The Reaper (The Assassin Series Book #2)

I complained, "These are hideous." I had been taken back to my room after having my eyesight tested. I stared at myself in the mirror, which I had thought was a painting earlier, with the glasses on, frowning. It was the first time I had seen myself with them.

They were circular lenses without a frame. They were quite dull and made me look horrible. I wasn't happy I couldn't pick them out myself.

"They are simply trainee glasses," the man told me. I looked at him in the mirror before turning to face him. I could finally see what he looked like. He had neat, short black hair with eyes the same as mine. His glasses were rectangular with a black frame and lines on the sides. He was wearing a suit, as did everyone except for me.

"Who are you? Why won't you tell me anything?" I demanded angrily. He sighed and pushed his glasses up on his nose.

"You're lucky I am an instructor and qualified to explain this to you. My name is William T. Spears. I already know your name, Willow, so there is no need for further introduction," William told me.

I nodded, "Alright, then. Nice to meet you, I suppose."

He responded, "Likewise."

"Well, what happened? Am I dead?" I asked and gestured to the walls around us. "Is this supposed to be Heaven?"

William said, "It's nonsense for you to even consider making it to Heaven with your lifestyle."

I shrieked, "Excuse me? How rude!"

He continued, "Putting that aside, yes, you died, but you are still alive."

"I don't quite understand."

"Try seeing it like this: Your soul is your very existence. Everything that you have ever done or have happened to you is etched onto it. Sometimes, but very rarely, a human's soul is born with something extra. It is not inherited, and the selection is mostly random. It's this secret part waiting to be revealed.

"It gives you hints about what you truly are. In your case, you were very agile and skilled, and sometimes attracted to things that were supposed to be fictional, though somewhere you knew it was real. Also, death has never bothered you, especially since you caused it. You were a very emotionless, serious, and cold person, which are necessary attributes for a Reaper.

"In order for that part to truly meld with the rest of your soul, the humane part must die. So, you did, in fact, die. You were crushed by a collapsing building. It wasn't the most gruesome I had seen, but definitely one I will remember. The special part of your soul then took over, letting all your memories transfer over. You healed completely, taking a total of two days."

I questioned, "You saw me die?" Then, it clicked. "You were the one complaining about overtime! Why didn't you help me or push me out of the way?"

Will explained, "I am not supposed to interfere or stop the death of a person. It is against the rules. Besides, if I had, you would not have completed the process. At first, I had not realized what you were and tried to reap your soul, examining your life. I deeply apologize. It was not my place."

"Reap my soul? Examine my life? This still doesn't make sense. What's so special about me? What have I become?" I questioned.

"I thought you would have figured it out by now. You're a Grim Reaper."