The Untold Story of a Grim Reaper: Chapter 3.1: Alive Together. Dead Alone.

 

“Hi! I’ll be your student aide.” I snapped out of my petrified trance and found myself in front of a well kept, bright eyed boy. He continued, “Right now you’re in ten minute break, this is right before 2^nd period. Today’s Friday so it’s fifteen minutes instead. For your first week you’re going to have the same schedule as mine, by then arrangements will be made for your permanent schedule this semester. Any questions?”

I wasn’t sure if it was my turn to speak yet, “Um… what’s your name?”

The boy smiled with widely flared nostrils, “Jonah Haddad! And you?”

I sighed, “Noa.”

“Lovely, where are you from?”

I forgot to think of a better cover story before I got to the office, “Yah, I’m adopted so-”

“Well, I’m glad you decided to attend Mortimer Private High.”

I tried to sound mutual, “Me too…”

“Okay,” I could tell Jonah was exceedingly acute to peoples emotional triggers, he kindly changed the subject, “Well, you and I will get to know each other well enough soon. For the first week we have to eat lunch together and then after that, when you’re sick of me, you can fly free.”

“I’m sure I won’t get sick of you.”

Jonah smirked, “But I’m sure you will with the food.”

It wasn’t hard to read that Jonah probably wasn’t treated well by most. I tried not to pity Jonah, but from my own experiences I knew Jonah must be hurting in someway. His history was braille on his eyes, just a touch a way from understanding.

I understood enough though, just from his exhale. The smell of his breath was keen on my nostrils. It smelt so sweet, it smelt like life. And at that point my desire to be alive made me hungry. 

The bell rang and I followed Jonah to our second class. The teacher handed me a book when I entered and even as I opened it at my desk to begin the assignment I still could not bring myself to care at all.

Everyone worked on his or her assignment as I thought of the real task that was ahead of me. I looked at each student and had chilling thoughts that any of those students might commit suicide. I couldn’t bring myself to the idea that I had to be the one to finish the dark deed. 

I didn’t move once during class. Didn’t pick up my pencil, didn’t raise my hand. No one seemed to notice though. 

When class was over I collected my things and made my way through the crowded halls by Jonah’s side. 

Jonah brought me to my locker and left me to my devices as I arranged the books I had received. 

I realized that a boy was walking toward me, his eyes made it clear who his target was. He paused in front of me, leaning forward a bit.

With concern I asked, “Can I help you?”

The boy kept his eyes to the floor, the glare from the florescent lighting reflected off his large glasses, “My locker is beneath yours.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I close my locker and back away, “I’m done, sorry.”

The boy spoke sincerely, “It’s alright,” he opens his locker but continues to speak with really looking at me, “you’re new right?”

“Yes, this is my first day.”

“I heard,” he paused, seeming to decide if what he said was weird, “I just mean, this is a small school. New students are rare. My name is Aaron.”

“I’m Noa.”

“Is Jonah your student aide?”

“He is.”

“We’re good friends so I should be joining you at lunch, if that’s okay.”

“Of course.”

“Great, looking forward to it,” as Aaron walked away, his low self-esteemed march remained but he had a small smile.

A group of four boys crowded around Aaron, one seemed to be the ring leader. He dragged his hands over Aaron’s books, causing a few to fall to the ground. They seemed to have completed their mission of harassment and began to carry on. But not before he knocked into Aaron’s shoulder and whispered, “Faggot.”

I felt a heat rush to my face and my skin hardened as solid as stone. This wasn’t human. My spine pierced my backside, my veins raised and froze, my eyes became oversensitive and suddenly I was aware of everything. 

 I walked up to the boy that bullied Aaron, I felt like I could knock him through the wall. I pushed him so hard that when he hit the locker behind him, it made the ones next to it open. Aaron noticed what was happening, “It’s okay Noa, it’s not a big deal, it’s just Tori.”

“Say you’re sorry!”

The boy rubbed the back of his head, his hand showed he was bleeding a little, “What’s wrong with you, bitch?”

“I said say you’re sorry!”

Aaron tried to intervene, “Noa, please.”

My voice roared, “Say! It!”

I jumped at Tori with my forearm pressing his neck against the lockers. Tears began to run down his face from the pain but I didn’t care, he reminded me of a boy back at my high school. But this time, this time I was the strong one. I was the one in control, I had the power and he was defenseless.

“Put him down!” demanded Dr. Conrad when he saw the scene, “Noa, put Tori down.”

I didn’t let go, Dr. Conrad’s commands were nothing more than a gnat to my conscience. 

I only pressed my forearm harder, I could see my reflection in his glazed eyes when two teachers came and knocked me from my trance. I stumbled back as I noticed Tori had dropped a foot from where I was pinning him. I relaxed myself once I acknowledged that I delivered real fear into him. 

The two teachers came to Tori’s aide, helping him up and telling one another that he needed to be taken to the nurse. 

