Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

---Chapter 1 Act I---
--Death and Retribution--

Two years ago, there was a strange incident that transpired in a privately owned building on the outskirts of the big city. There was a call to the local precinct about a fire, and a shooting victim. The anonymous caller said they'd need an ambulance to that location ASAP. Apparently a life was at stake.

Nothing prepared the first responders for what saw when they arrived.. A bandaged man holding a bleeding young girl in his arms exitng the burning building. The responding officers immediately drew their weapons, and ordered him to drop the girl and surrender himself. He complied, gently placing the young girl on the ground before getting on his knees, and putting his hands behind his head.. much to their surprise. He was immediately slammed on the ground, and cuffed, yet he gave no resistance.. in fact, he even smiled as the ambulance checked on the little girl and said she was still alive.

What really surprised every officer when they discovered who they were. The girl was apart of a missing persons case named Rachel Gardener. She had been missing for awhile.. Her parents were murdered by mysterious circumstances, she was put in foster care, and therapy due the traumatic event until the day she mysteriously came up missing.

The man was even more of a rare catch.. Isaac Foster. The infamous serial killer the police were looking for for years now. His body count was something of legend.. well in the hundreds, dating back eight years.

This was the end of two big cases, but there were still too many questions that needed answering. For instance.. who killed Rachel's parents, how did she came up missing, how she ended up in that building and how did she end up in the hands of the most notorious serial killers in the country. Everyone was quick to blame Isaac Foster for not only murder of the girl's parents, but also kidnapping her for whatever twisted reasoning that made sense to them, but there was one person who believed that it was someone else..

A detective named Kasumi Shun was investigating a multi-missing women and children's case for quite time. More than a few dozen children & young women who had gone missing, then found dead missing their eyes in the span of five years. The scariest part was there was never any traces of DNA, leaving the police completely stuck on where to start an investigation. But she had a suspicion how it might be responsible. Dr. Daniel Dickens. The last person to be seen with Rachel Gardener before she disappeared ,and the therapist of many of the children who went missing.

Kasumi knew that somehow, this guy was tied to this whole thing, and those two where the key to proving it. The first person she thought to question was the serial killer..

She was able to set up an interview at the maximum security prison where he was being contained, & prepared herself for anything that may happen..

As she entered the higher levels where the most dangerous criminals called home, every guard she encountered warned her about Isaac.. telling her how unpredictable, and violent he was..

Apparently he'd killed a few of his fellow inmates, and even a guard, or two if he was feeling up to it. Even the threats of permanent solidarity confinement wasn't enough to sway his violent nature. Apparently he preferred it.

Kasumi entered the interrogation room, and sat down at the metal table. On the other end sat a tall, slim figure with wild black hair. He was strapped tight in a straight jacket and wrapped in chains and his legs were shackled, Apparently this was for her safety, but from seeing his build, it seemed a bit unnecessary..

"Isaac Foster.. nice to finally meet you in person."

"Yea? Well the feeling ain't mutual, so fuck off."
He said as he glared at the tan woman.. her long, dark brown hair neatly pulled back in a ponytail..

"I see.. well as much as I would like to 'fuck off', I'm here to ask you a few questions."
The lady detective said casually..

"Hah.. questions? For fucking what.. I already told the other pigs everything I did.. so what the fuck do ya want from me?"
He said in a raspy, angry voice..

"So I've heard.. I've listened to your confession. You've killed many people Mr. Foster.. Murders have been going on for a decade are all tied to you.. and you admitted to it all without so much as flinching.."

"Nothing I hate more than I a liar.."

" Good. That means our time together will be short. I wanna ask you about the girl you were found with. What's your relationship with Rachel Gardener?"

"I already told the other fuckers.. we don't have a relationship.. we were both in a shitty situation, and decided to help each other out.. that's it and that's all."

"Well that's the part that makes no sense. What was the situation? How did you two meet?"

"In that damn building.. the little weirdo helped me get outta shit hole.."
Isaac said as he looked to the ceiling with a small smile. The detective noticed this, and raised an eyebrow..

"Good memories?"

"Nah, nothing like that. Just remembering how fucking weird she was.."

"Meaning?"

"Guess you've never met her. You'd know exactly what I was talking about if ya did.."

The serial killer said as he looked in her dead in the eyes.. no hint of lie on his expression. He was right. She decided on starting her investigation with him.

"No, I can't say that I have.. now that that's clear, could you elaborate for me? How was she weird?"

"She barely showed any emotion on her face and she had these creepy ass dead eyes.. she was like a fucking doll. It was freakiest shit I've ever seen, & that's coming from me."

Zack said as he gestured to himself before leaning into the light to display the burn scars that covered eighty percent of his face & neck. It was truly a scary sight to see, especially with the way he was maniacally grinning at her.. his multi colored eyes glaring into her light brown ones..

"I see.. so I take it this why you wore bandages, correct?"
She said with an indifferent look on her face..

"Yep.. the fuckers in here decided not to give me any.. so my freak-show body is on display for everyone to gag at."

"I see.. good to know.. off of that note, do you have any ideas how she got there? Or who killed her parents?"

"Hah.. that's a question you should ask the brat, ain't it?"

Kasumi thought about her next words, she was about to use a dirty trick that she'd been in her back pocket but decided against it.. this was a one shot deal so she had to play her cards right.. this guy respected honestly, so she was going to tell him..

"There's no way I could do that right now.."

"Huh? Why's that?"

"She hasn't been in that best mindset for a discussion.. I take it you haven't been updated on her condition."

"No and I don't ask.. most people think I kidnapped her already, so there's no need in giving these assholes a y reason to confirm it."

"I guess you have a point there.. would you like to know about her condition?"

The serial killer paused for a few seconds before answering..

"Sure.. she's alive and all that, right?"

"She is. She survived the shooting.. but when she woke up in the hospital, she became manic, and hysterical.. and kept trying to break free from the hospital while crying for someone named 'Zack'.. which is you, correct? A nickname?"

"Looks like you did yer' homework.."
He scoffed

"Yes, but that wasn't really hard to piece together.. I-saac, Zack.. It wasn't rocket science. the thing is, It led me to my own suspicion.."

The lady inspector said as she leaned forward with her elbows on the table.. Isaac glared at her menacingly, awaiting her next words..

"Is that right?"

"Yep.. I believe everything you said.. I believe you didn't take Rachel Gardener, it's not what you do.. you're a slasher. I also believe you did meet her in that building, and you two helped each other get out for whatever reasons you had.. & honestly I believe somewhere along the lines, you two became friends of some sort.. I doubt that'd she be completely manic over someone who hurt her.. I've seen Stockholm syndrome and that wasn't it.. I know you two care about eachother, so I'll tell you that she's in good health now.. and doing much better as of lately.. physically and mentally. However, I'm not here for that.. I don't care about any of that just to make it clear. I'm not here to interrogate, or incriminate you.. I'm here to ask you about who I believe really took her.."

She explained as she pulled out a tape recorder, and placed it on the table. Before pushing record, she explained

"Like I said, none of this is for you.. I'm recording because I need this for my case for someone else..I dont care about anything other than finding everything I can about him.. I just want to clarify that before we move forward."

The serial just looked at her nonchalantly before sitting back in his chair, never breaking eye contact as he did so..

"I couldn't care less if ya were.. now what the fuck do ya wanna ask? C'mon spill it!"

She nodded & pressed play on her recorder before asking..

"Dr. Daniel Dickens.. What can you tell me about him?"

"Ugh.. that freak." Isaac said with a cringed look on his face.. "I dunno too much about em', but he was a fucking sick fuck that had a weird ass obsession with eyes.."

"Eyes like Rachel's?"

"Especially hers.. The asshole kept going on and on about how 'madly in love with her eyes' he was.. calling em' ' beautiful placid lakes'..all types of creepy shit."

Kasumi was surprised at how creeped out Isaac was by Daniel.. not only that, but she could see a blatant hatred in his eyes for the man as he talked about him. She'd finally got the lead she wanted, so she decided to dive a little deeper..

"What was that building?"

"It was pretty much a fucking slaughter house.. I think me, and the brat were the only ones to escape that place. If you were brought there, you were pretty much good as fucking dead."

"And you were one of the killers?"

"Yep.. so was Danny. There was a killer on each floor, we all had our ways to deal with anyone who came on our territory. I preferred the good old fashioned way.. chase em down, slice em up.. but not everyone is as simple as me.. Danny was one of them.. the day I met the brat.. I saw his little room full of eyeballs floating in a jars all over the fucking place, so you can bet yer' ass that's the guy yer' looking for."

Isaac said in a dark tone, still not breaking his eye contact with the detective. But she didn't break eye contact either, not as a form of intimidation, but with complete interest, letting soaking in every word he spoke finally getting the evidence she needed..

"Do you know who ran this little operation?"

"Yea.. but for some reason, I can't remember him.. he recruited me & the rest of us.. but anytime I try to remember his name, or what he looks like.. there's nothing nothing but fog."

"That's.. quite unusual."

"Yer' telling me.. I never forget a face, so I can't tell ya why I can't remember anything about em.."

"Right.. well luckily he's not who I'm currently investigating.. so who do you think took Rachel?"

"Like I said, details like that is something yer' gonna have to ask the brat, but honestly? I wouldn't fucking doubt it if I found out it was that freaky bastard."

"Hmm.. is there anything else you can tell me about him?"

"Not really.. we weren't really friends, none of us were. We rarely saw eachother in passing. I can tell ya he's dead."

"Alright Mr. Foster.. I appreciate everything you could tell me.. but there's one more question I must ask.. you said he's dead, correct?"

"Yea.. I saw him die myself.. but ain't the first time he escaped death so who knows.." He said with a shrug..

"Excuse me?"
Kasumi said surprised

"Oh, Ya fucking heard me.. I sliced him open one time and watched him get shot in the fucking chest the other, somehow the fucker survived both times.."

The serial killer said with a shrug.. Kasumi nodded & hit the stop button on her recorder. She got what she could, & was thankful she was able to get that much.

"Okay Mr. Foster, I appreciate your help.. so in return..
there anything I can do for you?"

"Hah! Yer' not gonna do shit for me, so cut the bullshit.."

"I'm not lying.. though I understand your distrust.."
Kasumi said as she put her recorder back in her coat pocket before getting up from her seat.

"I'll figure out something.. just so you know, I'm going to go see Rachel when I can since she's recovered.. is there anything you want me to tell her for you?"

Isaac looked at her with a blank expression and looked down.. it was silent for a few seconds as Kasumi patiently waited on his response..

"Yea.. tell her to at least try to live.. and that I'm sorry.. and do me a favor don't tell her that I'm getting the death penalty soon.. she just got outta looney-ville, I don't need her going back.."

"Understood.. how long until your execution?"

"They said February 4th."

Damn.. he'd only been here for two years, and it was November.. That was the shortest wait time on the death penalty she'd ever heard of. True, the punishment did match the crime, especially in his case.. but they were quite literally rushing his execution along..

"Well.. I suppose this may be the last time we see eachother, but I'll still make good on my word."

"Yea whatever.."

Isaac said under his breath.. Kasumi nodded only nodded in response as she turned around to take her leave..

All that was left was to talk to Rachel.. and pay Isaac back for the information. She had a clue on what he'd appreciate.

---

Isaac's POV..

He'd been cooped up in his shit hole of a cell for as long as he could remember.. Nothing, but four cement walls and a hole in the middle of the ground to shit, and piss in. It was pretty much his fault though.. kinda. Thanks to the rumor going around about him being some type of sick ass pedophile that kidnapped a little girl, his first few kills were four inmates that thought they were gonna teach him a lesson..

They talked like they were big, and scary.. Isaac could give them that much. Big talk about 'how scrawny he was' and 'without a weapon I bet he ain't dangerous at all'..

The big, muscular one even broke a mop in half, and threatened to stick the pointy end up his ass.. the others pulled out shanks all whole Isaac just sat there, silently planning his next move while they ran their fucking mouths.. Unfortunately for these guys, they didn't have a full grasp on who they were dealing with.. He quickly punched the closest guy in the throat, then broke his arm before taking his shank, and pushed him into the other three morons..

A few minutes later, here come the guards. They damn near shit a brick, and threw up when they saw the bloody mess. That led to his first time in solitary confinement. It wasn't that bad, other than having to sleep on the cold floor.. he could deal with that though. Especially since every time he was general public, someone always wanted a piece of him. rather it was over the first guys he killed, or some wannabe tough fucker trying to make a name for himself. It was the same bullshit with the ending results, which was him murdering them in a gruesome fashion. Even a few guards tried to take a crack at him only to either suffer bad injures, or getting killed altogether.

They'd pretty much kept him in solitary after that, only feeding him when they remembered he was in there. He even over heard one of the guards saying..

"Just leave his ass in there.. won't be too long until it's time to give this crazy fuck the needle."

Isaac didn't care. He didn't care about being in solitary.. he hated general public, and being surrounded by all those braindead retarded assholes. Most of all, he didn't give a fuck about dying. It was about that time anyway.

Plus, he didn't want to keep living as a liar. Fucking brat.. All of that crap about 'letting him off the hook' with their oath bullshit never sat right with him. It was still a fucking lie all the same in his opinion.

Other than that, he'd pretty much accepted his fate, but that was one thing that would always lingered.. especially with him not knowing anything about her well being, and he couldn't go asking any questions about her without stirring up any more rumors about him being a fucking pedophile..

It's not like he didn't want to know, and didn't think about her. It's hard to forget someone who stitched up your guts and shot a crazy bitch for you. He just tried not to think about it.

Then this fucking detective comes along and tells him that she's alive and a little more fucked in the head than she already was.. Fuck. This ended up pretty fucked up for the both of them.

As much as that ate at him, it's not like it mattered now. This was pretty much the end for him regardless of how he felt about it.. there was nothing he could do..

Fuck it.. fuck it all

-- Two Weeks later..

Isaac was casually laying in his floor in his shit hole of a cell before his the heavy, metal door began uncharacteristically unlocked, and open..

"Foster! Someone sent you a package!"

The guard said as he threw a medium sized box carelessly in the middle of the cell, then asked a metal lunch tray with sort of unidentifiable sludge on it.

"Oh yeah.. here's your grub."

The guard scoffed as he closed the cell. Isaac looked at the package confused, who the fuck would be sending him anything? He slid his mystery food to the side, and began opening the box. Much to his surprise, there were bandages.. under them were different flavored chips, and even a few sodas in plastic bottles..
The first person that came to mind was that fucking detective. She did say she was gonna do something for him, but she didn't actually believe her. He looked down on the package, and chuckled to himself..

Guess she didn't lie.

---

Kasumi's POV...

Two days after visiting Isaac Foster, Kasumi was able to set up an appointment to to talk to Rachel Gardner. It took some time, but eventually she was able to a Thursday to meet her. Good.. Now it was about how she was going to approach an unstable fifteen year old girl dealing with a shit load of trauma. This was gonna be a rollercoaster..

Thursday eventually came around, & Kasumi was ready. She left early so she could stop by her local General store to pick up a few things before heading to the children's mental hospital.

After checking in, a nurse led her to an elevator to the top floor, then down a long hallway until they finally reached reached the room where Rachel was waiting. It was creepily painted all white with a cushioned white chair, and small couch that matched.. She noticed a pale girl with long blonde hair was sitting there patiently waiting..

