24. An Encounter with Death

24

An Encounter with Death

Morgana

S ierra is still buzzing with excitement, feeling like a member of a secret group. She's been talking about it all morning. Regardless, we specifically told her under no circumstances will we ever use our powers in front of others. Should she ever attempt to tell anyone, we would simply act like she's crazy, which wouldn't be a far stretch for her.

Guiding us through her neighborhood, she directs us through a nearby park, insisting that passing through is the fastest way to get to school. I'm not even sure how I managed to get myself up this morning, let alone let Sierra dress me in the darkest outfit she had—a purple sweater and black jeans. I feel like someone else is wearing my skin.

As we walk along the footpath that cuts through the park, I notice that the children aren't playing on the playground at all. Instead, the mums who brought them here are sitting together and chatting under a nearby shelter with the bridge. However, there is one child sitting on their own on the swing set, a child I happen to recognize.

"I'll be right back," I say to Alistair and Sierra. As I begin to walk off, I hear the start of Alistair's explanation of where I am going and why. Sierra couldn't see the child sitting on the swing set.

I take a seat on the swing beside the boy with the black silk hair. Like me, he is always wearing black, but the style always changes. Today he's found himself wearing a long black sleeve T-shirt and torn pants, but as always, no shoes.

"What are you doing here, Death?" I question him.

The pale-skinned boy turns his head to me, his hollow eyes grey and full of emptiness. A wicked smile stretches across his face. "I go where souls will soon be lost. Special ones, of course."

I roll my eyes at his antics, my concern falling mildly to the parents and their children a short distance from us. "Why can I see you? I'm human now."

"Just because your powers aren't as strong as they used to be doesn't mean they vanish completely."

Death can sense powers inside me? That means there is a chance to get them back, perhaps even without the dagger. "Good to know." I let a slight smile hit my lips before it vanishes again. "So who's dying?"

"You know I can't tell you."

"Thought I'd try my luck."

"You always do. Either way, I thought it would be appropriate to come early and greet you. After all, you have a soul now."

I can feel my eyes widening as I contemplate his words. He's here early to greet me because my soul is the one he will take? Looking up, I see Alistair and Sierra waiting for me. Sierra, who also has a human soul, and Alistair, who has a piece of a soldier buried deep inside. What if it's them?

Fear grips me as I stand up, my eyes darting between Death and my friends. "I need to go," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Death's smile widens. "Until next time, Morgana."

I hurry back to Alistair and Sierra, my mind racing with possibilities and fears. "Is everything alright?" Alistair asks, his concern evident.

"Let's just get to school," I reply, my voice shaky. The weight of Death's presence lingers with me, a constant reminder of the fragility of our situation.