Ever arrived at work the next day, feeling a bit detached from reality. For someone who could slip in and out of soul form, this was saying something. For 24 hours he’d felt like this, ever since Taylor offhandedly mentioned her further study plans. That must have been why she was so distant recently - or was there something else?

  Ding!

  “Good morning,” Ever said. Chaos and Taylor were already there. They looked up at him in unison. A shadow flitted across Taylor’s face, faster than a fox flashing between bushes.

  “Hey, sorry to do this to you again, but I’m going to go back home and study. I just came in to finish some errands.” Taylor slipped out from behind the ice cream display towards Ever standing at the front door.

  Normally, she would barrel towards anything and anyone, not caring if she came into contact with them; Ever got used to being bumped around unapologetically. As she opened the door now, she seemed to press herself against the window next to the door, not meeting Ever’s eyes, before leaving without another word.

  Ever watched her until she disappeared from sight; she didn’t even glance back. The pressure that been building up cracked Ever’s composure.

  “What’s going on?” Ever asked. “What were you talking about?”

  Chaos gave Ever an inscrutable look. Was he thinking about how he was going to break the bad news to him? Or was it because he was pitying Ever?

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  “We talked about nothing more than what she just mentioned when you came in.”

  “There’s something else bothering her,” Ever said. “I heard it in her voice at the start of the week.”

  “What did you hear?”

  “I don’t know,” Ever said, gripping the back of one of the chairs tightly. “It sounded like she wanted to stay away from me.”

  Chaos had crouched down to start moving the ice cream tubs up. “Humans are allowed to keep their distance from one another for any reason they want, I believe.”

  “But why would she want to keep her distance from me?”

  Chaos took his time, bringing up all the tubs of ice cream. Mist licked their surfaces, leaving beads of condensation behind. This time, the expression on his face was soft. Ever knew it was pity; he hated it.

  “Death’s apprentice, I originated from nothing. Do you know what the origin of nearly all chaos is amongst humanity?” His voice seemed to ring out, even though they were just standing in the modestly sized ice cream store.

  “No.”

  “Most chaos is generated in the minds of men. Entire empires have been brought down by paranoia, jealousy and hubris. These are the worst monsters of all that keep humans awake at night, gorging themselves on their unfettered imagination. As much as I enjoy seeing you like this, I cannot accept that the next in line to shepherd souls to the Underworld can be cowed by a mortal mind like that of a common person.”

  What Chaos had intended with this monologue? To sow more doubt in his mind? To insult him? In the end he felt none of this, instead letting a welcome sense of calm drape over his mind like a silk sheet.

  “What do you suggest I do?”

  “First, I suggest you stop thinking like a human. Second, I suggest you speak with Taylor.”