"You have 15 minutes."

The nurse notified.. Kasumi casually nodded before turning her attention back to the girl who hadn't so much as moved she'd arrived. She slowly made her way to the chair before taking a seat..

"Hello Rachel? My name is Kasumi, and I'd like to ask you some questions."

As if on command, the blonde girl slowly looked up to her.. that when what Isaac said made complete sense.. her ocean blue eyes where void of any life, and her face was expressionless. She was definitely like some sort of life sized doll..

"Are you with the police?"
She said placidly ..

"Yes.. I'm a detective.. my name is Kasumi.. how are you doing?"

"Are you here to ask me about Zack? If so, I have nothing to say."

"No. Actually I spoke to him a few days ago.."

Kasumi said as she watched the girl's eyes widen in surprise. She was pretty sure that this would be her reaction, just like with Isaac. They had some sort of bond, & she had to use that to her advantage in the least crumminess way possible..

"You did? Is he okay?"

"He seems to be doing pretty well for a guy in prison, He wanted me to tell you that he's sorry.. and to do him a favor, and try to live."

Rachel's eyes immediately shot to the floor at the detective's words.. she was silent for a second..

"Why?.. I should be the one apologizing. He's in there because of me.. plus I let him off with our promise.. so there's.. there's nothing to apologize for."She whispered with a sad look on her face..

"Do you know anything about his case?"

Kasumi was stuck for a second..

"I do.. but I can't tell you about it. He made me promise not to tell you."

"I see, so they're giving him the death penalty.. he wouldn't mind me knowing if it were anything less."

Damn.. she was smart. Kasumi sighed as she leaned forward and rested her arms on her knees

"I'm sorry.. I know that's alot to take in right now, but I really need your help with my particular case, I spoke to Isaac because I needed to know how he knew you, and what was going on in that building.. and because I had a strong suspicion of who took you there, and it wasn't Isaac. Am I right?"

"Yes.. That's what I told the police, but they didn't believe me."

"Well I believe you.. I believe the both of you."

"Really? Why's that?"
The blonde girl said not hiding him the scepticism in her voice..

"Well first.. because I have a PHD in phycology. I've been studying extreme human behavior for quite some time, so I have a radar for these type of things.. and second, when I first walked in for his interview.. the way they talked about him made me think I was meeting some hardened psycho killer, but that's not who I met. He's definitely a character, but he's unnaturally genuine and honest. It actually threw me for a loop.. but what I gathered from our conversation was that you two actually are friends, he saved your life for a reason. Unfortunately, the local PD doesn't care enough to look into it any further, so they'll write it off as whatever."

Kasumi generally explained..

"Yea.. I've seen that first hand."

"Well.." Kasumi said as she pulled out a tape recorder.. "Help me get the real story out.. there's not much we can do about his sentence.. but we can at least get it out there that's he's not the one who kidnapped you."

"You have to record?"

"To get what I need, yes."

Rachel was silent for a moment as she calculated her next decision..

"Why? Who are you looking for?"

"Daniel Dickens.. I'm trying to prove that he's the one who not only kidnapped you, but also multiple women and children who came up missing over the years."

"Oh. Dr. Danny? In that case, I'll tell you whatever you need to know."

Rachel said with a small nod. Kasumi took this as a signal to start recording, and move on with her questioning..

"So how did you come to meet Daniel Dickens?"

"He was assigned as my therapist after my parents died, at first I only saw him once a week, then as time grew, it became three or four days out of week."

"How did you feel about Dr. Dickens?"

"At first, he was really nice. I didn't mind seeing him, but after awhile, it became obsessive, and weird."

"Weird?"

"He used to go on about how beautiful my eyes were and how he was madly in love with them."

"Oh wow.. that's indeed weird. Is that why he took you?"

"I guess so.. he said he wanted me to live with him forever and that he'd give me anything I wanted if I went with him.. so I did."

"I see.. So he did take you to that building."

"That's right.. I'm not sure how long I was there though."

"You were missing for a little more than a year, so it's a pretty safe bet to say that's how long you were there."

"I guess so."
Rachel said placidly..

"I'm sorry to ask.. did he ever do anything to you?"

Kasumi asked much to her regret.. she saw Rachel's eyes darken as she quickly turned her head.. her hands twitched a few times uncontrollably. It was obvious that he did, and she probably just triggered a bad memory. Great work detective.. you've just fucked up your best lead.

"I'm sorry I asked.. you don't have to -"

"Yes.. yes he did. I'd rather not go into details."

"I'm so sorry to hear that.. really Rachel, I am.. So Isaac Foster saved you from all that?"

"At the end of it all, yes. It started with just a promise we made to eachother.. he'd do something for me if I helped him get out of that building.. but before he could uphold his end, the doctor shot me, I don't exactly remember what happened afterwards, but when I woke up, I was here.."

"In other words, you're saying it was Daniel Dickens who hurt you, not Isaac Foster?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.. Zack saved me."

Her confession to this brought a smile to her face. Not only because she knew it from the beginning, but this would help get a search warrant to get access to not only his files, but all of his properties that have his name attached to it in any way.. This was more than just a huge win, this was probably the end all be all of this whole case.

Kasumi smiled as hit the stop button on her recorder, and put it back in her coat pocket..

"Thank you for everything.. I'll do everything I can to get this out as fast as possible.. That's my word."

"Okay."
Rachel said in a placid, unimpressed tone..

"So.. off the record.. I just want to know.. what was Isaac's end of the bargain?"

Kasumi asked.. the question caught Rachel's attention. Her ocean blue eyes immediately shot to towards the detective's..

"That'd he'd kill my parent's killer."

Kasumi's eyes immediately widened in shock

"So you know who killed your parents?"

Rachel was silent for a moment, she only stared at the detective with a cold dead expression on her face before answering..

"Not really.. but if I saw them again, I'd remember them."

"Well maybe if you describe the person, I can help you find them.. we can bring them to justice, Rachel."

Kasumi said with sincerity as she placed a gentle hand on Rachel's shoulder.. but as soon as she made contact, Kasumi felt a cold chill shoot up her arm, and down her spine that made her body stiff & barely able to move. What made it worse was the way Rachel was looking at her. It felt like her dealthy blue eyes, void of any light were peeking into her very soul..

She immediately jolted her hand away from the blonde girl as she let out as gasp.. Rachel slightly raised an eyebrow, and tilted her head to the side, an expression of confusion on her face as she asked..

"Is everything okay?"

"Y-yes.. I just got light headed for a second.. forgive me."
Kasumi said as she took a deep breath to calm herself..

"It's fine.. did you hear what I said?"

"I didn't.. my apologies."

"Well, I said that I'm alright.. without Zack, I'd rather not even go through with it.. I'll just try to keep living, like he said."

"Ah.. of course. It's your decision Rachel, I won't push you one way or another."

Kasumi said with a nod, and a smile.
Before the conversation could continue any further, the door open, and a lady nurse politely said..

"I'm sorry, but the visiting time is up."

"Yes ma'am, we were just wrapping things up."
Kasumi said as she got up. She looked back at Rachel once more..

"I'll be visiting you once more to give you an update on everything.. I wish you the best."

She said with a smile, Rachel nodded casually before Kasumi walked out. The detective waited until she was in the parking lot to get her phone out, and call HQ..

--**January 30th 20**--

Everything went exactly as Kasumi wanted it to. After hearing Isaac & Rachel's statement«, they got the warrants needed to search all of Daniel Dickens assets and properties. She knew she had her guy. However, nothing prepared her for how right she was.

Apparently Dickens owned or rented multiple homes, offices and laboratories in multiple cities. His residences were oddly squeaky clean.. but when they searched his labs, and offices, they found hundreds on top of hundreds of severed eyes in jaws, along with a number of recordings on USB's that Kasumi, being leading detective in this case had to watch.

And watch she did.. She watched each and every one of them from the comfort of her home on her laptop.. She wanted to eat dinner but after the few she'd already watched were enough to make her gag, she decided against it.

Each file had the victims name, and about fifteen videos in each. The names matched the missing persons case..some of them from years ago. They were his patients.. some therapy, others were as a plastic surgeon, and ophthalmologists.. He wasn't betraying a doctor either, from the multiple degrees that decorated the halls of one of his residence, he was the real thing, and really knew his stuff..

They all started the same. Him pretending to be a helpful therapist, or doctor of some sort, making them feel comfortable, then he'd begin complimenting their eye's.
This continued until the last few videos where he had his victims strapped to a table, some of them are knocked out cold by anesthetics, but others were still awake.. screaming, and struggling to free themselves from their bonds as the sick bastard began slowly surgically removing the victims eyes from the socket. Some of them died in the process, other cried, and begged until the forced procedure was over.

It was some of the sickest shit Kasumi had seen in her career. After watching hundreds of these, she thanked God that she was finally nearing the end. However, It the name on the last file that Caught Kasumi's attention..

Rachel Gardener

She watched it with full concentration.. Being that she'd met this girl, she wanted to pay attention to the before and after her encounter with her.. The girl in the video was indeed Rachel from what she remembered, she just looked alittle younger. Her video had to be the worst one..for a multitude of reasons.

Just like all the others, the first few were normal, he was doing as he had been doing in the other videos.. being nice, generous, pretending to be her friend.. Rachel is tight lipped at first, but by the third video, she begins to open up bit by bit.. but as she opens up, he becomes creepier, and he began doing something that he didn't do with his other victims.. Telling her how much he loves her eyes, how they're 'dead but still alive' how much he needs them in his life, and how she can live with him forever as he gets unusually close to her face.. It was definitely the creepiest shit she'd ever seen, but for some reason, or another... Rachel was still opening up to Daniel.

It was the eighth, and last video that put it all together.. and it was something that Kasumi wish she never saw. Daniel was sitting outside the view of the camera as he asked Rachel about her parents. That's when it all came out. She explained the abuse, and neglect that she used to suffer at their hands.. especially her father, who used to beat her and her mother.. and in return, her mother beat her. They both used to remind her how much of a useless, unwanted child she was, & how she was the worst thing that ever happened to them..

Apparently one night, they're fighting hit a boiling point, and her father stabbed her mother to death, then tried to kill Rachel. But she shot him to death with her mother's gun. Afterwards, she mutilated their corpse by stitching them together, then began living with it like everything was normal.. Saying..

'I had my perfect family.'

What made it worst was after hearing everything she said, this sick bastard starts drooling over her.. talking about how beautiful she is when she's void of all hope as he began approaching her. As he continued to creepily comment on her eyes, a inhumanly long tongue falls out of his mouth and creeps across her cheek as a hand crept up her shirt. Kasumi's eyes widen in horror as she immediately stopped the video, and slammed her laptop closed.

This girl.. all she needed was someone to care, even if just a little.. instead, she was abused, and neglected.. then used for some sick bastard's fetish. Kasumi never hated the world as much as she did in this very moment. She took a deep breath, and calmed herself. That didn't help ease the frustration, and hurt she felt for Rachel's story.

That was until she that about something.. there was someone who cared. Isaac Foster, an infamous serial killer cared more than those who were supposed to. This put more pieces together.. she remembered what Rachel had said about them making an oath.. if she helped him get out of that building.. he'd kill the person who killed her parents..

In other words, she wanted him to kill her. That was their promise. After putting it all together.. she decided on two things. First was this she'd see to it that the world knew that Isaac saved Rachel.. and second, She was going to delete the last video.

From what she heard, her father went crazy and tried to kill her. It was self defense. Plus, there was no reason to bring all of that up.. not after everything that poor girl has already been through.

---

--February 1st

After the five year long case was finally closed, Kasumi was once again in the maximum security prison to visit Isaac Foster for the last time..

"Hello Mr. Foster.. I see you got my present."

Kasumi said with a smirk, seeing that he was bandaged himself from head to torso.

"Sup.. and thanks for that. So whaddya want this time?"

"Oh nothing. I just wanted to share some good news with you."

She said as she pulled out her phone, and started a video. She slid the phone to Isaac who'd caught it effortlessly, and began watching..

**BREAKING NEWS**

In breaking news, there's been a mind blowing amount of evidence regarding the case of Rachel Gardener, the young girl who was recently found after being missing for months.
Apparently she was taken, also fatally shot by well known therapist, Dr Daniel Dickens, has also been tied to multiple murders dating back to 20**. We have more on this with Casey."

That's right Melinda, apparently Dr Daniel Dickens was the one responsible for the murdered young women & children who'd been found with their eyes missing. Rachel Gardener would have been his next victim, but thanks to an unlikely savior, Isaac Foster, also known as the infamous back alley slasher saved her from a terrible fate. We'll have more on this story as soon as it's available. Now here Bill Tyson with the weather..
** **

As the video ended, Isaac grinned before sliding the phone back..

"So I guess ya had what you needed to nail his ass. Good for you.. Did ya show Ray-chel?"
Zack said catching himself at the end..

"Unfortunately no.. the doctors said whatever we talked about was counter productive to her recovery after everything hit the News, so I'm banned from seeing her."

"Damn.. sounds like a bunch of stuck up pricks that take themselves too seriously.."

"Well.. you aren't wrong."
Kasumi said with a small shrug..

"Well nothing we can do about that I guess.. do ya know if that bastard is still kicking or not?"

"He's in fact dead. I checked myself. His body was one of the ones found in that building."

"There's some good news before I fucking die." He said with a nonchalant chuckle..

"Right.. your execution is in three days. I'm sorry, there wasn't much I could do about your sentence."

"Eh whatever. I've killed a shit load of people.. It's either the needle, or life in this dump. I'd rather die before that any fucking day. Besides, it's not like I'm gonna just stop killing if they let me outta here, so it works out for all involved."

Isaac said with a shrug.. which made Kasumi slightly smile as she shook her head..

"Your honesty never ceases to amaze me."

"Yea yea.. it's my only redeeming quality I guess."

"If you so say Mr. Foster."

"It's Zack.. call me that.. that 'Mr. Foster' crap is getting old."

"Okay then Zack.. my name's Kasumi."

"Alright, Kass It is then"

"Kass?"
She said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yea, it's easier to say."

"Hm, Not bad.. I like it."

Kasumi said as she got up..

"Anyways, I should get going."

"Yea yea, don't let me stop ya. See ya never."
Zack said jokingly as he nonchalantly waved her off.

"I.. I hope you find some type of peace in the afterlife. A type of peace you didn't find here.."

Kasumi said as she walked out of the room. As soon as the guards ushered her out & the door was shut once again, Zack looked down at the table thinking over what she last said..

"Yea.. right."

---

*Cellphone Ringing*

"Good afternoon Captain Mendez."

"Good afternoon Detective Shun.. sorry to call you on your day off, but somebody called in about a murder."

"Oh really? No disrespect, but why couldn't this brought my attention tomorrow morning?"

"Because the details fit the Dickens case you recently closed."

"What? But that's impossible.. He's dead, and we have all the evidence to prove that it couldn't have been anyone but him..there are videos of him in action!"

Kasumi began speaking normally only to start yelling out of anger, shock and frustration.

"Look, I know I know.. maybe he had an accomplice, or a copy cat. I'm not asking you to run down to the scene, but I just thought you wanted to know ahead of time about it"

"Send me the location. I'll be there in thirty.."

