Library/Revenant Pt.2

Continuation of **Revenant**, separated into parts for easier organization.

I HAVEN'T READ OR EDITED ANY OF THIS IN A WHILE SO CHANCES ARE THAT NOTHING HERE IS CANON OKAY BYE

## **Summary**

For the 20 years that he has lived as a Reaper, Malice has never had a single memory of his family or his origins. Upon finding out that his mother might still be alive, Malice rushes back to his hometown to reunite with her once more. But after 20 years, a lot has changed, and things are far different from how Malice remembers them.

## **Features**

### **Characters**

* Malice
* Root
* Delma
* Lewis (mentioned)

### **Locations**

* The Rem Forest
* Chervil
	+ Limbo

## Revenant

Alcoholism, blood, character death, emetophobia, family issues, gun use, snakes (DUH, it's Malice, I'd be surprised if snakes weren't involved tbh)

CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED SO ITS POSSIBLY OUTDATED AND SOME PARTS ARE SKIPPED AND NOT FORMATTED AND IT'S OVERALL A BIG MESS
Also unfinished

❗ READ AT YOUR OWN RISK ❗

An old trailer sat in the suburbs of a sleepy town named Chervil, one of those small towns that were, at some point, once lively and full of hope, but as time went on, it was now becoming forgotten to the waves of time. The old camping site the trailer sat in had become its own neighbourhood, but no neighbour was there to notice the rusty-haired boy that left the trailer in rushed steps and frustrated groans, if anything, the neighbours were used to it.

He had caught her drinking again, she promised she would stop, but the constant stress from the numerous failed job interviews that his mother dealt with, mixed with her own lack of self-control was a dangerous mix. But yet, why break her promise to stay clean?

He simply ignored his mother's calls for him as he walked right into the woods, away from the town, where he could hopefully relax and let out his anger by shouting loud enough for the whole forest to hear his frustrations and cries. Or maybe he just wanted to stop thinking about the huge argument he and his mother just had. Sometimes he felt like he was the one who was her parent, not the other way around...

Trying to forget the fight, he focused on the wildlife that resided in those woods, and how he had a certain liking for lizards, frogs, and all sorts of critters, he always knew of the best spots to find them. The boy had always enjoyed nature and in turn, the gentle breeze and the sounds of dry leaves helped him relax, forgetting, even if for brief moments, the circumstances of his life. He had been walking for a while when his curiosity was peaked and his steps froze as soon as he heard a low hissing noise.

In his path, his soft brown eyes met with the sharp yellow of a serpent that glared defensively at him. It was curled on itself, head low, tongue flickering, and it hissed again as it stared at the boy.

He felt thrilled with the sight of the creature, and despite knowing he should leave its territory and let it be, he had never seen one up close and was excited to interact with it. He had always been nice and obedient, he could be allowed a little mischief once in a while. He slowly reached to grab a long stick nearby, perhaps he could scare it off and they could both move on with their lives, he thought.

As his hand took hold of the stick, the snake's hissing got louder and more violent, but he remained calm, his eyes never leaving the reptile's form. His motion was slow, but he got too close and the movement was cut short as the snake suddenly struck him, startled by his movement and the sound of the dry autumn leaves.

It happened so fast, he barely had time to react, quickly pulling his arm away and letting out a cry in pain as the snake's fangs had made their way to his uncovered right wrist. He shook the snake off in a panic and it quickly let go and slithered away as the boy just winced in pain, holding his arm distressed. The two small markings on his wrist began to bleed as he realized that he should return home to treat it and hope his mother wouldn't take notice of it, she'd certainly make a huge deal out of it like she always did.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, he had finally stumbled back home, breathing heavily as he held his head, feeling a strong headache coming to him. He had only felt the initial pain when the snake bit him and he thought it was over but... the cold sweats proved him wrong. It couldn't be that he had just so casually stumbled into a venomous snake just like this, now could it? Sure they weren't uncommon, but what were the odds? He really needed to study which ones were safe and which weren't.

He felt sick and as he walked inside, hesitant at first, but a wave of relief came to him as he noticed how his mother wasn't home. Probably went out looking for him or maybe just out to get groceries, convenient enough, it should give him enough time to patch up. He went to their small kitchen to clean the wound, it seemed red and swollen, hurting when he touched it and he just felt dizzy.

The running water only made his blood run even more, and he gagged at the sight, throwing up as his body attempted to get the venom out of him. But he just felt worse, his eyes slightly tearing up from the acid taste in his mouth. He used the tap water to clean the mess up and gazed at his still bleeding wounds.

It was still very noticeable and after covering it with the first piece of fabric he found, he went to grab a black hoodie, the long sleeves were sure to cover his arms were his mother to notice his swollen arm. Surely it was odd to wear such a thing in such warm weather, but he was willing to take that risk, he had time to brainstorm some excuse until she got back home.

He zoned out for a while, grabbing onto the wall to avoid fainting as he walked. He was fine, this was nothing, he could just sleep it off and be good as new once he woke up.

And yet, before he knew it, he just allowed himself to fall in bed, unsure if he had fainted or just fallen asleep.

. . .

It hadn't been too long when someone gently shook him awake, and he winced when a hand shook his injured arm. He weakly opened his eyes, and realizing how blurred his vision was, he tried his best to see who had awoken him.

His mother Delma, just stared at him, her expression seeming shocked, perhaps by his sudden cry when she touched his arm or the fact that he wasn't exactly the type to take naps.

- *Miles... You're pale... What happened...?* - The red-haired woman asked, her voice, although rough, clearly implied fear for his well being as the boy showed no reaction when she pulled his hood off, caressing his cheek while trying to get a reaction out of him.

- *Fine... I'm just tired... got a headache...* - He spoke, feeling the strong headache and sharp pain in his body returning to him - *Just leave me alone...* - He weakly pulled his hood back up, as if to cover his eyes from the light, he knew his mother was anxious but things still felt awkward from the argument they had a few hours back.

- *Are you sick? This isn't like you...*

- *I...* - He hesitated - *I just went for a walk... I think I got bit by something... But I treated it so it'll pass...* - He spoke weakly, trying to make it sound like it was no big deal, but his tone clearly failed.

- *Uh?! Oh no no no...! Bit?! Where?! What bit you?!* - She asked in panic and the boy quietly groaned as he moved his arm again.

- *Ugh... My arm... It was just some snake I saw in the woods... It's fine, I just need some rest...*

The woman covered her mouth, looking as if she was about to start hyperventilating when she saw his arm, but the boy closed his eyes again, his head as if limp, resting on the pillow.

- *I keep telling you not to go into those woods! Don't move! I'm going to call the hospital!* - She cried out, quickly getting up to reach for their old house phone.

He didn't react, simply trying to rest but he felt unable while his body burned with the pain, his heart just felt weak and his head spun with a painful headache. He could only see the vague shape of his mother crying for help on the phone and he just tried calling for her but the words could barely leave his dry lips. He quickly began to realize the gravity of the situation he was in, but his body refused to act accordingly. This couldn't be it, could it? It was so anti-climatic!

