Chapter 60: side story: The Reaper and the Mother

Unnamed like the rest, yet this reaper was new to his work. He was still getting used to reaping souls so his work was light.

Scary as he looked, he didn't possess any feelings. Perhaps he once did, once, of a time, he no longer remembered.

Today his work was almost done, he had one last soul to reap.

Of a woman.

Named Camilla.

She was to die in an alley, amongst the snow as she held her newborn.

He made his way to the alley, seen by none, heard by none.

He stopped by the fallen body who held her baby next to her, so tight yet with gentleness, unwilling to let go as if he was here for the child.

She trembled in the snow, holding on to life, perhaps she was afraid, not for herself but for her child.

The reaper wondered why? He couldn't comprehend it. Why would she not worry about her own life? Isn't that what a human is?

It was time. He stepped closer to take what will no longer be hers. He stanced his scythe and stared down at his last job for the day, who, even though he couldn't see him, looked at him and his scythe lowered.

"Why?" He asked her as he revealed himself.

"Because I'm a mother."

Was a mother supposed to be someone special? Different than a human? He didn't understand but he didn't want to just take her life.

Why? He didn't know. It was not like he possessed any feeling but he just for once felt like he wanted to give this 'mother' something.

So he crouched down, pressed his long bony finger on the trembling lady's forehead.

She calmed down, a smile spread across her face, she left a bit relieved and surrendered her soul to him when he slashed his scythe for it.

But what did he do to make her feel so relieved?

He had shown her a boy, a boy that would soon arrive and take the unnamed child with him, he will give her happiness, he will give her love, he will give her family.

He showed her all the happy things that would happen in her daughter's life.

Why did he do that? He himself wasn't sure.

Perhaps, it was because he was still new?

He may never get this opportunity later but this time he felt like he didn't regret it.

He stood there for quite some while, then lightly tapped the baby's cheek who was asleep but woke up with the gesture and began to cry.

"Now, it's time to leave." He said to himself and left the place as a young boy reached the alley, following the sound of the little cries.