The Reaper (The Assassin Series Book #2)

It was a few days after Sebastian came to Reaper HQ. The others hadn't questioned my actions towards him, but they still glanced at me a lot. It felt like it was my first day working again.

Will or Ronald had to be my partner during work hours. Grell had come back, but they were doing their best to keep us separated. They had also decided to not tell anyone else in fear of what would happen.

It was my day to be paired with Will, so I sat at my desk, waiting. I hadn't really been talking to Will. Not that that was any different, but I had more of reason. He just didn't care about me. Or at least, not enough to let me be with the love of my life. I felt hurt by it. I didn't have a reason to, but I did. It was strange.

Will finally showed up and explained, "I have much work to do here, so I will not be able reap the souls of those supposed to die today. I have handed them to Ronald, since I can not trust you by yourself. For today, you are to help organize in the Cinematic Library. Get going." I just nodded and stood up, walking out.

The Cinematic Library was the place where the Cinematic Records were kept, but in book-form rather than a flash of someone's life. Everyone who had a soul in London could be found there. Dead and alive. I had mistaken it a few times for the actual library. The Cinematic one was a lot bigger than the one I was always trying to find for research.

I sighed as I was about to leave the building. It was raining. I took a deep breath and ran across the lawn to the Cinematic Library. Immediately, I was given a cart of books and told to return them to the right places. I was never really good at organization, but Will had volunteered me to do it. I didn't have much a choice.

I wheeled my way around the library, going to different floors and getting extremely confused. It was a lot of names to read, and the shelves were high, so you would have to search for a ladder to reach the higher shelves. It took a lot more time that way.

My cart was getting lighter and lighter, and I was getting more bored. I hadn't seen any other Reapers. That was until I was on the ninth floor, when I was in the "DEN-DEO" section of it.

He had very long grey hair with bangs that completely covered his eyes. It seemed some type of scar went across his face. He was wearing a long black robe, black boots, and an odd-looking black hat. His smile was almost creepy... I approached him, saying, "Excuse me." I placed a book on the shelf in front of him.

"Sorry, I'm just returning some Cinematic Records I checked out a while ago. I thought I had found them all, but while cleaning, I found more!" he laughed. There were stacks of books on the cart next to him.

I frowned, "I didn't think you could do that."

"Oh, you can't. That's only if you're retired, which I am," he explained. "Oh, where are my manners! You can call me Undertaker."

"Is that your job or your name?" I wondered.

Undertaker giggled, "Both! My real name is Adrian Crevan, but I'd rather you call me Undertaker." He laughs an awful lot, I noticed.

I smiled anyways, "I'm Willow Porter. I just became a Reaper a few weeks ago, and I'm part of the Dispatch Management Division. It's a pleasure to meet you." I jumped when he busted out laughing.

He gasped for breath, "A woman... in the Dispatch? That... Th-That's got to be... the funniest thing I... I've ever heard!"

I frowned, "I'm an exception."

"A pretty big one if you ask me!" He wiped a tear from his eye. "Now, what did you say you're name was? Palmer?"

"It's Willow Porter," I repeated.

"Porter?" he asked, laughing again. "I read about someone with the same last name! I think his first name was Roger. Yes, Roger Thomas Porter."

I sighed, becoming sad at the thought, "Oh, that's my father. He passed over twenty years ago."

"No, he isn't. He's a Reaper. Said so in the record, plus I took it out of the Reaper section of the library," Undertaker told me. My heart stopped.

"N-No... That's not possible. There is no one here that has the name of Roger Porter. I would have known by now," I denied.

"You wouldn't have. If I remember correctly, he changed his name to something else. Some Reapers ask to change their names when they first come here so that they can visit their loved ones without anyone realizing their related," Undertaker explained. My mind was spinning. My father was alive. He was alive. Not dead. Walking, talking, breathing. I didn't know who he was, but he was there in Reaper HQ... somewhere. The man I had never met, but would love to know. He had been so close all along.

I didn't really know how to feel as Undertaker took one of the books off the cart. I saw the front cover for a short second before he opened it, not allowing me to see it anymore. The name "Roger T. Porter," was printed on the front of the maroon leather bound book in gold letters. There was no mistaking that part. It was my father's name.

Undertaker started laughing hysterically again, making me start. "This is... This is rich! I completely forgot... about this! Haha, truly priceless!" He handed me the book and told me, trying to calm down, "H-Here, start with this page. It has everything you need to know. It's... haha... the least I could do for such amazing laughter." He was trying not to laugh, but while thinking about whatever was on the page, he couldn't hold it in. I frowned once more.

I quickly read over the page he had given me and the next few, gasping as I finally read the name. The book fell from my hands in shock. It... It can't be... I thought in denial. The name was right n the page, though. You can't fake your own life. Undertaker's voice grew in volume at my reaction. I saw the tears run down is cheeks.

I ran off, going to find my father.