*He’s here.*

  Would you look at that, he actually came back.

  The soul started lining up at the back of the queue. Ever looked at him but he was trying not to make eye contact. His name, date of birth and date of death faded in:

  Miller Jackson

  03 April 1983 - 28 July 2020

  “Miller,” Ever said gently.

  “Eeep!” He squealed, “You can see me?”

  “Yes,” Ever said. To Miller’s phantom eyes in the direct sunlight, Ever would have appeared almost as an outline to be colored in.

  “You look f-familiar,” Miller stammered. “Weren’t you-?” He looked into the window of the ice cream store and back at Ever again.

  “Believe it or not, I work here at Pagoto’s but I’m also Death’s apprentice.”

  Miller’s wide-eyed gaze fell on the scythe resting on Ever’s knees. “You’re here to send souls to to the Underworld.”

  “Yes, but only when they’re ready,” Ever said, adding the last part quickly. While Miller had come to him, it felt like he could also disappear in a blink.

  “I-I’m not ready, I want to have some ice cream.”

  “But you can’t.”

  “I…” Miller wrung his ghostly hands. “I can’t. I couldn't when I was alive and I can’t even now when I’m dead.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  “Come sit with me,” Ever said, patting the seat next to him.

  The nervous man shook his head rapidly. “I can’t, the sun makes me sweat and my skin gets really itchy.”

  Ever looked at him solemnly, waiting for the coin to drop. Seconds passed; it didn't. “Come on, let’s sit inside.”

  They floated inside and sat together in the corner table. Chaos glared at Miller but didn’t say anything. Ever gave a sharp shake of his head at the primordial being, who then looked away. Taylor was in the middle of taking payment from a customer. It felt strange being in this familiar place and being in the same room as her, but feeling worlds apart.

  “What flavor do you want to try?”

  There was a faint smile on Miller’s lips and he seemed to relax a little. “I’ve always wanted to try hazelnut. I had allergies when I was alive. It was one of the flavors Kate loved. She gave it up so that we could be together. Not long after that, we were on a road trip, got lost, drove off a bridge then…” he pushed a hand over his forearm, simulating a fiery accident.

  “I’m sorry to hear. Did you find her again in death?”

  Miller shook his head. “No, unfortunately. I hope she’s in a better place.”

  “I’m sure she is.”

  The scythe came to life.

  SENSES

  —--

  —--

  —--

  —--

  Taste

  That’s a no-brainer, Death commented.

  Ever selected the option and the scythe lifted into the air, shrinking so fast into a cup of Pagoto’s hazelnut ice cream, it was almost like it was in a hurry.

  “C-Could I have a cone?” Miller asked.

  Ever smiled. The mass of light in flux warped into a wafer cone with the beige, nut flavour on it. Miller wrapped his hands carefully around the cone.

  “Enjoy.”

  There was a sudden gust of wind, blowing the door open. Taylor hustled over to pull it shut. Chaos stared at the corner table like there was someone sitting there.

  “Dude, you've been spacing out all afternoon,” Taylor said.

  The old man was silent for a while. “I was just thinking of how good Ever is at his job is all.”