Waiting a Lifetime (The Waiting Series Book 1)

by Samantha Peterson

  I want to help him though, so I decide to go out on a limb and tell him the news.

  “I visited your granddaughter today.”

  “What?”

  He looks surprised and defensive at the mention of his granddaughter. Maybe this isn’t the greatest idea.

  “What business did you have there?” he growls.

  “I was hoping that giving you news of her would set your mind at ease. She’s about my age now, and looks like she’s doing very well.”

  “What? She’s forgotten about me?”

  “What?” I say to myself, confused.

  How did he come up with that from saying she’s doing well?

  “No, that’s not what I --”

  “You got to her, didn’t you? You brainwashed her into forgetting about me and not needing me or caring about me?!”

  “Sir, what are you talking about? I was just trying to --”

  Without warning, he starts screaming as if someone is trying to gouge his eyes out of his skull. I jump up from my seat and back away, afraid. My eyes are as big as his, but mine are wide with fear. His eyes continue to bulge from something unseen, and he falls from the bench to his knees, keeling over in pain.

  He has his hands on his chest, where the Chain of Fate, or Life Line as Degory called it, is connected, as it starts to disintegrate in front of my eyes. I can only imagine how painful that must feel. One link at a time disappears as it gradually reaches his chest.

  It seems impossible, but the rotting chain eats through the man’s chest where the Chain of Fate had been just moments ago, causing a black ooze to gush from the wound. Maybe that’s dark energy at its finest...

  The thing that consumes a soul filled with sorrow and changes it completely. I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it for myself.

  A gust of wind picks up, and a combination of leaves and snow start twirling around creating a sort of cyclone around the old man. I can’t see what’s happening, only hear his screams becoming more desperate with anguish.

  When the leaves and wind clear, there isn’t a man standing before me, it’s a monster – like something out of a nightmare. Somehow, he changed into a being three times his size, brown body like a beast.

  What should be a face is almost four times the size of a normal head, and completely covered in the same black ooze that came from his chest. There’s no hair anywhere on the black mass on top of the body, and the eyes are completely white.

  No pupils and no irises. Just pure white, piercing, hollow globes where his eyes should be. The only reason I recognize it as the man I was trying to help, is his scream. The scream is the same but a little raspier than before. It’s like the ooze over his face contorts his voice so that it’s even gravellier and rougher, but the same tone.

  This must be the Malighost transformation Degory was talking about. Is this what Becky looked like when she turned?

  I want to run, but I can’t seem to move my feet. I’m still in shock from the metamorphosis I just witnessed.

  He was fine a little over four hours ago, what happened since I left that caused him so much anguish?

  I watch as he flexes his fingers and stretches out his arms, testing them. I don’t know what to do. Well, I want to run before he sees me, but my feet refuse budge. He looks over at me, remembering I’m still here.

  “You will pay for brainwashing my granddaughter. You will pay with your life.”

  He reaches down and picks me up with ease. I squirm in his large hand that easily wraps around my torso from below my shoulder to my hips. I kick about but can’t even get myself to scream. I want to cry, but I can’t do that either.

  My tears are stuck in my throat, along with my heart, which is pumping so loudly I can hear it. I’m completely helpless. All I can manage are meager whimpers.

  He raises me up so that my head is two feet from the nose on his massive face. He stares at me before opening his mouth wide. It’s only a slit in the dark ooze cover it, with grotesque black teeth that look razor sharp from where I am. He tips me forward so my head will be the first thing he eats, bringing me closer to those hideous teeth.

  As I get closer, I close my eyes and wait for death. I can smell his rancid breath, and feel the darkness surrounding me as my head passes into his gapping mouth. I wait for his teeth to come down and decapitate me. I wait, but the seconds pass and I feel nothing.

  Is this death? Nothingness? No, Degory has told me otherwise…what is going on?

  I open my eyes to see the monster’s black tongue ready to lick my face, but it isn’t moving at all, like it’s stuck on something. I watch as I hear a squishing and sliding, then see the top half of his head, from his upper jaw and above, slide clean off and topple to the ground, ooze scattering everywhere.

  Kicking violently, I try to get the monster’s hand to release me. After a few moments, the lifeless body follows the head. The hand gripping me tightly falls gently to the ground on its side, and I roll out and away from it a few feet before being able to stop myself.

  I pick myself up, staring at the monster before me – fear still controlling me.

  What in the hell just happened to his head?

  Looking around, I see Degory slowly walking up to me with concern and caution clouding his features. He sheaths his sword carefully as he approaches me. I back away from him, still in shock. I’m not afraid of him, but I can’t seem to comprehend what has happened and I feel sick to my stomach.

  Before I know it, the world starts spinning and I lose my balance, tumbling back to the ground. I don’t know how or why, but I lose consciousness.

  Chapter 6

  When I wake up, I’m not outside anymore. I can hear the wind howling and threatening to bring down the walls, but I don’t feel it trying to suffocate me anymore. I’m lying on a small, twin-sized bed in a very small room with no windows. My winter clothing has been taken off, and someone has placed me underneath a couple of blankets to keep me warm.

