“Maybe after everything is said and done, do you think you could talk to the Creator about giving my memories back since I won’t really be able to do it? I know I won’t fight as hard for them because I won’t have any attachments to them.”
“You know He doesn’t do that.”
“Yeah, I know, but He’s starting to do things differently. Look at Kale! He got a second, second chance. Why should I be any different? I’m going to reform the system I should be able to get back what I gave up for it.”
“I’ll ask him, I promise.” He draped his arm around my neck while we walked the rest of the way in silence down the empty street. The emptiness felt just like my insides at that moment.
“Dev? Hello?”
I shook my head out of my daydream. We were back at my house and standing in front of the door already. “Sorry, I kind of spaced out.”
“I know,” he laughed, “I’ve been trying to talk to you for about five minutes now.”
“Sorry.” I looked down, playing with my fingers and watching my feet. My hands were starting to shake and I couldn’t stop them.
He stepped up to me and embraced me tightly. I wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face in the crook below his ear. “I’m so scared.”
“You’ll do wonderful. Think of all those souls you’re going to help.”
“I know but it still doesn’t stop my stomach from flipping around inside. It doesn’t stop the feeling of knowing I’m going to lose you tomorrow.”
“Hey, stop talking like that. You’re not going to lose me. You might not remember me but I will charm my way back into your heart like I did the first time.”
I took a big, deep breath and let it out slowly. “You’re right. Oh, here,” I went to slip the ring off my hand, “you might want to hold onto this until after I say yes...again.”
He stopped me and slipped it back on. “No, you’ll see it every day and know you belong to someone and I’ll just have to convince you it’s me. Here, watch this.” He slid if off my finger and pulled out his knife, etching something into it before slipping it back on my finger. “Don’t look at it until right before the Creator does the memory wipe, got it?”
“Do you know how hard that’s going to be for me!?” I retorted.
“Please, Devalynn, don’t look at it before I told you when you can see it.” His eyes furrowed, deepening as he frowned.
“Okay, okay,” I rolled my eyes, “I promise.”
“I’ll see you in the morning before you do it?”
“I can’t wait.” I swung my arms around his neck and whispered for only his ears to hear. “I love you, Kellin, with all of my unbeating heart, I love you forever.”
“I love you too, Dev, and I always will. I am going to miss this so damn much. Okay, I have to go now before I become a complete wreck and try to talk you out of it. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He kissed my lips one last time before turning on his heels and running off.
I stood at the door, my eyes following as he ran into the distance and rounded a corner. He wasn’t even in my sight anymore but I stood there, hoping he would pop back around and make his way to me. He didn’t. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream and throw things.
“Hey, are you okay?” I jumped as Lexie opened the door and came outside.
“I guess.”
“Did you talk to them?”
“I talked to Kellin. Not Kale. I’m waiting until morning to talk to him. I can only take so much stress today before I combust. Who knows, maybe he’ll want his memory wiped so he can forget me too,” I mumbled.
“I take it Kellin didn’t take the news so well?” She held the door open as I walked in past her and went straight for my bed. I hurled myself on to it and buried myself under the blankets.
“No, he took it rather well and is supporting me one hundred percent.”
“That’s great news! Then why are you so sad?” There was a rustling as she climbed in next to me and propped the blanket up a little so we could see each other.
I pulled out my hand from under my head and showed her. “This is why. I won’t remember this ever again but he will,” I wanted to cry but nothing came from my eyes that burned and stung like I had cried so hard I couldn’t cry anymore.
“Ohmyjeez!” she squealed out in one word, “I’m so happy for you guys but you’re right. It’s going to be really hard knowing you don’t remember and I won’t get to talk with you about it without you getting all crazy on me thinking I’m a creeper.”
“That’s what Kellin said,” I laughed.
“Well it’s the truth! We’re going to walk up to you tomorrow and be all ‘Hey! So how many souls did you get today?’ or ‘Hey, I love you, you crazy ass!’ and you’re going to be like ‘What the hell is wrong with the people here?’ Do you see where I’m going with this? All of us are going to be new to you. We’ll get to start our weird friendship over again though.”
She had me laughing so hard my stomach hurt. “This is true. I look forward to doing all the crazy stuff all over again with you.” My face set in an instant frown, terror overcame me again.
“Hey, don’t worry about it. We all love you and will take care of you.” She yawned loud and snapped her body around as she finished it off with a sneeze. “I think it’s bedtime. I can’t keep my eyes open and I’m really trying to.”
“I know the feeling. I’m exhausted but I don’t want to sleep and bring tomorrow here quicker.”
She took a pillow and squished it against my face. “Shut up. Go to sleep. Good night.” She rolled over, laughing, as she drifted off. I stayed awake until her snoring was more than I could stand so I let my body fall into a slumber.
***
“Kale! Why are you acting like this!? I’m still trying to piece how you fit into my life before I died and you can’t even be understanding about this!” I huffed out as we made our way down the street to go pick up his list and I was, well, going to get a fresh memory.
