Page 5 of Unruly
“Farnsworth.”
Opening my eyes, I smile at my guide. She’s as beautiful as ever in her flowing pink gown, tendrils of her brunette hair blowing in a breeze of her own creation.
“Hello, Elina. Have you heard the news?”
“Of course. I assumed you would call for me. Are you well?”
“Well enough, yes. The new Chaser is in orientation.”
“Another successful recruit for your stats.”
I lightly scoff. “It’s hardly difficult. Death is unbecoming.”
“I suppose. I much prefer it here to the Above. Living is so tedious.”
“It is.” I lean forward on my desk. “Do you know why I was assigned to partner with a Chaser?”
Her serene smile fades into a perplexed expression. “The hands of Fate are in this one, and I am not privy to their whims.”
“Yes, his file said it was his destiny to partner with me, but I don’t understand why.”
“Do any of us?”
Her answer frustrates me, but I know she would tell me something more substantial if she could. “I’m centuries out of practice, Elina. I don’t even know what the Above looks like anymore. What year is it? What season? How do they talk and dress? How will I blend in among them while finding this Horror?”
“You’re worrying over unimportant details. You were chosen because you’re the right one for the task. If you have faith in the system, as I know you do, then trust that you’ll find your way. As far as your partner… well, only time will reveal his purpose.”
“I suppose.”
“And as he’s recently dead, he can tell you everything you need to know about the Above.”
I sit back in my seat as her words sink in. I’ve been given a contemporary partner to help me. Of course. That makes so much sense.
“Yes, I see that now.”
“Trust yourself and your skills, Farnsworth. You were promoted to Guide because of your talent and tenacity. Your skills may not have been used recently, but they are not gone.”
“Right. Helpful reminder.”
“That’s why I’m here.” She smiles warmly. “Call anytime.”
“Thank you.”
Then she’s gone. She’s right, of course. Borja’s destiny and purpose will reveal itself over time, and now it makes sense that I was paired with a modern Chaser. I’ll teach him what he needs to know to be an effective Chaser, and he’ll help me adapt to the modern Above. Odd way of doing it, but I’m not one to question the selection process. As always, I accept my duty. I’ll train Borja, banish this Horror yet again, then get on with my normal duties.
Everything will be just fine.
Chapter 2
Borja
This is wild.
Like, on a level that makes it unclear whether I’m delusional or this is really happening. Farnsworth seems real, in a stiff, nerdy kind of way, and I don’t know where I’d get the references to imagine all these details which means it’s probably… Real. I’m dead. But if what Farnsworth says is true, I won’t be for long.
Sitting at the table, looking at the stack of papers and books I’m supposed to read, I consider for a moment why I want to return to the living. I didn’t exactly have a lot going for me. My apartment is in a great neighborhood, but it’s tiny and it’s getting harder to afford it each year. That’s the real reason I don’t have any pets. I’d love a dog or cat to cuddle on cold winter nights, but finances are tight and my lifestyle requires flexibility.
I have a few solid friends, but their lives make it hard to stay in touch. They all have professional jobs, families, spouses. I’m like the eternal kid they’ve all adopted. It was sobering to turn forty this year, only to die a few months later.
