Hell Reaper

I woke to the sound this time and like Emelia said it was unnnerving. It wasn’t so thrill rending in a frightful way but certainly left you to understand that it most definitely was of otherworldly and supernatural an order of noise that reverberated through the house.

I’m not quite sure exactly how they flit so easily between realms yet and though our scientists are definitely encouraged to continue with the research of quantum physics, wormhole and string theory, they are no closer to figuring it out either. Some of them feel that with all infinity stretching out before us it is a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’, we ourselves will transcend into other dimensions to take us to far away places. My father, a reaper of the first order, always says, “after all, the new prophecies do say we would be seeking out every corner of the universe to spread out and harness and care for not only our beloved solar system but all other galaxies.”

The ‘after world’ prophecies always confused me as I never lived in the other-world as the older people call it. My father spoke of a time of hatred, violence death and chaos because no one ever agreed upon anything and refused to show even basic love for one another. So when the prophecies warned; ‘to guard against those inner yearnings that would lead them to unleash these desires leading to chaos then death resulting from the law of Lilith, which had doomed the world until it almost destroyed itself and to call to mind the harrowing times of unrest’ I could never understand their import because I only know a world of unity and peace.

All there is, is love caring and generosity everywhere, everyone shares what they have unequivocally without distrust. Distrust, fear, hatred, war; I’m still not sure I quite grasp these concepts. I’ve been told I’m a blessed young man because I only know these words and have never experienced them first hand, so June my grandmother constantly reminds me. Though many of the undead have told me their tragic stories it’s still hard to comprehend that such a world of suffering existed it would seem implausible except so many old timers and new lifers talk about it many of them with such a haunting saddened look that I can’t help but feel for them. I think I’m glad I never saw such a place.

That light just like Emelia said, it was in fact golden. It was gliding down the corridor just beyond my room. Emelia was too frightened to look she could not stomach anything of a supernatural bent but I was nothing like my sister and was always searching for something new and exciting.

I crept out of my bed and cracked my door. I knew I hadn’t made a noise nor squeaked a floor board but the man in glowing gold robes paused as if he sensed a disturbance to turn and look directly at me. A thrill ran through me it was the visitor my father often collaborated with.

“Jonathan why don’t you join us,” he addressed me. My father bowed to him and objected, “excuse me my lord but my son is yet a mere youth of 21 he is not even ready for the rite of lay to rest.” My heart sank one had to be over 40 to take the lay to rest and only after you took your ‘lay to rest’ could you then apprentice as a Grave Reaper. I held my breath because I so wanted to see a newly risen undead. They say to witness a newly reviving undead, that experience was disconcerting, I wanted to see for myself, test my bravery. As my dad constantly explained, there had to be someone there because the experience of ‘new birth’ or unwombed rebirth was disorienting to the one coming back especially if their death had been violent.

The visitor looked at me thoughtfully. “I see no reason why he couldn’t join us, there is no law prohibiting him from previewing the trade if he so desires, he must begin to decide his life’s occupation before his lay to rest and perhaps his experiences he accumulates through this adventure will inspire him to take up this important work.” My father respectfully bowed again towards the visitor then said to me, “come Jay your curiosity seems to have given you a preview for a possible life calling.”

I was a bit stupefied and unable for a moment to move. I was excited and full of anticipation, I’d always wanted to join in on a recapture of the undead. From the stories of other reapers, I heard they could be a little unpredictable and lash out and that only one with enough skill could wake them fully. “Yes, father,” I finally stammered out. “Please let me dress in suitable attire.” The two men nodded there assent and continued their way down the hall.

I hastily flipped on the light threw off my bedclothes and quickly changed into comfortable jeans and a work shirt. I gathered up my lantern and looking around my room I had no notion of what I could use to thwart an unruly undead when I suddenly spied my rope I’d repaired after the last calf I corralled had broken it. I reappeared in my father’s study where he and as I soon made his acquaintance, Nathaniel were already discussing the business at hand.