"Listen Kasumi, I just said you didn't have to-"

"And I said send me the location. C'mon Tony.. I need to close this once and for all."

She could hear him sigh on the the other end of the line . She already knew he was rubbing the middle of his forehead like he always did before giving her her way.

"I'll send it now.. just promise me you'll get some rest at some point."

"You know know I don't make promises I can't keep.. later Chief."

"Yea yea.."

He said with a groan before hanging up. A few seconds later, a Bing sound from her phone notified her about a message.

Captain Antonio Mendez wasn't just her boss, he was also a good friend, & one of the reasons she worked so hard. When she first joined the force, he was still just a well known detective himself. But he saw her potential when nobody else did. He helped her adapt to the job, even giving her the insides, and outs of the job. Thanks to his advice, she got promoted to detective, and due to his hard work, positive attitude, and commitment, he became Captain.

After a few drug bust, sting operations, along with her help taking down Billy the Butcher, the most infamous killer before Isaac Foster. She was made one of the head detectives..

He knew her work. Even while taking on the Daniel Dickens case, she'd taken down many murderers, drug dealers, and psychos in her time on the force. He knew she wouldn't make mistake like this. If there was a copycat, she would've known awhile ago.

She quickly threw on her clothes, sporting all black with jeans, combat boots and a turtle sweater. She quickly grabbed her keys, badge, and dark brown trench coat as she quickly made her way out the door..

--Thirty two minutes later--

Kasumi pulled up t the scene of the crime, not surprised by the crowd of civilians, and new reporters from different stations that were completely swarming around the area.
She quickly parked, leapt out her vehicle, and flashed her badge to make a path through the crowd.. she could hear the random comments..

"I heard she was missing her eyes! I thought this case was solved!"

"It was! They had they recording of murdered those children! It was definitely him!"

"So what the hell is going on?! I have children that girl's age! How long do I have to fear for my child's safety?!"

"Not just your child! All of our children! How long do have to go through this?!"

Kasumi could hear it all, but couldn't blame them.. not at all. They all had great reason to worry. That's one of the reasons she came. She didn't care anything other than bringing peace to the angered, terrified people of the City. They could feel how they wanted in the meantime.

As she made her way on the scene, she noticed the team of forensic scientists collecting evidence around the scene, and the body laying on the ground with a sheet covering it. It looked small, & feminine.. she prayed the victim wasn't a child..

She kneeled by body, folded back the sheets just to see that her prayers weren't answered. This black haired little girl looked to be no older than twelve.. Damnit all. The skin was an unusual pale white even for a corpse, and both of the eyes were missing. They'd been surgically removed just like all of Dickens victims..

"Hey Shun.. so whatcha think?"

Kasumi looked over see another good friend of her's standing behind her. A forensic scientist named Imani Newton. She was smiling as she always did, her chocolate skin complexion, and matching brown eyes practically glowing as she awaited a response.. Kasumi covered the body back up, and made her way to her feet..

" Hey Mani.. and God's honest truth? I have no idea. This makes absolutely no sense.. what did you find?"

"Well not to make it any weirder for you, but there was nothing. Like literally. No sign of a struggle, no signs that anything happening to her other than her eyes missing, and what's weirder is that.." Imani paused as she inconspicuously gestured to the distraught couple to the far left of them..
"..Her parents said they'd just saw her off to school this morning.. we found her body this afternoon."

"So.. why was she so.."

"Pale? Well, that's because she was somehow drained of every ounce of blood her body could carry.."

"What? But you said there was no signs of anything happening to her."

"That's the thing.. their isn't. No puncture marks, no wounds, nothing. I found out because I tried to draw blood from her, only to get a syringe full of nothing.. did you look at her arm?"

Imani said frantically.. obviously freaked out, but curious on the 'how?' of the whole situation. Honestly, Kasumi couldn't blame her, this was a weird one, even for her. She just as curious..

"Which arm?"

"Right tighty.."

Imani said jokingly but in a serious tone..
Kasumi smirked, and shook her head as she once again approached the body. She pulled the sheet down to her waste, and what she saw was the thing of nightmares.. The arm was shriveled up into a brown husk with a big hole directly where the Cubital Fossa was.. turning her smirk into a mixture of surprise, and disgust..

"Whatever you call.. that, happened after I tried to draw blood."

Imani said in a hush tone.. Kasumi couldn't believe what she was seeing, in her thirteen years on the force, she'd never seen anything like this. What the fuck was going on? Kasumi was a little past frustrated at this point.

"Hey.."
Imani said in a comforting tone, noticing the obvious frustration on her friend's face..
"We're gonna take her back to the lab, we'll call you if we find anything."

"Yea.. Right.. I'm gonna have a look around before I leave."

Kasumi said while rubbing her forehead with her fingers..

"Right.. do your thing. I'll call you soon."

With that, Imani took her leave with a small wave. Kasumi only smiled before she turned away, and began her search.
After about fifteen minutes of searching for evidences of something.. anything.. Signs of a struggle, any traces of blood that was probably overlooked, drag marks, or footprints, she came up with nothing at all. It was like the body just fell there out of thin air.. Even Dickens left some type of evidence, but this? This was something unnatural.

After one more uneventful look around, Kasumi finally gave up, and began making her way to her car. At this point, she was confused, frustrated, angry as hell, and honestly scared..

Nothing like this ever happens, not in any case she'd been apart of, or read about. It was the mystery behind the whole situation that truly terrified her. There's ALWAYS some sort of evidence. Even if it wasn't enough for an arrest, it was usually enough to pick up a trail.

She was lost in her thoughts as she made her way to her vehicle but was interrupted when she noticed something that made her eyes widen, and breath hitch.. The girl who'd they just zipped up in a HRP was standing there, facing the detective.. still missing her eyes.

There was a long pause that felt like forever, before the girl slowly began to stretch her hand out towards the detective.. she had a small peace of paper in her hand that looked like it was ripped from the corner from a bigger sheet. A bus sped by, temporarily blocking her view of the girl. When it had drove by, the girl had suddenly vanished..

Kasumi clinched her eyes shut, and shook her head in an attempt to get back to her senses, but when she opened her eyes, she damn near jumped out of her skin when she saw the girl standing right in front of her with her hand, still out holding the piece of paper..

"Help me.. Please.."

She said.. her voice was a raspy whimper that echoed in a ghasty tone. Kasumi slowly reached for the paper she was holding, and gently took it from her pale hands.

The girl took a few steps back, and began to turn into ash, and disappear slowly.. one more plead leaving her lips before she fully disintegrated..

"Help..me."

As soon as she was gone, Kasumi looked at the paper and noticed an address written on it..

5565 Derry Hills Lane..

She was confused, and shocked by what had just happened. However, she knew one thing for sure.. she was definitely going to this address. Regardless of how she got it, a lead was a lead. She immediately got in her SUV, put the location in her GPS and sped off to the unknown location

---

After a thirty minute drive, Kasumi had made it to a location far outside of town. The GPS informed her that she had reached her location. It was a property that she couldn't see due to the tall trees and the large stone gate that surrounded it.

She pulled up to the metal doors of the gate, and got out of her vehicle. There was a speaker box by the gate, but it was busted..

"What the hell do I do now?"

She said under her breath as she contemplated how she was going to in. But before she could conjure a plan. The gate began to slowly creak open out of nowhere..

This creeped her out, but it wasn't enough to make her turn tail, so she got back in her vehicle and began drive onto the property. As she made her way down the unkept, broken driveway hidden from the sun by the tall trees.

She finally reached the large three story house that seemed to sit in the middle of the property. It looked old, and unkept. Vines overtook the first & second floor, and the windows had a layer of dust.. this place looked like it had been vacant for awhile, but from her experience, this was usually the type of place where she'd find evidence of some sort.

She got out of her SUV, and took a good look at the property.. she had to find a way in. The first thing she tried was the front door. Much to her surprise, it was unlocked.. unusual.

Kasumi made her way in, and the first thing she noticed was that the interior matched the exterior. Dust covered the floors, and furniture and the paint on the walls were peeling. This place looked like it hadn't been touched in years. That didn't mean that there wasn't anything here..

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the door slammed hard behind her, and the locks turned, trapping her in the old house.. this made the Kasumi abruptly turn around with her gum aimed, ready to shoot whoever has there.. but there was nobody.. this freaked her out, but little to no choice, she decided to keep searching.

After about thirty minutes of searching the house from top to bottom. Kasumi found nothing useful. There wasn't even any pictures to identify who owned the place. She was close to giving up until she got to the last door. It was locked, so she decided to kick it open.

When it violently slammed open, she was greeted with stairs that led down into unknown darkness. Kasumi got out her phone, turned on the flashlight, and began her decent into the abyss.

As she reached the end of the stairs, she noticed that it was still way too dark for her to see anything, so she began to feel the wall for a light switch, but didn't find one. It wasn't until she began searching the room,and found a pull string in the middle of the room. She pulled it, and illuminated the once dark space.. nothing prepared her for what she found..

It was a Lab.. set up with all kinds of medical equipment, and a surgery table. On the walls was a shelf with different types of medicine, anesthetics.. not only that, but there were dozens of jars with eyes floating in them..

When the shock wore off, she began to remember this room.. it was the same room that was in most of the Daniel Dickens videos.. this was where he was doing his sick procedures.. she'd thought that they had got a warrant for all of his properties, but apparently this missed one. Either way she'd hit the jackpot and found his main base of operations..

Before she could celebrate her findings, a man's voice spoke out in a creepy tone..

"Well well.. what do we have here? A guest?"

Kasumi immediately drew her gun & began looking around for the source of the voice, but there was nobody around..

"Who's there?!"

"You should know.. you've been sticking your nose in my business for quite sometime now. Haven't you, Detective Kasumi Shun?"

"Dickens.. I don't know how you managed to fake your death, but this is the end of the line! Come out with your hands up!"

Kasumi said, still trying to sound like she was in control. Her command was met with a sinister laughter that sent a chill down her spine, she began searching the room for again, but still couldn't find him.. this freaked her out even more because the voice sounded like it was close..

"Im afraid you're mistaken, detective.. I didn't fake anything."

The disembodied voice said before an invisible force threw Kasumi harshly across the room, making her head hit the wall..
She rubbed her forehead, and winches in pain before looking at the wet substance on the palm of her hand.. blood.. that was when she noticed a tall, slim figure standing in front of her. Kasumi tried to reach for her gun, but noticed she'd dropped it when she fell. It was in front of whoever was standing before her..

"Looking for something?"

The figure still draped in the shadows said as his head tilted to the side. To her surprise, he kicked the gun towards her, making it slide across the floor and land right in front of her..
Kasumi paused as she looked at the figure..

"Go head.. pick it up."

Kasumi quickly did just that, and aimed it at the figure.. but it vanished from sight..

"Where are you, coward?!"

"Oh? Im the coward? But you're the one shaking, detective. I can hear your heart racing, I can smell your fear leaking from your sweat glands."

He teased before laughing sinisterly. This pissed Kasumi off even more as she got to her feet, and readied herself for anything.. after a few short seconds of looking around. She found nothing which made her panic even more..

"Boo."

The voice said in her ear from behind her. She abruptly turned around, only to be pushed across the room by the same figure..

"Why do you look so unhappy? You've finally found me.. haven't been searching for me all this time? For evidence of my 'wrong doings?' I brought you to exactly what you've been looking for!"

The figure said as it stepped out of the shadows, revealing a Zombified Daniel Dickens.. sporting a casual business wear with a lab coat that was heavily stained with blood.. his skin was a sickly green, and one of his eyes where missing. Kasumi's eyes widened in horror.. what she was seeing before her was anything but normal..

"W-what the fuck are you?"

"Well, allow me to answer your question with a question.. do you believe in the supernatural?"

Daniel asked with an unnaturally wide grin spreading across his face, a long tongue falling out of his mouth along with blood as he began to approach her..

"If not, then what I am is beyond your comprehension."

Kasumi didn't waste another second. She aimed her pistol, and opened fire, shooting him in the forehead and the throat before he could get any closer.. To her shock, His wounds bled, but he didn't fall. He just made a throaty noise, before spitting out the bullet that hit him in the neck..

"Well that wasn't very nice, detective.. no worries though, I have ways to repay you in kind for that."

Kasumi's widen in terror as he began to close the distance.. awaiting whatever horror awaited her as his hand reached out for her throat, and began to squeeze..

--- Chapter 1 Act II---
--Supernatural Forces--

--February 4th--

Isaac's POV

It was finally time. The day of his execution. Apparently they were gonna make a big broadcast about it. It was going to be filmed for the world to see. The day Isaac Foster was put to death. The part that absolutely tickled him was that not everyone was happy about him dying.

Ever since the news about him being the one who saved a little girl from a creepy pedophile serial killer touched the hearts of alot of people. He was getting fan letters by the hundreds that the guard was forced to read to him because he couldn't himself. Some were touching, others were weird, and sexual. Either way, he was surprised by the fact that he actually had fans.

It didn't sway the justice system though. His fate was pretty much sketched in stone. He didn't care though. He had no more worries knowing that one, Ray was good & she was gonna at least try to live, two his reputation as a killer wasn't tainted with pedophile allegations, and three, that bastard Danny was dead. Isaac hoped that he'd meet him in hell some could kick his ass for eternity.. Either way, he was pretty much at peace with this.

That Morning, they moved him into the execution cell.. it was a nice upgrade from the hole he was in for the last two years. He immediately made his way to the thin mattress of a bed and made himself comfortable for his last day on earth. After a few hours, a guard came in & asked him was would like for his last meal. Zack thought about it for a moment, as soon as an image of Ray crossed his mind, decided to go with a pepperoni pizza for some reason..

After a few more hours passed, his cell open again. This time, there were four guards there for him..

"Foster.. it's time."

"Right."

Zack said with a small shrug as he got up from the bed, and allowed the guards to shackle his hands & feet before leading him down the halls of the prison. It was silent for awhile until one of the guards spoke up..

"Hey.. I owe you an apology.. we gave you hell when you first got here because we all thought you were a sicko.. turns out you saved that little girl's life. I guess what I'm tryna say is.. Serial killer or not, you're alright in my book."

Isaac said nothing.. he only kept walking as the guards words resignated with him The letters he received from the outside was one thing, but getting any type of respect from the guards of the prison was something he wasn't expecting.

After a walk that felt like it took forever, he was finally taken to the execution room and strapped to a bed before he had a syringe stuck into his arm by a doctor. It was finally time. Isaac took a deep breath, and readied himself floor his demise. But his eyes jolted open as he heard a very familiar voice..

"So.. we meet again Isaac."

The serial killers eyes cut to his right side and saw the priest who'd recruited him to the murder hole of a building..

"You.. what the fuck are ya doing here? Shouldn't you be recruiting more people for another one of yer' slaughter houses?"

"On the contrary.. that's exactly what I'm doing, but not for the reason you might think."

"Ha! Yea right.. like I'd join anything yer' ass planned..besides, ain't it a little risky to be here? What's stopping me from telling everyone that yer the one who ran that operation?'

Isaac questioned with a smirk on his face. However, the priest didn't look phased by his words..

"That is no worry of mine, take a good look around you."