“I think it’s bullshit, that’s why! I’ve been more than accommodating for you and trying to help and not get in the way and letting you figure everything out but this is where I draw the line. I just got you back in my life and you want to basically punish me!”
“How is this punishing you!? I’m trying to help the souls who don’t need to come back yet. I have a chance to make a difference in so many souls’ lives and you’re being selfish and an ass!” I wanted to strangle him.
“Yeah, I am being a little selfish. You’re mine, Dev, so why can’t I have a say so in the matter?”
Whoa. That stopped me dead in my tracks. “You do not own me, I am not yours, and you have NO right to speak to me like a piece of damn property,” I hissed at him. I was clenching my fists as the fire inside me grew. It took everything I had to not lay him out right there.
“Oh come on, that’s not what I meant, Dev,” he rolled his eyes.
“I don’t give a rats ass how you meant it because what you said was plain as day. You know, if you were anything like this down there, I’m glad I don’t remember you. I’m glad the only things I’ll miss are your beautiful eyes and perfect hair! Goodbye, Kale!” I stormed off and went straight to the Creator. I was shaking so bad I couldn’t stand it.
***
I stood in front of his chair while I waited; nervously shaking my hands and rocking back and forth on my feet. He wasn’t there yet and I was beginning to think I was making the wrong decision. A door squeaked open to my right; I spun my head to look. He came in and took my hand in his. “Good morning, Devalynn. How are you today?”
“I’m good, thank you. Yourself?”
“I’m always good,” he smiled, “So, are you ready? Have you made your choice?”
We began to walk out towards the tombs. “Yes,” I looked down at my feet as they shuffled under me, “I’m going to do it. I need to help the others not suffer a horrible eternity.”
He nodded, “Okay. You have made the right call on this, you know. Now the system
will be reworked and it’s all going to be thanks to you.”
“Is there any way I can at least retain some of my memory or get it back when I’m done?” My voice was shaking and unsteady.
He frowned a little, “No, I’m sorry. Once it’s done, I can’t undo it. Is that a deal breaker?”
“No, I was just hoping to have something in the end. Not so much a reward but a piece of myself still intact.” I took a deep breath and sighed, “Get it over with, please.” I had forgotten to look at the inscription on the ring so I quickly took it off and read what Kellin had written. K+D I love you, my bride. I smiled, my lips trembled, and I closed my eyes while I slipped the ring back on my finger.
His hand touched my forehead. A dizzying feeling overcame my body; a bright purple light filled my mind and invaded the depths of my memories.
Chapter Eight
“Good morning, everyone! My name is Devalynn. I have been tasked with overhauling the Reclamation department. It seems the system is faulty and too many souls are being taken back for minor infractions. If you have any concerns or want to discuss a particular area that needs to be looked at, please don’t hesitate to see me,” I smiled from the podium at my audience.
A hand went up; I pointed at them to stand. “How soon are we looking at changes?” the man asked.
“Hopefully only a few days at the most. I have already been informed of the situation and have seen how it works. There are ideas bubbling to get everything fixed,” I smiled.
“Thanks, Dev,” he smiled but kind of with a sad tone to his voice. I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t be happy about the changes about to happen.
“Okay, I’m sorry; I can’t take any more questions. I really need to get to work so we can get the ball rolling. See me later today with your concerns. Thanks, everyone. Have a great day,” I waved as I stepped down from the podium with my papers in one hand.
“Excuse me, Devalynn?” A girl’s voice from behind me called out.
“Yup?” I turned and looked at her. Her hair was a gorgeous blonde with waves and she was dressed in all black.
“I’ve been tasked as your assistant,” she smiled.
“That’s great! What’s your name?” I asked.
Her smile faded. “I’m Lexie.” She held her hand out for mine.
I shook it firmly. “Nice to meet you, Lexie. Sure hope you’re ready to get this started because we have a lot of work to do.”
“Sure thing.” She put her hands in the back pockets of her pants as we walked.
“So what’s there to do up here? I just got here and have no idea what to do for some fun.” I tried to make some conversation with her to get her talking.
“Well, I want to introduce you to someone who can show you around more than I can,” she smirked.
“Okay,” I laughed, “why does that sound like I should be scared?”
She shook her head, “I promise, you won’t be scared. Come on.” She led me to a building with a line of Collectors standing outside. We made our way through them and pushed inside.
“Hey Kellin,” she called out.
A handsome man turned around and looked at us. He went from laughing to damn near crying. Why in the hell was everyone reacting like that to me? I couldn’t figure it out. He walked over to us, running a hand through his thick brown hair. “Hey, Lex, what’s up?”
“This is Devalynn. She was asking what all there is to do around here. Figured you could give her the grand tour,” she winked at him.
He extended his hand for mine, “Nice to meet you, Dev.”
I smiled, “Thank you. Nice meeting you, too. So how about after work you can show me around? If you have time that is.”