Delma soon put away the phone, never hanging up in case she was to need help.

- *Ma...?* - He weakly mumbled, his gaze barely on her, why was it so hard to focus?

- *Help will be coming soon, just stay with me, okay?!* - She quickly went to him again.

- *I didn't think it'd be this bad... What if I don't make it...?* - He spoke, distractedly - *If I die, I mean... I think I'm dying...? I need to think of what my last words will be...*

She could just feel herself getting more and more scared, the thought of losing her little boy only made her want to cry her eyes out more, he was trying to make light of the situation, but she felt his pain. She just held his pale hand, once strong, but now felt so frail - *Honey, you're going to make it...!* - The red-haired woman said, looking in a panic - *Don't say such silly things...!*

The boy's expression saddened in response, he was in denial, but it was getting harder and harder to focus on anything - *I think I got something... Some last words in case I really die... This is serious...*

 - *Stop saying that! You are not going to die! P-Please...!*

- *But if I do... Ma, I just want you to be happy... and... smile...! Yeah... Also, leave the booze...* - his expression appeared serious for a second, his fingers curled a bit as he weakly held her shivering hand - *Were those good last words...? But if I keep talking, t-then... these are being my last words... Urgh... My head is spinning...*

Delma just wept, keeping her grey olive eyes on his and her other hand caressed his cold cheek. - *No, Miles...! Keep it together!*

He could feel the life escaping through his breath, and quietly, he struggled to keep himself alive, it was a strange feeling, like trying to keep himself awake when he just felt so exhausted. A few long minutes had gone by, forming words in his mind just burned, speaking them, even more - *Ugh... Is this... death...? S-So dumb...* - His weak tone sounded slightly annoyed and in denial, but deep down he was terrified, not like he'd admit it.

- *...No! It is not death, you will be okay! No one is going to die, Miles! D-Do you hear me?!* - His mother cried out, glancing at the window impatiently, there was no sign of any help, what could she even do to help him?!

- *Uhum...* - He mumbled and rested his head on her hand again without another sound, trying to numb out the pain.

- *The doctors should be here any second and...* - But he couldn't hear any more of it, as he rested, his body had shut down and he felt numb as his last life filled sigh escaped his lips. Then there was darkness.

Malice suddenly awoke startled, sweating and panting as if he had just lived his entire life in a long detailed dream. He looked around still shaken by what he saw, feeling his arms and body, realizing where he was, and recalling what had happened to that point.

He had a moment of realization and lowered his sleeve to find the familiar scar he had on his right wrist, two small dots, aligned perfectly, matching the fangs of a serpent. He always imagined that his death would be somehow related to that old scar, but never something so... anti-climatic. Sure, he really was just a regular kid, and he really didn't expect an epic and tragic death, but still... After all these years, he finally remembered, Root had made it seem like his grief was so over the top... Was it...? He tried to remember.

Focused on his thoughts, Malice realized how his body rested on a warm pile of leaves while the falling snow seemed to avoid falling on it, some kind of nature magic was involved and the obvious culprit, Root, was nowhere to be seen. Wasn't he so worried about his potential freak out? Why would he just leave him without some serious scolding about... anything really!

He placed his hand on his chest, every memory was coming back, but the one where the red-haired woman, his mother, held his lifeless body as she sobbed, got to him the most, and all the pain he felt before those years quickly returned to him. He didn't realize how much he missed her, even if he had just learned of her existence, he had known her all of his life and how close they were.

When he died, he could see and move again, but he was no longer connected to his body... He was like a ghost and his soul got to watch his mother crying out for him, but she couldn't hear his muffled voice calling out for her, neither could he hear her, her cries were completely mute.

The overwhelming memories returned and Malice's eyes watered as he remembered, right there like the scared lost soul he once was. Back when he passed away, he still lived in the old trailer, but reality seemed distorted. No colours were ever-present, everything was blurry and grey, he phased through objects, and the silhouette of his mom was a literal blur, which he followed everywhere she went.

It was horribly quiet, aside the voices of the living sounding muffled, and the whispers of the creatures living in this Limbo taunting his vulnerable self. Even in her company, he was still completely alone, nothing ever happened, time took so long to pass and there was nothing to do.

Was the Afterlife just this? Being mute and stuck in a distorted grey version of the world that he couldn't interact with?

He still followed his mother everywhere she went, he couldn't talk but eventually he was able to make quiet cries and grunt, crying and calling for her as she was heartbroken over his death. He was right there! Why couldn't she see him?! Even attending his own funeral, and seeing his own corpse being lowered, she never heard him, he was a ghost, but he couldn't do anything to cause something physical to happen in the world, even if just to bring her attention to his presence.

One night however, he had felt a different presence approaching his ghostly self, causing him to quickly look up anxiously. He heard what sounded like wood being broken into splinters, and wind on branches, with such clarity to his ears that he realized he had forgotten what the real world sounded like.

The sound was subtle at first, but it seemed to get louder and louder by the second. Whatever it was out there, it was fastly approaching in his direction, and whatever it was, it was far bigger than anything he ever knew, and he felt terrified by this notion.

It kept approaching until suddenly there was silence. Like a deer in headlights, the small ghost just sat paralyzed by fear, was it gone? What was that all that?!

Suddenly a tall dark silhouette pressed its claws against the trailer's window with a loud thud, as it's bright eyes stared right at him menacingly. He had heard the groans of threatening creatures in the distance, could they have finally found him? He could not help but to curl in horror as this monster approached his house and he began to panic, quickly hiding behind a chair, but he knew he couldn't do anything against the creature, that was now beckoning him as if mocking him. Every movement it did was followed by the sound of splintering wood, which he found horribly unsettling.

The monster knew he was in there, and he cried out when some magic force pulled him away from his hiding spot as he just phased through everything he tried to hold onto which only caused him to panic even more. The being was using some sort of magic to pull him towards it, and as he found himself outside, his captor grabbed him with large clawed hands, and holding him with a strange gentleness despite the splinters in its claws. It was quiet and the being simply stared at the young soul, who was visibly trembling and crying.

Horrified, the ghost finally had a chance to have a look at this being, who was tall and... tree-like? A wooden body similar to a trunk, horns similar to branches and deer antlers, and bright eyes, bright lime coloured eyes. It spoke in a rough deep voice, that had the vague hint of gentleness to it, even if the shadow of the night only made him look even more terrifying.

- *Do not be afraid, Miles.* - He spoke - *I have no desire to cause you harm, I am only here to collect your soul and take you to the Afterlife.*

Miles shook his head in denial as he kept crying - *No! Who are you?! Where am I? Please let me go! I need to tell my mom that I'm here!*

- *I'm afraid that your mother cannot see or hear you anymore.* - He spoke with a stern but sympathetic tone.

