The walk back to the house was sombre. Even the wind which hadn’t hesitated to nip at Ever all day seemed more subdued now that Gaia had left. Sensing that her person wanted some thinking time, Mimi quietly walked on the leash without complaining.

  *Mentor.*

  Evermeister.

  *There are people dying every second, aren’t there?*

  Death paused, weighing up the question. There are.

  *I’m only one reaper. How do I send them all to the Underworld?*

  If Ever listened carefully, he could just hear the quiet tapping of ethereal bone on the obsidian onyx tiles as Death walked, probably with his skeleton hands in the small of his back.

  Don’t forget that you’re still an apprentice, Death said. One of the skills you will obtain once you are a professional is partial omnipresence. That means you’ll be able to be in many places at once.

  *There will be souls waiting for me though, won’t there?*

  Yes… and no.

  Talking to Death somehow made the commute back faster. Ever slid the key into lock, undid the clasp and let Mimi run inside.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Yes, souls that choose to stay on earth are in no hurry to go anywhere. As they can’t die, they could theoretically stay on earth forever. Sometimes, they’re just waiting for someone or something. Consider Captain Dunstan and his platoon. Once their old mate had kicked the bucket, they were down here pronto. You didn’t have to raise the scythe at all.

  Ever shook some dry food for Mimi into her bowl. It was a bit early, but after all that exercise, and misdirected but well-intentioned guarding of Ever, she was probably hungrier than usual. He sat on the kitchen chair, leaning his elbow into the small table.

  As stupid as I think humans can be sometimes, I do not doubt the power of their spirit! Many souls will actually come down to the Underworld of their own accord after they have let go of whatever has been holding them back. In other words, they self-reap. No scythe needed.

  “Self-reap?” Ever said out loud. Mimi looked up from her bowl momentarily before diving into her food once more, crunching away happily.

  Correct. Ever imagined Death putting his finger up for emphasis, dark robe sliding down his bony forearm. The best reapings are effortless. We cannot force souls who aren’t ready to let go to do so. You know that. Some reapings are easier, some are harder, but it is always their choice.

  For a moment, the only sound was Mimi’s jaw breaking up the dry food and the pulse of the clock on the wall.

  “Gaia has left.” His voice sounded strangely distant coming out of his own mouth. “Taylor is leaving – again.”

  Everyone vanishes eventually, Death said.

  Ever knew that he was trying to be reassuring, but he felt that his mentor wasn't hearing what he was actually trying to say.

  Speaking of reapings, do you remember our uppity soul Louis?

  “Loo-ee you mean?” It had felt like an eternity, but who could forget someone who referred to themselves as ‘Louis the First'?

  Yeah. I’ve been keeping an eye on him. I reckon the timing’s right for us to help him on his way. Are you ready?