I felt strangely calm. The thought of the Reaper walking at my side, ready to turn his blade was no longer frightening. I smiled tightly. Getting my guts wiped all over the ’plex would earn me an immortality that even a legion of Halloweeners with spray paint cans could never hope to achieve. I steeled myself. If I was going to die. I wanted to meet death face to face. Carrying the image of Emily in my heart like a knight with his lady's favor, I walked into the alley. Before I could even react, it was upon me.