- *Wh... What...?*

- *Yes. This may not come as a surprise for you, considering the ammount of weeks that you have spent here in the Limbo, but you have passed away.* - He glanced at the ghost for a bit - *...Death by poison, was it? And you were so young...*

The boy was inconsolable, shaking his head in denial - *N-No! P-PIease! I don't want to go...! My mom's alone, I can't be dead, I need to help her! Please!*

Observing him for a bit, the tree-like being, despite having dealt with many ghosts such as this one, couldn't help but wonder - There might be a way. A second chance in life has a big price and would be followed by a great responsibility. I can see that you are filled with great kindness and patience, Miles. Yet, you are very young and it is best if you move on...

- I'll do anything...! What do you want for me to do...?

- Do you know what a Reaper is?

- A w-what?! B-But I don't want to kill anyone...! How is this going to let me see my mom again?! - He cried out.

- I am a Reaper. Our job is to find the souls of those recently deceased, and direct them to the Afterlife. - He spoke as roots grew from the dull floor, growing to form an O shaped door, opening a portal where a divine white light flew through, beckoning and inviting. The ghost could feel the warmth and comfort from it, and for a few seconds, he felt himself hovering towards the comforting light before suddenly stopping in trance and staring back at the tree creature who simply raised an eyebrow at him as the boy tried to speak.

- ...Is... Is that...?

- The Afterlife. It will be your new home.

- But... No...! What about my second chance?! I thought I would be brought back to life...! - The ghost seemed desperate but the tree creature was indifferent to his protests.

- It is not as simple as that, young one. The way to get a second chance to live in this world is for you to become a Reaper such as myself. You will get a physical form, be granted immortality and the ability to travel between the Limbo and the world of the living. You will be able to be with your mother again, but your life will become nothing but an endless cycle of sending the lost souls to the Afterlife.

The small soul just sniffed - I'll do it...!

- I ask that you put more thought into your choice. I can wait for your decision, meanwhile. You can either go to the Afterlife and eventually be reunited with your family or become a Reaper and be with them right away. I will find you when you do make up your mind. Not many are offered this chance but I insist that you remind yourself of the consequences. - The being spoke, getting up as he began to walk away, however, he was suddenly interrupted by the soul's cry - W-Wait...!

- ...? - he glanced back at the empty-eyed soul of the young boy.

- I... I'm scared... - he cried sadly.

Malice just lied on the pile of warm leaves, recalling in vivid detail every single moment of his life, from childhood memories, teenage memories, his family... A mother was all he had ever known, and a father was only present in faded childhood memories and old pictures that his mother kept. A sad frustrated woman that was able to raise him on her own for all those years, this gave him a heart and headache but there wasn't much that he could do.

Shortly after his soul was reunited with Root, the previously terrifying tree creature attempted to console his ghost, who pointed at his mother's blurred silhouette, unable to get a reaction from her. Root explained to him that in Limbo, only Reapers and other ghosts could see and hear him, all of those that were still alive had no way to access this realm.

They spoke for a while and eventually, Miles accepted the Reaper duty, a physical body meant that he could reunite with his grieving mother again and that was an offer he could never refuse. Back in Chervil's woods, he received his new body, shaped after his death was how Root described it. He had never understood what that expression meant until he gazed at his reflection in a pond nearby and gasped horrified, walking back covering his face. Death by a serpent bite was it...?

Shaking, he meekly stepped near the pond and stared at himself, bright yellow eyes with thin black pupils stared back at him and two sharp fangs poked out of his mouth. His cream horns were now jet black and his once warm skin was now of a dead ivory colour as if resembling a corpse, pale and cold to the touch. He wouldn't dare to face any reflection, as he was horrified of his new self. He looked wrong, like a monster, he had never seen anything like that before and he hated it, he looked like a scary horrifying monster. He couldn't show up in town looking like that! His mother would be terrified and never accept him! He begged Root to change him back, but that was outside of the older Reaper's capabilities.

But the worst was that Root took him away from Chervil in order to teach him how to become a Reaper. No matter how much Miles cried out and protested, Root never took him back to his hometown, always asking for him to be patient and that soon they'd go, but Miles could tell that that day would never come.

As afraid as he was to confront his mother, he still wanted to do it, he wanted to see her, but the fear of what she'd be doing on her own, the deceased strangers and souls that Root made him face and take away to the Afterlife, mixed with the fear of showing up back home, looking like he did, just filled him with anxiety and turned him into a nervous wreck that would either sob at every given moment or be constantly on the verge of breaking down, constantly stressed and paranoid, unable to even look at any reflective surface without getting scared.

Root couldn't stand to see his pupil like this, a few months had gone by with no improvement, until one day, while the boy just stressed back and forth, paranoid and weeping, Root called to him, and with a simple "This is for your own good", Root took the young Reaper's memories of his family, all the time he was alive, his appearance before he had died and...

Malice opened his eyes in shock as he broke from his trance, all this time, Root had lied to him. That's why he never told him anything, all so he could keep the truth hidden. It was so clear now...

He huffed, now that he had what he wanted, Malice saw no point in talking to him anymore, that liar didn't have anything worthy of his attention and Malice had better things to be thinking about, like his family and the memories attached to them.

He and his mother had always been really close as she was the only one that he had ever wanted to see happy, how come he didn't remember who she was all these years? His eyes burned with how much he had spent crying, he wasn't that sensitive, but the emotional shock of the revelation was just way too much for him.

Where could his family be now? Was his mother still alive...? Her depression and loneliness after losing her only child could have caused her to do something horrible to herself... This thought left him horrified and he got up, blindly flying somewhere as he tried to remember the way out of the forest and to his hometown. Worry filled his head and he just had to know what happened after all these years. The Rem Forest had always been his home but he always felt as if he didn't belong there. Certainly, there wouldn't be much left of his original home back at his town, but he just wanted to see, at least hope that that woman, his mother, was still around, and hopefully alive.

After all those years, he truly feared for the worst, as he flew for hours, and days in his travel, he just kept thinking to himself, how would he greet her? Would she even recognize him? How could he explain what a Reaper was when he himself found the concept so confusing. Naturally, she'd be upset that for the 20 years he was around, he never bothered to say hi, would she understand his reasons? 20 years would make her so much older, she would be on her 50s, he imagined... the thought of his young mother as an elderly woman made him sigh sadly, he was just too anxious with what to expect to find.