Isaac did what he was told, and noticed that nobody was moving.. as if the were frozen in time.

"What the fuck? How the fuck are ya doing that?"

"That is not the matter of concern at the moment. Do you know what the true purpose of that building is?"

"Not a fucking clue.."

"It was to find the new angel of death.. the world needs a new Reaper of souls, and you've been chosen for this important role."

"Is that so? Well I case ya ain't noticed, I'm in the middle of dying! So you can take that offer, and shove up yer' religious ass!"

Isaac snapped in response..

"I've noticed.. However your demise no consequence and this is not something you can refuse so easily. Forces beyond myself have chose you for this task, and you'll have to stand before them before a decision is made of your fate."

"Yea whatever.. just get the fuck outta here.. we're done talking!"

"As you wish Isaac.. hopefully you make the right decision."
The priest said as he stepped out of of Isaac's vision.

Time began to once again move as usual. As soon as he noticed, he decided to attempt to expose the Priest for what he was, but for some reason, when he tried to speak, nothing came out. He couldn't talk at all. The only thing he could do was listen as the old bastard began reciting the Sacrament of Penance..

"..may God have mercy on your soul."

The priest ended from wherever he was standing before they flipped a few switches, injecting the deathly chemical cocktail into his veins..

It hurt.. it hurt like hell. It felt like he was burning from the inside out as his heart began to race uncontrollably and his vision began to blur.. after several agonizing seconds, he found himself fading.. the burning turn to an icy cold his life began to fade..

After his body went still, the doctor checked Isaac's pulse, and called it. Signalling to everyone that the notorious serial killer Isaac Foster was dead.. to them anyway. When image opened his eyes, he was staring at his own corpse, and the people around it as the began to unstrap his body , and place it on a rolling table, throwing a thin white sheet over his body before rolling it off..

"Woah.. what the shit?.."

Isaac said as he looked at his hands.. he was dead. He was sure that he'd died, but somehow, he was standing in front of his body and nobody noticed. Was he.. A ghost? He even had bandages, and his old hoodie & red jeans on. None of this made any sense..

To make it even weirder.. he began to hear a familiar voice in his head..

"Go to her Isaac."

"Huh? Who said that??"

He said as he looked around the for the source of the voice to find that the priest was looking directly at him with a small smile on his face..

"Go to Rachel Gardener.."

The voice said again. It was the voice of the priest, he was speaking to him, but his mouth wasn't moving..

"Well where the fuck is she?"

"Focus and you will find her.. focus on her."

"What the hell type of advice is that? Just tell me already!"

But the priest did no such thing.. instead, he turned around & began to walk away before instantly disappearing into the crown much to Isaac's annoyance. There was only one option.. he attempted to do what the priest said, and focused on her.. He closed his eyes & thought about her as strong as he could.

"Ray.."

He said out loud as he focused.. after a short second, a flash of her face showed in his mind, & he instantly was able to pinpoint her location..

"Holy shit.. That actually worked!"

He said excitedly while pumping his fist into the air. The action actually ended up making him air born..

"Whoa shit.. I can fucking fly? That just makes shit easier! Alright.. I'm coming Ray!"

He said as he flew up into the air, and phased through the roof.. before he knew it he had phased through the multiple floors of the prison, and high into the night sky.. as soon as he was sure what direction he was headed in, he took off at high speeds..

It didn't take him long to reach the nut house they had her locked in. From the looks of it, she was about two towns away from the prison.

"Jesus.. So this is where they've been keeping ya, hah?"

Isaac said as he floated over the dull, white building that was surrounded by a tall concrete wall. It really felt no different from the prison He was in aside from the garden that surrounded it.

"Alright.. now where are ya?"

Isaac said before concentrating to pinpoint her location. After a few seconds, his attention was brought to a particular window on the third floor. He flew towards it, and bingo.. There she was. She looked more dead in the eyes than when he had met her. She was just standing there in the middle of the room staring into space before making her way to a twin sized bed.. He tried to phase through the window, but for some reason he couldn't..

"Hah? The the fuck?! What's with this place?"

He tried a few more times to no prevail. It was like the building was ghost proof..

"Goddamnit!! Why the fuck can't I just go through this damn place! What a time not to have my- huh?"

Before he could finish his sentence, he felt something in his right hand, when he looked down, he saw a scythe begin to materialize out of thin air.. the very same one he shattered when he was escaping that building.

Isaac looked at the weapon in surprise, but after dying, then flying in the air like some freak show superhero, he didn't question it. He just grinned before taking it in both hands and taking a swing at the window as hard as he could. However, it barely did any damage, so he hit it again, again, & again until he noticed that Ray wasn't sleep anymore. She had appeared right in from of him, and was looking out of the window.. not at him, but through him.

"Get back!"

Isaac yelled to get her away from the window. She reacted to his voice, and took two steps back, then with one more strong swing with all of his might, the window had finally shattered he floated in, and perched himself on the window seal..

"Hey.."

"Zack?"

She responded as she looked at him with wide eyes..

"Ya still got that boring ass look on your face, huh?"

Zack said with a sigh.. some things never change.

"Zack.. Why?"

"Huh? Why what?"

He asked in confusion.. but when he noticed the familiar delirious, crazed look I her face, he knew exactly what she was asking, but decided to let her speak for herself.

"But.. I thought you were in prison.."

"Hah! Of course I'd bust outta there."

It was half true. He decided to leave out the part where he died out for now..

"Back then.. I-I let let you off the hook.. so why-"

"So what if ya did?" Zack scoffed..
"Anyway.. don't go deciding shit like that without asking me first!"

"So then.. do you still want to kill me?"

You know me.. do you really think I'm gonna let something I want get away from me?" Zack answered with a question of his own.. with that, a little bit of life returned to her eyes along with tears form his words of confirmation. Unfortunately, he could hear the sounds of people headed to her room. Damn.. the noise of the window breaking brought too much attention..

"Hurry up.. there ain't much time y'know.. or are ya saying you forgot?"

Zack asked, already knowing the answer.. but he wanted to hear her say it. Her lip quivered, and tears began flowing down her cheeks..

"No Zack.. of course I didn't forget. I'd never forget!! After all, we made a vow- the two of us made a vow to each other!"
She affirmed loudly.. bringing a smile to his face.. before he could get too happy, he heard the door being banged on fiercely, and the barricade she'd made against the floor began to falter..

" So come with me, Ray!"
He yelled with his hand stretched out to her.

"Okay."

She didn't hesitate as she ran towards him and took his hand in hers. As soon as she was in his grasp, he jumped backwards out the window, scooping her up bridal style as the looked in each other's eyes..

"Zack.. I want you to kill me."

"Well quit crying, and smile already."

With that, they were floating through the air away from the mental hospital.. That was until an invisible force stopped them abruptly..

"What the fuck? Why now?"

"Zack? What's going on?"
Rachel said in confusion as she noticed that they were just floating in mid air..

"Hell if I know! I had full control before!"

"Full control? What are you-"

She stopped, and gasped as she noticed something even stranger.. just below them, a swirling black portal opened up beneath them and began pulling them in..

"Zack?!"

"Just shut up and hold on!"

Zack said, tightening his grip on her as they were forcefully sucked into the portal..

When they made it to the other side, they found themselves in a strange place that defied what they knew as reality. It was a seemingly endless green space with large, floating earthy debris all around them. Zack quickly descended to one of the larger pieces of debris with Ray still in his arms. They both began to look around the area..

"Um.. Zack? What's going on?"

"Well.. I think I fucked up, and took you somewhere ya aren't supposed to be.. well, not yet anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"I was gonna tell ya later, but I'm dead. They executed me tonight."

"So.. you're a ghost? I guess that means this is the underworld. Not exactly what I imagined."
Ray said placidly..

"Why the hell are you so calm about this? I know yer' not a rainbow of emotions, but at least try to be alittle freaked out about this!"

"Well.. I'm surprised that ghost exist, and that you're one.. but I was suppose to die anyway so I was going to see this place one way or another."

"I mean.. ya gotta point, but still."

Their conversation was interrupted when the entire area began to rumble.. putting them both on guard.. before they could question what was going on, an impossibly huge pitch black skeleton began to rise from the infinite green abyss.. both of their eyes widened in shock, and fear as it directed it attention on to them..

"Isaac Foster.. did you think you could escape your fate?"

The entity bellowed in a deep voice that echoed through the area..

"I wasn't tryna escape shit! I just had something to do before the end all be all!"
Zack yelled back..

"It matters not! What ever business you needed to attend to should have been done before your demise! Your time has ended, now you must face judgement!"

The large entity said as it began to reach for them. Zack quickly leaped out the way and onto the closest debris, only narrowly dodging it's hand. Before he could get settled, it swatted at them again.. It was a hell of alot quicker than it looked..

"Shit! Shit! Shit! Hold on Ray!"

Ray only nodded in response as she tightened her grip on his hoodie while Zack continued to play cat & mouse with the giant skeleton. Eventually it caught him, and swatted him hard enough that he lost his grip on Ray, sending them flying in different directions..

Ray landed hard on a piece of debris.. as she got up to look for Zack, she noticed that the giant skeleton had caught him in a vice grip that he couldn't wiggle out of..

"There is no escape Isaac Foster.. it is time to face your fate."

The entity said as it began to descend back to the abyss which it had appeared..

"Oh no.."

She gasped before rushing towards them without any hesitation. She clumsily hopped along the floating debris until she had reached Zack, and jumped as far as she could to reach him.. it was until she suddenly stopped like gravity meant nothing to her. It was like her knees it solid ground when she reached Zack, and grabbed him by his arm to try to pull him from the grip of the creature much to both Zack, and the entities surprise..

"What the hell do ya think yet doing, ya little moron?! Just go!"

Zack commanded, but she ignored him and kept pulling..

"Listen to me Ray! Just go, and try to find a way outta this weird ass place! I'm already dead, remember? There's no in point trying to save me! Go before its too late!"

"No!" Ray shouted loudly as she continued to pull..
"I won't leave you!"

Zack was stunned at her words.. but he knew that it was inevitable.. they were going to be torn apart one way or another.. but he didn't want to drag her to hell with him.

"Yer' being stupid Ray.. just let go."

"Be quiet! Stop saying that! I don't care what happens to me! You were supposed to kill me anyway, remember? But.." Ray paused for a second before looking him in the eyes with a genuine smile on her face.. "Dying by your side is just as good to me.. as long Im with you, I don't care what happens."

Zack's eyes widen at her confession. He knew that she cared about him, but he didn't know that it was that deeply. The moment was interrupted as the the giant skeleton turned his attention to the blonde girl who was interfering with his work..

"Girl.."

The entity called out to Ray, catching attention.. when she looked it, a red light quickly flashed from its empty eye sockets, causing her eyes to jolt before she fainted..
Zack's eyes widen as her eyes closed and she let go of him..

"No! Ray! Answer me damnit!!"

Zack yelled in attempt to get her attention with no prevail.. she was out for the count as she floated unconsciously through the endless abyss.. his decent downward continued, and he was being pulled further away from her.. that when it happened.

He didn't know where it came from, but a boost of strength radiated throughout Zack's body, he struggled a little but he busted out of the grip of the boney hand with a burst of energy that made it shatter and pieces of bone fragments to fly everywhere. As soon as he was free, he summoned his scythe, and flew directly towards the skull of the creature.. with one swing, he sliced it in half .. causing its head to crumble, and disappear along with the rest of its skeletal body that fell into the infinite nothingness below.

Without hesitation, he quickly leaped across the debris, and made his way to Ray, once again cradling her unconscious form in his arms before landing on one of the floating pieces of rock..

"Ray. C'mon, wake yer' ass up!"

He said softly as he began to gently shake her. Her eyes slowly began to flutter open..

"Hm.. Zack? What happened?"

"You passed out for whatever reason."

"Oh. What happened to the giant skeleton?"

"Whaddya think? I kicked it's ass & saved ya from floating away into.. whatever the fuck this place is."

"Oh.. okay. I'm just glad you're okay."

Ray said with a small smile.

"Yea yea.. just be more careful next time. And do something about that smile. It still sucks."

Zack said jokingly with a grin. Once again their moment was cut short by another portal. This time, it appeared behind them & began pulling them in..

"Not this shit again!"

Zack said as they were once again pulled into the swirling, black vortex and transported to a another unknown location..

This time, they were actually standing on solid ground. They found themselves in a weird, ancient looking place made of a shiny, black stone they'd never seen on earth that was carved to look like a fancy courtroom that was illuminated by torches.. The first thing Zack noticed was that Rachel was no no longer in his grasp.. when he examined his surroundings, he saw her sitting behind on a bench by herself looking just as confused as he was..

He turned his attention back in front of him, and noticed that he was standing in front of a makeshift defense table, carved out of the same black stone as the the ret of the place..

"Ah shit.."

He facepalmed knowing exactly what was going on.. it was what the old religious geezer and the big skeleton thing said about 'being judged.'

"Isaac Foster.."

A deep voice called out in front of him . When he looked to the source of the voice, he noticed that in front of him was a large, all black thing sitting at a large podium. He had a body of a muscler man, and the head of a jackal with glowing yellow eyes.. it was decorated in shiny gold jewelry with a fancy headdress.

"Uh.. yep, that's me. And you are?"

"I am Anubis, guardian of the Crossroads, and I will be the judge of your trail."

"A trail, huh?" Zack scoffed.. "Is there really any need for all that? I've got bucket loads of blood on my hands. Ya might as well just send me to hell,don't ya think?"

"Indeed you do.. I'm well aware of all of the murders you've committed.. however, that doesn't determine what type of soul you have.. Usually this would be as simple as putting your heart on a scale.. you are a special case Isaac Foster "

Anubis said matter of factly..

"Huh.. ya don't say."

"I do say.. in fact, your indiscrimination when it comes to your kills along with your honest soul is one of the reasons you are here.. you may just have a special calling. However, before we can determine that, you must stand trail. Now, before we go any further.. who is this girl you've brought here?"

Anubis asked as he pointed in Ray's direction..

"Oh, she's kind of a victim and friend. I kinda brought her here by accident."

"There are no accidents Isaac Foster.. she shall be a key witness, and testify on your behalf. Is that clear, Girl?"

"That's fine with me."
Rachel answered with a small nod..

"Very well.. the trail shall begin.. speaking on the behalf of Isaac Foster will be the angel Abraham Gray.."

As soon as his name was called, the priest appeared out of a bright white glow.. he looked the same as he always did only with pure white angelic wings on his back..

"Good day to you Sir Anubis . It is an honor to meet you again."

"Same to you Sir Abraham.. Speaking against the defendant will be the demon lord Balthazar.."

With a puff of fire and black smoke appeared a well dressed middle aged man in a three piece black suit. His hair was slick back and he had an aura of arrogance & darkness about him..

"Greetings Sir Anubis.." he began politely before turning his attention to the priest with narrowed eyes.. " and Gray.. it's a pleasure to be here."

"Likewise.. So who will be begin?"

"I'll let the angel start first.. This trail won't take that long seeing as this young heathen can't be redeemed."

Balthazar said as he pointed in Zack's direction.. making the serial killer spit on the ground at his words..

"Very well. You may begin when ready Abraham."

