Grim Truths

Reapers

“Excuse me, a soul harvest??” I ask incredulously. The man just blinks at me and shakes his head as if my face melted off.

“A soul harvest,” he repeats himself.

“You’re talking to me like I know what that means,” I say still not entirely confident this isn’t a dream. “What’s your name?”

The man studies my face for several seconds. His features, while perfect, begin to piss me off. Obvious arrogance is at the top of the list.

“My name is Zephyr,” he says dryly. Again as if I’m supposed to recognize him. “I don’t have time for this. Hospitals are always very busy.” He walks off. Well, glides really. He’s a very elegant man. His dark complexion pops against the white robe he wears which is neatly decorated in small golden embroidery.

“Wait a second! I have a couple questions!” I call after him. He waves his hand to follow him and I almost have to run to keep up.

“Ask your questions while I work,” he doesn’t look at me and moves around the hospital with ease.

“What do you mean by ‘soul harvest’ and who was that girl I saw? And why did she look like that?” He looks down at me, sighs and snaps his fingers. Out of thin air a tablet appears. He grabs it, scrolls through a bit.

“Ah, here. Her name was Madison Wallace, born January 27th, 2006. Cause of death: drowning,” he explains monotonously, “when a person dies, their soul leaves the host body. If no one came to collect them, they’d be running around confused, scared and sometimes vengeful.” I guess that explains why she was wet and why she said what she said.

“Okay, but how exactly does soul harvesting work?” I ask again.

Zephyr stops in front of a dark room and peers inside. He double checks his tablet and looks at me with a quizzical look and motions to the room with his head.

“Oh, um.. no thanks I’ll wait out here,” i sheepishly reply. He shrugs his shoulders and walks through the closed door. Within seconds the room lights up in a flash and goes dark again. I hear a woman scream and nurses come running.

“We have a code Blue!” A younger female nurse says into a walkie talkie. I smush myself into the nearest wall so I don’t get in the way.

Once all the nurses go in, Zephyr comes out. Checking his tablet again.

“I have two left to grab from here before I must leave for,” he looks down again, “Petersburg Hospital in the United State of Iowa. Do you want to come?” We start to walk back down the hallway towards the waiting area where we met.

“Oh, no I can’t go to Iowa. My brother and sister in law are having a baby right now and I should be getting back soon.” This causes him to laugh. I must have missed the punchline.

“Oh, you’re serious?” He looks dumbfounded. “Wait, are you still human?”

“I think so?”

“Wow. You’re one powerful medium. Most people can’t see, let alone talk to a Reaper,” he looks me up and down.

“A Medium? Like someone who can see dead people?,” I ask and receive another chuckle from Zephyr.

“Baby, anyone can see dead people. In my line of business, all I care about are the souls. I guess now is a good time to explain,” I nod but can’t think of anything to say.

“Wait, a Reaper? Like a Grim Reaper?”

“No, just a Reaper. What you call a ‘Grim Reaper’ is my boss and currently there are.. 12.. 16.. 23 of them,” he says while counting his fingers, “also we just call them Wise Reapers. A lot of them find ‘Grim’ offensive. Not that I blame them.”

“Only 23? How many people die on a single day?”

“A lot of factors in that question, sweetie. Factors like war, disease, natural disasters. Also depends on region. There’s more people in Asia, China specifically, than all of Africa.”

“Oh-kay, but why 23?”

“Think of it as your House of Representatives, the higher populated areas require more reapers, the more Reapers, the more Wise Reapers. And before you ask, no we do not vote for Wise Reapers. It’s one of those jobs you’re selected into by the big man.”

“Jesus?” I ask innocently but Zephyr laughs way too hard. If I were religious, I’d be offended.

“No. Don’t even get me started on that guy. I mean the man who is in charge of all Reapers. You humans have given him many names but Hades, by far, is his favorite. I’ve never met him but he’s kind of a big deal.”

I blink at him unable to form a single coherent thought. Every time I get an answer, I’m left with more questions.

“So, do the Wise Reapers decide what souls you harvest?” He nods and I continue, “Do they just sit in an office then? Telling you where to go?”

“Well, sort of. The Fates tell them when and where there’s going to be a high influx of deaths and if it’s larger than 10, the Wise ones will take the job. Souls are like rabbits. If they get scared they run off,” he sighs and checks his wrist for a watch that isn’t there.

“Listen, babe. I’d love to sit and chat but I’ve really got to go. Death is knocking at someone’s door,” he says sympathetically, “you are very interesting so I’ll pop around for a visit sometime. I didn’t catch your name?”

“Oh, Avori Helen Marlowe. Just Ava is fine though,” I say automatically.

“Hmm. Avori.. I’ve heard that name before,” he rubs his chin for a few moments before shrugging his shoulders. I feel like that’s the last thing you’d want a Reaper to say to you. Before I can reply he falls through the floor, dramatically cutting off any chance to continue the conversation. I sigh in defeat.

By the time I backtrack my way to the Birthing Center, it’s a quarter after 7 in the morning. I assume Myah is still in labor as the grandfathers are still asleep in the chair I left them in. I take a seat on a couch facing across from them.

