Page 7 of Vexed

CHAPTER SEVEN

Vex

I can barely hear myself think amidst the constant beeping of machines and the sorrowful sobs of the family members in the room. I always preferred going to the homes of people instead of hospitals. It feels calmer. More personal.

But if I’m brutally honest, the worst places I have gone to have to be accidents and suicides. They make me sick to my stomach. Funny, being the angel of death and all that, it shouldn’t bother me—but it does.

As I lean against the cool, rough wall beside the hospital bed, I take in the sight before me. The old man lying in the bed, his frail body fighting against the grip of brain cancer, appears almost translucent under the harsh fluorescent lights.

The old man’s family surrounds him, their presence a mixture of solace and heartache.

His wife, with trembling hands, clasps his frail fingers tightly, her voice quivering as she whispers words of comfort.

Telling him about how he can finally be healed and free of his pain and that he no longer has to worry about them.

The sounds of her gentle reassurances blend with the faint rustling of tissue papers and the stifled sobs of his children.

In a corner of the room, the grandchildren sit on chairs, their faces etched with a mixture of confusion and sadness. A little girl, oblivious to the gravity of the moment, occupies herself with a stuffed animal, her laughter echoing faintly against the sterile walls.

The poor girl has no idea what’s going on or why everyone is crying. She will never get to make memories with her great-grandfather. The only thing to remember him by will be pictures and stories.

This is always the hardest. Taking away an important person from someone so young. I have no choice, but it still sucks. I tried doing something right by Lily when I gave her more time with her father, I couldn't bare breaking her fragile little heart.

But I got into a lot of shit because of it, now, all I can do is stand back and watch as people's lives get turned upside down.

I have to stop myself from going to her and hugging her, telling her that everything is going to be okay. But if I suddenly materialize in the middle of the room, there will be more than one soul to take with me.

I reach inside my robe and retrieve the hourglass, a tangible representation of the old man’s dwindling time. The grains of sand, slipping silently through the narrow passage, mark the closing chapter of his life. With a heavy heart, I approach the bed, prepared to guide his departing soul.

But just as I was about to place the hourglass beside him, a soft, distant sound captured my attention.

Turning my head, I strain my ears.

“Vex.” I hear it. Loud and clear. Lily .

I can’t help the smirk as I realize she must have found the flower I left at her window. What makes me even happier is the fact that she knows it was me.

I look back at the old man still clinging to life and carefully place the hourglass next to his bed. Watching it. Waiting for the last grain of sand to hit the bottom.

I think this hourglass is broken. They should call it the eternity-glass with how fucking long it takes to run out.

As the final grain slips through the hourglass, my scythe materializes in my hand, its polished blade gleaming under the dim light.

With a swift swing, the sharp steel slices through his body, the sound of its cutting filling the air. As I withdraw the blade, the ethereal glow of his soul clings to it, trailing behind like a wispy white orb.

The man’s soul hovers beside me, his wide eyes darting anxiously around the room, trying to make sense of the surreal scene unfolding before him.

As my scythe vanishes into thin air, I extend a soft hand and rest it gently on his trembling shoulder, feeling the tension beneath my fingertips. His body flinches in response to the touch.

“Time to go,” I utter, squeezing his shoulder.

“What… what about my family?” His questioning gaze meets mine, his brown eyes desperately searching for answers.

I shift my gaze towards his weeping wife, her sorrowful cries echoing in the room as the machine flat-lines.

Memories of the tender words she once whispered to him flood my mind, and I meet his gaze again, offering a small smile in response to his unspoken fears.

“They are going to be fine,” I assure him.

Extending my hand towards him, he casts one last glance at his grieving family, his fingers trembling as they intertwine with mine. In a flash of blinding light, we vanish.

After dropping the new soul at the underworld express—as I like to call it, I made my way to the playground.

Standing behind a tall oak tree, I watch her intently. She’s sitting on the swing, her body swaying gently in the breeze. The rusty chains squeak with each movement. The same swing she used to sit on as a child when we first met. A bittersweet smile tugs at my lips as I take in the sight.

For a few minutes, I just stand there, watching her, admiring her from behind the tree. God, I feel like a creep.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I adjust my sleeves and step out from behind the tree, the dry leaves crunching beneath my shoes. As I approach her, my gaze remains fixated on her. Her long wavy brown hair dances in the gentle breeze and I can hear the soft melody of a song escaping her lips.

I come to a halt right behind her, clearing my throat. The sound echoes in the silence of the playground.

Startled, she jerks her head towards me, gasping in surprise, her eyes widening as they meet mine. She takes a step back, her gaze locked on me.

“Holy shit you scared me… can I help you?” She breathes, her eyes wide as she stares at me, but I don’t say anything. Flashing her a warm smile, I give her a moment to process the familiar face before her.

