Dead Like Him

“Put me down! Do you hear me?! Fucking put me down right now!” I demanded, kicking my feet against the onethey called Colton. Harry, the green jaded asshole was walking ahead, seeming almost bored. Like he had seen, heard and done it all before.

“Put her down in the booth, usual table.” Harry gestured as we came into this quiet, out of the way diner.

It was small, no more than fifteen booths around the whole place and the decorations were one to be desired. It looked like something you’d find in a 1950’s diner – or a time period without electricity.

I kicked at Colton’s back as I was forced into a booth and cornered there; Harry sitting in front of me with the same sad smile on his face.

“Running is not a good problem solver, you know that right?” Colton chuckled, sitting down heavily as a waitress came by. You could tell from the expression on her face that she’d rather be anywhere else.

“What will it be today, boys?” She asked, glancing at me.

“The usual, although we’re waiting for the rest of the group to get here, they should be coming soon, love.” Harry said, his mannerisms light and friendly.

I wasn’t taking my transition very well. I was a few minutes’ dead and I had already been chased after, taunted, belittled and carted off to what would be the epitome of the diner from hell. To say I was pissed would be an understatement.

“They kidnapped me, you know? I’d appreciate it if you called the police…dead or otherwise.” I told the waitress when she glanced at me again, this time letting out a chuckle of amusement.

“Got one of those kind today, huh Harry?” She asked before collecting the menus and leaving.

I folded my arms across my chest and glared at the now slightly amused reaper in front of me.

“Kidnapped, huh? Trust me luv, if I could tie you up, gag you and stash you someplace, my workload would be a lot simpler today but since you are dead and I can’t, looks like we both have to suffer from each other’s company,” Harry sighed, taking out a small notebook from his pants pocket and looking it over. “Colton? You’re due over on the Southside in about twenty, put in motion whatever you’re going to do and Zayn will be there to collect the soul once I brief him and the rest of the group on today’s schedule.”

Colton nodded and glanced in my general direction.

“What about this one? She hanging back with you or are you having her reap? Somehow I have a feeling your day is about to get a whole lot more entertaining.” Colton laughed, watching me carefully but paused when the door to the diner burst open.

His good mood instantly going out the window as he watched the four young men Harry had expected, walk through the door and over to the booth.

“Hello, grave maker.” A dark haired guy greeted bitterly, glancing at me beside him before smiling.

“Is that our replacement? She sure doesn’t look like much.” He noted as another boy, a blonde, hit him in the arm and sat down next tohim.

“Be nice Zayn.” He chastised his friend, sticking his hand out towards me.

“A pleasure to meet you, lovely.”

I folded my arms inmore tightly and glared at him, which made Colton crack up and Harry roll his eyes.

At this point I wanted nothing more than to go home, away from these assholes.

“Her name is Calla and she’s new. Calla? The one who just insulted you is Zayn, the blonde is Niall, the one beside him is Liam, the other one is Louis, I’m Harry and you’ve already met Colton.” Harry introduced, pointing to each of them, expecting me to place a face to a name.

“I’d say it was nice to meet you but all that comes to mind is get fucked.” I told them, watching Zayn smirk and lean in.

“I love your spirit. Well, should you need anything just ask, we’re here to help.” He chuckled, reaching over and grabbing the notebook from Harry, rolling his eyes as he did so before tossing it back.

“I’m paired with the death maker? Come on man, you know we don’t get along. He says tomato, I say tomato.”

“Special case on the soul you might want to stick around for.” Harry shrugged, looking at me. “Calla needs a mentor today, I have to volunteer because I’m leader but is there anyone that would mind taking her with them while they reap so she can get the hang of what her job entails? Otherwise-“Harry explained before Louis raised his hand.

“I will, if it helps you out, mate, then it’s alright by me.” The one named Louis volunteered as my mouth slightly fell agape.

“Thank you Lou, just keep an eye out on her, you know how it was when we were first reapers so just have patience.” Harry smiled as I banged my hand against the table.

“I don’t want to learn to reap, I want to go home, fuck reaping. Where’s the Goddamn holy land you hear so much about!” I demanded, finally finding my voice and looking back at the boys who all stared at me as If I lost my mind…truth be told I was behaving like a crazy person.

“You weren’t good enough to get in sweetheart and the high powers chose you for this job so just be thankful and shut up.” Colton said, patting my head like a dog. I shoved him off and tried biting his hand. He glowered and looked at Harry. “You know what? I’ll take her today. She needs an extra crash course, first day or not.”

“You’re a grave maker, different job position than reapers. We guide the souls, you kill them.” Harry looked at Colton as if he had lost his mind.

“She’ll learn to reap, I will bring her back later tonight and you can decide on what to do from there. I’m not playing her game and I strongly suggest you don’t either, Hazza.”

With that I was pulled none too gently from my seat and hoisted over Colton’s shoulder as he made his way towards the diner’s exit.

“Good luck, love, God knows you’re gonna need it.” Zayn chuckled, raising his voice to be heard over my loud protests.

Notes