The Grim Reaper’s Mate

Going Home

David

Christine had fallen asleep not long into our trip once she snuggled up with her pillow. She was sound asleep when I stopped the car just so I could stare at her without it being awkward for her. I wanted to reach over and touch her soft hair, but I didn’t dare to touch her. I was in way over my head with this girl. For one, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being closely watched. I'd better behave myself and not let anything like what happened in the tent happen again. Grim Reaper is not someone to cross.

But what am I going to do with her? I obviously can't pursue a romantic relationship with her given Grim Reaper's warning, her vulnerability, and, oh, the fact that I'm dead. My second chance life will only last as long as I haven't fulfilled the purpose of it. Once that purpose is complete, I'll move on to the afterlife. I've been building toward that goal for two years. I've gotten closer to fulfilling my life's purpose, but I'm still far from finishing it. I might have five years at most. Maybe? She would be twenty-five years old and abandoned again. It's best if I just help her get on her feet and meet someone else. I'll provide her with shelter and protection and an alias, but that's all. Now that I'm away from the adrenaline of the tent moment, I can't understand how it's possible that my body reacted to her the way that it did. I don't function like a normal human normally. How did all that even happen?

I sighed and shook my head. It's a mystery. I looked over at Christine again curiously. Her mouth is slightly open as she sleeps. Cute. I pulled back on the road and started driving again, content with my resolve. I'll treat her well. Like a woman should be treated. I'll be kind. I'll protect her. I'll be her friend. That's all. I can't ruin her life by getting involved with her. I would have loved to be with a girl like her in my first life. Like that would have ever happened, but a guy can dream, right? But I'm just a dead man now who has nothing to offer. It's okay. I'll give her everything I possibly can. Maybe Grim Reaper will give me longer to live if I'm kind and good to this girl and prove to him that I'm no threat to her. I glanced at her again. The morning sun was just hitting her hair, making it look shimmery and beautiful. If only...

Christine

Light hit me in the face, and I slowly opened my eyes. I squinted a bit and yawned lazily. Why do I feel so stiff? And still tired? My bed usually sleeps so well. That’s when the events of the night all come crashing back into my mind at once. I sat up quickly and looked to my left. David was still driving. His jaw is set like he’s trying not to smile.

Oh no. My hair. My face. Did I drool? I bet he thinks I’m so hideous right now!

I started running my hands through my hair nervously.

“Stop fidgeting. You look beautiful in the sunrise.” David’s voice was calm and soothing. Can a person be a sunrise? Because his voice sounds like a sunrise. Warm, fresh, new, hopeful, and all the positive adjectives my muddled mind can muster.

“Where are we now?” I wondered as I looked out the window. Didn’t he say we were supposed to rendezvous somewhere?

“About an hour outside of Divenia,” he answered.

“Divenia?!” I gasped, “We’re going into Divenia?! Why?!”

David cast me a confused look. My outburst was obviously not expected. Divenia is, actually, a beautiful country with mountains that border one side, ocean that borders another, and plenty of green, flowery hills and plains in between. However, it is where my mother and her husband live. My father and I never visited Divenia for that reason.

“I live in Divenia. We’re almost to our rendezvous point. We’ll take my truck into Divenia from there. Is that a problem?” David was very confused. Did I owe him an explanation? I only just met him, but my reaction was a bit extreme. My life is still at his mercy. Might as well be honest.

“My mother lives in Divenia,” I answered quietly.

“Your mother?” Now David sounds very confused. “You have a mother who is still alive? I was never briefed on her.”

“That’s because she left my father twelve years ago to run off with a wealthy man from Divenia. She had always wanted to go there.” My heart broke all over again remembering the heartless note she had left behind. She didn’t even hug us good-bye. Not her husband. Not her only daughter. My father was never the same after that.

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. Divenia is a big place, though. If she married a wealthy man, you won’t ever run into her where I live. You’ll only find her if you look for her.” David was reassuring. I’m guessing he doesn’t live in a big, nice house based on this information. Good! The less money, the better. I watched my father sell his soul for money. There is nothing worth becoming so heartless.

David narrowed his eyes in the increasing sunlight and seemed to be looking intently at something ahead. The sun flashed across metal as the limo overtook a small blue pickup truck with peeling paint. It was quaint. I loved it instantly.

“Ah. There’s Ol’ Blue,” David said with a smile.

“That truck is yours?”

“Oh yes. My oldest friend. Ol’ Blue was my grandfather’s first brand new vehicle. He left it to me when he passed away shortly before my mother...Don’t let the peeling paint fool you. I leave him like that so he doesn’t get stolen. His insides have been kept immaculate for the past 60 years. He’s a tank.” David spoke about his truck just like he would a person. I couldn’t resist the smile pulling at the corners of my mouth.

“I can’t wait to ride in him!” I felt genuinely excited about this. David looked at me with a pleased expression as he slowed down the limo and pulled it off the road.

“Stay here,” he instructed me firmly as he got out.

Oh, that’s right. I’m supposed to be dead. How am I supposed to sneak out of here and avoid being seen by the person at the Ol' Blue? I’m sure David has a plan, so I sank down in my seat and waited. I heard two men laughing and talking. Their voices were getting louder as they approached the car. I can now see David’s torso out the window. In the daylight, I can really see his form. He's a nice-looking man. He has a certain magnetism. I wonder if we'll pursue a relationship once we get to Divenia? I wouldn't be against it. He was making his way to my side of the limo. I slid further down, unsure of what to do, and then he opened the door.