Dr. Conrad grabbed my wrist, “Come with me, now.”

I followed him, still somewhat in a trance, I was buzzing on an intense high. 

He sat me down in his office with Aaron dragged in as well. Aaron looked at me with fear in his glance. 

Dr. Conrad cleared the students to their classrooms and slammed the door behind him. He stared at me, I saw into his soul. It was empty; weak… it was a selfish soul, one that only cared for things that fed into his benefit. Pride, gluttony, and wrath hummed in my mind when I looked into his soul. His anger made him an easy read.

I was so much more powerful than him, I was getting out of control and it’d only been two hours since I began.

I’m doomed to be the reaper forever. 

“What was the problem, Noa?”

I awoke from my gaze, “That boy was harassing Jonah.”

“And so that calls on means to nearly break his neck?”

“I wasn’t trying to break his neck,” yes, I was, “It just wasn’t right for Tori to think he could get away with that.”

“You will not lay a hand on him, or any other student, no matter how noble you believe your cause is.”

“You mean he won’t be punished for what he did?” I saw Aaron was trying his best to not get pulled into the argument, “Tori even called Aaron a faggot. He can’t just get by with that kind of hate and... and ignorance!”

Dr. Conrad put his hand on Aaron’s shoulder, “Aaron, would you agree that Tori did that all in good fun… simply teasing.”

“Teasing?!” I noticed my voice roared again, I could tell they were both startled by this. 

Aaron looked up at him, “All in good fun.” 

My grip tightened on the chairs armrest, I could hear the wood crunching underneath the fabric. 

Dr. Conrad took his eyes to meet mine, “You’ve only attended this school for two hours and already you’ve got yourself suspended.”

“Suspended?!”

“I’ll need to have a parent/teacher conference with your… guardians. That’s right… you’re an orphan,” as he made is way to his desk he mumbled ever so softly under his breath, “No wonder.”

I became aware of my strength once again, this man had not a clue whom he was speaking with. And with this secret over him, it felt so beautiful to be the reaper. Like poetic justice; I, the weak, shy, homely girl, was the one who was actually in control. No one could suspect it. 

 Provoked, I reacted to an ability I controlled without any prior knowledge of it being mine. I stared at Aaron, “Look at me Aaron. I want you to leave the room.” Aaron’s whole body grew limp, “Aaron, get up and leave the room, now.” 

Aaron rigidly stood up and made his way to the door. Before Dr. Conrad was able to protest I stood and did the same to him, his pupils dilated.

“Sit down and don’t speak.” Conrad did as told. “Now you’re going to let me leave without suspension. If anyone asks you’re going to tell them I’ve been excused from punishment and I’m best to be left alone. When I leave, you will not remember the last five minutes. Good bye.” 

Dr. Conrad continued staring and nodding while I walked out of the room. I slammed the door behind me only to find Eliakim standing in front of me! 

Eliakim had his arms crossed and feet together, “I believe I’ve made a mistake, placing you here.”

“I’ll be fine, I can handle it.”

“I just don’t want history to repeat itself, I should’ve placed you somewhere else. Somewhere that’s not a trigger for you. You could have hurt that boy. You can make this easier on you so you don’t have to be reaper for as long as I was.”

The power I controlled was growing on me, so I asked, “And what if I want to stay reaper?”

“Noa, anyone who takes pleasure in separating souls from bodies is… demented. Your mind will soon change after your first reaping is done. You’ll see. Now please, be wise. My visits with you are limited and should not be over something like this.”

“What if I accidentally kill someone…” I looked up at Eliakim who seemed disgusted with my question.

“Benzion made that clear what happens if you kill someone, accident or not, the punishment is final. Noa… you’re scaring me. Please, try to adjust.”

“Fine… I’m sorry.”

“I know your heart was in the right place, and you were right to stop it. But you took it too far, Noa. Don’t let being the reaper turn you into something that you’re not.”

I asked defensively, “You mean someone with a backbone? I had never stuck up for myself or for anyone like that before. Should I just be as I was when I was alive? No, that’s how I got here.”

The sudden chime of the bell made me flinch as I turned to watch the students gather in the halls. I turned back ready for my answer but Eliakim was gone. 

Aaron tapped me on the shoulder, he looked extremely confused. I asked, “What’s wrong, Aaron?”

He shook his head, slumping his posture, “I don’t know… I just feel a little uneasy is all.”

To avoid the issue, “I bet you just need something to eat.”

“Probably,” Aaron pondered, “Wait, don’t you and Jonah have class together? In the science hall?”

“Yes, Dr. Conrad and I were speaking.”

“Oh, well I’ll walk you to the cafeteria to meet up with Jonah.”

I nodded and we pursued to the cafeteria. He offered to carry my book but I felt guilty enough about what I did so I politely declined. We walked through the halls and observed the students as they avoided me. I guess news traveled quickly, because even the teachers were dodging me. 

Is this what I want? To be feared?... Yes, this exactly what I want… but at what cost?