Chapter Nine: Newbie Shinigami:

Chapter Nine: Newbie Shinigami:

ï¿½Huh?ï¿½ I asked, ï¿½What just happened?ï¿½ I looked at my fingertips. Am Iï¿½ dead?

ï¿½Correct!ï¿½ I heard over my head. I looked up and saw the glow of candles in front of me. The bright lights nearly blinded me so much that I had to shield my eyes. It was then that I remembered what happened moments before. I died in that train crash as it sped off of the tracks and careened into the wall. The last thing I saw was blood before it got dark. The images wouldnï¿½t stop playing in my mind as I shook my head.

ï¿½No,ï¿½ I murmured. ï¿½What about my family? I canï¿½t leave them behind!ï¿½ I tried to see through the many lit candles ahead of me. ï¿½Canï¿½t I go back?ï¿½ I asked.

ï¿½Iï¿½m sorry,ï¿½ the voice told me, ï¿½I canï¿½t return you to your old life.ï¿½ My heart sank when I heard that. I shook my head.

ï¿½No,ï¿½ I mumbled.

ï¿½Iï¿½m sorry,ï¿½ the voice told me. My hands began to shake as I went pale.

ï¿½But,ï¿½ I murmured, ï¿½But what about my family? Who will take care of them?ï¿½ A soft breeze blew by me. I felt a pair of hands embrace me from behind.

ï¿½I can help you there,ï¿½ a small voice whispered, ï¿½Just answer one question for me.ï¿½ I drew my eyes shut.

ï¿½Yes?ï¿½ I asked.

ï¿½Why should I make you a shinigami?ï¿½ it asked, ï¿½Youï¿½ll have to bring in more dead like yourself. Tearing them away from their families and lovers, can you live with that?ï¿½ I never could lie in life and I wasnï¿½t going to start now.

ï¿½No,ï¿½ I admitted.

ï¿½No?ï¿½ the voice asked. I shook my head.

ï¿½No,ï¿½ I repeated, ï¿½I donï¿½t have the heart to do it.ï¿½

ï¿½Then tell me why,ï¿½ it ordered. I only have one answer in mind.

ï¿½My family,ï¿½ I said.

ï¿½Your family?ï¿½ I heard it ask. I swallowed as I gathered my thoughts.

ï¿½My family is my motive for going on,ï¿½ I answered. ï¿½Even in death I want to watch over them, so, please, let me find a way to stay by them.ï¿½ The hands released my body in silence. The candlelight dimmed to reveal two men in fancy suits.

ï¿½Come with us,ï¿½ the first one replied. I watched them walk down the hall. I followed behind rather confused. We didnï¿½t speak for the whole trip. I looked around unsettled.

ï¿½Hey, where exactly are we going?ï¿½ I muttered to their backs. I didnï¿½t get an answer from either one. I lowered my eyes to the floor.

ï¿½Okay,ï¿½ I mumbled. The hall darkened behind us. Creepy, I thought as I looked around at where the walls should have been. We came up to a door at the end of the hall. The men saw me inside. I bowed my head at them in the doorway.

ï¿½Thanks, I guess,ï¿½ I mumbled. I walked inside when they said nothing. My interview didnï¿½t last long; it felt like an actual job interview. I answered a few questions the higher-ups gave me and got assigned to Kyoto under Watari Yutakaï¿½s guidance. The best part about this deal so far? I get to be near my family in Kyoto.