Of all the things I thought might happen today, learning that I’m a medium and that Reapers exist were not on the list. I mean, it’s nice to know that I’m not crazy. At least, not as crazy as I thought. That leads to the question of whether or not I should tell Myah and Cavin. I tell them everything so logically the answer is yes but I don’t want burden them with all of this. Especially after having a baby.

I sigh, close my eyes and lean back. I wish Zephyr was here to talk to more. In 24 years of life, no one has made me feel comforted with.. whatever it is that I am. Even though he left me with more questions than answers, it was a nice start. I know he said he’d pay me a visit but not how soon.

I must have passed out at some point because I’m being nudged awake. I open my eyes to a brighter room and shield my eyes a bit.

“Cavin?” I sit up right away, panicking a little.

“Hey, it’s okay. Everyone is fine. Myah and baby are ready to meet you now,” he is all smile. My heart swells at the thought of my baby brother being a dad.

“Everything has changed now, huh?” I feel tears forming in my eyes. Cavin offers his hand and helps me stand. For a few seconds we’re staring at each other, just holding hands. I was almost 4 when mom and dad brought Cavin home. Though my memory of the time isn’t great, I remember the feeling of absolute adoration. I pull my brother into a hug.

“Yeah, just a little bit,” he laughs.

Cavin leads me down to Myah’s room where she’s sitting propped up with pillow under her arm and a baby resting on top. Myah looks absolutely disheveled and beautiful.

“Hey, mama, how are you feeling?” I touch her elbow and whisper to gain her attention.

“I’m wonderful, despite pushing a small human out of me,” she jokes. That’s my Myah.

“Well, you look gorgeous,” I kiss the top of her head.

“Do you want to meet her? The star of my life?” She motions to the baby in arm. In a swift but gentle movement, Myah moves her baby from one arm to the other, allowing me to have a better view. My God, is she’s gorgeous.

“Oh, Myah. Look at her. She’s absolutely beautiful. What’s her name?”

“Natalie Avori,” I hear Cavin answer. I whimper a bit.

“We had to name her after two of the most amazing women we know. My grandma and you, of course. Do you want to hold her?“ I can hear the pride in Myah’s voice. Without hesitation, I scoop Natalie out of Myah’s arms.

“Oh, little Natalie. You are so loved already,” I wipe away a couple of escaped tears. “Listen, I don’t know if you’re getting her back. She’s just too wonderful to let go.”

They both laugh. All three of us sit and talk about the future and crack a couple jokes about custody agreements and when it’s going to be my turn to have a little one. I don’t have the heart at this moment to explain I don’t want kids, so I smile and agree.

Our conversation is interrupted by the new squad of grandparents. They bring bags of gifts, food, and flowers. I hand over Natalie to her maternal grandfather and walk over to the couch. I sigh and just watch the scene in front of me and smile to myself. Everything life throws at us and it’s moments such as these that just make it worth living. There are few moments like these where we can just forget how horrible, ugly and confusing the world can be.

A couple hours later and the sleep deprivation is starting to get to me. I exchange goodbyes with my brother, Myah and baby Natalie. I hand Cavin the key to their car, explaining I ordered a ride-share.

“Text me when you get home, babe,” Myah says to me.

“Of course. I love you too. You too, Cavin.”

I make my way to reception to do my visitor check out and say thank you to the nurse. I pull the map from yesterday out of my bag and make my way down to the main entrance of the hospital. The whole entry wall is made of glass and two spinning doors. Matching tables and chairs are scattered neatly on a charcoal colored carpeted area. I walk over to a large blue armchair and drop into it. My phone vibrates in my hand seconds later.

Your ride-share driver Jade Baker is approaching in a silver Honda Accord. Please verify license plate number before entering the vehicle.

Right on cue, a matching silver sedan pulls up. I use my phone camera to zoom in on the plate number to verify before heading outside. The woman driving rolls her window down to confirm that she is indeed Jade and is here to take me home. She cranks the heat as soon as I hop in the back seat.

“It’s November, girl, where is your coat?” She teases

“I know, I know. My brother and his wife just had a baby and I was staying with them for a couple nights when she went into labor. Kind of rushed here and didn’t think about it much,” I explain and lean back into the seat. Jade nods as she understands my situation.

“Well, congratulations to them,” she says. The rest of my 20 minute ride back to my apartment is silent. I don’t mind it though, my head wanders quickly to various moments of my eventful day. Zephyr never did explain how the harvesting thing works.

“Okay, Avori! We’re here. I’m gonna stay here until you’re inside and please don’t forget to rate 5 stars! Have a wonderful day!”

“Thanks, I will. You, too,” I say. I forgot it’s barely 12:30 in the afternoon.

I grab my bag, exit Jade’s car and walk up to my apartment. After unlocking my main door I turn to wave goodbye and she drives off.

Once inside, I kick off my shoes and wander to the kitchen. I open my fridge and grab some left over meatloaf and whipped potatoes, toss it in the microwave for a few minutes. Remembering Myah telling me to left her know when I’m home, I shoot her a quick text.

After I’ve eaten, I decide to skip a shower and change into sweats and a loose shirt. I crawl into bed and I fall asleep as my head hits my pillow.