"Yes.." the priest said as he cleared his throat, and stepped forward..
"As you know.. I was assigned a mission by Death when I departed to the human realm.. to appoint the next Reaper that will undoubtedly re-establish and maintain the balance of the universe. After years of testing the grit, kinds, integrity of many souls that crossed my path, I found Isaac Foster.. a truly pure, honest soul that can not only kill indiscriminately, but holds a particular set of morals that passed the trails I designed, but also showed compassion that surprised even me. Even with his flaws, he has a pure heart, and determination that I know will be exactly what the balance needs."

"I see.. if that concludes your testimony, I will allow Balthazar to begin.."

Grey nodded, and made his way to Zack's side as the well dressed demon approached the bench..

"Thank you Sir Anubis.. I will start my testimony by saying that Lord Death made a grave mistake by entrusting such an important task to an angel.. they're judgement has always been flawed due to their tendency for seeing the best in the worst.. and this Isaac Foster is most definitely the worst. As the angel said himself,this scum has indiscriminately murdered hundreds of people out of his own trauma and uncontrollable bloodlust. He is nothing more than a monster that deserves punishment for all of his evil deeds. . He deserves to burn.. to suffer the worst punishments for all of his misdeeds in his life,and I will assure he faces it.. that concludes my testimony."

Balthazar said as he shot Zack a glare, and a menacing smile. The serial killer just glared back with a stone face. Honestly, he couldn't disagree with him, but he did appreciate being called a monster by a fucking demon of all things..

"You have both gave interesting testimonies. Usually my judgement would be swift, but in this case, we have a special witness that agreed to speak on his behalf.. I call Rachel Gardner to the stand."

Anubis declared as he pointed at the blonde girl. She instantly appeared behind the witness stand next to the entity, which discombobulated her..

"You will both have a chance to ask her a set of questions to prove your case.. I will allow Abraham to go first."

"Thank you.." the priest said as he approached the stand

"Rachel Gardner.. from your time spent with him, how would you describe Isaac?"

"Well.. he's more man of action, than thinking, he's childish, quick to anger, and pretty dumb sometimes.. but he's also completely honest, rational.. more than me most of the time, reliable, strong willed, determined, and someone who I can say I can trust..more than anyone I've ever met in my life."

"So in your honest opinion, do you think he would be a good Reaper?"

"Well I don't know what the responsibilities of a 'reaper' are.. so I'm not sure, but I believe Zack can do anything he puts his mind to."
Ray said as she looked at Zack..

"Very well, that is all."

Gray said as he gave her a small smile before walking away from the bench..

"Very well.. Balthazar, You may now question the witness."

"Thank you Sir.. now Ms Gardner.." The demon said as approached her..
"It's honestly quite ironic that you of all people are the one to testify as a witness on Isaac's behalf. From my understanding, you're no different from him. You've taken a nice number of lives yourself.. including your own father.. Is that right?"

"Yes, that's true. But I'm not the one on trail, am I?"

Rachel said placidly with a hint of attitude.. the demon's arrogant expression faltered for a second before he continued..

"No.. I suppose not, but it does show that you are nobody to speak on anyone's behalf. In fact, you should face punishment yourself.. so what makes your testimony worth anything?"

"The fact that out of anyone who's encountered him, I've seen multiple sides of Zack. I've seen him for what he is.. like I said, I'm not the one of trail, so what I've done doesn't matter right now. I'll face my own judgement when the time comes."

"Indeed you will.. off of that subject, didn't this scum try to kill you when he first met you? And wasn't this his goal since you met? Even though you saved his life, and assisted him on getting out the angel's trail?"

"Yes."

"Then why do you pretend that he cares for you? You were nothing more than another potential victim to be added to his collection, yet, you sit here and pretend that you two are friends."

"We are friends.. his goal was to kill me because I asked him to. That was our vow to eachother."

"Friends don't take each other's lives you sick child. You pretend that you two are friends because throughout your miserable short life, no one has ever cared about you, so in your sick little mind, you created this delusion that this scum of the human realm actually cared about you, when in reality, you meant nothing to him, or anyone else for that matter! He even allowed you to think he was your god, how absolutely sad you are!"

The demon hissed as he brought his face closer closer to Rachel's who didn't do much as flinched under his gaze. Zack had heard enough of his insults towards her, and slammed him fist on the stone stand in front of him..

"What the fuck do you know ya slithering slimy fuck! Ya don't know a damn thing about m-"

Zack's rant was abruptly stopped when his mouth was forcibly clinched shut by an invisible force.

"Be silent! I will not tolerate any outburst in my courtroom!"
Anubis declared angrily..

"Zack, It's okay.. I'm fine."
Ray reassured. When she noticed that Zack relaxed a bit, she turned her attention back to Balthazar with a dark look in her eyes..

"Is that all you have to say? You're really bad at this.. it's true, nobody has ever cared about me. I've felt useless, and unneeded my whole life until I met Zack. Don't you think know I was a victim? I was suppose to be, that's what I wanted from him. But what you can't tell me, or anyone here is that he isn't my friend, nor can you tell me that he doesn't care about me. Me sacrificed his life multiple times to save mine to the very end, he wouldn't be here right now if he didn't. Even in death, he came to fulfill our vow because he knew I wanted to die more than anything.. Plus, you lied. Zack never once let me think he was God, he was the one who shook me from that delusion, and made me realize he wasn't a God.. he was just human.. flawed & broken by life just much like I am. You call him scum, but you twisted our story to make him look bad, and continuously called him a monster.. but from where I'm standing, the only one here who fits that description is you."

Rachel declared in an icy tone as she glared at the demon. Balthazar's arrogant demeanor completely faltered into one of rage, and anger. His eye twitched as his face slowly twisted into a scowl..

"You.. little bitch, just who do you think you're talking to?!"

He yelled as he raised his hand in an attempt to slap her, but to his surprise before he struck her, a bandaged fist collided with his jaw, and knocked him on his ass. When he looked to see who had dare to punch him, only to see Zack standing over him with a angry deranged look on his face..

"Pick on someone yer' own size asshole!"

He said with a grimace, shocking everyone in the the courtroom, including Anubis who could've sworn he had the serial killer's mouth binded.

"You.. you dare lay a hand on me!"

The demon angrily began, now even more pissed than he already was. He slowly got up from the ground. He lifted one of his hands, and conjured a large fire ball in a threatening manner..

"I'll be sure you pay dearly for that.. prepare yourself. This is only the beginning of your suffering scum!"

Balthazar declared as he drew his hand back, and readied himself to attack, but before he could, a hand grasp the demon's wrist, halting his attack.. catching him by surprise..

"Alright.. I think that's enough of that."

A calm voice said casually from behind the demon who grimaced as he looked over his shoulder..

"You.."

"That's right Balthy.. Me."

The unusually tall handsome man with long black hair tied in to the back in a ponytail, wearing a black trench coat with all black attire said as he threw the demon's arm away like it was hot garbage.. he had a cool casual way about him with a smirk on his face..

"Fashionably late as always Brother."

Anubis said, directing his attention to the man who'd appeared out of nowhere..

"Hey there bro! and actually, I've been here the whole time. I wanted to see how this little trail was gonna go, and honestly, I'm glad I did. It made my final decision alot easier for me."

He said as he put his hands in his pocket, and approached Zack..

"Hey kid.. you gotta real pair on you, you know that? That's the first time I've ever seen a human soul knock a demon on it's ass!"
He said with a small, chuckle..

"Yea? well it wasn't hard.. besides the bastard had it coming."
Zack replied with a nonchalant shrug..

"Ha! You know, I like you kid. How's about becoming my new Reaper? I think the job would fit a guy like you."

"Oh really? What's in it for me?"

"Oh you know.. unmatched supernatural powers, plus not burning, and being tortured in hell for eternity."

"I don't give a shit about having power.. plus that bastard was kinda right.. I knew I wasn't going to heaven, so hell seems like it'll fit. Punishment or not."

"Jeez kid.. you're a hard guy to sell to. So let me sweeten the deal for you.. you'll be reincarnated, and sent back to the mortal realm. Which means you'll be able to see your lady friend over there again."

Death said as he gestured an index finger towards Ray's direction. This caught both of their attention..

"Really? He'll be able to come back?"
Rachel said in surprise..

"That's right little lady.. he'll have to train with me for a bit, but he'll be able to return."
Death said as he returned his attention to Zack, who was just as stunned as Rachel was..
"So? Whaddya say? Pretty good deal, right?"

"What do I gotta do?"

"I'll explain the job to you as time passes. As of now? I just need you to say yes."

Zack thought about it for a second before looking over to Ray.. he then turned back to Death, and nodded..

"Fine. I'll do it."

"This is an outrage!! He isn't worthy of such a title!!"

Balthazar yelled in a rage that echoed through the area..

"Enough!! Death is the one with the final say on who he appoints, it is no longer up for debate!"

Anubis bellowed, his voice even louder than the demon's..

"B-but Sir Anubis! This is a grave mistake, he should be punished! Not promoted!"

"Hey Balthy.."
Death said calmly as he glared at the demon..

"You heard him, right? It's my decision..not yours or anyone else's for that matter. So either deal with it, or do something about it if you're feeling lucky.."

Balthazar fell silent.. he knew very well that what death was offering a challenge that he wouldn't dare take. The demon huffed as he straightened his suit and took a few steps back..

"You'll regret this decision.. I assure you of that Lord Death.."
With that, the demon departed.. disappearing in a puff of fire, and smoke..

"Yea yea.. shove it up your ass.." Death said as he nonchalantly waved the demon off before turning back to Zack.. "Anywho, time to seal the deal kid.. you ready?"

"Uh.. Sure. What do I gotta do?"

"Just stand there for a sec, and brace yourself. This is gonna hurt like hell."

Death said as he took a took about five steps away from Zack who was standing there in confusion.. before the serial killer could question anything, a beam of black energy shot down on him from the sky, causing him to scream in agony..

"Zack?"

Ray said as she watched the pitch black beam overtake him. After 30 seconds, the beam began to slowly disappear, revealing Zack in a whole new attire.. he was now wearing a black hooded sleeveless cloak with baggy black pants, and boots that had two straps on them with silver metal buckles.. he was still wrapped in his bandages, but now some of them where lose, defied gravity. On top of that, his hands had sharp talons on each finger.. Zack looked down at himself in amazement as he began to slightly float in the air..

"Welcome to the team, kid.. time to go."
Death said as he gestured for his new apprentice to follow him..

"Hold up a sec.. can I at least let me say bye to Ray for I start this whole training arc?"
Zack said..

"Huh? Oh no reason for that yet, she's coming with us."

Both Zack and Ray were surprised at his words..

"Me? Why?"
Ray asked..

"Save all the questions for later.. Now move your asses, we've got shit to do."

Death said as he snapped his fingers which opened a familiar swirling black portal in front of him. Ray asked nothing else as she joined Zack's side, and began walking towards the portal..

"Isaac.. Rachel."

Abraham Gray called out to both of them before they left, they turned to him.. he gave them both a nod & small smile before saying..

"Good luck to you both."

They nodded wordlessly in response before entering the portal, and disappearing from sight..

--- Chapter 1 Act II---
--Training Ground--

"Welp.. here we are. Welcome to my paradise."

Death said as they exited the portal. Zack and Ray examined the area, it was a beast, beautiful field full of weird shaped trees, and beautiful flowers that didn't exist on earth, along with a large castle in the distance. However, they couldn't help, but notice how familiar the unnaturally green sky, and floating debris in the distance was..

"Wait a damn minute.. ain't this the first place we were pulled into?"
Zack asked..

"Yep.. I was the one who brought you here. Only you were a few miles away from this exact location. Then after I was satisfied at what I saw, I brought you to my brothers crossroads."

"You brought us here? But what about the gaint skeleton?"
Ray asked

"Oh that? It was one of my many avatars. I had to test your buddy here to see what type of guy Gray sent me."
Death explained..

"Hah? What the fuck are ya blabbering on about?"
Zack said in an annoyed tone..

"Well if you shut the fuck up for a sec, I can explain and you'll find out what I'm 'blabbering' about."

"Ugh..Fine!"

"Good..like Abraham said, i sent him out to find my next Reaper to maintain the balance. The world is kinda wonky because their hasn't been a 'reaper' in a hundred years."

"What happened to the last Reaper?"
Ray asked..

"He fucked up.. the asshole got power hungry.. let's just say that for now. Anyway, point is not having a Reaper throws things out of wack.. souls either get trapped in the human world, or just choose not to cross over, & unfortunately, I cant crossover to the human world anymore.. bad things happen because I'm literally death. So I needed to appoint someone to send the souls here so I can do my thing."

"Okay so.. just curious, what happens when ya do cross over into the human realm?"
Zack asked..

"Great disasters.. you ever heard of the black plague? Ebola? Or Covid 15?"

"Uh.."

"Yea of course you haven't.."
Death said with a face palm.
"People die.. Alot of people, so it's best I stay here. The point is that a Reaper is needed, and you fit the bill. I had Abraham choose the the soul, but I needed to test you myself to make sure you were the right fit, and honestly, you didn't disappoint. You're strong willed, courageous, I'll unusually honest, and most importantly you're compassionate about what you care about. For example this little lady right here. She obviously means alot to you."

"H-hey! Stop spouting all that shit!"
Zack said in embarrassment..

"Oh please.. you obviously care about her. that's what gave you the strength to overcome my avatar, and punch an A class demon in the jaw. There's strength in love kid."

Zacks could feel his whole face get hot from Death's words.. good thing he was still bandaged.. he looked over to Ray who was now looking at the ground with her hand covering her mouth, and a red flush on her pale face.

"I-is that why you brought me here? To motivate Zack?"
Ray asked shyly..

"Well yes & no. I sensed something in you. You're soul is stronger than most, so not only did I bring you here for his sake, but I have a job for you as well.. I'm appointing you as a Spirit Detective."

"A.. Spirit Detective?"

"Yep.. see, all the ghost stories you've probably over the years are all true.. ghost, evil spirits, vampires, werewolves, banchees, hell even the fucking Boogeyman. It's all true, and Spirit detectives keep them in line by hunting the ones that don't follow the rules of the balance. So you're here for training as well."

"Oh.. okay."

Ray said casually with nod.

"You know.. you're a little too casual about knowing all of this. I was expecting you to freak out.."

"Trust me..that's just her. You'll get used to it."

Zack said with a sigh, which made Ray cut her eyes at him..

"Right.. anyway, you understand what's going on, and why you're here, right?"

Both Zack and Ray nodded in unison..

"Okay, good, so let me ask you both something. Just to speed everything up a bit.. what weapons are you guys comfortable with?"

"A scythe.. hell anything sharp and good for stabbing is good with me."

"Well.. I'm not really a fighter, but I'm really good with guns I guess."

"Alright then.. you're first young lady, C'mere real quick."

Death with a smile as he gestured Ray to him. She tilted her head in confusion before walk towards him slowly..

"Yes? -ah!"

She squeaked as the man thumped her in the forehead with enough force to send her falling backwards on her ass..

"Hey! What the hell did ya do that for?"

Zack said angrily as he approached death, but as soon he was close enough, thumped in the forehead as well. Only a lot harder.. the force was enough to send him violently skip rocking backwards..

"What the fuck?!! That hurt ya bastard!"