He kept flying alone with his thoughts and after what felt like days, he could finally see his old hometown in the distance, the town lacked the more fantasy or magical elements present in the forest and seemed comparable to what urban human towns where said to be like, the forest trees had been replaced with dull and boring looking buildings, appearing just as he remembered them, almost as if the town had been frozen in time if it weren't for the rust that was building in old lamps and the gates of the houses. He could feel the few eyes of those still living there, glaring and judging him like he was an uninvited guest. He had grown used to those stares though, regardless, he was still a Reaper holding a large scythe, to them he was death, and to him, death did not need to ask for permission.He slithered by, ignoring the stares he felt on him, he just wanted to find his old house in hopes to find his mother. He headed to the campsite on the other side of the neighbourhood, its back facing the hoods where he had played as a child and when he had been bit so carelessly as a teen before stumbling back home.At the old site there were trailers, where the occasional traveler would take shelter and the small clearly poor families seemed to live on, struggling with the cold and the lack of income. He took in the air of nostalgia that the place brought him, but stopped as he felt more eyes watching him fearfully, how annoying...He seemed to get surprised stares, closed doors and windows, and quiet whispers as he silently floated by, magical and supernatural beings like himself were practically unexistant in that town. Their glances showed not really a feeling of hatred, but ignorance as they had never seen one of his kind before. The large scythe he carried could only be associated with the idea of a Grim Reaper, so they were reasonably scared, nothing he wasn't used to seeing. But would his mother react the same way to him?The different trailers didn't match the ones from his memories, but he felt as if he was getting close.

Near the edge of the camp was an old, now rusty trailer seemingly abandoned, near the hoods where he used to run off when he was alive. Along with a few others, this one looked like it hadn't moved in decades, if ever, really. An old memory resurfaced as he recognized it as... Home.
He sighed sadly, it looked so torn down and ruined, so close to falling apart, grey cracked windows, white walls yellowed with time... No one could have been living there while it was in such a state, and he thought of the worst about the red headed woman as he clenched his heart a bit, now painfully beating with pity and sadness mixed with anxiety. He missed her so much...

Hesitantly, he approached the vehicle turned home and not expecting any response, he knocked on the old door.

He swallowed in dry, expecting the very worst, but, to his dismay, an answer never came, it was empty... He attempted the open the door and was surprised by how the rusty lock of the door made no effort to stop him from getting in. This shocked him and left him frozen in his place. He was no thief, and this was his old home anyway, but it all just felt so wrong, he wasn't supposed to be there. But the questions that plagued his mind were just, what had happened to his mother after all these years?
Where was she now? He didn't want to imagine her death, all alone... She just couldn't be gone...!
Nervously and shaking, he stepped inside, looking around in the small space as he tried to look for any signs of life. Nothing. The place certainly was as messy as he recalled, but it didn't look as ruined as he expected it to be, as if it had only been recently abandoned about a month or so, rather than years ago. That thought alone was enough to fill his heart with a little hope and unnerve him at the same time.

He looked around, seeing the space on right side, the one that he once called room, untouched and approached it. Near the sofa-bed was an old frame with a photo in it, two red haired Drimares with silly smiles, the oldest one, the woman with medium red hair and green eyes, only smiled trying to imitate the younger boy who had a wide grin and bright brown eyes. He recognized this boy as himself, and holding the dusty frame, he sat facing the window, maybe he was too late...

He just sat on the sofa, holding the frame against his chest as he cried softly once again, regretting not having retrieved his memories sooner, he could have been there to help her, he could have done something more, he could have...
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a loud clicking sound that made him quickly turn his head in fear. Wearing slippers, and an old faded green dress, a messy red haired woman stood before him, a shotgun pointed in his direction. Her nervous green eyes stared at him, attempting to be assertive, but he could easily sense the fear she felt the moment he laid his serpent eyes on her, or maybe it was his own fear, he couldn't tell. He froze in place, blushing nervously and staring at her in disbelief then at the gun's tip as his hand slowly put the picture back in it's place. This seemed to alert the woman whose hands trembled while holding the weapon - D-DON'T MOVE OR I'LL SHOOT YOU, DEMON...!

This quickly broke his heart, feeling almost as terrified as she was, if not more, he kept staring at her, opening his mouth as if to speak. Couldn't she recognize who he was...?

- M-Mom... You're... You're alive... - he spoke nervously, staring scared at her as his bright yellow eyes appeared hopeful.

Something seemed the spark in her mind when she heard his voice, soon followed by an angry disbelief as she approached, still pointing the gun and cornering him. He fell to the corner, clenching his large scythe with both of his gloved hands that were visibly shivering in fear. He had been in much worse situations before, but here... Here he just felt so vulnerable, the air of home just brought him back to the state when he was only but a living mortal child, but the older woman before him did not see this.

- W-WHO ARE YOU?! WHAT D-DO YOU WANT?! - She said as her voice seemed to crack, but he could tell, she knew exactly who he was, but her disbelief... She though he was just a big joke.

- I-It's me... Mal... Miles... I came back...! D-Don't you remember me...?

As if insulted, nearly crying, she pressed the trigger, only giving him enough time to lower his head as the deafening shot hit the wall behind him. His courage to speak out had quickly been drained out of him as he was attacked by his mother who he loved, yet she kept the gun pointed at him. His anxiety increased as he dropped his scythe as he kept his head covered, burying his fingers in his hair while shaking. He never imagined that this was how their meeting would go, but he kept forgetting that in the eyes of the living, he was just a demon, a horrible monster, and to his mother who once loved him, he now was nothing but just a terrifying creature that should have been left back with the dead.

Tears fell down her pale cheeks as he could hear her starting to cry - No... You're not! How DARE you try to impersonate my son?! You're not him! W-What are you?!

Of course he wasn't her son, his lively brown eyes and rusty red hair were long gone, her son wasn't a demon, her son was not a living corpse.

The boy just kept shaking, too afraid to say anything in fear that the woman would shoot again, the gun, now pointed to his torso, gave him little to no chance of dodging, if she decided to shoot, she would never miss... It wouldn't kill him, of course, but it still left him terrified. He hesitantly faced her, his expression filled with a fear and sadness that he hadn't felt in so long, and the woman, breathing heavily as if recognizing his gaze, just lowered the gun, he knew she didn't want to do actually hurt him... right...m

- They were saying that there was a Reaper invading my home...! I didn't believe it until I saw you! Is this how you plan on tormenting me before you kill me?! By impersonating the son I let die in my arms?! Just kill me already! Why must you remind me of him now?! - She spoke angrily - I know you Reapers are shapeshifters! You're not him!

He didn't reply to this, just trembling anxiously - N-No... Y-You don't understand, it's really me... I was trying to find you after all these years...! I was reborn like this and... I lost my memories and...I wanted to see you, Ma... Mom, I wanted to come back home! Please, believe me...!

She wept with this - NO! - She fell to her knees, mourning her lost child, he had seen her cry so many times but never with such sadness and despair in her soul and it just broke his heart - I... I know it's hard to believe it... I look different now but I'm still the same on the inside...! - He placed the scythe aside with this, as an attempt to make himself appear less threatening.
- I do not want to hear it! If you're going to kill me, just do it already! Maybe then I can actually be with my REAL son and not this... this mockery! Whatever you are! - She wept as she spoke and he instinctively approached her even if hesitantly, reaching to hug her, a hug that felt so familiar to her but surprised her nonetheless - I-I'm real...! I didn't come to take your soul! I wanted to know if you were okay...! Please believe in me...

