Chapter 10 studying a simple man.

December 27 night

Sky walked to the reapers, not a worry in her mind. All except for the one, she had grasped tightly in her hand. "A C, she spat, with a wrinkle of her noes. “I didn't even know colleges gave C's, isn't that an elementary thing," she scoffed, as she dropped her arm to her side. "Oh, I'll never pass at this rate." She whined as she walked around back, keeping an eye out, for anyone who looked shady. She did not want a repeat of what happened the other night over a few months ago. She checked her phone, curious about the time. Despite it not being late, she couldnt help but feel the uncomfortable chill down her spine, sending all the hair on her neck to stand up. Its been that way ever since that night she was nearly mugged. The memory of it flashed in her mind. Especially her savior.

As she thought of him, her fear subsided, as she wrapped her arms around herself. A smile tugged at her lips, as she softly giggled his name, Charlie. "Charlie, since when do I call him Charlie." she argued with himself as the memory of the Christmas party came to her mind. His arms around her when they danced. The mere thought of it drove any fear away, as she sighed begging to dance in the dark alley, only to stop mid dance step catching herself in the act.

Her eyes hidden, as her mouth dropped. "Oh, no, no, no, no, he was just nice." She thought to herself. "It was just a dance, it wasn't like I kissed him." She groaned in frustration, glad no one was around to hear her talking to herself. “And here I must sound lonny, talking to myself.” she rolled her eyes, until they landed back on her paper.

The C minus on it, looked coles enough to mocking grin. Sky growled in frustration, clenching her fist, crumbling the paper enough so she couldnt see the C.

"I have much too much worry about, I have school, my internship, hell being a superhero mutant to stop a terrible disease-infested town. Last thing I need is a guy," she snorted, in hopes it would clear her mind of him.

Despite that however a nagging voice in her head told her," would it be that bad? I know I want to be married one day and have kids long down the line. And I do mean long down the line. But one guy wouldn't be so bad.” She thought as she crossed her arms, once again, holding herself before leaning on the back wall of the bar. “ but i only met him twice, I can't seriously like him that much, after only meeting him twice!” she mumbled to herself as she heard the word, but you want Someone nice. He doesn't have to be rich, or even handsome. Just nice. She thought as her mind crossed back to Mr Wolfric, who definitely wasn't the best-looking fellow, but was apparently loaded with cash, considering he was a banker and a lord. But the key feature there was, was he nice? The answer to Sky at least was, "Yes'', she said with a sigh, "very nice." She then groaned in frustration, "Would you listen to yourself, he probably has a girlfriend, oh hell, tons of lovers. Hell you have too much to worry about," she reminded herself again as she looked at her paper, unscrambling the C.

"Nice or not you're not in love. Listen to yourself, why are you even thinking about this," she told herself out loud. "Hell you're imagining about him," she laughed, as she closed her eyes she could almost hear his voice.

"Wait a minute," she opened her eyes, to find she could hear his voice. She turned to the back door, it was coming from inside. And she didn't hesitate to enter it, finding it open as it always was during business hours for the employees.

"A simple kind a man, be something you love and understand, baby be a simple kinda man, won't you do this for me son if ya ca-"

Sky, eyes widened at the sight, but despite the surprise, she felt a warm withing her heart as she stood listening to him sing. She had to admit while he definitely wasn't perfect he wasn't bad either. Nice to listen to. There's that word again, Sky. She mentally cursed herself, as she listened to him sing, playing the keyboard, set to a piano sound. The song he was singing was Simple Man.

She stayed quiet, nodding her head slightly to the beat. Not noticing her grip was losing on the paper in her hand. Soon it fell out of her hand giving a small flapping sound, alerting both of them. But as she went to grab it, she stopped staring at the room. The bar was completely empty, all except for the two of them,

With the sound of her paper flapping in the air, Wolfric raised an eyebrow but never stopped his playing. without looking at who it was he barked, "We're closed, get lost!"

"Why are you closed on a weekday?" She asked, catching his attention.

At the sight of her, he finally stopped playing. "Oh Miss Oak, guess you didn't get the memo. I need the bar tonight for an important meeting and have reserved it entirely, only those I have personally cleared are allowed in. The front doors are locked, how did you even," he sighed realizing it. "The back door’s open isn't it? Darnet, I told Jaime to lock it until he got here." He grumbled, looking tense.

Sky could tell something was bothering him, but thought it best not to pry, especially since this was only their third meeting. Their third meeting, and she was thinking of him that much, "pathetic," she thought to herself.

"Oh, sorry, I uh I guess I'll just go, shame I was looking forward to singing one of my favorite songs tonight." She giggled, trying to make small talk. "You have a pretty good singing voice, by the way. A simple man, it's a good choice."