Zack growled angrily as he got up off the ground. Death only chuckled as he waved his hand in the air, releasing a black energy that formed words in mid air that spelled out .

'Stop crying like a little bitch'

"What does this say, kid."

Zack looked at for a minuted before scowling, and flipping his new boss off..

"Screw you!"

Ray gasped a little as she noticed something.. "Zack.. you just read that."

"Yea? So wha- oh.. what a damn minute.. I can read!"

"That's right dumbass.. that little thump was me transferring knowledge into your head. I just literally taught you some shit without all the wasted time. But not just how to read, I taught you a bunch of shit that I'm gonna help you turn into instinct."
Death said with a smile..

"Um excuse me. Why did you thump me as well? Im not dumb at all."
Ray asked..

"True, but you're incredibly untalented when it comes to hand to hand combat, and you only know how to aim & shoot a gun. So I thumped the knowledge of combat, and gun-slinging into your noggin. I had to thump his alittle harder because there was a lot more knowledge to pass on.."

He explained while pointing at her forehead..

"I guess that makes sense.. but I don't feel any different."

"Yea, because you haven't put it to use yet."

Death said as he stretched out a hand, and summoned over a dozen targets out of the ground about 20 feet away from where they were standing. Afterwards, he summoned 2 weird looking silver 9mm ruger revolvers, and handed to her.

"Time to see what you can do, but first. Let's get you in some better suited clothes.."

He said as he snapped his fingers, turning her hospital gown into a Black tank top and jeans along with combat boots for he bare feet.

"This is better." Ray said as she examined her new outfit..

"Good, now take those puppies for a spin."

As soon as she took them in her hands, she looked at them for a second before spinning them in her hands, and taking aim. With keen accuracy, she began taking out the targets one by one until the where none left.

"Damn Ray, that was pretty bad-ass!"

Zack said impressed with her display as he ruffled her hair..

"Oh that wasn't nothing, watch what she can do with these."

Death said as he summoned more targets, only they were floating in the air, and moving in different directions..
Without delay, the blonde girl once again took aim and took out each target like it was nothing but child's play.

Ray was stunned at her new abilities. It was like her mind already knew what to do as soon as she touched the guns..

"This feels.. natural."

"Well it's supposed to.. but now you have to train you so it becomes your second nature.. you only have a limited time to train, so we're gonna make good use of the time you're here."

"Okay."
Rachel said with a small nod.

"Damn.. that's freaking awesome, so what can I do?"

"You're about to find out kid. Hold your hand out, and just think about a weapon. Kinda like you did when you fought my avatar."

Zack did as he was instructed, and a pitch black scythe with a curved handle, appeared in his hand..

"Whoa.. this thing's fucking cool!..weightless."
Zack said as he swung his weapon a few times..
"So.. what now? Do I gotta take out some targets, or something?"

"Nope.."
Death said with a mischievous grin as he held out a hand, and summoned a long broadsword..
"I suggest you get on guard."

"Hah? Ya mean I gotta fight you?! Why the fuck did she the easy shi-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Death rushed him. But just like Ray, his new instincts kicked in.. He immediately partied the attack, and pushed Death back before skillfully spinning his scythe..

"Because she isn't my new Reaper.. you are. Now stop all the bitching and get ready to fight."
Death said seriously as he pointed his sword at his new student..

Zack needed no more invitation. He rushed forward at unnatural speed, and began a barrage of attacks that Death skillfully dodged, blocked or parried. Zack continued his in before disappearing and reappearing behind death, and catching him the a kick to the back that sent him flying a short distance away. The man only somersaulted and landed on his feet before smiling at Zack.. showing no pain, or signs of damage from the blow. In fact, he looked proud..

"That's the ticket kid.. let's see if you can get at least one more hit on me.. I'll even take you alittle more seriously."

Death said as he readied himself again. Zack got into a battle stance he didn't recognize, and dashed forward again. Only this time, Death bitch slapped him mouth the air, creating a crater as he slid across the ground..

Zack got up with an angry growl, he scowled as he glared daggers at his teacher who only smiled smugly with a shrug..

"I said I wasn't gonna go easy on you this time.. now come on. Let's play."

Death said as he stood there nonchalantly with one hand in his pocket. Zack rushed in again, and tried to to attack once again, only for death to casually dodge each attack like it was nothing but child's play before knocking Zack on his ass again..

"Ready to give up? I understand if you wanna pussy out."

Death teased, which only pissed the Reaper in training off even more..

"Not a chance in hell!"

Zack said as he charged forward again. This continued for about ten minutes with the same result. Zack would rush forward, try to attack, and death would humble him with a punch, a slap, or a kick.. sending him crashing into the ground..

Zack had had enough at this point.. he was huffing and pugging in anger until he heard Ray, who had been watching from the sidelines..

"Zack! Try changing your approach! Going straight for him isn't working!"

Zack's eyes went calm and stood there for a second.. contemplating his next next move.. Death looked him with curiosity. Wondering if he'd finally gave up. That was until Zack began moving forward, only this time, he began appearing, and disappearing from sight as he closed in, and tried to run him through with his scythe, only for Death to catch his blade with two fingers..

"Still not good enough -"

Death began before Zack did something he didn't see coming.. he let go of his scythe, and went low, before the man knew what was coming, Zack struck him with a strong uppercut that sent him airborne.. he'd finally got him. However, when he followed up into the air, and attempted to the kick him to the ground, Death grabbed his ankle, and spun him around, & threw him hard into the ground, creating another deep crater..

Ray immediately ran to the hole in the ground & kneeled down..

"Zack.. are you okay?"

He didn't answer at first, but after few seconds, he leaned up, and popped his neck with a groan..

"Yea.. other than my bruised pride, I'm good."

"Well.. you did get the one hit in, so don't feel too bad."

"She's right you know.." Death said as he slowly descended to the ground and landed in front of them. "I honestly didn't expect you to get a hit in that early. You did well kid."

"Thanks I guess.. so what's next?"
Zack said as he got himself out off the ground..

"I think that's enough.. you two should get some rest, well start again tomorrow. Now follow me."

Death said as he flew off towards the large castle in the distance.. Zack shrugged began was about to fly off until he looked back at Ray, who was just standing there..

"Hey. Are ya coming, or what?"

"Yes.. but I don't think I can fly like you two."

"Yea? Have ya tried?"

Ray went silent for a second before she jumped twice, only to just land backon the ground..

"Damn.. guess ya can't."

"Don't worry, I'll catch up with you guys."

"What are ya stupid? That'll take forever!"

"Well, I don't have much cho-"

She let out a small gasp of surprise as Zack scooped her up flew off into towards the castle..

"If ya need a lift, just fucking ask.."

"Okay."
Rachel said with a small smile, and nod..

---

After a short flight. Zack, and Ray reached the the large double front doors of Deaths castle. When they walked in, they were stunned at how extravagant it was, even with the with creepy dark vibes of the estate..

"Wow.. it's really nice."
Ray said as she examined the halls of the castle..

"Yea.. in a Dracula's wet dream kinda way.."

"Good evening.. you must be the Master's guest."

A proper voice with a British accent called out from behind them. They turned around and saw a transparent older man dressed in a fancy butler suit..

"It's.. a ghost?"
Ray said confused with a tilt of head..

"I prefer the term 'spirit' but yes young lady.. I am indeed..a 'ghost'. My name is Jeeves Hamilton. One of many servants of Lord Death, and I was went to lead his guest to the dining area for supper.."

"Uh.. okay. Well lead the way."
Zack said with a shrug..

"Of course.. right this way."

They followed the spirit to a large dining room that was for for royal parties. There were even more spirits dressed like maids, & butlers placing platters of delicious looking food of different cultures on long fancy wood table where Death sat awaiting their arrival..

"Ahh there you lovebirds are, I was wondering what was taking you guys so long."

"We aint no fucking lovebirds, ya creep!"

Zack said embarrassed as both of their faces turned deep red. Death raised an eyebrow with a skeptical expression as he looked at them..

"Oh really? Then why are you still carrying her like that?"

Both Zack and Ray's eyes went wide as they looked at each other, noticing that she was still comfortably in his arms with her arms around his neck. they immediately hopped away from eachother embarrassed, sheepishly looked away from each other..

"T-the damn place was a mile away.. I had to get her here somehow, right?"
Zack said while scratching the back of his head..

"Y-yea.. I'd still be walking if I didn't."

Ray chimed in while playing in her hair with her fingers.. Death's face was even more skeptical before sighing with a shrug..

"Whatever you say kid.. have a seat and get comfy."

Death said while gesturing his hand to the dinner table. They both did as they were told, and two ghost maids put a plate in front of them..

"Stop with the 'kid' crap, would ya? I'm a grown ass man! She's the only kid here-ow!"

Zack said before Ray elbowed in him the ribs..

"Im not a kid anymore.. I'm about to be sixteen."

"That's nowhere near grown!

Zack growled before Death stopped him..

"Hey. No rough housing in the castle, and no. Sorry Mister 'grown ass man' but I'm literally millions of years old, so your little twenty years of life doesn't mean shit to me.. Kid."

Death said, adding extra exasperation on 'kid'. This pissed Zack off until he thought about what he said..

"Hey, I was a helluva lot older than that! I was at at least twenty five!"

Death looked at him with a confused pause.. like he'd the dumbest thing he thought about something. Zack and Ray just looked at each other, & back at Death confused..

"Damn kid.. I guess you wouldn't know with being dumb as hell.. Zack, you were exactly twenty the year you died.. you're alot younger than you think."

Ray and Zack looked at him in shock..

"But.. I read his profile.. it said he was in his mid twenties.."

"Yea? Well I'm Death.. my job is to know every age because I'm supposed to know when every death happens.. his 'profile' said what it though you may have been.. I know your whole story. Including what happened with your mom."

Zack narrowed his eyes, and looked down..

"Yea? Ya don't say.."

"Yep.. I can tell you what happened.. Imani Foster.. really sad story.. honestly kid.. it's like fucked up runs in your blood line.. you're from a long line of serial killers kid, and your grandfather was one of the best. He taught taught his only child the art of killing which was of course, your mom, but she met someone, and got away from it as long as she could, but-"

"Look.. I don't care enough to know."
Zack said with a straight face.. showing not even a trace of emotion.

" You sure? It's a pretty interesting story."

Death asked.. but Zack narrowed his eyes, but said nothing as he sat back in his chair, folded his arms.

"Fine fine.. you're choice kid."

" Yea yea.."

He mumbled angrily, making Ray look over to him in with worry. This was obviously a touchy subject for him. The tension in the room got thick as everyone went silent for a long second.. The blonde girl studied the room, and noticed the large hand painted portrait of him,and three other people on the wall behind Death..

"Um.. so those people on that picture with you, who are they?"

She asked to hopefully change the subject. Death looked behind him, and sighed before turning back to them..

"My siblings.. the four horsemen of the apocalypse."

"Siblings? But I thought Anubis was your brother."

"Well, yes and no. We're just reall close due to our jobs being connected..We've known eachother for a long time, so he's like a brother. But those guys? They're my blood siblings.. the two guys are War, and Conquest. That angry looking woman is Famine."

"Ah.. I've read about them. They're supposed to be the bringers of the the end of the world, right?'

"Actually.. we were supposed to prevent it.. but due to arrogance, and the need for vengeance, they abandoned their responsibilities and tried to destroy the three realms. So.. I had to stop them, and that's exactly what I did."

"So.. you killed them."

"No. We're immortal beings.. I couldn't kill them, so I locked him away on different corners of the universe.. I can still hear them cursing my name."

Death said as he looked down at the dinner table.. Rachel was about to apologize for asking, but as if he could read her mind, he lifted his hand, and shook his head with an expression showing signs of regret before he shot his eyes at Zack.

"See kid? We all have some family shit we aren't to fond of remembering.. but ignoring it doesn't help shit. You face it head on if you want to heal from it."

Zack remained silent at Death's words as abruptly he got up with a stretch..

"Welp.. I'm not really that hungry, I'm gonna turn in early."

"Sure kid.."

Death said as he clapped his hands twice, immediately summoning Jeeves to appear i the room with a bow..

"Did you summon me sir?"

"Yea.. show Zack to his quarters."

"As you wish sir.. Come with me young man."

Zack silently walked out the room, leaving Ray and death to finished their meals. after a few moments of silence, Ray spoke up..

"Um.. excuse me."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Well, do you mind telling me what happened? I'm curious myself."

Death nodded before clapping once, summoning one of the spirit maids to his side with a platter in her hands that had a bottle of brown liquor, and a fancy shot glass that she sat in front of him before disappearing. He calmly pour him a drink, and took a sip before beginning.

"Well.. you know how he got his scars, right?"

"Yes.."

"Well.. the guy who did that to him was actually a well known leader of a drug smuggling operation. He had money, power, and influence that he used to do, or get whatever the fuck he wanted.. unfortunately, he used that to to have affairs with poor women with kids.. usually strung out, and trap them in situations where they relied on him for money.. He was into beating these women and torturing their kids to death and getting away with it.. Zack wasn't the first, but he definitely was the last. When he burned him the way he did.. something snapped in his mother's head.. she bandaged him up, got him a fake birth certificate with the money she had left to hide him, then dropped him off in a low profile orphanage.."

Death paused for a moment to refill his glass before continuing..

"Once she figured he was safe, she decided to begin her plans of revenge. She stalked him around for weeks, and found out that the bastard had a family.. a wife, and three daughters.. at first, she was just going to kill him, but she wanted to make him hurt like her. So instead.. she waited for him to leave again, and killed them.. the wife, kids, even the family dog and the goldfish before disappearing.. The bastard came home to a bloodbath. He was all pissed, and sent his goons to locate her, and her son.. but nobody ever found them thanks to her changing her identity and Zack's birthdate.."

"So.. she didn't adandom him. She was trying to protect him."
Ray said after hearing the story

"Exactly. I was hoping to tell him so he could have some sort of closure, but you saw how that went."

"Yea.. I think he's trying to block it out because it's painful."

"Sounds about right.. so now that you know.. are you gonna try to tell him?"

"No.. Zack wouldn't appreciate that. I just wanted to learn more about him. That's all."
Ray said placidly..

"Yea. I guess that makes sense.. anyway, I hope your done eating, because I'm about to turn in myself."

"Yes.. I'm done."
Ray nodded as she got up from the table, and politely pushing her chair under the table..

"Good. We have alot of work to do tomorrow, so make sure you rest little lady.. Jeeves!"
Death called out, summoning his ghost butler

"Yes sir?"

"Please show the little lady to her quarters.. I'm gonna head to my own so make sure she's good for tonight."

"Yes sir, right away sir."

Jeeves said as bowed respectfully to his master, who disappeared in a black, inky aura..

"Follow me young lady."

Rachel nodded, and began following him down the halls of the castle.. but she couldn't what was just told. Zack had told her that story back in the building, she knew how he got his scars, but there was still so much she didn't know about him yet.. and vise versa. At that moment, Ray had made up her mind..

"Hey.. Jeeves? Can you take me to Zack's room instead?"

"Are you sure? When I asked the young Sir if he needed anything before I departed, he said, and I do quote..
'yea, tell everyone not to fucking bother me.. now fuck off.'
Before shooting me a deathly glare..which I immediately made my exit."