He used to hug her like this when he was alive and she recognized it, she knew his touch after these years, even if his body lacked the warmth of life, it was too familiar, but she couldn't believe it, it made no sense. He had tried to remain calm, not to cry as well, as he was longing for the caring warmth of his mother's embrace as he held her tightly, but the woman trembled and wept, the grief from the loss that she had tried so hard to forget with her drinking came back vividly.

- N-No...! I know you're lying...! Just get it over with...! It's my fault that I let him die... - She muttered sadly, this close, he could smell the faint scent of alcohol in her breath.

- It's my fault, not yours! I was stupid, I thought I'd be okay because I didn't know it was even a venomous! You didn't do anything bad...! You don't deserve to feel like this...! - He cried out, just hiding his face on her shoulder, desperately begging for comfort that never came.

- No! That's why he died! I couldn't do anything to help him...! And I was the one that made him walk out and get himself bit! Because we fought and I was being stubborn and... and...!

- M-Mom, what happened to me is not your fault...

- STOP PRETENDING TO BE HIM! HE'S BEEN DEAD FOR 20 YEARS AND YOU EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE ANYTHING FROM COMING FROM LIARS AND DECEIVERS LIKE YOU?! - She cried out painfully, looking at him as she sobbed and pulled him away. He clenched his teeth and tried not to cry as he could feel his heart painfully beating in his chest as she refused to believe in his existence and accept his claim of being her deceased son... He felt grief as he had longed to see her again for so long. This was meant to happen but he never thought of what to do when it did. Letting go of the one sided hug, he gave her some space, getting up and hovering back to sit on the bed.

They didn't speak a single word for some minutes, only the sounds of Delma's crying as she remained on the floor. Malice just sat in place, head low and deep breaths - R-Reaper, what do you want from me...? - she looked at him sadly

- I... I wanted to see you again.- he said, trying to keep a serious tone, but his voice cracked slightly, and he lowered his head, burying one of his hands in his hair, trying to keep control of his breathing - I-I just.... I can't die in this body! I'm immortal and you're not! I just wanted to be together with you again and help you before you're gone too...! I miss you, when they took away my memories, I didn't know anything, not you, not this town, not even myself! A-And when I got them back after all these years, I remembered you! I wanted to see you again...! You have to believe me! - he just broke down, afterall, she was all he had ever known from his family and his heart ached with how much he missed her, but yet she hated him for inviting himself back into her life.

The woman kept finding it all so hard to believe, but the snake eyed boy was just not her son, not how she remembered her little boy, not ever. She stared at him devastated, opening her mouth to say something but stopped and shook her head - No... I... I don't believe you... - she said, crying and grabbing her shotgun again, she pointed it at him, startling him as she walked closer and cornered him once again - I'm sorry but... W-Whatever you are, I don't believe you! I don't believe in hallucinations...! I'll kill you if you c-come back again! - She spoke, trying to sound threatening but her tone only came across as sad, as if she didn't want to do what she was about to, but he knew it was coming and was frozen and speechless by his own fear. His mother had never hesitated to attack anyone that were to threaten him or herself and this was no different. Tearing up, he just shut his eyes and clenched his teeth, not feeling ready for the pain that awaited him, he never was. She aimed for his chest and with a loud bang, the bullet pierced his heart and he let out a cry in pain that made her mother instincts scream in alarm, only to be forcefully pushed away by herself as her arms were shaking nervously. He wasn't her son, he couldn't be, he was nothing but a demon looking to kill her! But not before she killed him first! She wasn't going to allow him to torment her any longer...!

He groaned in pain as red blood stained his suit and the bed he sat on as he continuously bled from the wound. He curled on himself and placed his hands on the wound painfully, attempts at covering it being simply futile. He was breathing heavily as if it even helped him focus on anything but the pain, and as his body's energy slowly faded away, he just cried and groaned from the sharp stinging feeling he felt in his chest. He looked back at the woman, who looked back at him hesitantly as she cried regretfully, specially after how she had now seen her son die for a second time, this time, by her own hand.
She still found it hard to accept that this bleeding boy was her previously deceased son, but now that he had a bullet through his heart, it was too late to save him and as he kept curled in a mess of blood, choking on his own tears, she couldn't help but to want to approach him, but not letting her guard down, were this Reaper be trying to trick her and attempt to attack her in her own moment of weakness, she hesitated - W-Why aren't you fighting back...?! W-What do you got planned...?! - She said in fear and he faced her even though his vision blurred out.

- Y-You're my mom... I won't... hurt you...

- I-I'm not your mother... And y-you're not my son...! You're just an illusion...! A f-fake...!

With this, he faced down shaking, trying to keep himself from coughing more blood and failing - I.... I shouldn't have come... I'm s-so sorry...!

With this, he tried to get up, arms shaking and bleeding out, but after two short steps, he collapsed with a groan in pain from his chest. He stared at his bloody hand that pressed against his wound, and as his body seemed to glow, the light that formed his body seemed to turn into specs of grey dust that dissipated in the air. He felt light-headed and could have sworn to have fainted as his body just faded out of thin air, leaving nothing behind but the horrified woman who stared at him in shock, not knowing how to react to this. Down on the floor, where his body was, instead remained a small yet bright light, like a round orb of sorts and she looked scared at it, she could feel it pulsating, breathing, whatever that small light was... it was... alive...

She cried into her hands once more, confused and disgusted by her actions.

Certainly the neighbours should have already heard the gunshots, but they avoided her as she had the reputation of crazy drunk old lady. No one would come to check on her, and she knew that if they did come, they would see the blood, the orb and the scythe, and what then?
She'd be considered just utterly insane. She tried to make herself believe that what she had seen was just the work of her old and intoxicated mind, but the blood was real and the pulsating orb stayed in place. She carefully approached, ready to strike if necessary and that's when she noticed.

The orb's round shape slowly changed to resemble a small vulnerable creature, similar to a wisp that was just curled on itself, unconscious and forming the round shape she saw. It could fit on her palms but it did not react to her fearful touch, simply lying limp on the floor.

Both of her trembling hands cupped the small ghost like creature that remained unconscious and she stared nervous at it, she couldn't just throw it away, this...  thing... this... this was alive. It was entirely white as if it was made of light, and slowly opened its small empty eyes, realizing where it was, it suddenly gazed at the woman in fear and tried flying away from her hands, but before it could do this, she held onto it - W-Wait..! - Despite being made of light, the being was still solid somehow.

In her hands, she could feel it trembling and its heart was beating quickly. It was afraid of being held like that, but she knew he'd flee as soon as she let go, and she still wanted answers.
- Please tell me... What are you...? - She continued, still in shock, but the being didn't reply, just struggling to move like a mouse on a trap, unable to escape that nightmare, it seemed stressed.

She just observed him in confusion as she thought to herself. She always imagined Reapers as myths, stories in fantasy books, soulless unfeeling cloaked figures. But she never bothered to think of their origins. If this Reaper was in fact her son, why would his innocent soul even be captured and told to go around just killing people...! He was just a child!