"I hate that song actually," he told her as he stopped playing and leaned on one elbow. "Yet I am cursed to remember every word of it." He rolled his eyes.

"Really, how come? It's a great song if you ask me; my parents used to play it in the car along with a handful of others."

"My mother used to hum it when I was very little. Unfortunately for me, I was cursed with a photographic memory. If I could just forget it, I would." He stood up and walked over to the paper she had dropped. He only glanced at it and walked over to hand it to her. The difference in height became ever apparent with each step. He didn't say a word as he held it out to her. "Thanks, Charlie," she said, and took the page.

At the sound of this, he raised an eyebrow. "Since when do I allow you to call me that?" He asked in a cold tone.

"Oh, oh uh, yes, since the Christmas party; remember you told me..." he cut her off,

"I have a photographic memory, remember; I don't remember ever giving you permission to call me that, Miss Oak, now take your failing paper and go; I have someone coming any minute and have little time to deal with this." He rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed.

Just then someone walked in through the front door, carrying keys in one hand and a bag in the other. Dressed in nice clothes. "Hey, look who it is," the man called as he headed towards them.

"Miss Oak, I didn't know you were going to be here," smiled the man, "Are you going to sing then?"

"No, she's not going to sing; Jaime forgot to tell her!" Gripped Mr. Wolfric annoyed.

The man chuckled. "Ally made you sandwiches and muffins," he waved the paper bag, which the Reaper snatched out of his hand and began to go through. "Where's my soda?" He griped.

"Hmm, it's not in the bag; oh uh, let's see," he checked his pockets, showing it to be empty. "Oh that's right; it's right here." He twisted his hand and suddenly it appeared.

"Ha ha, very funny, Cornileus," The Reaper replied and snatched his drink out of the man's hand.

Cornileus shrugged before turning his attention to Sky. "I've been practicing that one; you wouldn't believe how tricky that is. It's hard enough with a tiny coin, let alone an entire can of soda." He laughed.

Sky just nodded, confused as to what was happening.

"Now don't mind Mr. Grumpy over here; he always gets like this when he's hungry."

At that The Reaper seemed to groan in annoyance yet ate his sandwich just as another man walked in along with a woman Sky recognized as Ashley Signs. The bartender. She was Russian as was the man behind her apparently.

With his mouth full, the Reaper said something in Russian to the two of them.

"Sure boss, come on Mac," Ashley replied, before the two walked off.

"You know Russian?" asked Sky.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Barley," he huffed. "Just enough to give Ashley's brother orders. I told them to get to work." He lied; he actually told them to search the place for intruders.

Cornelius then swiped the paper from the Reaper. "Hmm, a C huh, not bad."

"Actually, it's terrible," Sky replied. "I'm failing my class at this point."

"Oh, really, animal biology huh? Well, I'm a baker, I'm sure as hell can't help. But you know who can." At that, the Reaper glared at him. "That's right; this guy right here is a biologist expert." The Reaper rolled his eyes. "Geneticist, actually," he groaned. "Eh, tomato, tomato," Cornelius threw in. "He can tutor you, I bet."

"Really? Oh, that would be great actually," she brightly smiled as she took back her paper.

"Oh, sure; why don't we set something up at the coffee shop?" grinned Cornelius.

The Reaper glared at him and deadpanned, "I hate you," with his mouth full. Cornelius laughed. "That's why we're such good partners."

Just then Jaime walked in through the door, along with him a mean-looking group of men. "Reaper!" called out the one in the center, a fat-looking man.

In an instant, Mr. Reaper put on a cheerful face, though it was clearly fake as he greeted. "Carle." He whipped his hand with a napkin that came out of nowhere.

"Nice to see you again, Cornelius," said the fat man.

"Likewise," grinned Cornelius.

"Who is she, entertainment?" asked the man; he looked anything but a Carle – a sleazy fat man by the looks of it. Dressed in a suit that didn't make him look any better, if anything it made him look worse.

"No, she was just leaving; she never even heard I canceled her show tonight," he seemed to glare at his assistant who had an apologetic look on his face. Clearly, he forgot to send word to her that tonight was canceled.

"A singer, ah," Carle said and walked up to the stage. "Quite the looker," he snickered; "let's hear her sing."

"What?" asked Sky.

"What do you think boys? Want to hear a song?"

Some of them shrugged and didn't think much of it while others seemed interested in the idea.

"A few drinks and a song or two before we get down to business. Come on, Reaper my good fellow," he tried to place a hand on Reaper's shoulder, but the Reaper stopped him with a cane that appeared out of nowhere.

"You and your tricks," chuckled Carle. "Did anyone see him with a cane when we walked in?" He asked his company.

"Nope," Cornelius answered with a shake of his head.

"If anyone touches her," sneered Wolfric as he brought his cane to Carle's neck as if it were a knife.