"Oh.."

Yeah.. that sounded exactly like him.. either way.. she made up her mind. She was going. Even if he was mad, she'd still at least try..

"It's okay.. I'll deal with that. Can you phase me through the door?"

The ghost butler stopped, and looked at her with a raised eyebrow for a moment before slightly smirking her..

"Right this way.."

---

Zack was floating in the air like he was laying on his back. He was thinking back about that time. He remembered the fight with the bastard that set in on fire.. the pain of his skin burning.. and when his mother put out the flame. She smothered the flame with a blanket that she threw over him as she hugged him.. I remembered her looking at him in horror as she saw his wounds.. and she remembered went from shock, to pure hatred when she saw him.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone clumsily stumbling into his room. This immediately pissed him off..

"I said don't fucking bother me!"

He snapped as his turn towards the sound, but immediately changed his expression when he saw who it was..

"Yea, I heard.."
Ray said as she straightened her self up from being phased through the door.. she took a few steps forward and looked up at him..

"I just wanted to talk, but only if you want."

Zack looked at her for a moment, then sighed..

"Sure.. whaddya want?"

"Like I said.. to talk. There's so much I don't know about you, and-"

"And what?" Zack snapped. "Let me guess, that smooth talking know it all of a deity told you what happened? If yer' in here to tell me how bad ya feel for me, or so sorry that it happened then please fucking spare me!"

Ray went silent for a moment..

"No Zack. I'm not here to say anything of that, and I don't feel sorry for you. Not even alittle bit."

"Huh? Then why-"

"I will admit that, yes.. Death told me what happened. But it wasn't something you didn't tell me yourself. I knew how you got your scars, I just have more details on how it happened, and what happened afterwards.. but that's not what I'm here to talk about. I'll tell you when you're ready. I want know more about you from you, and I want you to know about me. I know what Danny showed you.. I know you watched the tape, but I want you to know what happened from me as well.."

"In other words, ya basically wanna do a.. share and care?"
Zack said with a confused raised eyebrow.

"Something like that.. it's okay if you don't though."

"I never said I didn't! ..but I dunno how this works, so-"

"We just share.. I'll go first. I have an older sister."

"Really? Ya never mentioned that."

"I know.. because I only met her once when I was really little. Her mom brought her to my eighth birthday party at the park, and revealed the affair my father was having an affair, and disappeared when she told him she was pregnant.. Apparently he'd been ignoring them since she was born, so she tracked him down."

"So yer' old man was deadbeat, and cheater?"

"Yes.. among other things."

"Damn Ray.. I can't say I can relate.. I never knew my old man.. but my mother was pretty strung out on drugs."
Zack said in a low tone..

"Was she abusive?"

"Nah.. to be honest, it seemed like she.. actually cared. At least until she starting fucking the bastard that did this to me."

Zack said as he looked at his hands. Ray knew he was talking about his scars...

"What.. is the last memory you have of your mother?"

Zack's eyes sharply cut his eyes at her.. when he noticed the same dead look on her face, no trace of pity, or anything of the sort, he looked back at the ceiling..

"Her looking at me like was a fucking freak.. like she hated me. That was when she wrapped me up, and sold me off to that damn orphanage."

"The dollhouse.."

"Yea.. that damn dollhouse that the bitch Cathy had. I dunno how she knew about it, or what happened there, but that's pretty much the story."

"What happened there?"

"The sick fucks that lived there were selling off kids, or killing em' off by starving em' or worst . I was only one that survived by eating whatever garbage that was salvageable. That was until the day I got the bright idea to kill em' both.. stabbed em to death in their sleep."

Zack finished with a sadistic grin on his face..

"Good. They deserved to die."
Ray said placidly..

"Yea yea.. Anyway that's enough about me for now.. I have a few damn questions myself."

"Okay.. ask whatever you want."

"How old were you when when yer' parents started abusing ya?"

"After that birthday party.. after knowing about my sister's existence, they started fighting a lot, and alot of times, After awhile, it became physical. My dad would beat my mom, and in return.. she would beat me. Sometimes it was just a slap, other times.. well, I had to miss a lot of school."

"Was.. it just her?"

"No, just mostly her.. but anytime my mom left home, my dad would take his frustration out on me."

Zack paused and looked at her. Her face was as emotionless as the day he had met her. He wasn't surprised. these were obviously uncomfortable memories.

"Is there anything else you wanna know?" Ray said as she looked up to Zack..

"Yea.. one more thing." Zack said before pausin, not sure how to ask his next question..
"I'm only asking because I had my suspicions about em', but Danny.. is he the creep I thought he was?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know what the hell I'm asking! Did he do something to ya?"

Ray didn't answer.. she only looked down slowly, obviously avoiding the question which was enough of answer. Noticing her discomfort.. looked away from her, and spit out the large window he left open to feel the evening breeze..

"It's fine.. ya don't gotta answer if ya don't wanna.."

Ray was silent for a few more seconds before she finally spoke up..

"If you're asking if he raped me, then no. I'm still a virgin. but he did.. other things, and filmed it for some reason."

An audible growl left his throat as he shuttered at the thought of what that sick three eyed bastard did to her. He knew the signs from his childhood.. They way he looked at her was all too familiar. It took a few deep breaths before he could regain his composure..

"So is there anything else you want to know?"

Ray said breaking the bitter silence of the room. Zack thought about that question.. there was plenty he wanted to know, but not about any of this shit. The whole trauma bonding thing was getting old..

"You like scary movies?"

"I love them."

"Ha, no shit? what's yer' favorite? Let me guess Chucky? Annabelle? Dolly Dearest?" Zack said with a wide amused grin."

"Texas chainsaw massacre actually.. and if that's your attempt to call me a possessed doll, it wasn't funny."

"Maybe not, but it sure as hell accurate. I mean this is the emotion yer ass has shown, and it's because I annoyed you."

"You didn't annoy me, you just aren't funny.. and I don't really know how to show emotions. I've always been like that."

Zack turned up sidedown, floated down to her level, and looked her eye to eye, catching her off guard as he held out a hand and raised a finger..

"First, I'm a fucking riot, and you know it.. Second, I know you were annoyed, and ya wanna know I can tell?" He finished as he held another finger up.

"Sure."

"It's yer' eyebrows, anytime ya get annoyed they go down, when yer' confused, ya one raise one of em'.. Hell, they even slightly bawl up into something of a frown if ya get pissed.. yea, yer' face doesn't really move, but you definitely show alittle emotion."

Ray blinked twice at what he said as she tilted her head and slightly raised an eyebrow..

"I do?"

"Yea, yer' doing it right now."

He said before laughing to at her self revelation while floating through the air in aimless circles..

"I didn't know you were paying so much attention to my face."

She said casually. This made Zack choke on his laugh, and clear his throat. After he got him self together, immediately looked away and folded his arms..

"Well it's the only way to get any type of gauge on you.. ya damn voodoo doll."

Zack said before a pillow was thrown hard at his face.. he glared at the at the blonde culprit who was shooting him an angry look. He grabbed one of the many pillows off the bed as he shot her an evil grin..

"Ya really picked a pillow fight with a guy with supernatural powers.. and I thought you were the smart one."

Ray didn't falter as she reached for a pillow and got herself ready..

"Bring it Casper."

"Casper hah? Take this!"

Zack roared as he dashed toward her, only to be met with a hard swipe from Ray's soft weapon. Zack courtered witge a strike of his own.. Thus, their epic pillow fight began..

---

As time passed, Zack and Ray spent their time learning what the new skills Death has gave them were. Not only hand to hand combat, but also their weapons and unique skills sets. Rachel apparently was quite the sunslinger. Not only was she masterful with daul pistols, she could shoot any gun she got her hands on. She also knew a martial arts many different style of martial arts, including one she'd never heard called Gun fu.

Zack knew just as many fighting styles, but he also now knew the art of blade master.. he could summoned different types of blades weapons.. sword of different sizes and styles along with spears, dagger.. & any other sharp weapon he could think of. He stuck to his usual scythe, but he did get attached to a pair of dual curves swords and a nice sized curved sword.

They'd spent most of their time either sparring eachother, practicing against different types of avatars death summoned to fight against them. It was slippery at first. But after awhile, they'd gotten good enough to take them out easily. Their mental hold on their new skills we're kicking in, and turning into their second nature just like Death wanted.. Now it was time for them to learn the true source of their power.. He called them out to the field that had became and prepared them for their next lesson..

"Alrighty kids. It's time to teach you kids about the 'Aura'.

"Aura? That's a real thing?" Ray asked with her head tilted..

"What the fuck is Aura?"
Zack asked even more confused..

"Allow me to explain.. & No little lady, it's not whatever weird as human term you're thinking of right now.. its literally just the infinite energy your soul let's off. Particular beings are born knowing how to use em' like Angel's, demon's, all the spooky shit you now know exist. But humans with a powerful soul can do it too. Very few though. You two are apart of that list now, so you gotta learn how to use it." Death explained..

"Okay.. so how do we do that?" Ray asked..

"Honestly? Just feel it.. matter fact, have you two noticed a tingling feeling in your body since you've been here?"

They both thought about it before the finally paid attention to the all over tingling they throughout their bodies, and around them..

"Y'know? Now that you mention it. I do feel it." Zack said..

"Yea.. I do too, but I thought it was because of just being here." Ray said..

"Well you're right and wrong. Yes, I opened the literal top on your spirit when you first arrived here, but being here in my domain super charges that infinite energy, and makes it more powerful by being here, but this is energy you've always had, it's the essence of your soul.. Aura."

Death explained to them as they listened intently..

"Now what I want you guys to do is feel that energy, and summon it forward."

"Is there like a magic word or rhyme we gott say, or some ridiculous shit like that?"
Zack asked..

"Nope. There's no special word, chants, or anything like that. Just feel it, and release it."

Zack Ray looked at each other before looking down at themselves, and closing their eyes.. Ray was first. After a few minutes, she a bright blue light began to outline her body as multiple balls of light began to appear..

"Ah, So you're an Illuminus soul.. that actually makes a lot of sense."

Death said with a smile. Ray opened her eyes & looked at the energy surrounding her..

"Illuminus?.. you mean these balls of light?"

"Yep, that's what we call the souls that look like.. Illuminus what we call yours because of the balls of light. It's one of the 5 power houses of souls."

"What are the others?"
Ray asked..

"Like I said, Illuminus is one, then you have Thundus, which usually looks like an electrical current.. infectus, which usually looks like a like a violent glowing jagged ink like mine... then you have the two most dangerous, Telekus the souls that don't have a visible energy, but can mess with the mind and emotions of others, and finally -"

Before he could finish, Zack suddenly to explode with a powerful black energy that resembled fire.. not only did it look like fire. It was hot.. hotter than any usual fire..Ray had to take a large leap away from because the rising temperature that began to scorch the ground.

"And of course.. pyrus. Which looks like a raging fire."

Death said with a smile..

'So the prophecy of The Black Flames is true.. huh?'

He thought to himself as he watched his Reaper released the rare power.. After awhile, the Flames began calmly circle Zack as he grinned..

"Whoa.. this is fucking awesome."

"I'm glad you think so, because the next part of your training is learning how to control that power. Until you can make your Aura a perfect sphere around you, you can't move on. Well only be doing this & your combat lessons until then.. now get to meditating until you get it right."
Death said..

"Hah? That's all ya gotta say? Can we at least get an example, or something?"
Zack asked..

"Sure kid, all you had to do was ask.."

Death said as he took a step back, and began to levitate as he crossed his legs, and took meditation pose. After a second, his inky, pitch black aura began to creep, from him, and made a perfect sphere around him..

"You see? Just like that.. feel it, release it, and control it. Now get it kiddos."

He said with a smile, as he dissipated his energy and floated towards the tree he usually sat under when they trained..
They were both having trouble at first, but just like last time, Ray was the first to figure it out. Most likely because of her natural emotional calmess. Zack on there other hand was having issues with the assignment. He couldn't keep his energy in a sphere for too long without it exploding in to chaotic black inferno..

"Damnit! Why is this so hard?!" Zack yelled in frustration after his dozenth time trying..

"Because you're impatient Zack.. try calming down, and focusing."

Ray said with one eye open as she continued to meditate, her aura circling her perfectly..

"What the fuck does it look like I'm doing?"
Zack growled..

"She's right, you know? You're so damn focused on getting this over with that you keep messing up.. try thinking of something good, and just being in that moment..& before you ask, no, not murder. Think of something that made you calm, even if it was for a second.."
Death explained lazily as he relaxed.. the tree.

"Like what?! In case ya ain't noticed, my life as been pretty much one shit-show after another!"

"That's for you to figure out kid."

Death responded with a nonchalant shrug. This pissed Zack off even more as he let out a frustrated growl. He'd never had a single moment like that that he could think of.. that was until he remembered something.. that didn't seem too significant at the time.. but now that he thought about it.. there was one thing..

"Hey Ray?"

"Yes Zack?" She said with her eyes closed, a hint of annoyance in her tone from being interrupted again..

"Do me a favor, and smile real quick."

He asked, making both her eyes open, and look at him in confusion..

"Really? Right now?"

"No Ray, later on today .. of course right now!"

"But why-"

"Stop with the twenty one questions, and just do it already!"

Zack snapped. Ray looked at him annoyed before sighing, and trying her best to muster the best smile she could.. after a few seconds, her small smile disappeared back into her emotionlessness doll face..

"There.. was that good enough?"

Ray asked as Zack started at herwith a blank expression..

"Yep.."

He said as he went back to meditating.. he concentrated on her . That temporary fake smile on her face that faded away in mere seconds.. drawing a mental picture of it in his head."

After some time went by, Deaths voice broke the silence, and their concentration..

"Alright kids.. excellent work."

Both of them opened their eyes and noticed that Zack's aura was completely in a sphere around him

"Wow, you're doing it Zack." Ray said in praise with a small smile..

"Yea.. how bout that.". Zack said with a wide, proud grin..

"Yep, you sure did kid. I dunno what you were concentrating on, but keep using that."
Death said with a knowing wink, causing Zack to blush a little as he looked away from him..

"Anywho.. that's what you two are going to be doing along with your combat exercises, which is actually gonna start now, so up and at em."

Death said as he clapped twice to summon some avatars for them to fight. They got to their feel, and readied themselves to fight.

Day after day, They trained vigorously, and got better as they did. When they weren't training, they'd still spend together, either talking their past, or whatever subject jumped into their mind at the time, along with whatever subject jumped in their mind at the moment. Of course they also rough housed and had their pillows fights. Death even caught one time, and instantly transported them outside... Miles away from the castle..

"I said NO ROUGH HOUSING!"

Death's voice echoed at them from everywhere as they landed..

"Welp. he definitely wasn't joking.. asshole." Zack said annoyed as his eye twitched.. "ah fuck it.. C'mon, I'll fly us back.. Ray?"

But she was too distracted by something to respond.. he turned around to see that she was looking over the tallest mountain Death sent them to.. there was a thick,misty fog that blanketed the landscape, only mountain tops and tall trees peaking from it.. but what made it a spectacular sight was the way this words oddly colored deep red Sun illuminated the strange for with a rainbow of autumn colors..

