Page 12 of Vexed
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 echoingin 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. Flashingher 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.