Her lips part, but no words escape as she tries to find her voice. She takes a few cautious steps backward, her eyes never leaving mine. Then, in a breathless whisper, she utters my name—

“Vex.” She doesn’t move and for a second it looks like she’s stopped breathing completely, like she’s seen a ghost.

“Lily,” I said, “It’s been a long time.”

“Y-you… you’re here?”

“I’ve always been here,” I say softly, closing the distance between us. I anticipate her to retreat, but she stands her ground, her gaze unwavering. I halt in front of her and she stares up at me. Her blue eyes pierce through me. So beautiful.

Suddenly, without warning, she throws her arms around my waist, embracing me tightly. I’m taken aback by the movement but don’t hesitate to wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer.

“Why are you here?” she asks, her voice muffled against my chest.

“I’ve come to see how you were doing,” I replied, wrapping my arms around her tightly, relishing the warmth that enveloped us. As I held her, I caught a whiff of her scent, a delightful aroma of fresh raspberries that tickled my senses.

But our embrace was short-lived as she suddenly released herself from my grasp and forcefully pushed me back. The sound of her palm striking my chest echoed in my ears, a sharp, stinging noise that matched the intensity of her anger.

“Where were you?” she yelled, her voice filled with frustration, and she struck me again, the thud against my chest vibrating through my body.

“I needed you and you fucking left me!” I frown, noticing her eyes welling up with tears. I never left her. I was always there. She just didn’t see me. I didn’t allow her to see me. But I was there.

I keep quiet as I stare down at her. I can’t exactly tell her that I have always looked out for her. I can’t say ‘I was there you just couldn’t see me because I was invisible’, that sounds fucking insane.

So instead, I remained silent, allowing her to vent her anger, to unleash her emotions upon me. I want her to shout at me, punch me, spit on me, whatever would make her feel better. I deserved it, and she deserved an explanation. But not now, not yet.

“I’m sorry,” I finally murmured, my voice gentle, but she scoffed, forcefully wiping away her tears.

“Sorry? That’s all you have to say?” Her words hung in the air, filled with disappointment. I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. But before I could utter another word, she stepped closer, her eyes piercing into mine.

“Where. Were. You?” she demanded, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and hurt.

“I... um, I had some urgent matters to attend to,” I stumbled over my words, frustrated with my inability to express myself clearly. Fuck. I could see in her eyes that she didn’t believe me.

“Urgent matters...” she repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “For... what, ten years?” Her words stung, and my frustration grew. It wasn’t her fault; she couldn’t understand. But I was growing weary of trying to explain myself.

“I couldn’t be around you anymore,” I blurted out, instantly regretting the words that slipped out of my mouth. It was too late to take them back.

Her mouth fell open, and for a moment, I thought she might strike me again. But she doesn’t. I wanted to be with her, to stay by her side, but I couldn’t. Not after what I had done.

If she ever finds out that I was the reason behind her pain—well, okay, not the main reason, it was going to happen anyway —but that’s not the point. If she was to ever find out, she would never forgive me.

She shakes her head, her eyes filled with tears, and gazes off to the side, lost in her own thoughts. “Just go.”

I frown, taking a tentative step closer. I reach out, placing my hands on her trembling shoulders, feeling the warmth and the slight tremor beneath my palms.

“You called for me,” I whisper softly, my voice barely audible over the distant sounds of traffic. But she shakes my hands off, her touch leaving a chill on my skin, and takes a step back, creating a growing distance between us.

Her words strike me with the force of a sharp blade, piercing through me, “It was a mistake. Meeting you was a mistake.”

Without another word, she turns away, her footsteps becoming fainter as she walks along the sidewalk, heading towards her house.

I watch her silhouette disappearing into the distance, a sinking feeling in my chest. I yearn to reach out and pull her back, to make her stay, but there was no use in doing that.

The world around me seems to hold its breath, as if mirroring the weight of the moment. The street lamps cast a soft glow, casting elongated shadows on the pavement, as if whispering secrets to one another.

She may have pushed me away, but I know deep down that she needs me, just as I need her. The bond we share cannot be easily broken.

I exhale a long breath, feeling the warmth leaving my body, as I take in the surroundings. I enjoy the silence here. Always have. No wonder she always came here by herself. It’s nice.

Before I can enjoy the peace further, a sudden vision flashes in my mind, a glimpse into the dark depths of the Underworld.

The sight is accompanied by a chilling sensation, like icy tendrils creeping up my spine.

The air around me seems to grow colder, as if the spirits of the departed are whispering their urgent messages.

Another soul needs to be taken to the afterlife. Jesus, can I have a fucking minute, please? I swear, they need to hire a temp so I can take a vacation.