"It's beautiful.."Ray said as she stared at the view with admiration

"Yea.. can't disagree with ya there. Who knew something like this could exist in the fucking underworld?" Zack said completely mesmerized by the view.

"Can we stay alittle longer?" Ray said as she turned to him

"Sure. Why not?"

Zack said as he plopped down comfortably on the soft grass as Ray sat right beside him.. The quietly watched as the sunset turned the mist from an autumn rainbow to the to a nocturnal one..

"Hey Zack.. next time we meditate, let's do it up here." Ray said as she continued to gaze over the mountain..

"Yea.. seems like a peaceful place to get focused."

---

Time passed as Zack and Ray continued their training, and enjoying their time together. It'd honestly had been the best time they'd had in both of their lives.. but like always, all good things must come an end..

Death called them to the front of the castle. He said he had an important announcement for them. So the two made their way to the designated location to meet him..

"Well kids.. I have some good news, and uh.. some not so good news. I'll start with the good. Rachel.. your training is complete here, and you'll be going back today.. unfortunately, Zack has to stay here alittle longer."

"What? I thought ya said I can go back after my training was done?"
Zack said

"Yea, I did. Your training isn't done yet. You still have a lot to learn when it comes to being a Reaper."

"Well is there any way I can stay with Zack until he's done?"
Ray asked..

"Sorry little lady.. you've already been away from your body for too long.. if you stay any longer, you won't be able to return because you'll die." Death explained in a serious tone.

"But.. I don't wanna go back.. I wanna stay here with Zack."

"I'm sorry kid.. I really am, but it's not possible."

"I-I don't wanna go back there.. I don't wanna feel.. alone again."

Ray said in a shakey voice with tears threatening to form in her eyes. She was fully ready to protest until she felt a hand gently ruffle her hair. She looked up to see Zack looking at her with an unreadable expression on his face..

"Quit yer' blubbering already.. I'll be back before ya know it. Just do me a favor and stay alive until then.. Okay?"

Ray nodded as she wiped the wetness from her eyes. Once he noticed she'd gained her composure, he turned his attention back to Death and asked..

"How long do we have?"

"Not long.. she has to go now."

"Fine.."
Zack said as he conjured a knife in his hands, and handed it out to her..

"Here.."

Ray took it in her hands and looked at the pitch black weapon in awe.. as she held it, her Aura began to surround and fuse with the knife, making take a new form of a solid curved knife with a black blade and a black and white handle..

"I wasn't expecting it to that.. but keep it, it's yer's now."

Zack said calmly with a grin.. Ray examined the blade for a short moment before hugging it to her chest.. she then looked up at Zack, before rushing him with a tight hug, burying her face into his chest..

"Promise you'll be back soon.. Promise you'll learn what you have to as quickly as you can so you can come back."

Ray said in a soft sad tone. Zack returned the hug slowly.. a saddened expression on his face as he slightly smiled..

"I promise I'll be back before you can miss me."

"Too late.. I already do."

She said tightening theher grip on him..

"As much as I hate to separate you two.. it's time."

Death said as he looked at them. Rachel nodded as she let Zack go, and slowly approached Death, he looked at her with a hint a of guilt..

"Sorry little lady.. I wish there was something I could do."

"It's fine.."

"I'll have him back as soon as I can.. It won't be as long as you think. Time works different here."

"Different?"

"You'll see what I mean when you get back.. but there's no time for that, I wanna warn you.. You're apart of the world of the supernatural now. Not only can you see them, but they can see you, and they'll be dead set on killing you, and taking your soul.. remember what I taught you about them, and be careful. Now give me your knife, I'm gonna be sending it to you along with some other things, and I already set some accommodations to make life alittle easier for you.. Got it?"

Ray nodded and and handed him the knife.. Death took it as he gave her a small nod back.

"Alright.. turn around and count to three.."

She did as she was told. as soon as she turned around, she saw Zack looking down at the ground.

"Zack."

She called out catching his attention. He instantly looked at her, and his eyes widen at what he saw. She was smiling. Not her regular dead smile either.. it was a genuine smile that he'd never seen on her, no matter how many times he's asked her to..

"I'll see you later.."

She said as she began to to slowly disappear from sight..
before she was completely gone, she saw Zack give her a wide grin, and wave her off..

"I'll see ya soon."

Now it was just Death and Zack standing there.. Zack's grin slowly faded.. that was when the realization that she gone kicked in.. it was silent for a long second before Death spoke again..

"Well.. we can begin your training whenever you're feeling up to it."

"Okay.. let's do this."

Zack said with a new determination.. He didn't have time to waste here.. he was gonna keep his promise, and he was gonna see that smile again..

--- Chapter 1 Act III---
--First Fight part 1--

As everything round her began to fade into white, the last thing she remembered was seeing Zack waving her off as she disappeared from Death's world.. suddenly everything was black. The serene soulds of the field was replaced by the beeping of a heart monitor, and the voice of two people.. one of them being her phycologist..

"Sorry doctor.. we still don't know what's wrong with her. All of her vitals, and brain activity are normal.. she just won't wake up.."

"That certainly is strange.. we'll have to run some test from figure out what exactly caused her to-"

Rachel heard as she began to stir..

"Wait! I think she's waking up.. Rachel? Can you hear me?"

The blonde girl stirred once more before open her eyes, and sitting up in the hospital bed she found herself in.. She dizzily rubbed her eyes as she checked her surroundings..

"Rachel, thank goodness you're awake. How do you feel?"
The doctor said as she made her way to Rachel's bedside..

"I feel okay."

"That's great. Do you.. remember anything?"

"Not really.. how long have I been here?"

"You've been in a coma for a week.. when we came in your room, you were unconscious in your bed, and wouldn't wake up."

"Oh.."

Rachel said placidly.. she was more surprised at the fact that she'd only been sleeping for a week. It felt like she had been in the underworld for at least two years. I guess that's what death meant.. time worked differently there.

"Well either way, I'm glad to see that you're okay. We're going to run a few test to make sure you're healthy, then you'll be returned back to your regular room, and schedule."

The doctor said with a smile before exiting the room, leaving her, and the phycologist alone. As soon as the cost was clear, she walked to over to Rachel, and sat down on the bed next to her..

"Hey Rachel.. there's something I wanna ask you.."

"What's that?"

"Well, when we came in your room, we noticed a few things that.. didn't seem normal. Your window was broken from the outside, and there was blood on the window seal.. not only that, but there was a knife on the ground next to the window."

"Oh.. really?" Rachel said faking ignorance..

"Yes.. now I'm only asking because.. when they did a forensics on the blood it turned out that it was an exact match to that serial killer you were found with. But he was executed the night you fell into a comatose state. I'm only asking because.. as silly as it sounds, I believe in the supernatural, so you can be honest with me, did you get a visit from something you couldn't explain?"

Rachel thought about the question.. what was she supposed to say? Her serial killer friend came to get her? That he took her to the underworld, and they both trained under Death himself?

"No.. to be honest, I'm not sure what happened to be honest."

She lied, prefering not to tell her anything about her supernatural experience. The phycologist looked at her with uncertainty, but eventually nodded at her response..

"Okay. I just had to ask.. anyway, you've had a few visitors since you've been sleep."

"Visitors?"

This confused Rachel.. who would be visiting her? Her parents were dead, and she didn't have any friends or relatives that'd care enough to see her..

"Yes.. the first was a tall man that brought you a package, he said he was your teacher. Mr. Deon Mortis.. Does that sound familiar?"

Rachel immediately thought about the name used. 'Mortis' was Latin for a point in death. She knew who dropped that off..

"Oh yea.. Mr. Mortis. He was my teacher.. Who was the other visitor?"

"A lady who wanted to adopt you. She came a long way, and was determined to meet you. She told me to notify her when you woke up. I can tell her now, or whenever you're ready to meet her."

"Oh. I guess you can tell her tomorrow."

"Okay.. I'll make the call first thing. As for now, just try to get you some rest, okay? Oh, and I left your package over there in the chair." The phycologist said in a comforting manner. Rachel nodding as she took her leave..

Rachel decided to check out whatever package later as she laid back down, thinking back at the time she'd spent in the underworld.. the time that she'd spent with Zack. That's when the loneliness, and depression to sink in.. she didn't want to be here.. she regretted not fighting to stay longer. However, The promise came back to mind.. another promise that took the place of the original..

Zack promised to come back, and she promised to stay alive until he did. That was enough for her to shake off her depression. She leaned back up in the hospital bed, and decided that that's exactly what she was going to do. She positioned herself in a meditative state, and began focusing on her Aura with the last time she saw Zack's grin giving her a peace of mind..

---

Later on that night, She finally was able to go back to sleep, but was woke up by the sounds of a child crying. She immediately leaned up, and looked around the room to locate the source of it. It wasn't until she was fully conscious that she noticed that the voice had a creepy echo behind it.. Not only that, but she felt a tingling throughout her body that directed her to a corner of her room behind where a small reclining chair sat..

"Who's there?"

She asked out loud as as she got out of bed, and scanned to find a boy.. bawled up crying in the far corner and began slowly approaching him.. The boy was in hospital pajamas that were almost covered in dark stains, and his skin was a pale gray.Everything in Rachel told her that this wasn't right, but her curiousity won over her logical thinking. She got closer, reaching her arm out to his shoulder..

As soon as her fingers grazed him, she felt an ivy chill up her arm, and the boy was instantly standing up.. facing her with blood streaming down from his eyes. He had deep, bleeding lashes on both his arms, his face, and all over his light green pajamas that she could now tell was soaked in blood.

Just as she thought.. He was a spirit. Rachel took an immediate, couscous step back, readying herself for anything he might do. But he didn't do what she expected. He waved at her frantically, & put a finger to his mouth..

"Shhh! Shut the hell up.. she'll hear you!"

"Huh? Who'll hear us?" Rachel said in an hush tone..

"Dr. Crowley.. if she sees you, you'll be sorry!"

Rachel tilted her head in confusion.. as far as she knew, there was only two or three woman doctors in this wing, and none of them went by that name, and she'd know since she'd spent awhile over here when she got here from being shot..

"Is she a ghost too?"

"No.. She's something far worse than that. She's a monster! She's the one who did this to me, and others! That's why we have to be quiet. Because if she see's you, she'll -"

He abruptly stopped as his eyes shot to the door, his eyes widening in terror. Rachel looked in the direction he was staring, and completely understood his reaction. At the door way stood a woman with elongated arms and long, sharp nails. He black hair tied in a bun, and her tattered gray dress and lab coat was covered in blood.. but the most off-putting thing about her was the abnormally wide grin on her face that stretched from ear to ear, showing off yellow jagged teeth and her wide, pitch black eyes with small glowing red pupils..

Rachel was frozen in fear, she'd never seen anything like it. Even that building never sent a chill down her spine like this. This twisted, terrible thing had her aura going crazy.. almost growning with a pulse that vibrated throughout her body. The entity constantly twitch as it stared at the spirit child with a sadistically with hungry eyes.. until her head snapped unnaturally to the side, and looked at the blonde girl.

She didn't too seem to happy to see her. The entity's wild smile turned into a snarl as as she glared at Rachel with malicious intent. It's head instantly stapped back right on her shoulders, directing it's attention back to the spirit child who was scooting back on the floor with terrified eyes..

"No! No! Stay away from me!"

The boy yelled in a mixture of fear, and rage as his blood tears began flowing harder..

"I won't let you take me back there!!"

He protested loudly, but this only made the entity let out what sounded like gurgled laughter as it straightened out a hand at him with her palm open before quickly making it's way to him..

She didn't know what over came her, but as soon as the thing charge at the child, Rachel immediately jumped in front of him, and held her hand out in an attempt to keep this horrific creature away from the boy. It worked better than she thought would..

It began wailing in pain as a bright blue aura shot out from the palm of her hand, and shine on the thing, causing it to slightly burn as it retreated back into the darkness of the hallway. Now it was really mad.. It let out a growl as it pointed a boney, long finger in their direction, and let out a loud screech..

It's ear pitching wails filled the room and make both Rachel and the ghost child cover their ears, and clinch their eyes shut from the pain it caused..

When it finally stopped, they both sighed in relief. But when they open their eyes, they noticed that not only was the evil entity nowhere in sight, but the room had changed.. The door, and window frame was crooked in a rhombus shape.. so was everything else from the cabinets, the chair, even tiling on the floor.. it looked like a twisted version of reality that was dark. The only trace of light was the illumination of a a blood red full moon that was unusually close. Rachel got to her feet, and walked towards the window to get a better look. But she was surprised to see nothing.. no sky, no trees, not even the ground. It was nothing but an endless black abyss with a large, blood red moon.

"So.. it's a Telekus. This must be it's domain."

Ray said to herself, remembering what death had taught her. Apparently it was a one of many spaces between realities that a Telenus evil spirit, demon, or angel can pull you into where they have full control of space, and reality.

"No nonono no... She brought me back.. after everything I did to get out.. she brought me back!"

The boy said distressed as he curled into himself, grasping at his hair.. Rachel turned her attention back to the panicking boy, and kneeled down in front of him..

"Hey.. you said you got out before, right? Show me how you did it, and we can get out together."

She said softly, trying to comfort the boy, but it didn't work..

"That won't work..the only reason I was able to get out was because her attention wasn't on me. I found a gap, but now that we're her main targets, there won't be anyway to escape.."

He said defeated tone.. not even bothering to look up at her

Rachel sighed as she got to her feet, and examined the room, she noticed that package that 'Mr. Mortis' gifted her was still sitting in the chair.. At first, she was wondering how it made it to this twisted reality, but figured it didn't matter more than the situation at hand.

She opened the large box and saw a large, sliver professional looking briefcase. She pulled it out and examined it before pushing the two buttons that unlocked it, when she opened it, she couldn't help but smile. Two chrome 9mm revolvers, a chrome short barrel shotgun with a Maple wood stalk and fore-end, the knife she got from Zack, and a black chest holster. Maybe there was a way out of here.. Just not an easy one.

Quickly began putting on her holster, adjusting to where it suited her best, especially while wearing a hospital gown, and placed each pistol under an arm, The ghost boy noticed this, and asked..

"You're.. gonna try to fight her, are you?"

"I don't really have much choice.. you said theres no way out, right?" Ray asked, not even looking at the boy as holstered the shotgun to her back..

"Y-yea.. there isn't one."

"Well I have to kill it. If there's no entity, there's no domain."
Rachel said placidly..

"That's still suicide.. to kill her you have to get to her, the real her in the center, and she controls every inch of this place. She'll make it impossible for you to reach."

"I'll just have to take my chances. I can't stay here."
Rachel said as she turned away from the boy.

"Wait.. if you're really sure you can kill her, then I'll show you how to get to her. I've been here so a real long time so I know my way around."

The ghost boy offered.. making Rachel stop in her tracks, look at him over her shoulder..

"Are you sure? You looked pretty scared a minute ago."

"I was.. I still am if we're being completely honest, but I want to be free.. you might be able to help me and alot of other kids.. dead and alive."

Rachel paused at his words for a brief second before speaking again..

"What's your name?"

"It's Kevin."

"Okay Kevin.. if you show me the way, I'll do my best to free you."

Kevin looked at her unsure until she held a hand out.. the ghost boy looked at her a second before smiling, and taking her hand in his, and shaking it .

"Deal."

To Be Continued...