Dead Like Him

“I can’t believe you did that! What the hell, mate? She was not the target! The target was the little boy beside her, how could you miss that? Management is not going to be happy with this little fuck all, you know that right?”

That was the first thing I heard when I first woke up. The next thing I saw was a pair of beautiful, jaded green eyes.

“Whatever man, circumstances from upper management change pretty frequently and without warning. I received the memo moments before the little bastard was supposed to die, so get off my Goddamn dick and take it up with the higher ups if you’re so inclined to, Harry. They wanted a replacement – so they got her.” The other guy explained impatiently, gesturing about with his hands as I inevitably felt myself being picked up from the ground.

I turned around quickly to where I last saw myself fly off the platform into the oncoming path of a train-right before the lights went out. Although, how I went from standing beside a kid to-to, ah fuck.

For a moment I looked over to my obliterated body in disbelief before it dawned on me that I might-might, be dead. I figured asking would be the first thing I’d do – although, seeing as how these two guys knew what was going on, I think it was safe to say I was in the right company.

“I-what? Dead, I?”

Ok that didn’t come out how I needed it to.

The one with the hazelnut orbs rolled his eyes.

“I speak English not idiot. Try again, sweetheart.” The one who obviously caused my untimely demise spoke, his cheeky smirk instantly making me dislike him.

He was beautiful though– both were. That’s why my mouth was agape and I looked like a fish that needed to be put back into water. That and my brain was steel reeling from the supernatural vacation I took only a few moments ago.

“I think she’s in shock, wanna give her CPR, Harry?” Hazelnut smirked, which caused green eyes to glare sharply at him.

“Shut up Colton. You didn’t tell me the plans, this is not something I needed to deal with today,” Harry glowered, before looking at me. His green eyes softened a little and he tried to put on a smile, although even I could tell it was forced. “Hey love, listen, I’m sorry for the slight mix up, management never gave me the memo. Let’s say we go sit and I can explain everything?” He offered gently, holding his hand out.

“I-I.” I stuttered, looking at his hand and then at the other guy named Colton. He was smirking wider than the cat that swallowed the canary. He knew what I was about to do, even before I did it.

With haste I turned away from the men and sprinted up the stairs and out of the subway, going through people and looking for a place to hide. Although that did me no good as I felt a force grab hold of me from behind and tackle my dead ass to the ground.

“Come on sweetie, Harry hates to run but given as the chase is half the fun, I’m half tempted to let you go just so I can tackle you again. I haven’t had this much fun in ages!” Colton laughed, pulling me from the pavement and turning me so that I was facing him.

I huddled my body against myself and tried to back away but he had a strong grip on my body – which is strange considering my real body was now a permanent fixture on the subway tracks.

“Don’t be scared, I’m not here to hurt you, love. What’s your name? I figure you’re smart enough to at least give me that.”

His belittling me was really starting to irk my bra strap.

“You’re an asshole!” I finally managed to yell, catching him off-guard slightly.

“Many have told me but strangely, it means so much more coming from the dead lips of a beautiful woman.” He mused, his sense of humor never dulling.

“I just died! I died! I fucking died!” I exclaimed pointing down at the station as paramedics were rushing down – most likely to try and save my useless carcass splattered all over the goddamn tracks.

“I know, I saw. I helped a little too, I’m not going to lie.” Colton chuckled, seeing my features go from shocked to livid in point three seconds.

“Why! Why would you kill me!?” I screamed as green eyes finally caught up to us.

“I see you’re making friends, Colton. Stick to grave making, it’s better that way. Love? I can explain-“Harry never got to finish as I broke free fromColton’s arms and started pointing into Harry’s chest, my eyes filled with hurt, confusion and anger.

“Someone better! Why am I dead! Why would-no, HOW could this happen? What did I do to deserve this?” I demanded, as he took his hand and pushed me away from him.

I threw my hands up as Colton’s strong arms took me back into his chest. I didn’t bother fighting him. In fact, if I could, I probably would have taken comfort and broke down then and there. My reality was beginning to sink in and I had already become aware that this was no dream-it was a fucking nightmare.

“Why?” I demanded, this time weaker.

Harry sighed and looked at Colton, who gave a slight shrug.

“Sometimes, certain things happen that change a person’s course. Life, death. What’s the last thing you remember?” Colton asked, turning me around so I was facing him.

“I remember a little boy about to fall onto the tracks. I leant over and pulled him back and ended up tripping over his book bag as he flew away from the edge, in doing so I ended up falling onto the tracks. Last thing I saw was the train and then you guys.” I explained, getting a really bad feeling.

“You changed that boy’s fate; you’re a hero, Love.” Harry smiled sadly, walking forward and holding his hand out for me to take. “Please, allow me to walk you to a diner I know. I can explain everything there and get you prepped for your job.”

I noticed Harry had a super deep, rich voice. British, very British. I also noticed the way he phrased his request, wasn’t one at all – it was an order.

“What job? Aren’t you supposed to guide me to Heaven? Hell? Purgatory?”

Colton cackled, really enjoying my insights of death.

“Oh sweet doll, it doesn’t work like that.”

I moaned and looked at Harry’s hand again before looking at Colton. One was highly amused and the other just looked on with guarded, sad eyes.

“What about my family? I need to make sure they’re ok.” I reasoned, walking back a little from them.

Harry shook his head, trying to grab my hand. I avoided his touch and moved back a step.

“You’re a reaper now, Calla. You’re dead, like me…like Colton. You need to do the job that is assigned so you can move on. Now come on, I don’t want to be out in the open like this.”

Colton seemed to notice my body language stiffen considerably as he stepped forward to grab me again, only I was slightly faster.

I shook my head and took off as fast as I could, this time not looking back as I heard the boys give chase.

“God please, please-“ I prayed to the morning sky, looking for any sort of direction I could go to lose the two reapers behind me – unfortunately, you can run from death but you can never completely escape it. I learned that lesson the hard way.

Notes