Chapter 3

I jumped and mouthed an apology when the driver of a white Toyota Camry honked and yelled at me to watch where I was going. I doubted the driver understood any sign language other than the middle finger, so I didn't bother pointing out that the sign for the crosswalk said walk. Hurrying the rest of the way across the street, I watched as the white car peeled through a right-hand turn. With a heavy sigh, I shook my head and continued on my way down the street.

I couldn't believe I had allowed a compensation of $700 to talk me into leaving my house. Normally I would've just told the client 'no' and scheduled a virtual meeting or something. Then again, no other potential client had offered to pay to meet me. Or wanted to potentially be my employer. When I scheduled the meeting, I insisted on one caveat. There had to be an ASL interpreter there so that I didn't risk harming him with my voice. Of course, I didn't mention the reason why. I didn't need them thinking I was crazy before I got my foot in the door.

I looked up at the numbers and signs on the buildings as I walked. To make sure I didn't walk into anything or anyone, I kept turning her attention back to the sidewalk every so often. But, I still somehow managed to walk into someone. Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed the arm of the woman as she stumbled backward. I was thankful I was wearing my gloves.

"Sorry," the other woman said, a soft blush of embarrassment staining her otherwise pale cheeks.

I noted that on top of having deathly pale skin, the other woman's hair and eyes were as black as my own. I wondered if the woman could have been another Reaper.

"Are you okay?" The woman asked, breaking me out of her thoughts.

It was my turn to blush and smile sheepishly as I nodded my head. I signed and mouthed the word 'sorry' to the woman, my ears burning with embarrassment.

"No need to apologize. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. Have a lovely day."

I smiled and nodded, mouthing 'you too' before heading towards my destination once again.

* * *

Once I found the building I would be meeting with Thanatos in, I walked inside and made her way over to the security guard. I showed the bald, black man, my ID, and a letter I had prepared in advance, stating my reason for being there. As the guard read over the letter, I noticed that he too fit the physical description of a Reaper, just like the woman I had bumped into a few moments ago.

"Okay. Take your first left, and you'll find the elevators. You'll be getting off on the top floor. The receptionist will let Mr. Thanatos know that you're here." The man handed me back my note and ID and gave me a friendly smile as he told me the directions.

I signed 'thank you' and placed the note back in my pocket along with my ID, and made my way to the elevators.

As I stood in the elevator and waited to get to the top floor, I stared at my reflection in the metal doors. I wondered how many people who fit the description of a Reaper I had overlooked in my 24 years of life. Was it that I just hadn't noticed how many of them there were? Or did I just not notice because I didn't know what to look for before? Then I wondered how the two people I had seen could have been Reapers if they were talking. I wondered if they just didn't care if their voices harmed others or if they even knew that they injured others.

Once I reached the top floor, the ding of the elevator pulled me out of my thoughts. Stepping out, I made my way to the receptionist and gave her a shy smile, reaching into my pocket to pull out my ID and the note once again.

"You must be, Andy Darwin. Frank told me you'd be on your way up. I'm Hel," the woman said, introducing herself.

I nodded, moving my hand away from my pocket. I assumed Frank was the security guard downstairs.

"Thanatos is running a little late, I'm afraid. But he said you could wait in his office. He also wanted me to let you know that he wasn't able to get an interpreter for your meeting, but he is fluent in ASL." Hel stood up from her desk and opened the door to the office behind her.

As Hel spoke, I nodded dumbly, walking into the office when the door was opened for me. It wasn't until the door was closed that I took in my surroundings. I was in awe at what I saw, though it had not been exactly what I was expecting.

It was a large, handsomely decorated office with massive windows. The view that should have overlooked the city was dark and dismal. In the distance was a bright light, and leading from the light to the lower floors of the building was a river. There were many different bifurcations along the way that led off in different directions. There were areas further out where the river branched off even more.

"Andy. So sorry to keep you waiting." The deep, baritone voice startled me.

I turned from the windows to see a man with short, shaggy black hair, sable eyes, and alabaster skin walk into the office. He wore a black t-shirt and navy jeans with a pair of black trainers. Not the attire one would expect of a man with such a lavish office.

I watched as he closed the door behind him and walked over to a three-headed dog statue, and gently scratched one of the heads. I would have thought the man crazy if the "statue" hadn't moved. Assuming it was an animatronic dog, I didn't give it a second thought.

I'm Thanatos. Please, have a seat." He motioned to the rich brown leather chairs in front of his desk as he walked around and took a seat behind the piece of furniture.

I sat in the seat closest tome and waited for Thanatos to begin talking.

"I'm afraid I had you come down here under false pretenses, Andy." Thanatos looked apologetic and a tad ashamed. I didn't care, though, as my anxiety was starting to peak.

Was he not going to pay me? Was he going to kill me? Would he do something worse? I didn't know, and a part of me really didn't want to know. I shifted in my seat, ready to get up and make a break for it, when he spoke again.

"You see, we know what you are. And we want to help you. We dropped the ball with you 24 years ago and want to make it right."

I gave him a confused look, still poised and ready to run out of the office if need be.

"The Ferrymen are a group of Reapers who… ferry souls into the afterlife. I know it sounds a bit crazy, but hear me out. If you still don't believe me, you're free to leave."

I hesitated a moment before nodding my head and relaxing my posture. I wasn't sure if I'd later regret listening to him, but while in that moment, I decided to just sit and listen to his insane ramblings.