“See you.” Ever closed the door to the ice cream shop and exhaled deeply. As he walked away, he could see from the corner of his eye Logan concentrating deeply, counting the cash in the register. He crossed the road, as always making sure to look both ways, making his way towards the park.

  In past lunch breaks, he would just come and sit in the exact spot that he arrived on Earth. Today, he eyed it then veered towards the closest bench. He sat down, put his tote bag of cash on the floor between his legs and his brand new phone next to him. He gazed at his spot on the grass; all he could see was him and Taylor lying there, looking up at the leaves.

  You’re a sad chappy. Ever hadn’t even noticed Death linking into his mind.

  *Things have changed since the morning,* Ever responded.

  You mean with Logan?

  *Yes, well no. Not just that.* Death stayed quiet, waiting for Ever to continue. *Chaos and Taylor aren’t here.* He stopped himself short of saying ‘anymore’.

  Firstly, Death said - Ever could practically see him raising his pointer digit, black robe sliding down his wrist bone - Chaos is never gone. Remember what I told you? If he wants to be in your life, you don’t get a say in that. Same goes for the opposite. Secondly, why in the Underworld would you want him in your life? Did you forget how much of a nuisance he was? Whether he did it intentionally or not, he half-whispered ‘nuisance’.

  *Because of him, I could finally tell Taylor who - what I was. I guess I wanted to thank him for that.*

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  You’re one of the good ones, young soul. The first primordial being sees no value in gratitude. Humans and maybe beasts do. Don’t lose sleep over it.

  Ever leaned into the palm of his hand, pressing his elbow into the spot above his knee. Still, he hadn’t taken his eyes off his spot on the grass.

  *Can you see where Taylor is, Mentor?*

  Death was quiet for a moment. I can’t, but it’s best you give her some space.

  *What do you mean?*

  How did you feel after you told her about being my apprentice?

  *Like a big weight had been lifted off my chest.*

  How do you think she feels, now that she knows?

  *I…* Ever aborted the sentence. He didn’t know; he hadn’t even considered this.

  Once the realization sunk in, Death continued. I never told anyone who I was. I guess it was clear enough from the robes, the scythe and the bones. Your situation is… unique. You’ve done something I’ve never done.

  *What’s that, Mentor?*

  You’ve befriended a human. This is not something trivial. It comes with a responsibility. Death waited a few seconds, for dramatic effect. You have to look after them and build up trust.

  *Taylor believed that I was - I am your apprentice. That’s why Chaos let us leave.*

  But in order to do this, you had to first break her belief that you were human. That’s hard for real humans to take. Seeing the supernatural can do funny things to them.

  Ever sat back and looked up. How long had he sat there? The sky was already darkening.

  Come on, let’s go do a reaping.