Death Remembers His First Assignment

by Ana Cristina

You see, I was once like Eddie, too. Too green. Wet behind the ears. Insert whatever cliché you like.

I almost botched my first job.

As soon as the soul is severed from the body, you have to grab it immediately or risk losing it. I don’t know what happens if a soul gets lost, but in my boss’s words, “It ain’t pretty, son.” It ain’t pretty, son. Those were the words I carried with me my first time. Looking back I realize they went easy on me, it being my first time and all.

My first assignment was an 88 year-old woman from Italy. She died the best way a human can die, peacefully, in her sleep. So there I was, standing over this old woman in a rocking chair, her arthritic hands clutching her rosary as she nodded off, my hands shaking so hard I could barely stand still, and then her soul came wafting out, so feather-light and quick it almost slipped right through my outstretched fingers.

I caught her in the nick of time. But that feeling of stomach-clenching near-loss has stayed with me to this very day.

Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. Death Remembers His First Assignment

    YodaOnCrack's Buddy Icon YodaOnCrack

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Awesome. Great images and descriptions!

  2. Death Remembers His First Assignment

    SKermitgorf's Buddy Icon SKermitgorf

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Love the imagery as well, can almost feel what he(Death Jeff) is feeling, well written.

  3. Death Remembers His First Assignment

    Mistress Elsha Hawk's Buddy Icon Mistress Elsha Hawk

    Posted about 1 month ago

    whoa! very nice pacing and good action, I felt nervous for him!

  4. Death Remembers His First Assignment

    g2 (la pianista irlandesa)'s Buddy Icon g2 (la pianista irlandesa)

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Beautiful once more!

  5. Death Remembers His First Assignment

    Wyatt Aapr's Buddy Icon Wyatt Aapr

    Posted about 1 month ago

    Wonderful series. It’s tugged me away from TV. For some reason, in my mind, I see Jeff as a she? Possible?

  6. Death Remembers His First Assignment

    ALRO613 ♪ LoA ♫'s Buddy Icon ALRO613 ♪ LoA ♫

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Fantastic… I’m hooked, and may actually Sequel at one point.. very inspiring..

  7. Death Remembers His First Assignment

    PyroPunk 51 (PPP LoA)'s Buddy Icon PyroPunk 51 (PPP LoA)

    Posted about 1 month ago

    This series reminds me of Terry Pratchet. Missing: Death presumed er… missing

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