The gatekeeper platform is nowhere to be found. Instead we’re in an all white reaper’s quarter, just like my own room. Liam doesn’t hesitate to lay the girl’s body on the bed. His rune lights up yellow and the chain he lays across her starts glowing. He quickly touches her soul and body at the same time. Her soul glows in a blinding light for a moment before snapping back into her body. It happens so quickly that I jump out of the way and let out a small shriek.
Though the shriek may have been because of the new mark burning on my chest.
This one is different, stronger, leaving me breathless as the pain fades.
“Her soul is reconnecting to her body. It’s alright,” Mason reassures me. I open my mouth to tell him it’s the mark but the words fall away as her body lights up slowly. Color slowly returns to her cheeks and I feel a sense of relief when her chest rises and falls as it once did.
After a few moments the glow starts getting brighter and a flare of heat blows over my skin, melting anything not from this world off of her body; clothes, jewelry, the works. My mouth drops open in horror and I cover her with asheet.
“The sheet will burn away too. The glow is her DNA being rewritten and healing her internally. Our bodies have to go through it to survive here,” Liam says.
“Then show some decency and get out until it’s over. Go!” I order, holding an extra blanket up in front of her to block her sheet-covered body from view. Liam chuckles and leaves. Mason gives me a look of pure respect before following Liam without complaint.
When the door closes behind them I lower the blanket and turn, giving her some privacy. Though, I still peek behind me every few minutes to reassure myself she is still breathing.
The wait isn’t quick and as the minutes stretch into hours my mind keeps going back to her words. How did she know of me before this? What does it mean? How is she different? Is this why I’m different too?
Even if I know there won’t be answers any time soon, I keep driving myself crazy with all the questions.
It takes several more hours before both the warmth in the room and glow recede. The moment it does I stand up and open the dresser, finding it contains the familiar black clothing that fills mine. I grab an outfit out and dress her, feeling a bit awkward for doing it but knowing that was one thing I hated about waking up, having everyone stare at me naked.
She continues to sleep restlessly, but doesn’t wake up. Her breathing is sometimes rapid and her eyelids flutter, but she never opens them. I just hope she isn’t in the void alone.
A soft knock on the door disturbs the quiet that was starting to drive me crazy. I hurry over and open it to find Liam holding a takeout container.
“You missed dinner, and I didn’t think you would leave our new girl’s side,” he offers in a whisper so he doesn’t disturb her. I take the carton and set it on the shelf near the door, before rushing over to him and wrapping my arms around his waist. He returns the hug with a soft chuckle. I don’t even know if he’s a hugger, but being wrapped in his strong arms gives me a sense of peace and comfort, and I’m reluctant to let go.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I whisper, before releasing him and grabbing the box. I plop down in the middle of the room and open it. I can’t help but dance in place as soon as I see the glorious Chinese food I was craving at the mall.
“You went back for it?” I ask him softly, touched by his gesture. He nods with a grin and a soft red glows on his cheeks.
“You guys are the best friends a reaper could ask for,” I tell him with a smile of my own. I turn my attention away so I can stuff my face in a completely undignified way. After living on granola bars and diner food, it’s pure bliss. I moan in happiness at the first bite of crab rangoon.
“On that sexy note, I’m out of here. Mason is stopping by soon, I think,” he says as he backs out of the room after giving me a heated look. “But when this is over. Me and you. Alone.”
“Sold,” I say without hesitation. His smile widens as he closes the door, leaving me alone with my meal.
After finishing my food in record time, I hurry over to check on the girl. Grabbing the extra blanket, I lay it out on the floor next to her bed, in case she wakes up and needs me. I decide to stretch out and relax for a moment before Mason arrives. My eyes are closed within seconds as I drift off to sleep.
* * *
When I openmy eyes I expect to be in the room, rested. Instead I’m back in the void. Ice runs in my veins as I take in the familiar darkness and fog. I shouldn’t be here and the thought of being pulled in here at random has fear coiling in my stomach. It’s the only emotion I equate to this hellhole now.
The echoes of distant voices have me on edge from the start, but I don’t see anything around me. My steps are tentative as I listen for the voice I heard last time or the growls of whatever beasts reside here.
“Hello?” I call out into the darkness. This time I’m answered by chatter and screams from all sides. They’re far enough away that I don’t understand what they’re saying, which adds to how fucking creepy this place is.
“Luz?” I hear my name being called in the distance. I freeze for a moment and spin in a slow circle, squinting into the darkness. My attempt is useless, it’s too dark to see anything. I can’t even figure out if it’s the same voice or a new one.
“Hello?!” I yell again as I hold my breath, straining to listen and identify it if it sounds again.
“Luz! I can see your light!” the female voice is closer now and I can tell it’s coming from my left, so I turn and run in that direction.
Neither of us speak for a moment as we make our way toward each other, but soon a figure steps into the faint glow surrounding me. It’s the girl we just brought back to the city. This is why she couldn’t wake.
“It’s you, how are you here with me?” I ask, though I can’t say I’m not thankful to have someone around.
“We’re apparently connected. I’ve dreamt about you before. This is the place between the veils. You are special Luz, I’ve never run into other reapers here,” she explains, though it does nothing to clear any of this up. She shouldn't know all of this yet, which means she has her memories intact.