The porch light turned on as Mimi ran up the path to the front door. Unkempt grass had crawled around the edges of the pavestones, as if trying to pry them out of the damp ground. Ever stopped at the door, paint peeling at its edges. He placed his hand on it and turned: it didn't budge.

  “Mimi,” he called out, trying not to be too loud. “How am I supposed to get in?”

  Mimi poked her head out of the flap, looking around then up at Ever who towered above her. ^There is a metal stick here.^ A couple happy barks. ^Follow me.^ Ever trailed her into the darkness out of the light of the porch. Mimi nudged a brick with her nose and sat, tongue out while Ever picked it up. Sure enough, a key was pressed into the dirt. Ever took it, then went back around the corner.

  “Mimi, where have you gone, dear?”

  Ever jumped. The key clinked on the stone path, disappearing.

  A kindly ghost was floating at the entrance of the house, arms behind her back. Back slightly hunched, she looked up at Ever through her spectacles.

  ^She’s here!^ Mimi barked excitedly. She chased her tail for a while where the ghost floated. ^She’s here and she's inside too!^

  The ghost looked down affectionately at her. A sudden squall blew across the overgrown grass. By the time she looked at Ever, he had changed forms.

  “Oh would you look at that,” she said, putting her hand on her breast. “Has Mimi been troubling you, young Death?”

  “Only his apprentice,” he replied with a faint smile. “My name’s Ever.”

  “Mary,” she bowed her head slightly. “Nice to meet you.”

  ^Yay!^ Mimi was jumping up on her hind legs, through the forms of both Mary and Ever.

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  “Maybe we should go inside before this silly pup alerts half the neighborhood that this house is now haunted.”

  “Good idea,” Ever nodded with a grin. He quickly turned back into human form, crouched and felt around until he found the key in the grass. Mary floated through the door before he unlocked it and went in after her.

  Once inside, he slipped back into reaper form, the scythe materialising in his hand. All the rooms were shrouded in darkness, except one at the end of a hallway. It was where he found Mary and her loyal pooch, who rested her head on top of crossed paws. Mary's hands were crossed over her chest, eyes closed; she looked like she was sleeping.

  “I’d offer you a cup of tea, but...” she looked at him apologetically.

  Ever shook his head. “Please, there is no need.”

  “Now tell me,” the old ghost said. “How did you come across my Mimi?” Ever filled her in quickly. She nodded somberly, drifting to the left as she listened.

  “I see. It seems I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

  Ever shook his head once more.

  “I fear,” Mary said slowly, “that this debt is about to become deeper and that I cannot repay it.” She looked at Ever intently. Mimi, still with her snout on her paws, glanced between the two souls.

  “Do you want to stay here with her?” Ever asked.

  Mimi shook her head. “No, it’s my time. Though if I may… can I ask to touch this silly sausage one more time?” The scythe knew what to do, instantly coming to life:

  SENSES

  —--

  Smell

  Touch

  —--

  Taste

  Ever focused all his attention on the middle option. The scythe buzzed, similar to how Ever’s phone did when he got a phone call. Was it… was it laughing? No sooner had he thought this that the scythe separated into two warm motes, twisting around each other in a helix before separating to infuse Mary’s ghost’s hands. She crouched, gently cupping Mimi’s head. Her thumbs stroked the length of the dog’s snout, over and over.

  “Ever,” Mary said, eyes closed. She was already starting to disappear. “Can I trouble you to look after Mimi?”

  The reaper was silent for a long time. Just before Mary left, he answered.

  “I will; I promise.”