No...! She refused to entertain the idea of that boy being her deceased son, it just wasn't true! It didn't make sense to her but yet... there he was...
Perhaps this Reaper's shapeshifting abilities were much better than what she expected and she was still being tricked, but yet... It was difficult to ignore her own instincts that recognized him as her own...

As the small wisp kept trembling in her hands, she started to feel even more regretful for shooting down the boy, and causing him so much pain... His cries in pain still echoed in her mind. What if he wasn't an hallucination? How would he know about her son that had died twenty years ago and just come back now with such a specific story for his origins claiming to be her boy? Or was it really her time and that was her punishment for being such an awful mother? Could her son actually have become a Reaper? But how was that even possible...? And... why...?

- I... I-I'm so sorry... - she tried not to cry again, catching the struggling wisp's attention who just gazed at her, not moving as much anymore - You're dying...

The small being just shook its head as if telling her not to worry, after all, it wasn't the first time he had been killed by others, his body had been destroyed more times than he'd like to admit and within a few hours he'd be able to regain the energy to reform his physical body. She noticed his silence and how every gesture was impossible to hear.

- C-Can't you talk...?

It looked quietly at her and shook it's head again, no sound had escaped from him and quickly she figured that 'yes or no' questions would be the only way for them to communicate.

The being kept wanting to flee, but not as much as before, unsure of what to think of the woman who seemed to want to continue speaking and ask him more questions, loosening his grip a bit - ...Will any other Reapers or monsters follow you here....? - She asked and the small spirit seemed hurt by her words but yet confused, slowly shaking its head, looking away.

- So you're all alone... - She continued sadly, getting up and sitting on a nearby chair as the small being seemed to nod slowly, it's bright body dulling slightly as he felt weaker by the second - If you really are Miles, then... You've been all on your own for the last twenty years...

It didn't reply and just tiredly closed its eyes again, trying to feel comfort while it laid down on her warm hands.

- You were gone and... I didn't have anyone else... - she wept - I... I missed you so much... I was too late to help you... What happened to you then...? Why are you like this now...?

The wisp seemed to tremble lightly, trying to hold onto her fingers while looking apologetically at her, she could recognize his gestures and mannerisms, something a shapeshifter could never know to imitate...

Even in the wisp form, the boy's very core, his expression was so familiar, the very same apologetic and understanding one that she always knew him to have. He was the only one who genuinely believe in her, and his soul's look only made that past memory resurface in her mind again. But with his initial brightness fading out and his light body looking more like it was made out of a grey fog, she felt more and more nervous with his lack of responses and weak appearance.

- ...Are you dying...?

It weakly shook it's head and seemed to try to rest again

- Miles I... I really want to believe that this is you but... I can't...

The wisp didn't move, nested in her hands, he just stared sadly into nothing. He felt too afraid of getting back to his physical form, in fear that she'd just kill him off again. Immortal or not, the shots, the blood and pain he felt was real, and being killed off by his own mother wasn't something he could simply shrug off. She was talking herself out of believing in him, he just knew.

She sighed sadly and gazed at the blood on the bed that stained the old mint blue pillows in a dark shade of red, and she could feel her tears running down her cheeks as she stared in shame at the small soul that laid on her hands and regretful of what she did to her son. Unaware of her presence and light fading, as if it had fallen asleep, the wisp curled on itself again, it didn't seem to move when she spoke, and frowning, she laid it down on a soft clean pillow on the side. She went to clean his blood right away. She figured that if anyone had wanted to see what had happened, they would have knocked at her door by then, but the silence made her believe the opposite.

## OUTDATED BELOW (Common past Jay, as if this entire thing wasn't outdated)

The only remains of the Reaper's existence were the blood and the large scythe that had been dropped, it was double edged and adorned with two silver serpents on the middle. He had died by being poisoned by a serpent bite, so could this only be a coincidence? Somehow it made sense to her that it wasn't. She sighed and tried to pick it up but with a painful wince she quickly pulled her hand away. It had burned her hand, as if it was burning hot metal and she teared up, just blowing at her hand in pain until it eventually passed. She imagined that only he could touch the scythe so it couldn't be stolen, could it...? She gazed at the spirit, hoping there'd be an explanation, but he just laid motionless on the pillow, eyes closed as if he hadn't heard her cry. He was simply in a deep sleep. His presence was so strange and she figured that for now it was best to keep distance from the scythe, only attempting to clean the blood around it.

Soon enough she was done cleaning the most of it and tiredly looked at the spirit that hadn't moved an inch, still seemingly unconscious. She approached him, calling out, but received no reaction, not even an small ear twitch to show that at least he could listen. She couldn't leave him alone, leaving the place was dangerous as thieves were sometimes known to be around the area and who knows what they'd do if they saw the strange wisp creature like him.

She sighed and just decided to stay by home, doing her own thing while the hours passed as she waited for anything to happen, any movement, a noise, anything that would show that he was still alive.

Soon it was nighttime, she had her poor excuse for a dinner and leaving a small leftover for him, she felt that maybe sleeping would be the best way to help the time pass by, it was late and she felt mentally exhausted because of everything that had happened, and so she went to sleep.

Despite how tired she felt, she took a few hours to fall asleep, occasionally waking up during the night to see the bright white wisp still in place, his light slightly covered by a warm blanket. She didn't know if he could feel cold, but didn't want to risk being right, it could get cold there at night. Tiredly she'd close her eyes again, hoping to be able to just sleep the night away.

And she did.

Early morning came by and the memory from last night felt like a hazy dream, but as her tired olive eyes saw the leftover blood, she recalled the day before and whimpered. The pillow remained in place and she wept a bit as the wisp was still there, in the exact same position from before, what if he was actually dead...?

Closing her eyes again, she hoped it was morning hallucinations but that couldn't be the case and her worry for this being who she wasn't even sure if it was really her son or not, had kept her awake and haunted her dreams. She got up quickly, getting dizzy for some seconds and went to check on him.

Carefully placing a finger on his small chest, she could feel a faint heartbeat pulsating within and she relaxed with the small sign that he was still very much alive, but he did not react much to anything else.

She never got too far from him, but it was way too early for the time she would usually get up and exhausted, she closed her eyes as she sat down on a chair.

She suddenly seemed to gasp away from her sleep with the sound of the door closing, did someone get in?! She got up suddenly realized that she was alone, no one came in, but... someone got out. Rushing to the window, in the winter fog she only saw a familiar ghostly figure hovering and disappearing in the distance. She was too late... Looking at an old clock, she realized the she had fallen asleep for 3 hours and looked around in shock. As she looked back at the pillow, her heart sank as the wisp was nowhere to be seen, and neither was the scythe, it had to be him out there, not the orange Reaper, but... her son. In denial she got up to see if there was at least a chance that his wisp had moved and fallen somewhere but no, instead in his place, was a small crumpled up paper simply stating "I'm sorry"

Even the handwriting was the same as his and her heart broke. Maybe the boy really was a Reaper mocking her loss but why would he do that? For a moment, she wanted to see him again...

