as the mass took a distinct shape.
Legs like sticks, arms thin and bony with spider like fingers and a body dressed in a burnt black suit. Stood what Eloise could only describe as a fucked-up corpse wearing a large dishevelled top hat, adorned with a distinctive millipede wrapped around it.
But the one thing that drew her eyes to this monstrous being, besides the string of stitches that kept it all together or the putrid grey skin it wore… was instead its smile.
Teethy and black. Jagged like pointed rocks. Stretched out far more than needed. The Demon before her seemed pleased and almost sadistic as it smiled. But for whatever reason, it did not feel threatening at all.
And then came a spontaneous flick of the wrist. The Shinigami snapped his fingers and posed flamboyantly. Its body and mannerisms did not mesh well at all as the demon looked like a street performer trying to dance.
"Greetings! I am the great Shinigami known as Gemu! Master of Games. Creator of Joy. And Vanquisher of Boredom. It is my utmost pleasure to finally meet you, My Player Number Four" he smiled.
Taken aback by the presence of another Shinigami and its unusual attitude, Eloise had to take a moment to collect her thoughts before even thinking of talking to this strange enigmatic being.
W-what… What the fuck is that thing!? What is it!...
…
Gemu? It said… a Shinigami, yes… just like. No. Nothing like Tsumi…
…
It speaks different… acts different…
…
Player Number Four?… I-I'm Player Number four?...
Yes…
The game… Tsumi spoke of a game…
Her heart was still beating at an abnormal rate and sweat was dripping from her brough in cold salty streams.
And then something strange happened to Eloise. A feeling found its way in a moment of brief clarity as she stared into the wide abyss. Her lips twitched and trembled, stretching out uncontrollably into a crescent moon. She smiled, as though the being before her amused her.
A teethy white smile as she tapped a nail towards her red lips, biting occasionally as she surveyed Gemu with curious and terrified eyes.
"Gemu, you say?" she spoke at almost a whisper.
"Tsumi never spoke of other Reapers before… You're a lot different to what I'm used to seeing... Are you the one I'm to play with?... and make all my dreams come true?"
This question seemed to please the tall corpse as he rose to his stature once more. Adjusting the top hat adorned on his head, Gemu then reached inside his crispy suit and soon pulled a familiar black book.
"At a price of course. For you see, my coming to you has been ordained the moment you picked up that Death Note of yours. It chose you to participant in the greatest gaming event in history!
God's Game!
Win! And all your desires will become reality!
At the small cost of a year of your time"
Intrigue and a growing greed engrossed Eloise as she began to lean forward and inch herself off from the counter.
A God was giving her the opportunity to have it all and she was willing and able to take it no matter the cost.
"W-what must I do… I-in order to play the game" she asked with mild hesitation.
Tilting his head a fashion, the Shinigami closed his eyes in delight as he smiled.
"You are already playing it my dear!" he beamed.
Palming the spine of the book in his hand, Gemu presented the face of the book to Eloise while planting his face beside it.
"Picking up the Death Note was your ticket for participation. A contract if you will, between you and your chosen Shinigami"
Glancing briefly towards Tsumi as Gemu spoke, the reaper at the far end of the restroom seemed focused and still. Though floating from the ground, Tsumi was not moving at all as it listened. Not even the many tentacles or numerous eyes twitched. Completely still like a photograph. This alone made Eloise more curious, if not afraid of the game Gemu was about to explain.
Tucking the Death Note back into his suit, Gemu retracted his hand again while pulling out three damaged playing cards. As he spoke, the Reaper flipped and shuffled the three cards while keeping his sunken eyes solely on Eloise.
"God's Game is Six Player event. Each human wielding a Death Note of their own. The aim of the game is to gather them all under one Player within the chosen time-limit. In order to do so you must lie, cheat and kill to obtain each prize. Achieve this within three-hundred and sixty-five days, and you shall be crowned winner and holder of the title "Master of Death""
At a loss for words, Eloise's jaw hung slightly loose as the Reaper finished explaining. Although she was willing to kill, and she had gotten used to the idea for a while now. She was more reluctant to lose her own life to perhaps a more skilled player.
So, when she asked this next question, it was not thought of in perplexity. It was formed from a place of self-preservation.
"W-what if I-I don't participate… what if I don't j-join your Game?" she asked with fear in her voice. Knowing that the answer held within seemed obvious and frighting to confirm.
And in quick response, the demon before her replied as it tilted his head hard to a snap. The unsettling crunch made Eloise gasp an unwanted whimper as she listened intently.
"Once the time limit expires next year to this day. Any living Player who does not possess six Death Notes shall perish at the hands of their own Shinigami. Likewise, any Player that wishes to forfeit their Notebooks and not play… Will also meet the same fate" Gemu replied as his voice deepened to a growl"
Crunching his head back into place, the beaming smile grew larger as it presented the six playing cards in front of himself.
"Additionally. To make the game more interesting and to ensure each Player can find one another within reasonable time. At the end of each month-" he said as his voice grew louder to a glorious announcement.
