Ever slipped out of the ramen shop, making sure to pull the door closed behind him. With noodles and soup sloshing around in his belly, he wore an extra layer of warmth that the fall winds couldn’t strip away from him.

  He began walking, trusting his feet to know the way. The path was familiar but he was lost in thought. It had been a long day: Mary’s - his - dog asked him to move in with her before Taylor decided to reappear in his life, only to turn it upside down in the space of five minutes.

  Zoe then arrived with the four of them sharing an uncomfortable dessert eating experience, then after a surprisingly busy day of work (which Ever was thankful for), Logan broke down in front of Ever, revealing a part of their past Taylor had never told him about. It only got better from there, with Gaia giving some timely, sage advice before Ever filled up his tummy with ramen while talking with Zoe.

  And she wanted to see him again - alone. Death had said that she wanted to get 'some'. He made a mental note to ask him later what she wanted so he could prepare it for her.

  Where are you off to now, young soul?

  *I’m going back to the cemetery, Mentor. I’m going to be moving in with Mimi, so I’ve got to clear the treehouse out and say goodbye to the souls.*

  Fair enough.

  Thirty minutes later, he crested the hill that led to the cemetery. Checking the coast was clear, he slipped into reaper mode. His feet walked but he no longer touched the pavement. A familiar ghost was floating right by the corner of the graveyard, where the wrought iron fence met the wooden one.

  “Good evening, Lyn,” Ever said.

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  She had been looking off to the side with a faraway gaze. “Ever.”

  “I’m leaving the cemetery.”

  “I see.”

  “I’m moving in with my dog.”

  “You have a dog?” Lyn asked. Her eyebrow quirked up, but barely.

  “I do. A ghost left her behind for me to take care of.”

  “I see,” she repeated. “It must be nice to feel needed.”

  There was a strange prickling sensation in Ever’s mind. Dulled because of his reaper state to be sure, but still there as some pieces fell into place. The scythe pulsed gently, sensing an opportunity.

  “Lyn,” Ever said. The ghost regarded Ever silently, waiting. “You said last week that you wanted to experience pain. I experienced pain today - a lot of it actually - and I need to talk about it. Can I tell you about what happened?”

  The scythe glowed triumphantly, causing the other ghosts in the cemetery to look towards where Ever and Lyn were:

  SENSES

  Hearing

  Smell

  Touch

  Sight

  Taste

  Looking at the list, Ever selected ‘Hearing’ first. The menu didn’t disappear yet. He considered the remaining options, ultimately choosing ‘Touch’ as a second option.

  The scythe agreed. It rose up, holding itself horizontal above Lyn. Sparkles of light started raining down on Lyn gently until the scythe faded away.

  “Shall we?" He held an open hand out to Lyn.

  She eyed it for a while, before putting her hand in his.

  “So," he started floating, with Lyn in tow, "there’s this woman named Taylor…”