Reaping Me Softly

Chapter 1 - The Sounds of Death

Prologue

The vast space above was filled with sparkling, crystal-like stars. Simeon had never noticed how lovely the night sky was not until this day. Each twinkling star seemed to be in its right places, filling empty spaces. Shaded, the few puffy like clouds looked so heavy as he sighed deeply.

"Even the moon is beautiful," he whispered under his breath.

The moon, the stars, the wispy clouds... Everything was perfect even when the striking lightning came and the thunder started to roar across the Earth.  Then, he heard a soft pitter-patter of the rain against the roof of the waiting shed he was in.

"Seems like the skies telling me to rest."

The man who was standing beside him scoffed.

"You haven't even started yet..."

Simeon shrugged. "The pouring rain is a sign, Alec. This is honestly making me lazy."

"What are you? A human?" he commented.

"Acting to be one," Simeon smirked. "I have to live here for one month, might as well try to be a human for the second time around."

"Huh," Alec flicked his tongue. "I wouldn't be surprised if you'd ask the Godfather to bring you back alive after staying here in the human world."

They both chuckled at his comrade remarks.

Reapers. After months of observing, studying, and exploring the world of being a reaper, Simeon officially became part of the Working Class or simply called as Grim Reapers who collect the dead to take them to their respective afterlives.

His mind wanders. He has never been this more excited with the idea of soul reaping. He worked for it for months and now, he can’t wait to accompany the dead to their town called Soul Society. Whose soul will he take first? What would be the soul’s reactions once they saw him? Would they beg?

Like today, his work officially starts now.

Alec tapped his back twice. "Today's your day, Simeon. Always remind yourself about the rules," he reminded.

"Rules are rules, Alec. I won't forget those."

"Good, then..." he released his hand and took something out of his coat. "Today marks the beginning of your life as a Grim Reaper. I, as Death himself, reward you with this as a symbol of our society."

Simeon stared at the black pen the man took from his pocket. It has his name carved on the length of the pen.

Simeon DM.

He handed it to him which he immediately examined.

"You know how that pen works."

He slowly nodded. "The Death God should be the one who's giving me this."

"Don't be such a girl, Simeon. I'm Death, belong to the Upper-Class reapers, our god's trusted servant."

Shaking his head, he held out his hand for a shake. But Alec, the Death being an arse, just pat his hand away which made him chuckle.

"I'm now wondering what kind of dumbass you were before death."

Alec frowned as he faced the road.   "That's why I don't want to be your partner, Simeon. Your previous partners, be it in your research, or anything suddenly forgot what kind of life they have now after hearing questions related to their past."

Simeon put the pen on his black coat. With hands inside his pocket, he averted his gaze to the traffic light.

Red. Symbolizes blood... or death.

"Well, that was my way to stop you guys from pairing me to someone."

"It's pure work," Alec commented.

"I'd do everything on my own."

"Right," said Alec. He could hear the sarcasm in his voice.

Silence filled in. Simeon looked up at the gloomy sky. The glittering stars were slowly fading as the rain continued to fall. He could see the droplets of water under the yellowish light across the street.

But then, someone butted in to break the silence.

They looked at the old man who stood between them. Humans can't see them unless they reveal themselves but for now, he just wants to witness someone's death today silently.

"My, what a downpour..." the old man said as he stuck his hand to catch the raindrop falling.

The old man's clothes are wet, as well as his hair. Simeon noticed his brown, wrinkled skin, especially the time written on his temple.

"Here's the soul I will take now ," Alec uttered as he glanced at his iGrim.

Simeon nodded and looked away. He had seen a lot of souls for the past months. Children, adults, elderly, name it. Seeing someone's soul, witnessing how people die, and hearing their cries after learning they died... Is just a normal thing.

He can't feel anything. And being emotionless is normal as a Grim Reaper. They exist to collect souls, not to bleed for those souls who beg to bring them back alive.

Simeon closed his eyes as he heard the familiar sound came from Alec's pen.

"I wonder if he has a family waiting for him..."

He gradually opens his eyes.

"Of course, he has..."

Alec shook his head. They looked at the old man who started walking to cross the road. Simeon looked at the traffic light.

Green. The vehicles were on stop. There were even some vehicles blocking the pedestrian lane.

"His clothes are torn and dirty. He looks like he's not eating, and those sacks, Simeon? He took it from the trash. Seems like he doesn't have a place to stay, eh?"

"You can't just judge a person through their appearance," said Simeon.

Alec let out a chuckle. "You will learn a lot of things here. Let your eyes witness the bitter truth of being alive or dead," he took his own pen and later turned it into a hook black umbrella. "Maybe after a month of staying here, you'd be thankful because you're dead..."

Simeon just shrugged and let out a heavy breath.

"Sure thing..."

The latter opened his umbrella and put his free hand inside his pocket while looking at the old man. They just stared at the poor man, waiting for his death to come.

The man was walking quite slowly and did not notice the oncoming motor who later stopped in front of him. The rider took his gun out and without further ado, he pulled the trigger on the man's temple.

"Arturo Salvador, seventy-six years old. Born November 1, 1944. Died October 29, 2020. Time of death, 2:23," Alec announced.