The kangaroo lay on her side. Her dark eyes were trained on him the entire time, watching him transform into human form. Ever fell slowly into a crouch, keeping his distance a few feet away.

  “Hi,” Ever said.

  The roo’s ears rotated, but otherwise she gave no indication of having heard him.

  *Mentor, this kangaroo is still alive.*

  Watch her and be with her, young soul.

  Ever nodded. There was a lesson here his mentor was trying to teach him. He inched forward, dry leaves crackling under his feet.

  The roo exhaled forcefully out of her nose, trying to shuffle away from him to no avail.

  ^Urgh…^ her long, narrow face masked the pain evident in her voice. Getting closer, Ever saw it: one of her legs was bent the wrong way, bone visible.

  “Oh no…” Ever said, moving forward.

  ^Don’t come any closer!^ The roo said, wrenching back.

  “I’m not here to hurt you.”

  ^How do I know that?^

  “You don’t,” Ever said. “Trust me, my girlfriend’s an animal doctor, she can help you.”

  Ever reached forward and grabbed one of her forepaws. The roo batted at him, trying to put distance between them. After half a minute or so, she gave up.

  ^One of your damn metal monsters hit me,^ Roo said, laying her head down on the dirt ground. ^I tried to get away, but…^

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  Ever stroked the back of her paw; the tension softened.

  ^You say you know a doctor?^ Roo said, voice growing weaker.

  “Yes.”

  ^Can you make sure she looks after Joey?^

  “Joey?” Ever said. “Who’s Joey?”

  Roo slipped away with Ever holding her forepaw. All of a sudden he felt a pull, as if someone - something - was dragging him upwards. He watched as Roo’s soul pulled out from her body, turning his own human shell transparent as he himself was changed into reaper form.

  Roo pulled her forepaw away from Ever, standing up on her powerful hind legs. She checked inside her pouch, didn’t find what she was looking for, then looked back at her corporeal form laying on the ground.

  Ever followed her line of sight to her lower stomach, where something stirred. A mini roo popped his head out looking around.

  ^Mama?^ He pulled himself out, nudging Roo in the chest.

  ^Will you make sure someone looks after Joey?^ Roo said.

  “Of course,” Ever said. “I promise.”

  The roo shook her head in acknowledgement. ^Tell my boy, will you?^

  “I can do better than that,” the apprentice reaper said with a smile. He held the scythe aloft, gazing upon it:

  SENSES

  Hearing

  Smell

  Touch

  Sight

  Taste

  After making his choices of "Sight" and "Hearing", he dropped his hand as he watched the scythe, transformed into motes of light, illuminate Roo. Joey gazed upon his mother, his beady, little eyes reflecting her shining, milky form.

  ^Mama’s got to go now. Trust this human. He’ll look after you.^ She gazed intently at Ever. ^Won’t you?^

  “I will.” Ever said.

  Roo gave one more shake of her head, satisfied before fading away. Back in human form, Ever knelt on the ground, scooping up Joey.

  ^Who are you?^ The baby kangaroo asked, more curious than afraid.

  Ever cradled Joey closer. “A friend.”