=
- So how did it go? - The adult tree like monster spoke with the sight of the lonely young Reaper who was simply sitting on a log, hugging his legs with a numb look on his face, holding his scythe near, a black hood over his head.

- Oh it went perfectly fine. - He spoke in a sarcastic tone - I just traumatized her for life by showing up as a demonic version of her son.

Root showed no reaction to his comment, simply noticing the boy's change in visual, he was used to him constantly changing his looks and experimenting, but this time it all felt too familiar. He wore his old black hoodie, blue pants and his hair had a rusty red colour to it as it was always meant to have

- It's all your fault... - the boy muttered bitterly - If you had let me see her sooner, s-she would have believed it was me... B-But you never did that! It was all I wanted! IT'S WHY I BECAME THIS... THIS MONSTER! - he shouted as the older being remained quiet, his expression seemingly indifferent to his complaints.

- I would have let you go, but at the time, there wasn't enough time to do so. You were unstable, you weren't ready to go yet - He said, just noticing that the boy had lowered his head, and a very quiet crying sound could be heard.

- S-Stop pretending like YOU g-gave a shit about how I felt!

- I feared that this would happen. - Root spoke - Should I take your memories again?

- J-JUST LEAVE ME ALONE...! I HATE YOU, I ALWAYS HAVE! YOU TRICKED ME! - he cried out

- I did not trick you, but very well. You know how to find me when you need me. - he continued, and without another word, he just disappeared in the trees.

Malice tried his best to calm down, he wanted to see her, and he did, so why did he feel so empty and miserable? He didn't imagine that it would go so horribly bad.

The only person he could ever call family had tried to kill him twice, seeing him as the impostor he really was.

When he regained his physical form after being shot, he had changed his look to appear just as how he did in the past, he figured that she would recognize him, but every time he would glance at a mirror, he saw the undead boy staring back with the bright serpent eyes. He would be mocking her, mocking himself and who he used to be, so he ran from her home as soon as he had his body back. There was no point in trying to do anything else.

His ears suddenly perked up as he had sensed a lost soul not far from where he stood, he got up and grabbing his scythe, he flew in their direction. At least it was a distraction while he mourned...

=

Days, probably weeks had passed by and by then, Malice had recovered from most of the heartbreak of having his only family member attempting to kill him and deny his existence. It still broke him but he had learned to hide those feelings under a smiling mask, however, no matter how many things he did, he still wondered everyday about how things would be back at his real home. The Rem Forest was his home now where everyone he knew lived on and he wouldn't leave. But the thought of family called for him, he knew what had happened last time, but he still wanted to return to that old trailer, attempting to bring sense to his scared mother. He did barge in the place uncalled so she had the right to be to scared.

He sighed, already considering to return, he'd keep a low-profile and would start by actually knocking on the door instead of simply coming in. It would be a good start after all.

Without a second thought, he decided to go back there, leaving the forest once more.

The trip felt much shorter as he was eager to get there, and just the next day, he had arrived.

Standing in the campsite, he lowered his black hood, and actually placed his feet on the ground. His ghostly hovering would catch unwanted attention and that was the least that he wanted. He grew progressively more nervous as he walked back to the old trailer. As uncomfortable as he felt, he couldn't summon his scythe either for the unwanted attention it would bring.

He kept walking, occasionally glancing at the reflections, where he would stare in silence, as long as his eyes were covered, he would look normal, but his fangs and ivory skin just gave him away.

He slowly walked to the door of their trailer, slowly raising his arm, he tried to build the courage to knock on the door, until he realized that he hadn't anything to say to her. Was she even home?

He soon shook his head and proceeded to knock regardless.

His heart started to pound in his chest when he heard what sounded like steps on the inside.

The door opened slightly only to be held by various metals locks as the female figure stared on the other side. She seemed upset yet seemed like she was expecting him to be visiting. He didn't even have the chance to open his mouth to say hi before she closed the door on him.

He lowered his arm in response, wanting to tear up in response, but looked up in hope as he heard the unlocking sound on the inside.

The woman opened the door, her voice tired - ...I thought you weren't coming back...

- I-I changed my mind... - he spoke nervously, keeping his eyes hidden from her.

- ...What do you want, Reaper...? - She continued.

- Can we talk...? Would you believe me if I told you what was going on...?

The woman kept her sad and tired look, but invited him in quietly. The boy seemed unsure of himself, but walked in.

-  You look more like him now... - She spoke, her tone neutral yet with a hint of sadness.

- That's because I am... - He looked up at her, noticing her slight flinch as his uncovered eyes met with hers, and he quickly faced the side.

- You're different, like a doppelganger.... you haven't changed, you... he... he died, and it's been years, I can't believe you...

- But you let me in...! Just like that... - He looked up at her sadly yet in confusion as she faced down in response and he kept confused - Why did you let me in...?

- I wanted to see him again... Even as an hallucination or shapeshifter trying to be him...

- I'm not an hallucination...! I'm still me b-but I'm also a Reaper and I'm r-real! - he shook lightly as he spoke.

- How... Tell me how you exist like this.

- Do you want me to explain Reapers to you, mom...? Do you think you'll understand...?

- Don't call me mother...! - She approached him as if offended, but her expression quickly changed as she saw him flinch and defensively hover back with a slightly scared look on his face - ...! I... I'm sorry... - He mumbled.

- Yes... Y-You can explain it... - she continued.

Despite the amount of times that his mother had pushed him away, each time hurt just as the first one, and just as before, he was already failing to keep his relaxed posture, his whole body felt colder than before and his pale fingers started to carve his sleeves - So... When I died... I couldn't talk to you, b-because I was a soul, stuck in the Limbo and... - She noticed how her tired look was mixed with confusion but he continued nervously gesturing with his hands - Well, a soul is basically what you become after you die, l-like a ghost without a physical form...!

- Ghosts exist...? - She asked but as if answering her question, if a floating version of her son was in front of her, how hard could be to believe in the possibility of other beings existing within the same universe?

- Yes... And as Reaper it's our job to capture them before they get their physical forms and cause trouble with living and... Yeah... It's what I was told...

Delma's expression was of numb surprise, he could tell that she was trying to understand what he meant, but his words might as well be foreign to her.

- I... I always thought there was just a single Grim Reaper... I didn't even think that such a... group would exist...

- Hah... It's a common mistake... - he forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood a bit but the woman's expression remained the same confused yet tired one as his smile faded.

- Please... stop... - She spoke and looked upset at him - You look and sound so much like him...

- It's because I am... Ma, h-how can I convince you that it really is me...?

- ...Tell me how you came to be... I can't promise that I'll believe it...

