Grim took a deep breath.
Oh god, He thought. Here it comes.
He sat down at a chair across from Xen.
They cleared their throat.
"So. Someone ratted you out," They declared. They took a long sip from their coffee mug.
Of course, Luke called my bluff.
I hope this means he didn't do anything.
"I guess so," Grim sighed.
"Do you have a decent excuse?" Xen asked.
"...No," Grim said. "No, I don't."
Xen paused. "Grim." Their expression was blank of emotion. "You're on thin ice already, y'know?"
"Yeah,"
"Then why'd you think this was a good idea?"
"I didn't."
"...Half the council wants you fired."
Grim's phantom heart hit the floor.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Do they know?"
"I won't be telling them unless you give me another reason to."
"I swear I won't."
"...I've said it once, I'll say it again." Xen dropped their voice."Get your fucking act together."
Shocked, Grim nodded his head. "Yes, xir," He agreed.
"...Look- I'll spare you most of the lecture- I've got to deal with an unauthorized revival- but you're a good kid, Grim." Xen set their mug down and rested their hands on their desk. "I know you are. However, this is not okay."
Grim folded his hands together and put them in his lap.
"I gave you a pass, because I know you have the strength to move on. You were dealt a bad hand, I get it. Do something different. Find a better coping mechanism," They continued on. "Give me the bottle, and I won't give any repercussions."
"...Give me two minutes,"
***
Grim proceeded out of Xen's office, feeling sick to his stomach. He approached the front desk.
"There you are! What'd they want you for?" Gabriel asked, spinning his seat to look towards Grim.
"I'll tell you later," Grim mumbled. "Where's Vix?"
"Assignment."
Vix teleported in with a little boy. She sighed in relief upon seeing Grim and turned to Gabriel.
"Finley Leer. Age 9, drowned," She stated. Looking back at Grim, she smiled. "Thank the stars you're here. It's been chaotic today."
"Great," Grim sighed. "I'm so sorry I'm late."
"No, It's okay!" Vix exclaimed. "Xen wanted you, I get it."
Fiddling with her watch, she muttered something to herself.
"And... done," Vix sighed. "Good luck, Grim."
"Thanks, you too." Grim swore internally for saying 'you too' as he watched her walk out the door and up the stairs.
The day followed per usual, but he felt... odd. He kept trailing off during sentences. His eyes passed shifty glances and his legs were weak. There was a weight on his back he couldn't shake off, a cold breath on the back of his neck.
He could barely teleport to his assignments, so he knew getting home would be a daunting task.
Needing some time alone, he went for another walk.
Out of the front doors and into the orange evening sky, a quiet breeze swept through the capitol. Crisp, dewy air hit Grim's face.
He drew in a breath and slowed his feet. If he continued walking so frantically, his time would lose its purpose.
He texted Immy.
Immy <3
I won't be home
for a bit. It feels
nice out so i'm
walking around
Ok! Dont take
candy from
strangers. :)
Grim smiled and put his phone back in his pocket.
Stupid quips like that made Grim's days. Coffee talks, piano lessons, dinners--maybe he just liked spending time with her. Well, there was probably no question about it at that point.
Grim thought that the best part was that Immy seemed just as delighted to be with him.
His steps slowed to a stop as he contemplated just going home and seeing her.
He sighed and picked up his original pace.
Soon, He thought. Not now.
Immy could definitely be some comfort, but Grim didn't know what he was supposed to tell her.
...Maybe she'll hold me.
The thought alone almost sold him.
He felt guilty. He knew he could hurt her, but he longed for her touch.
Grim wanted to kiss her so fiercely she lost her breath. To listen to her labored breathing.
To pin her down.
He attempted to push away the racy train of thought. Despite his efforts, the image clung to him.
Blushing madly, he continued down the sidewalk.
Maybe I should write a poem, He thought.
Grim chuckled to himself.
Something about fire, maybe- some form of heat.
Oh, my love~ My heart may be in ashes by the time we touch.
-Phantom heart. Not heart, I guess. What else...
Burning cannot describe- no, I already said ashes, that implies burning.
He snickered.
Whatever. Save the horny poetry for later.
His thoughts were interrupted by something blocking his shoe.
Before he could even process this, he tripped and caught the concrete.
A sharp pain spread through his wrists.
"Goddamnit!" He muttered to himself, moving to his knees.