  I try to sit up and immediately feel my torso stiffen up. A grunt escapes my lips from the pain coming from my midsection. I ignore the pain as much as possible so I can make it to a sitting position. Lifting my shirt slightly, I find deep, purple bruises from the monster’s grasp all along my belly.

  I’m willing to bet there are similar bruises on my back as well. There’s, literally, a giant purple handprint around my midsection.

  If I’m injured by a ghost, can everyone see it, or just those who can see spirits?

  Adjusting myself so my legs are hanging off the side of the bed, I notice a small love seat situated against the left wall near the door. There’s a boy there, but the only clue I have about who is lying there is the spikey hair poking out from the arm. It’s white, which gives me a pretty good hint about who my company is.

  “Good, you’re awake,” Degory comments.

  He sits up on the sofa so he can get a good look at me.

  “Are you alright?” he asks.

  “I have no idea,” I admit, “but judging by these bruises, I would say no.”

  He chuckles, softly.

  “Well, you’re handling it rather well after seeing the Malighost transformation for the first time, as well as almost getting eaten.”

  He turns so he’s completely facing me, blue eyes flashing with concern and amusement. I run a hand through my hair, thinking.

  “What happened back there?” I question. “Besides the transformation, I guess.”

  His expression becomes more somber than anything.

  “I had to dispose of him,” Degory concedes. “I didn’t want to kill another friend of yours, but seeing him about to eat you…I didn’t have a choice.”

  He seems genuinely sorry that he had to ‘destroy’ another ghost I was close to. I can feel my heart reaching out to him. For comfort over the loss of a friend, as well as to relieve some of the guilt he is carrying.

  Either way, it’s going to take time for me to get used to someone caring about how I feel like this. />
  “It’s okay, I understand,” I reassure him.

  I can only imagine how difficult this is for him. He seems uncomfortable, as if he’s never had to choose between his duties and how he feels before. It’s a strange internal battle for him that I can’t tell if he’s winning or losing.

  “Thank you for saving me,” I continue. “I would be dead right now if you hadn’t been there to rescue me.”

  He doesn’t respond at first. Instead, he searches my eyes for something. I wish that I could read his mind and know what he’s looking for. I want to give him everything that he wants. I can see him struggling and I want to help him.

  “It was my pleasure,” he finally says.

  He bows his head a little to emphasis his words.

  “Where are we?” I ask, changing the subject.

  My cheeks are warm from his show of respect.

  “How long was I out for?”

  “You’ve been resting for about two hours now,” he reveals. “We are in the shop of a Division ally we have in this world. She helps all members with anything they may require while protecting the city. She has done a bit of healing, but you were having some sort of fit in your sleep, so she let you rest.”

  My cheeks are suddenly burning. I can’t remember dreaming while I was out, so I have no idea what I was having a fit about. I had night terrors as a child, but I haven’t had them in several years.

  “That’s embarrassing, I’m sorry…” I say.

  “Don’t be. I’m just glad that you’re okay.”

  “So, this shop is a cover to help other Reapers?”

  “Yes,” he confirms, smiling.

  “Wow,” I breathe. “How many are there just in Everbloom?”

  “Not as many as you would think,” he says. “There are a couple dozen assigned to this city, but they take shifts. There are only about five on duty at any one time.”

  “So, every city has about 20 assigned to it?”

  “Approximately. It depends on the size of the city and the population.”

  “That means there is over a million Reapers…”

  Holy shit…

  “Yes, and even with those numbers we aren’t able to help all the spirits lost and wandering in the Living World.”

  “That’s depressing…” I sigh, a bit morose. “Wait, I’ve been asleep for about two hours…so, it’s almost eight o’clock??”

  “Yes, actually. Is there a problem?”

  Concern is all over his face again. A little sadness, too. He had been enjoying our conversation. I kind of felt bad changing the subject, but I really need to get a hold of my dad to let him know where I am.

  “No, I just need to call my dad and let him know I’m okay,” I assure him. “I’m not usually gone for this long on Saturday and I don’t want to worry him. Do you think there is a phone around here I could borrow?”

  “Of course, I’ll go get a phone from the shop owner and be right back.”

  He gets up and exits the room without another word, a little pep in his step. This has been such a strange day. Ever since I met him, things have been getting weirder and weirder.

  I take in my surroundings while I have a second to myself. I can hear movement below me, so I have to, at least, be on the second story. Still, I can’t imagine a shop being located in a basement.

  On the headboard of the bed is the scarf Degory gave me, and I’m grateful it didn’t go far. It gives me a little comfort in this strange place. I notice a small closet door on the wall, near the door.

  I carefully get up from the bed and walk over, moaning quietly from the stiffness of my belly and back. That old man had done a number on my body.

  How am I going to explain this to dad?

  I really hope he won’t be able to see it. I’m never that lucky, though.

  I open the door of the closet to see my shoes, coat, gloves, and hat being stored inside the small space. I’m relieved nothing has gone missing. I trust Degory, but I have no idea who the owner of this shop is, or who she has working for her. I can trust my ice prince, but I definitely don’t trust anyone else.

  I shut the door and return to the bed, sitting down carefully. It’s only a couple of moments before Degory returns. He closes the door behind him and hands me a phone.

