Page 34 of How to Survive Your Own Death

She dropped the letter opener. It clattered to the pavement.

“Excellent work,” Bazel said.

“That’s it?” It had all happened so suddenly, and now that it was over, her body felt overheated and awkward. She tucked her hands into the pockets of her hoody, unsure what to do with her body. She was definitely going to be sick, though.

“A soul that would otherwise be trapped here has moved on.”

It didn’t feel like enough. It felt pointless.

CHAPTER 10

BAZEL

He did not like this mood on Geri. It did not suit her.

“You should have ice cream,” he suggested.

“I’m not eating my emotions.” Pushing off with a foot, she maneuvered her bicycle into traffic, keeping her eyes forward.

No, he did not like this at all.

Keeping pace with the bicycle was no challenge. He was incorporeal and manifested alongside her, never more than a few steps away. If she moved, he moved, no matter the speed or velocity. It was very handy in the modern world with fast-moving vehicles. However, it found the current situation vexing.

He shifted, stepping into the area of the bicycle’s basket. He could not sit, per say, but it was almost as if they shared the contraption.

The view was… alarming. They moved on the street at a distressing pace. He shouted a warning as a door opened on an automobile. The bicycle swerved to avoid collision.

Geri frowned, leaning to one side. “Move. I can’t see through you.”

“What is our destination?”

“The hospital if you don’t stop blocking my view.”

He shifted, this time materializing on the seat behind her. The position was superior in all regards.

“I’m going home. Where else do I have to be? My life is just invisible entities and dead people,” she said in a bitter tone.

Why he should be concerned with her mood was baffling. He understood that she took this post under duress and cheerfulness was not a requirement in collecting souls. He himself could be quite morose. He suspected that Zarall had never experienced a jovial thought in his entire existence. Humble Good Day was quite amiable but he was the exception. A lighthearted disposition was not a requirement of the job.

“You did what was required today. Well done,” he said. No one could ask for more. Not even management.

Geri made a grumbling noise which he found distressing. He did not like to see her unhappy. It was most disagreeable.

He made a hurried decision, which was out of character.

“Turn right there,” he said, pointing at an upcoming intersection. “There is someplace I want to show you.”

“I don’t think I’m up for a field trip.”

“It is where I like to go when I feel the weight of my responsibilities.”

“Intriguing,” she said, her voice perking with curiosity. “New reaper lore is about to drop.”

Her words were nonsensical, but she followed his instructions and turned. Perhaps it was a lingering effect of having lost his scythe or draining his power to resurrect her, but this pleased him.

GERI

Geri stood, straddling the bike. “This is a grocery store.”