He held his arms out in front of himself, palms up.
He had torn his gloves.
Of course.
Groaning, he brought himself to his feet. He had tripped over a crack in the concrete.
He sighed and looked around him.
The sky had grown into a deep red and an arching bridge stood in front of him.
Grim walked up the arch and gazed off into the river at its highest point.
The river, although small, was a very long way down.
He sighed. The dark water bobbed up and down.
The council hates me.
Oh my god- the council hates me.
The sudden panicked realization shook him.
He had to kiss some fucking ass if he wanted to get back on good terms with them.
I can't lose my job. I mean- all this shit down the drain?
But I could be with Immy.
-But I love this job! I don't love the touch thing, duh- but I need this!
...Is it more trouble than it's worth?
He sighed again.
Suddenly, he heard the click of a lighter.
He jumped. Looking to his right, he saw a dark-haired woman lighting a cigarette a little ways down the bridge.
She looked familiar, almost- Grim couldn't quite put his finger on who she was.
When she looked up at him, Grim realized he was staring.
"I, uh- sorry, you just look familiar." He stammered, looking at the ground.
"Funny you mention that, actually- you look like someone I've seen here before," The woman laughed nervously.
Dad?
Grim walked a little bit closer to her.
"Really? Like- a skeleton?"
"Mhm. You but stretched super tall."
"Wow- uh..." Grim laughed. "Did you speak to him, too?"
"Yes. Another funny thing- he also thought I was familiar."
"Really."
"He flat-out told me I looked like his dead other-dimensional wife," She snickered. "I couldn't make that shit up if I tried."
Ok- so definitely dad.
He examined her face for a moment. When he thought about it, she did bear a striking resemblance to his mother.
"That sounds about right," Grim exclaimed. "He's pretty blunt."
"Oh great! You know him?"
"Yeah! He's my dad."
"Wow! Small world, I guess."
"Yeah."
"...How is he?"
Grim froze. He opened his mouth several times, but words never quite came out.
"...Okay, so I'm assuming not real good-" She mumbled.
Grim nodded.
"Ah."
"...Did he say much else?" Grim asked, trying to keep his composure.
"Oh, yeah. I asked him if he came to sulk. He said he fucked up. Something about a job- and his son. I'm assuming you."
Grim took a deep breath.
"Yeah."
"...Hey. Whatever he did, he's really sorry for it. I can't speak for him, but he really wanted to make it up to you," The woman told him.
"...He did," Grim sighed. "I know he did."
His throat tightened.
Please forgive me, Dad.
...I don't deserve forgiveness.
The woman took a long drag of her cigarette, her face unreadable.
"Sorry isn't an antidote for some things, is it?" She said.
Afraid his voice would crack, Grim simply nodded in agreement.
"Things'll work out, kid." Her fingers tapped on the railing. "That's the thing about forever. There's enough time for everything to turn into something greater."
"Deep."
"Hell yeah. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a stranger on a bridge."
Grim chuckled and put his face in his hands.
"Nah, you're an actual person. That's what makes me trust you."
"Well, killers are actual people. Rapists and cult leaders made conscious decisions to hurt people. They're people, but not good."
"I guess you're right," Grim supposed. "But you seem authentic."
"Stranger danger. It could be a manipulation tactic."
"Pff."
Grim checked his watch.
6:49 pm
We.
3-30-27
"On that note, I should probably go," He sighed, letting go of the railing and taking a step back.
"Alright," The woman replied, smiling softly. "Good luck, kid."
"Thank you. For the advice and stuff, I mean."
"Don't mention it, Grim Skeleton."
She turned on her heel and walked back the way she came.
...How'd she know my name?
Grim huffed.
Of course she did. I'm the reaper.
She knew the entire time.
~~~
HEYYYY FOLKSSS
HOW IS EVERYONE? CUZ IM AMAZINGGGG OML
IM SLAYING THIS SCHOOL YEAR
4.0 YEAR HERE I COME!!
I love hearing from you guys!! It makes my day! Comment how your life's been, it means so much, and you're all so lovely and worthy of being listened to!
This is your reminder that all of your doubts are in your head. Chase your dream. Bank on that stupid idea. Do something with that empty ambition, it's the only way to find your favorite version of yourself.
I love you all!! You mean the world to me. Take care, loves!!
-Alice/Craz <3