  “Where is this shop?” I ask him.

  “What?” he says, his brow furrowing.

  He doesn’t understand my question – why I need to know where we are.

  “It’s hard to tell my dad where I am if I don’t know where I am,” I hint, grinning.

  “Oh, of course,” he concedes, his cheeks turning pink from his embarrassment. “We are at a chocolate shop that is about five blocks from your house. We aren’t far.”

  “Oh, wow, I think I’ve heard of it,” I admit, “but I’ve ever been here before. I know it’s been around for ages, though. How ironic I would end up here.”

  I sigh before I dial the home phone number. Degory is watching me intently. It rings twice before I hear dad’s voice greeting me on the other end with a generic ‘hello’.

  “Hey dad,” I respond.

  I speak quickly so he doesn’t have the chance to interrupt before I get my words out.

  “I just wanted to let you know that I’m okay. I’m checking out that chocolate shop near the house with a friend. I’ll be back a little later, if that’s okay?”

  Dad’s more than a little surprised that I have made a friend and don’t want to be cooped up in my bedroom, but he seems happy with the news. He gets off the phone quickly, saying he doesn’t want to keep me from having fun. Still, I can tell that he hesitates a little, like he’s unsure whether I’m actually making friends or not.

  “Thanks dad, I’ll see you later,” I say, hanging up the phone.

  I turn back to Degory to let him in on the conversation details.

  “He said I could stay out as long as I wanted.”

  I guess Dad really is just happy I’m out of the house and not holed up in my bedroom for once.

  I lock eyes with Degory to see him analyzing me.

  “Is there something wrong?” I ask, wiping my face with my hands to make sure I don’t have dirt on my face.

  I feel like I should brush my teeth just in case there’s food stuck in them, or something.

  “No, it’s just interesting how you interact with your family, is all. You’re very unique, Sunny Siebel.”

  “Nah, I’m just your average human,” I blush. “Besides the fact that I have the ability to see ghosts.”

  “I think there’s more to you than even you’re aware of yet,” he informs me.

  It’s almost as if he knows something about me that I don’t with the way he practically hints that I’m not done accumulating gifts, though there’s no way he really could know. I don’t push him about it though, because I’m more than likely just being paranoid.

  Plus, the thought of something else happening to me, besides getting eaten by monsters called Malighosts, scares me more than almost getting eaten by one. I’m already a little overwhelmed with everything and I don’t need more on my plate.

  Without warning, my stomach grumbles. I guess it has been six hours since I had the sandwich with the elderly man. Before he turned into a Malighost…

  I blush some more, hoping Degory didn’t hear my stomach rumbling. I’m not that lucky, though.

  “You must be hungry,” he offers. “Would you like me to get you something?”

  “No, I wouldn’t want to intrude,” I insist.

  I already feel a little strange being here.

  “I should just go home and get something to eat.”

  “Malvina Kingsley, the shop owner,” Degory clarifies, “already said you are welcome to spend the night to make sure you are all healed up before returning home. You wouldn’t be intruding. She would insist! Reapers come here all the time to rest and rejuvenate, she is happy to help those that need it.”

  She helps all Reapers that come here? I wonder how many of th
em had rested in the same bed I occupy now. Is Degory trying to compare me to other Reapers? I can’t quite tell if he’s trying to hint more about what I might be capable of, but I can’t handle thinking about it right now either.

  There is something in his voice that makes it seem like he wants me to stay with him, rather than the shop owner requesting it. I have a feeling he suggested it to this Kingsley character.

  “Uhmm…” I hesitate.

  It feels really strange to be staying in a shop I’ve never even set foot in, owned by someone I don’t know. Yet, all I have to do is look into Degory eyes and know that no matter what, he will make it all okay. I shrug.

  “Okay, I guess so.”

  He smiles, happy I decide to stay and spend time with him. Degory excuses himself, and excitedly gets up to leave the room, taking the phone with him. He leaves the door open, and I can hear his hurried footsteps down the corridor and run down the stairs.

  I sit back in bed, covering myself with the dull brown blanket. I don’t know what happened or how, but that monster drained me of all my energy while he was holding me. Even if I had wanted to go home tonight, there’s no way I would be able to in my condition.

  As soon as I am situated underneath the blanket again, Degory returns with two plates of food. I sit up a bit more, leaning against the headboard. He sits down on the foot of the bed, scooting so his back is against the wall, and he hands me one of the plates.

  There’s a ham and cheese sandwich sitting on it, as well as a dill pickle and a handful of Doritos. He has the same thing on his plate.

  “Wait, you can eat? Reapers get hungry?” I ask, stunned.

  He chuckles at me, taking a bite of his sandwich. He swallows it before responding.

  “Yes. Those that pass on and aren’t Reapers never feel hunger. That’s another one of the ways you can tell whether you have Reaper abilities: when you feel hunger.”

  “How are you able to touch things, though?”

  I know I’m asking what seems to be a stupid question, but I’m curious. I have to know how this Reaper thing works.

  “Ghosts can’t touch anything while they are waiting to go to Eden,” I continue, “so how is it that you have the ability to touch things in this world?”