Chapter Six
Audrey
I chuckle, allowing her to drag me inside the room, finding it just as the professor described it. Diana releases my hand and moves toward one of the desks, so I head to the other. Picking up the tablet, I power it on. The first thing that pops up is a welcome letter of sorts.
Welcome to Scythe Academy, future reaper!
Today begins the rest of your afterlife. Tomorrow, you will begin your training to become a reaper—starting with orientation. While this may feel overwhelming at the moment, know that you’re not alone. This program is intensive, but there are many great professors here to support you on your journey.
Your first day at Scythe Academy will begin at nine o’clock in the auditorium for orientation. This will take much of the day, but you will have time to meet your professors as well. Breakfast is served in the dining hall, beginning at six o’clock. It’s recommended that you stop by and grab a bite to eat, as your day will be very busy and full of information. Everyone works better on a full stomach.
As new recruits’ dorms are so far from campus, there will be shuttle carts that will drive you to the main campus each morning, beginning at six o’clock as well.
Attached, you will find a copy of your schedule for the foreseeable future. As should have been explained to you by a member of staff, you’ll find a copy of said schedule on each of your devices. You’ll find uniforms in your closet that you are expected to wear during school hours—no exceptions. Along with your phone, tablet, and laptop, you’ll find a backpack on your desk. You’re expected to bring these items with you to orientation tomorrow.
Get a good night’s sleep, and I will see you in the morning for orientation!
Sincerely,
Brigid Donahue
Headmistress of Scythe Academy
“This is insane.” I shake my head, reaching down to pick up the cell phone. It unlocks when I touch it, making me wonder if all the devices are keyed to our magic, like the door to our dorm. “I don’t feel dead. Maybe this is an elaborate dream?”
“I don’t think so,” Diana says with a laugh before reaching over to pinch me.
I yelp and jump back from her as I rub my arm. “What the hell was that for?”
She grins. “I just wanted to prove it wasn’t a dream.”
“Well, don’t do that again. That hurt.”
“That was kind of the point.” Diana sticks her tongue out at me, pulling a smile from me. I’m glad I woke up next to her.
I grab the backpack off the desk, sliding the laptop and tablet inside without bothering to look at my schedule. I’m already feeling overwhelmed, so I don’t really care. That’s a problem for tomorrow. Right now, I need some sleep. And maybe, just maybe, this really is a dream. One can hope.
“I’m exhausted and overwhelmed,” I tell her, setting the now filled backpack onto the desk. Moving over to the dresser, I find some pajama pants and T-shirts in my size, letting out a sigh of relief. “I think we should get changed and go to sleep. Hopefully, things will be clearer in the morning. Or at least, I hope they are.”
Diana nods her agreement, moving over to the other dresser and pulling out some clothes. “I’ll just go change in the bathroom.”
She ducks into our shared bathroom before I can tell her she doesn’t have to and shrug as the door closes behind her. I change right there in the middle of the room, not caring if anyone sees me naked. But the moment I finish changing, I’m diving into bed. I know I should use the bathroom and wash my face or whatever, but I really just don’t care.
Diana steps back into the room and turns off the light, leaving us in the dark. I don’t close my eyes as my mind runs a mile a minute in every direction. I’m exhausted, but I know I won’t be able to sleep just yet. A glance at my phone tells me it’s nearly three in the morning, and I know I’m going to be dead on my feet tomorrow.
“What time do you think we should get up?” Diana asks, her face lit up by her phone.
“I’d prefer never, but something tells me that’s not an option.” I huff out a laugh. “I think I’m going to set my alarm for seven? I want to shower in the morning.”
Diana hums. “I’m not great at waking up in the mornings, so I usually shower at night. I’ll set mine for 7:30. Once you’ve showered, can you make sure I get my ass out of bed? You have permission to play loud music, turn on lights, or even throw me out of the bed if you have to.”
Snickering, I sit up on my elbows. “Are you seriously that bad?”
“I am. Especially with only like four hours of sleep. They really should give us the day off if they don’t start the night until midnight.”
Laying back, I laugh. “I agree. They probably do it to torture us. I’ll make sure you’re up—by any means necessary.”
“Thanks, Audrey. You’re a good friend.” She yawns, and within seconds soft snores sound out from her bed.
Damn. I wish I could go to sleep that easily. I’ve never been someone who could fall asleep at the drop of a hat, and it seems that dying hasn’t changed that.
Dying.
I’m dead.
It’s so hard to wrap my head around that. How does someone know when they’re dead? Because I don’t feel dead. I don’t feel any different from how I usually do—I don’t think. Maybe the lack of memories is how I know I’m dead. Unless someone kidnapped us and wiped our memories and this is all a huge practical joke.
Shaking my head at my ridiculousness, I roll onto my side to stare at the wall.
Not only am I dead, but I’m in the underworld and expected to become a reaper. All because someone murdered me—someone I can’t remember. Not to mention, I met one of the Four Horsemen. I knew they existed, but I never thought I’d have the chance to meet them. In fact, most people—humans and supernaturals alike—have no desire to ever meet them. They’re the boogie men of our world. It would take nothing for them to end the world as we know it.
After all, isn’t that why they were created? To cause the apocalypse? It’s what has been taught to us since we were children. Obviously, there’s more to them than just causing the apocalypse. They each have their role in the world, helping to keep it balanced. If just one of them decided to not do their job, the world would become unbalanced and the apocalypse would begin. I can’t even imagine having that kind of weight on my shoulders.
Wraith is hot, there’s no denying that, but he’s also an asshole. Maybe he’s not always like that, but something tells me he is. I think I’d rather avoid him if possible. Surely, he won’t be around much. He’s not the one who will be teaching us since that’s what the staff is for, or at least that’s what I’m assuming. He doesn’t even seem to actually run the school since there’s a headmistress. So what does he do besides the welcoming—which had been far from welcoming.
Shaking my head, I realize it doesn’t matter.
I woke up with no memories, along with about a thousand other people today, to find out that we’d been murdered. That’s what I should be focusing on. I need to find out how I died and why. I don’t care what Wraith said. I have to know what happened.
Something flitters across my mind again, and I attempt to grasp a hold of the thought—the memory? But it’s already gone again.
That right there is why I need to find out what happened to me. If I wasn’t meant to remember, then why would this be happening? There’s something my brain wants me to know, and I’m determined to find out what the hell it is. It’s clearly important, and I won’t let anyone stand in my way—not even Death himself.
Finally, my eyes start to feel heavy, and I allow them to fall shut. This isn’t something I’m going to be able to figure out tonight. Plus, I’d love to get some sleep before learning what the hell I’ve gotten myself into.