Reaping Me Softly

Chapter 2 - A Beautiful Soul

Soul

Simeon just realized something. If Alec's judgment about the poor man was true, then they're quite similar in one thing, he doesn't have a place to stay either. He was still in the waiting shed, sitting on the bench with arms crossed above his chest.

After Death reaped the old man's soul, the police took thirty minutes to arrived at the crime scene. The road is now tainted with blood. Even though the rain wiped out the blood, it still left a trace.

Simeon sighed deeply as he lazily observed his surroundings. The cars seem moving too slow, and he couldn't help but tsked when he saw humans running, hands above their heads to protect themselves from rain when in fact, some of them are carrying an umbrella.

Tapping his fingers on his arm, he leaned on the wall behind him and closed his eyes.

"Humans, let me take your soul..." he whispered.

In Soul Society, each Grim Reaper has its own home to call as the God of Death doesn't want his people to wander around the city like a lost soul. So, Simeon wished to sense death today for him to be rewarded with a place to stay. The officials would give him his needs once he collects one or more souls on his first day of work.

He may be a spirit now, he at least deserved a comfortable place to rest.

"After several months of silence, vampires were seen again attacking humans inside Luvkins International Airport. In the last month—" his eyes automatically open when he heard the news from the big screen across the street.

He immediately stood up, runs his hand on his black coat, and was about to take his leave when a bus stopped in front of him. He groaned in annoyance as dirty water spewed out of his coat.

"What the f**k ever," he uttered, rolling his eyes. He stepped back when a woman went out of the bus and walked past him.

He blinked twice. That's when he realized he's dead. His coat wasn't soaked in dirty water. Just like the woman, it went past through him.

How could I forget about it? He thought to himself. He even had to avoid being hit by the woman even though, she would only penetrate his body.

He's a Grim Reaper. A soul after all.

He turned around to observe the woman. Tilting his head, Simeon followed her every move. Then, his eyes caught something on the woman's neck.

The time remaining of life only his kind can see.

Simeon quickly turned his head to the big screen where the news was still airing. The Soul Society knew about the existence of vampires, it wasn't a secret to everyone. He has seen some vampires being punished in their world. And these past months, he witnessed his co-reapers collecting humans and most of them died from a poisonous bite.

He looked at the woman again. What a pity, as seven minutes from now, she will die.

He glanced at his iGrim. A name flashed on its small screen.

Audrey Reynes.

Simeon leered inside the bus for a moment following the woman who was now walking alone in the darkness.

The Grim Reapers who were standing inside that bus will do their job. For now, his task is to follow this woman who will soon die, so he could have his own place after.

He walked slowly, hands inside his pocket while roaming his eyes around. This woman should just stay at home at times like this. Wasn't she informed about what happened at the airport? Humans... does she want to die early?

Simeon tsked. "She should have just stayed at home..."

The woman took something from her bag. It was her cellphone. He heard the dial tone and later, she started to talk.

"Hi, I think today is my last day on Earth," she sobs. "I don't know what to do anymore. Maybe a bite would stop the pain I kept for so long. I honestly couldn't understand a thing now, Yves. I just want it all over..."

Simeon stopped walking for a second.

Does she really want to die? He thought.

He did encounter a lot of souls and yes, there were a lot of souls like this woman whom he met in the underworld. He wasn’t able to ask if they felt an ounce of regret after death grants their wish to die early.

"No... I don't think I can live another day," her voice cracked. "Please, forgive me. I'm sorry for this will bring you nightmares."

He glanced at his iGrim. Five minutes left... The pen in his pocket is now glowing, an indication that death is coming. He took the pen out of his pocket and held it tightly. He could also see a shadow walking in their direction.

The woman continued walking. He could hear her faint cry. If the idea of dying made her cry, then why would she still want to die? However, her sands of time have been running since she went out of that bus. She can't avoid death from coming if she ever changes her mind.

Death seems so slow for her. they both stopped walking as the vampire approached her. As expected, a rogue vampire really looks awful. He waited until the vampire stopped in front of her. It's drooling as he studied her features, head to toe and front to back.

Simeon wanted to see the woman's expression but he stayed still behind her, watching her unmoving body.

He clicks the button on his pen and later, the pen turned into a hook black umbrella. He once tap the end of the umbrella on the cement road, that was also the time when the vampire attacked the woman. He heard nothing from the woman. She just stood there as the vampire enjoys sucking her neck, sipping her blood until she dropped on the street, lifeless.

Audrey's soul stared at her dead body for a seconds before walking in his direction. When she got near him, he saw how stunned she was. It was funny how her eyes widened upon seeing him.

"Simeon..." she uttered.

"Come with me," he said and turned around, ignoring her.

"Where to?"

"To the afterlife," he said and started walking. Before he could even take a step, someone butted in. It was Hermes, the messenger of the gods.

"The God of Death has a message for you," he handed him something. "I will guide her instead. Come..." he moved his fingers. She slowly walked towards Hermes but still couldn't take her eyes off Simeon.

Just make sure that she'll make it to the Soul Society," he glanced at her.

"Of course," Hermes said and glanced at her. "Come with me, beautiful soul."

Simeon turned around and was about to open the letter when Audrey spoke.

"Simeon..." her voice was soft. "I knew you're dead—"

"We are all dead," Hermes cut her off.

"I just want to say that I admired you when you were still alive," Audrey continued. "I'm happy to see you again after eight months..."

"Seeing him means you're dead, beautiful soul. Come, let's go now. I still have a lot of love letters to deliver."

Simeon sighed while shaking his head. He opened the piece of paper and smiled lightly as he read the letter.

"Finally, a place to stay..." he whispered.