The Lineage of Reapers

Ian

Ian

Once Happy Birthday was sung to us, Scarlett and I blew out the candles. The smile on her face was priceless. She was always pleased by the simple things in life. She was happy all the time. I can understand why she didn't want to join the reaper association, it would restrict her free will spirit.

Mum cut the cake and divided pieces for each of us and we all sat down to eat it. Scarlett and I sat next to each other across from mom and dad. The cake was delicious, but that's how it should taste since it was made by my mom and sister.

Once everyone had put their dishes in the tub of hot water, I went over to my bag at the door and picked it up, pulling out a brown paper wrapped box.

"Scarlett" I said to get her attention. She turned towards me and her eyes immediately lit up like a Christmas tree. She ran over to me and gave me a tight hug. I hugged her back. It's strange how two twins can be so different.

Once I gave her the present she sat down at the table and began in wrapping the box. Scarlett opened the box and inside was something to add to her collection. A glass statue, to be more specific, a glass statue of a giraffe. She already had a large collection of glass animals and this would just make it larger.

She paused for a moment before running back to her room. Mum, dad and I all sat in silence until she came back with a box. It was small but there was no doubt that it held something special.

Scarlett held the box out to me. I smiled and took it, then opened it. Inside was a bright green stone set in a necklace. The only way I could describe this colour would be the colour of dad's eyes.

My smile widened as I placed it around my neck. It was long enough to be tucked in my shirt yet short enough not to feel awkward on my chest. I couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you" I gave her a big squeeze.

"No thank you" she didn't hesitate to hug me back. Dad got up from the table and walked back to his and mom's room, then he returned with something long wrapped in burlap.

"Ian, for you" he said in his creaky voice. There was only one thing that could be. It's long narrow shape cloaked by the burlap didn't hide the contents.

Dad unwrapped the burlap from the sword and held it out to me. This was my scythe. My first scythe. My eyes went wide and my jaw dropped. It costs nearly 650 pounds.

"Thank you dad" I said before I gave him a big squeeze. This had to be the best birthday yet. Father just smiled at me, I wasn't sure how he could afford this, but I was glad he did.

After my sword was put out of the way, mother went into the living room and went to a jewelry box that she always told us not to touch. She rummaged through it and finally found what she was looking for.

Mom pulled out a necklace that sparkled in the light. She came back out and walked over to Scarlett. Scarlett's eyes glimmered with happiness. Mother put the necklace around her neck and admired it.

That was grandma's necklace. We never met grandma, she died before we were born, but we saw a picture of her. Mom looks just like grandma.

"Be careful with it, okay?" Mom said, she had tears welling up in her eyes. Scarlett metaphorically jumped with joy. With one big bear hug mom pulled me and Scarlett into her grasp.

She was sobbing a bit and held us for a while until father came over and put a hand on her shoulder. That's when she released us and stood up. She used dad to lean on as she wiped away her tears.

"I'm sorry, you two are just getting so big, it seemed like yesterday when I had to change your diapers" she and dad gave a short laugh.

"Mother, we're only 13, you still have a few more years with us" I said, watching her wipe her nose and eyes.

"Yes, I know, it's just I fear what the future may bring" she replied, placing a hand on my cheek as I looked up at her. I was nearly her height, but not yet father's height. When he stood up straight he was really tall. And poor Scarlett was still a short little girl.

But I loved her all the same. After everything was cleaned up, Scarlett made me put my outside gear on because she wanted to take me somewhere.

"Scarlett, where are you taking me?" I asked her.

"You'll see~. I want you to meet someone" she replied, pulling me by my hand. I didn't actually care where she took me, I was just glad she wanted any part of me, especially since I chose to go to the Reaper Academy instead of stay home with her and mom.

Her and I walked down the rocky road, avoiding ice patches. She was holding my hand until we neared a play ground at the schoolhouse. She ran through the snow over to the gates and she stopped to yell something to the children playing.

Scarlett soon turned to me and ran back over and pulled me over to the playground. There was an audience of about 10 kids, our age and younger.

"This is my brother who I was talking about! He's amazing, isn't he?" She exclaimed. I paused a moment and realized she brought me here to flaunt me to her friends. She wanted to show them her amazing brother she spoke to them about.

I couldn't help but smile. It was nice to know how she envied me that much. She smiled and looked up to me, her cheeks rosy from the cold. This was a memory I would never want to forget.