Learning Curve

Greta had made a life with Martha and Chad in their farmhouse. She spent the first week and a half going through a boot camp of learning how to be a new mother. In her mind, she called the hardest thing she had ever done in her life. She found a new appreciation for what her mother did for her. It may have been hard but she also found great joy in learning to do for another living human. She found herself often smiling at the child as he napped in his crib.

"This is exhausting work." Greta let out a small laugh.

"Yes it is but it is rewarding right?" Martha gave a motherly smile.

"Yes, it is highly rewarding for me." Greta continued to watch as Apollo slept.

"You should get yourself some sleep young lady. When he wakes you will have to have the energy to keep up with him. He looks like he will be walking soon." Martha's words felt riddled with age and experience.

Greta walked up to her room and fell face-first onto her bed. Within seconds she found herself sleeping the deepest sleep she had ever had. In her sleep, she found herself in the ocean of flowers that flowed around her. In the distance, death stood under a blooming cherry blossom tree. He gave off a wave of pressure that brought fear to her heart. She didn't notice it when she was on the brink of death. She assumed that it was because he was meant to guide souls and she was not just a soul this time around.

"I see that you found the child and managed to save his life." Death called from the tree as he saw her approaching.

"Is this what you wanted me for?" She asked as she came to a stop beside him.

"Well, no. I took notice cause he was on my list and then he was not, but I don't like having to guide children. It brings a deep sadness to my heart." He spoke to her with a smile when talking about her saving Apollo.

"Well, I tried to save his mother as well but she was taken by the snow." Greta said giving a nervous scratch as she spoke.

"I had to take one of them that day, but I don't have control of who it was." Death shrugged at the statement.

"Your job is not one to envy." Greta laughed after speaking.

"No, no it is not and I will say even with as long as I have been around children break my heart when they pass." Death took on a grim look that seemed paired with a deep-rooted sadness.

"I can understand that. Even the immortal has a heart still." Greta was trying to make herself sound more understanding than she actually was.

For several minutes Greta and Death stood in silence as cherry blossom petals fell littering the ground in the brightest pink they had ever seen. It was the prettiest sight she had seen in a long time and she was brought comfort to see the world without it being covered in fog. She almost lost herself in thought for a moment before Death placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You can't leave these people you are with right now. I can tell you one of them will be gone soon and you will need to be there for the survivor." His voice sounded serious with each word that came from his mouth.

"I will stay with them. No one needs to be alone with pain like that." Greta nodded in agreement with him.

"You must go back now. Young Apollo needs you." He spoke with a sly smile on his face before she woke from her sleep.

When she woke Apollo was crying in the other room which was accompanied by the sound of someone trying to soothe him. She slowly entered the room to find Martha slumped over in her chair. Chad was standing over her body holding Apollo close to his chest trying to calm the baby. She slowly approached Chad ready to console him when he turned to face her with anger written across his face.

"She was so fond of having another child in the house." Chad's voice sent a chill down her spine with each word.

"What are you saying?" Greta asked slowly taking another step forwards.

"I don't think I can allow her to be gone without this child." Chad's voice began to break.

"That's not your choice to make Chad. I have done nothing to you. So you have no reason to take my child." Greta's voice began to fill with anger.

"This isn't even your child so it shouldn't bother you." Chad started to squeeze on the child's chest.

"He is my child because I saved him and took him in. I have fed him and changed him. So this is your last warning to put him down." Greta advanced another step.

"I can't do that." Chad said his voice starting to waver.

"Yes, you will." Greta charged after Chad when he pulled out his pistol.

A single shot went offending a short conflict. After the commotion, the only one that made noise was young Apollo crying. His tears echoed through the silent house as day turned to night. The cold air started to move in around him. Off to the side, a body stirred in silence with a slight groan of pain. When the figure finally sat up Greta covered in blood was looking around the room confused. When Apollo's crying registered to her eyes shot to him and she quickly gathered him in her arms.

"Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird don't sing, Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring. And if that diamond ring turns brass, Mama's going to buy you a looking glass. And if that looking glass gets broke, Mama's going to buy you a billy goat. And if that billy goat won't pull, Mama's going to buy you a cart and bull. And if that cart and bull turn over, Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover. And if that dog named Rover won't bark, Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart. And if that horse and cart fall down, You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town." Greta sang the lullaby over and over as tears rolled from her eyes.