“He already knows I’m out. I’m not leaving you alone with him.”
“Well done!” G.R. said, looking at Frankie. I hoped she realized she was going to be taking the credit for this. She was the one that had the deal to fulfill.
“Don’t congratulate me on her death like it’s some sort of sport. You make me sick,” Frankie said.
It appeared that whatever kind of shock she was in from all of this was now gone.
“I like you,” the Reaper said, smiling. “Such spunk. You would make a wonderful Escort.”
I stiffened and stepped a little closer to her.
“Tell me, though…” he began. “I’m surprised you were able to snap her neck like that. Is it something you’ve done before?”
“No,” Frankie replied.
His eyes speared me. “You, on the other hand, know how to snap a neck quite well.”
“Can’t take the credit for this kill,” I said, shrugging.
“We had a deal,” Frankie reminded him.
“Did you think I was stupid!?” he spat. “Charming is the one who made the kill, not you! We had a deal. A deal that you would finish the job in exchange for his freedom! The deal has been broken!”
“No, it was me!” she exclaimed, rushing forward, but I yanked her back, angling myself in front of her.
I could have told her to run, but really, what good would it have done? You can’t outrun Death.
“You can’t protect her, Charming. Not anymore.”
He started coming closer, wiggling his fingers in anticipation for his touch. I began to build up energy in the palm of my hand, knowing it would only slow him down but wanting to do everything I possibly could to help her.
Just then Storm began to rise up out of the Target. He was making a weird sound like he was struggling to get out. All three of us turned to look at the black smoke that trailed out the Target’s ears and nose as he groaned as if he were in pain.
The mist seemed to surround the body, filling up the space around her, until he came together, creating more of a shape.
“Damn. I didn’t know being in a body when it died was going to be like that,” he said. Then he realized the Reaper was standing there watching him. “Uhhhh…”
“How did you get in that body?” the Reaper hissed.
“It’s something I know how to do.”
“You mean to tell me that one of my Ghost Escorts knows how to take over a body and use it as their own?” He seemed more intrigued than angry.
This could be good… I nudged Frankie toward the exit.
“Yeah, but sometimes it hurts.”
“But you can do it. And what about the soul already in the body?”
“It’s still in there. I just take over.”
“What else have you been doing without me realizing?” he said shrewdly.
“I was just bored. I was gonna tell you,” Storm said. I could hear the nerves in his voice.
“Of course you were,” he replied. “What else can you do?”
“Well… I’ve sorta been becoming more solid.”