"-A Mini-Game will be held at a secret location. One that will not be revealed until the time is right… Now… pick a card"
Fanned out between black hairy fingers was three charred cards. What was once blue, the backs showed more black than their original colour. All in the vague design of a fleur de lis, with a number painted in red over them.
Six. Three and Two.
Not wanting to upset or annoy the Demon. Eloise slowly raised her hand and picked the card furthest to the right. Not knowing why, she had to pick one. She nonetheless picked the card that bore the number six.
Gleaming his usual creepy smile, Gemu stacked the remaining cards and tucked them away into his suit.
"Take a look at your card Player Number Four" he said calmly with his wide grin.
Doing as she was told, Eloise eyed the front of the burnt front and saw a name. Not a person's name but a town or city.
"Boston?" she said as though it was a question.
Tilting his body sideways like he was amused, Gemu clasped his fingers together before parting them in a wave.
"A parting gift for all my Players. A hint to get things started"
Still confused as the whole situation so far has been overwhelming, Eloise had not yet grasped what she held in her hands. And when she was about to ask further, the door to the restroom creaked open as a manly voice called out inside.
"Eloise? It's me! Allen"
Allen! But why is he here?
Stepping further into the woman's restroom, the bulbous receptionist waddled his way into Eloise's sight. Unknowingly passing a large ball of flesh with many eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you Miss Grant but… I was told to see if you had left the premises yet. Not that I'm trying to force you away or anything! It's just what I'm told to do"
The fat lard stood there awkwardly with his pudgy fingers tapping together, fidgeting as eyes could not pick a place to look. It certainly appeared that Allen was not comfortable standing in the woman's restroom.
You!...
Tom told you… to take me away…
Whatever fear or anxiety Eloise held up till now disappeared like a pin drop.
The sight of this man brought awful memories between her and Mr Hill to the forefront. And like a downpour of a thunderous storm, anger washed over her like no other.
"You!" she muttered at first. Her teeth barely visible as her lips twitched.
"You dare come to me!" a fang bared as her eyes narrowed.
"YOU CANNOT! SHALL NOT TAKE ME AWAY LIKE SOME PEASANT!"
Barking up a splutter, her spit fired as her face reddened in fury. Poor defenceless and confused Allen simply stood there dumb struck as vile and cursive words pierced his ears.
Unaware for a moment that Gemu was still present, watching as the event unfold. Eloise soon took notice of the Shinigami once more when the Demon dangled a white page in his fingers. The same page that had fallen to the floor.
With a face that showed immense pleasure of the show before him, the monster dropped the paper without a thought and let it flow to the ground.
A puzzled Allen had taken notice of the paper as it appeared from nowhere, falling as his timid eyes tracked the decent.
But it did not matter.
For Allen was a man simply doing his job. Trying to live and earn his keep behind a luxurious desk. He did not know of the threats that stood in the room. Could not comprehend the power held in that one piece of paper or what that woman could do with it.
He was instead mortified to witness Eloise bite furiously into the tip of her index finger. But he could not utter a sentence to stop her.
His large heavy-footed feet inched merely a step as he observed Eloise dive to the floor in front of the page. Dripping a flowing stream down her hand. He wanted to say something, anything to stop or comfort her. But confused fear held him still, it was as though he was wading through thick mud.
A sick twisted smile cracked and contorted on Eloise's face, like a woman trying not to laugh at something morbid. The tip of her red oozing finger splattered the page and began to move as she wrote.
Eloise only looked away from the page for only a moment, less than a second to engrave the image of Allen into her mind.
And she was done…
"Allen Park"
It simply read. No other markings other that blotches of blood that had already started to run as she held up the page.
Within the pinches of her hands, Eloise held the paper like a child showing off her drawing as she revealed Allen's own name to the mystified and horrified man.
Twitching at the mouth as her jaw lowered and raised, Eloise started to laugh a creepy tone as her finger bled onto the floor.
But this laughter held no joy as her smile struggled to hold. Wet salty tears emerged from the corners of her eyes as her hands shook.
"Y-you can't take m-me away f-from him (hic)" she cried as Allen lurched forward clutching his chest.
Author's corner;
Today's topic is the concept of the identities behind each player.
Which all started at the idea of the Seven sins. Each of the six players would show traits of one of six sins. With the seventh… well that's a secret.
However, that idea died early on. Eloise here is the only one to show a form of that idea still implemented. Her sin was Lust if you couldn't tell.
The other players could still show a favourable sin, if so, it would be purely coincidental.
Each player's story now holds a theme. Something to distinguish it from the others. Eloise's story was designed on the idea of Shakespeare. You may have gotten that vide from her earlier conversations at the beginning of the story… I hope, that was my intention at least.
How her story unfolds under Shakespeare will be kept with me for now, as it will be a bit too much of a spoiler.
A will however tell you Wilder Clarke was themed after princes and gallant knights. But I always steered towards research on the anti-heroes. Men who would do evil to achieve justice.
Next chapter, we are jumping to Friday. Its time to see Daniel go back to the church of Kira.
See you next time.
Thank you for reading.