The boy looked in silence and took a deep breath - When I died... I was a lost soul like any other... I could see you but you could not see me... And... That made me really upset... just like today, I just wanted to see you and talk to you, but I couldn't... I was found by my guardian Reaper and he gave me my new body that I have today... But he took my memories so I never knew who my family was, who you were, or where I used to live... until now...

The woman took a deep breath and approached him, her expression devastated and she simply hugged him tightly, shocking him. She looked up at him and smiled - I-I'm really going crazy aren't I, Miles...?

He remained in shock, as the words wouldn't leave his mouth - M-Ma... Mom... n-no...! No! This is real...! How can I prove it to you...?

Her weak smiled faded from her face - You don't know how much I want to believe you... - She let go of him - But you always knew that your old lady was going completely bonkers...

Her attempt of humouring him felt so nostalgic and it pained him - If you don't believe me, then why do you treat me like this...?

- Because I want to believe you...! - She looked sad at him - Or just accept you as a strange doppelganger and shapeshifter... who so desperately wants to be my son... What would you do if I said that I believed you...? Would you kill me and take me out of my misery...?

- S-STOP! - he cried out - No! I j-just want to live normally, have you in my family, like how we used to be before all of this happened...! - He was completely tearing up at this point - I haven't aged ever since I died and I will remain that way, a-and you won't, you... Y-You will die...! A-And I want to spend as much time with you as I can! - He wept as he spoke, and the woman looked shocked by all of this, staring guilty at him.

- But... How...? Everyone will notice you, you will stand out... You just can't stay... For your own sake, go away Reaper...

- D-Don't call me that! - he sobbed, covering his face as he turned around, trying to keep calm but soon weeping as he felt overwhelmed by his emotions - I never wanted to be a Reaper...!

- H-Hey it's okay... - She looked sadly, approaching him - Y-You can stop crying... Miles please... - her heart broke the more she accepted the boy as he son, but he was inconsolable as his emotions were completely out of his reach - I k-knew I shouldn't have come...!

She sat him down, surprised by his lack of height when he she was easily able to move him, his head lowered and he still wept, wanting nothing but to get away from there. She was still scared but yet, a familiar feeling of worry came to her as she held his hand - Miles, look at me please...

- N-No! I-Im just a monster...!

- Please... I-I want to see your eyes...

Surprised by her strangely specific request, he raised his head to look at her, part of his rusty red bangs covering two wet bright yellow eyes, the thin black pupils now wide and sad - Y-You what...?

She looked silent at him, trying to see her son in the boy's expression - Last time that I saw you crying like this...

He swallowed a bit as tears kept falling and she could feel his cold hands trembling as she looked sadly at him, and he closed his eyes - Because of me... l'm so sorry for what I made you go through... - She seemed to recall their arguings because of her drinking problem, and how most times it would end in screaming and tears as he couldn't bear to see his mother get worse, but also how unable he felt to have all responsibilities on him. She teared up a bit as he seemed unsure of what she referred to, his gaze becoming more and more familiar as everything reminded her of him,

- W-What did you make me go through...? - He asked in a way that almost sound innocent and unaware.

- Y-You could have lived a normal life, you didn't need to die... I could have prevented this...!

- Wh- No! It's not your fault, s-sure we argued but I was the one who wasn't careful... It's okay... It's done... I can't undo what happened... B-But I'm still here...

- I know...- she remained silent then looked up at him again - Can I show you something...?

The boy gazed at her worriedly but nodded in response.

The Sun was only starting to set, filling the sky with shades of orange and purple as the two figures walked by the quiet streets. Malice had lowered his hood to cover his eyes once more as Delma lead them to a black iron gate in the side of the town.

The boy raised his head to look at it, while they made their way inside, an overwhelming feeling of loneliness yet serenity coming to him

- This is...

- The graveyard... - She continued sadly - Where you were buried...

He stared quietly, the blurred memory of him as a lost soul, attending his own funeral, crying out to his mother that could not hear him no matter what came to his mind - I... I remember...

She seemed concerned with this - What...?

- When I died, as a soul with no physical form, I always followed you, trying to call for you... I remember following you here... I couldn't properly see or hear anything but... I knew what was going on...

His mother seemed quiet, thoughtful with almost a permanent concerned look on her face -...For how long were you like that...?

- A while... The days and hours all seemed to get blurred together at least until I was found...

- Then... - She kept concerned as if coming to a realization - That presence I thought I felt after you died... Was it you...?

The boy seemed unsure of how to react to this - I... I don't know...?

- It can only be... I felt... watched... Sometimes I thought I heard you in my dreams... I thought it was my paranoia and it kept going for weeks until it suddenly stopped...

- And I was gone...

She then stopped walking, her hands pressed against her heart, she seemed about to cry again but composed herself - Here...

The boy glanced at the tombstone next to them, his name, date of birth and death carved in stone, flowers had been placed on it recently. 'You will be missed', it said, and he had to face away from it, feeling sick to his stomach. He had dealt with death before, he knew he was dead, but seeing his own grave after so long, knowing his old decaying body was there was suddenly too much.

- W-Why did you take me here...? - He managed to say, and the woman looked back at him, noticing his discomfort, she felt bad.

- ...This was where I last saw you... Every week from then on I came here... So when you returned now, after 20 years... Saying you've been alive all this time... - She smiled sadly - It's just hard to believe... Even if you have a... different body and appearance now...

- I-I understand... - He couldn't even raise his head to look at her, the feeling was too nauseating for him as all he wanted was to lay down and brainstorm everything he had just seen and learned - I never thought I'd get to see my own tombstone again... I hate thinking about this, I don't want to see this...

- I just thought you could know... - She seemed to get scared again by his tone, as he recalled that she saw him differently from what he used to be, he looked sadly at her and shook his head - It's fine...

- Are you feeling alright...? You look sick...

- I don't get sick... I just... Don't want to be here...

She figured it must have been hard for him to come into contact with this - ...This was a bad idea, let's go somewhere else...

He did not reply, simply nodding and silently followed her almost in a ghostly fashion. She noticed his silence and began to feel paranoid once more - ...Miles... If it really is you... How much do you remember from the day when you... died...?

He lowered his head, remaining silent, but she knew he was thinking about it - ...I... I remember...  We were arguing... because... because I saw that you were drinking again... I was upset because you said you would stop, b-but you didn't... You were shouting, I was shouting back, but I don't think you were sober then...

She teared up when he said this -...I remember...

- ...I said some horrible things to you... I didn't want to be your son, I wanted to run away and live on my own... I-I didn't want to deal with any of that but I needed to calm down and I went out into the woods near the house... - he clenched his teeth - I sh-shouldn't have said those things, I knew you had problems and I just made it worse...! - he cried out sadly, and the woman stopped walking to turn to him as he too stopped in his way. Despite being covered by his hood and hair, she still noticed his eyes, bright yellow and wet with tears, yet his gaze seemed more and more familiar, as she held his cold hands to calm him down - You never did anything wrong, my situation is not your fault... I never got to say sorry a-and now you... you're like this...

[UNFINISHED]

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