“Absolutely, I would love to show you around. I have somewhere to take you that I think you will really enjoy.” His smile started to creep back up slowly in the corners of his lips...oh I wanted his lips against mine; to feel them against my skin. I shook my head really quick, trying to make the thought leave me alone.
“Sounds great, I look forward to it. Have a good day,” I waved as we parted and turned away. “He seems really nice,” I told Lexie.
“Oh he’s a total sweetheart. I think you two will get along just great.”
“Hey, Lexie, why does everyone seem to freak out when I come around? Do they not want me here?” We headed back towards the tombs to sit down and start going over the new plans.
“Oh no, we want you here. I think it’s just taking some of us by surprise, that’s all,” she replied; gentleness in her voice.
“Seems like every time someone looks at me, they get on the verge of tears or stop smiling.”
“Trust me, okay, you’re fine. No one hates you or wants you gone. So what are we doing first? What do you need me to do?”
Next to the tombs was a small building. We went inside and looked around. There were some old desks and a lot of filing cabinets. “Well, I guess go through the records and find the ones that stand out as probable wrongful reclamations and make a stack over there,” I pointed to the side of one desk. “I’m going to go ahead and review the laws and start making changes. It really shouldn’t take too long. In a few days you’ll be able to go back to what you were doing before. Sorry you got stuck helping me.” I sat down at a desk and began to look over the Laws for Reclamations book.
“I don’t feel stuck helping. Glad to do it. It’s nice getting to hang out with you again.”
I looked up at her quizzically. “What do you mean, again?”
“Oh, um, nothing. Never mind that comment. I’ll let you get to work. Seems I’ve got a lot to do, too.” She buried her face in the files as she began to go through them.
I opened the book and the first rule had me shaking my head.
Law 1. All souls committing a crime SHALL be reclaimed.
I revised it accordingly.
Law 1. (Revised) Only souls that have committed a heinous crime shall be reclaimed immediately.
It sounded good to me. I also improvised and added a new one.
Law 1a. All souls not committing a heinous crime shall be given three strikes or if the reclaimer feels that the soul is truly incapable of changing their ways, they may be reclaimed and the Creator shall give the appropriate punishment or reject the claim by the reclaimer and send the soul back to earth.
I had a feeling it was going to be a long day and it was. Every law I came across had to be amended or new sub laws created. A few hours later when my stomach rumbled for food, I forced myself to take a break. “Hey, you want to go get something to eat? I could use the break. How about you?”
Lexie had made good progress. The stack next to the table had morphed into four stacks lining the opposite wall. “Yeah, I’m starving. Let’s go grab some food from my place since it’s right around the corner.” She stood to her feet and I stretched my body out first before getting up. We walked out and headed to her place.
“I see you’ve got a lot done so far. I think going through those files is going to take way longer than redoing that book. I can’t believe how outdated and immoral it is,” I said, shaking my head.
“I’m nowhere near done, either. It’ll probably take weeks to get through them with just me and you. I say we recruit someone to help,” she smirked.
“Any suggestions?” I eyed her.
“I have a few in mind,” she giggled.
I rolled my eyes, “I guess get them together and see if they will help. So tell me about yourself.”
“Not much to know. I died, I came here, I met Jackson, we got united,” she flashed her ring at me, “and here I am. Just boring ole me.”
“United? Like married?”
“Yeah, it’s done a little different here. We just got united this morning right before your big speech. He’s actually in the process of moving all his stuff over into my house since it was bigger than his.”
“Congratulations! I didn’t know you could do that here.”
“Oh yeah, happens pretty often but you�
��ll figure that out soon enough. What about you? What do you remember of yourself?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well when you come here, memories usually don’t make the crossover too.”
“Oh well, let me think.” I tried. I tried damn hard to remember anything and everything before that morning but it was an empty black hole. I shook my head. “Nothing...is that normal?”
She shrugged, “It can be. Just keep fighting it and try to find a way into the memories. Some might recover themselves.” We walked up the steps to a beautiful cottage.
“I guess. I’m not really worried about it.”
She looked down at my hand. “Where did you get that ring? It’s beautiful.”
“I don’t know. I’ve been looking at it trying to figure the same thing out but I just can’t get myself to take it off. It feels too important to me for some reason. I think it’s absolutely beautiful.”
She smiled while holding the door for me, “Yeah, it is. Welcome to my home. Excuse the mess. Jackson should be around here shortly.”
“I’m not worried about a messy house,” I laughed as I shut the door behind me and walked into the kitchen behind her.
There was a knock on the door and it swung open. “Hey, what are you guys up to?” Kellin walked in and wrapped his arm around my neck. I must have turned every color of red possible. I felt the temperature in my face rise quickly. He looked down at my hand covering my chest where my racing heartbeat should have been. With his other hand, he reached up for mine and brought it closer to examine my ring. “Pretty rare ring; it’s flawless and looks stunning on you.” He looked over and down into my eyes. I was slightly shorter than him; fitting perfectly in the nook of his arm.
“We were just talking about it. I love it. Not sure where it came from but I won’t take it off.” His beautiful eyes bore into mine; into my soul.
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