The Reaper (The Assassin Series Book #2)

Knowing that supernatural things were real wasn't that hard to swallow. I had always believed in Grim Reapers. I just imagined it to be one person who was a skeleton with a long black cloak, had a scythe, and was not me.

Some things fit together with that. Death had never really bothered me. That was why being an assassin had been easy for me. It didn't freak me out or make me feel guilt. I began to wonder if maybe that was why I didn't wake up or scream when my parents were murdered when I was a baby. Surely they screamed their lungs off for help, but it didn't wake me. Maybe it was because I knew death was coming, and I didn't care.

Still, it was one of those times when you knew what someone was saying was the truth, but couldn't actually believe it. It was unreal. Especially thinking that I was one of them. I didn't really know what to feel. Should I have been happy to find out I was an immortal being? Should I have been depressed that I had died? Should I have just been confused about the whole thing?

There was another thing on my mind. Was I allowed to see Sebastian ever again? That was all I really cared about. I didn't even know if he was alive. I just had to find out if he was alright. As long as that happened, even if I couldn't be with him, I would be happier. No matter how much it hurt me, I wanted him to forget and move on if that was the case. Besides, he already thought I was dead.

Will and I were still in my room. He was letting it sink in. "Will I ever get to return to London?" I finally asked.

"Most likely not. Only the people whose jobs require them to leave are allowed to. Most are too tired to go after their shift is over," Will informed me. "Speaking of which, please, follow me. We don't have much time until my shift is over, and I do not wish to go into overtime." I didn't know what overtime was. He didn't give me a choice, though. He grabbed my hand and dragged me out the door.

"Where are we going?" I demanded, angry he was being so forceful.

"To the Grim Reaper Staffing Association," was all he said. Like that offered much insight. The building housing the association was not too far. It was only two down, which was good, because that shot he had given me was still wearing off.

He led me into the building and checked his watch. He sighed, "My shift is now over. I'm afraid you're on your own, but I will be back tomorrow. Go down that hall and someone will ask you what you are doing there. Just tell them that you are a new Reaper and they will handle everything. Try not to be difficult." Will began to walk away from me.

"That's it? You're just going to leave me here after finding out about all of this?" I wondered, wishing he wouldn't leave. I didn't want to be alone in such an intimidating place.

Will rolled his eyes, "Don't be so childish. Do as I say and you'll be fine." With that, he left me.

I cursed, "Bastard." Still, I didn't want to just be stubborn and stand there. It was best for me to do what he said, even though I didn't know what would happen. I surrendered and walked down the long hall to where I heard the sound of stamping and clicking. An office?

I walked in hesitantly. It was a large room, white like everything. Half of the rooms were cubicles while the other half were people stamping papers on a desk. I guessed it was approval for something. Everyone looked busy, so I didn't want to bother them. The situation was rather awkward, so I just stood there.

Eventually, a woman in the cubicle nearest to me looked over. She asked, "Can I help you?"

I jumped at the sound of her voice and nodded, "Yes, I'm a new Reaper."

"So, you're here for to find a job?" she asked.

"I guess. William didn't really say what I was supposed to be doing, only to tell you that I was a new Reaper," I explained, scratching my head.

"Sit down in the chair and we'll begin. My name is Tina," the woman said. She had short red hair and brown oval glasses. She also wore a suit. I did as she said.

"I'm Willow. Nice to meet you," I introduced myself.

"Likewise. Now, I'm just going to have you answer a few questions for me for your file. First, what is your full name?" Tina asked. She put a fresh piece of paper in her typewriter and began typing something.

"Willow Rachel Porter," I answered.

"And your day of birth?" she inquired.

I said, "I was born December 30, 1865."

"Are your parents alive?"

"No. They were murdered on January 16, 1866."

"Your previous occupation?"

"I was a well known assassin named the Widow working for Earl Martin Farr, but was currently working undercover as a maid at Phantomhive Manor at the time of my death," I told her. She raised an eyebrow at me, but typed the information in anyways.

"Well, that takes care of the important part. I don't have time to go through it all, do I'll just send it off to the Cinematic Records Library to get that finished for me," Tina told me.

I asked, "What's the Cinematic Records Library?" It sounded strangely familiar...

She ignored me and pulled out a piece of paper. She showed it to me after crossing something off. "This shows the four main divisions in the London Division that is in need of more workers. There is the General Affairs Department, which is in charge of distributing equipment. Personnel Department, which approves of transfers to other departments, new workers, and is right over there," she pointed to the other half of the room. "Grim Reaper Staffing Association, which sees over and helps new Reapers find what they want to be as well as older Reapers, and is the department you are in right now. Last, Human Resources Department, which settles conflict between Reapers and departments."

None of them really interested me. I read over the paper with the list of departments on them.

London Division Departments:

1. General Affairs Department

2. Personnel Department

3. Dispatch Management Division

4. Grim Reaper Staffing Association

5. Human Resources Department

I noticed, "You skipped the Dispatch Management Division."

"Yes, and I crossed it out. You aren't allowed into that one," Tina informed me.

"Is there no need for new workers anymore?" I asked.

"No, women aren't allowed in it. The members of the Dispatch Management Division oversee the Cinematic Records of those scheduled to die and see if they deserve death. If they do, their soul is collected. If not, they are allowed to live," she explained. It angered me, because I wanted to be in that one. Not only because it sounded interesting, but I was allowed back into London for it.

"So what if I'm a woman? I can take it! I'm the one who has been killing people! It doesn't bother me!" I exclaimed.

"It requires a great amount of strength and skill," she protested.

I stood up and said, "I don't care. Tell me who I can talk to about this."

Tina started, "Usually people in Human Resources, but those in the Main Branch are more suited. I wouldn't-"

I interrupted, "And where is that located?"

She tried, "The next building over, but I really think-"

I thanked her, "Thank you for the help. Pleasure meeting you, Tina. Perhaps we will meet again." I walked out, determined as ever.

I didn't care if I was a woman or not. They had no reason to not let me in. I was probably more experienced than any of the new recruits that had been let in. If anything, I'd save them extra time. They'd have to let me in. I wouldn't take no for an answer.

If there was anything I hated more in the world, it was being told I couldn't do something. I would prove them that I could do a lot better than any of those men.