"Hay, I get it; I get it; this is your turf," chuckled Carle. "Just a song; oh hey, I know – why not join in? I'll pay to see that. Right boys – to see the Reaper sing."

"I second that," smiled Cornelius. Gaining a glare from his business partner.

They all clapped for him.

He rolled his eyes, "Fine – if it will shut you up – one song and then it's down to business." The Reaper replied as he sat back down at the keyboard. His cane disappeared in thin air by the looks of it. He looked over at Sky clearly annoyed, but it was clear it wasn't with her. She stepped over and took a mic. She then shivered a bit frightened.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I uh – I usually have a drink or two to get over my stage fright," she told him and his face palmed. "Just one song – he groaned frustrated." She nodded and tried to settle her nerves on her own.

"Oh please – if the lady needs a drink – she can have one – where's the bartender anyway?" Carle asked.

"Enough of this foolery," shouted Reaper who stood up. "Do you have it!" He shouted.

"Okay, okay – chill – chill," Carle tried to calm him down and snapped his fingers.

Sky got the feeling she wasn't supposed to be in the room suddenly; then she thought really you're just getting that feeling now.

One of the men in the back showed them and pulled out a photo. And handed it to Carol. This won't be cheap. He said and waved it at Mr Wolfrict, who didn't hesitate to look at it. As did Cornelius.

"This is just a picture. Where is it?" He asked.

"On a shipping container as we speak. Now my money," Carol asked.

"You won't see a dime till I have it in my hands, that was our deal. You wasted my time get out of here!" The Reaper spat, "before I call the cops."

"Sir we got it for you, now where's my money, if I don't pay the shippers they won't deliver and if they don't deliver I won't have it to hand it over."

Reaper chuckled, "Sounds like your problem!"

Carol grits his teeth, "do you have any idea what I went through to get it?"

"Get it, you haven't received it yet. Not a dime till it's right here in this room." Reaper replied.

Carol looked at Cornelius.

"Sorry, but I'm with my partner on this one, Once you have it in possession, well hand you the money."

Carol groaned, "Fine have it your way reaper, but this isn't over yet." Reaper chuckled at that as he watched him and his companions leave.

"Uhhhh," was all Sky could say, a bit frightened by what she just said. Seeing this, Cornelius took the photo from his partner's hand and showed it to her. "A cabinet?" She asked.

"Not just ay cabinet, Henry Houdini's vanishing cabinet." Mr Wolfric here bought it himself from London overseas. The problem is getting it over here. It would make a great display item for the city museum, of which, we both kinda own, since most of its stocks are ours. We plan to donate this to the museum, and throw a fundraiser for kids to get interested in magic, one of his favorite hobbies."

"That's the last time I worked with Carol! Find someone else, Cornelius!" Spat the Reaper, he turned his attention back to the bag of food, pulling out his favorite dessert, a large blueberry muffin.

"I told you he has all the right connections."

"Next time don't call me here, Jaime can deal with it." At that, his assistant waved hi at Sky, and then returned to reading a book.

"We have to keep good graces with his company, being one of the best in the fighting tournament."

"Fighting tournament?" Asked Sky.

"Oh yeah, a lot of companies in the city hold a fighting tournament once a year as a fundraiser. And were the undefeated champs, going for a decade thanks to this guy." Corlieus tapped Mr Wolfric..

"You're a blabbermouth you know that," he deadpanned before taking in a bite of his muffin. "Besides, I'm not joining this year."

"What, but you always join"! yelled Cornelius, astonished at this news.

"The company will still participate. I'm just not getting in the ring."

"You're a fighter?" Sky asked even more confused than before.

"Don't worry about it."

"Not one person has been able to take this guy down." Cornelius shook him.

"Shut up," Wolfric commented before walking toward a trash can. With his back turned to him, Cornelius tackled him. Sky gasped at the sight, only to be surprised when, just as Cornelius came in contact with him, Mr Wolfric turned into water and splashed everywhere. "And that's why, always with his magic tricks!" Yelled Cornelius. Suddenly a towel was tossed on top of his face from behind Sky. She turned to see Mr Wolfric standing there with a smirk.

"This is dry clean only by the way." Laughed Cornelius as he dried off, completely soaked from head to toe.

Jime was trying his best not to laugh and failing to do so. "Jime do me a favor and walk Miss Oak to the station, will you?"

"Yes boss," he could barely answer because of his own laughter. Sky was a bit let down at the fact that it wasn't The Reaper himself, she in fact would have enjoyed learning more about him but agreed to go with his assistant.

Once she was out the door, Cornelius looked over to him. "Seriously tho, why water."

"Be glad it's not punch. May I offer you a drink?" The Reaper smiled. As he poured himself a glass.

"Na I'm good."

"Not you, I'm talking about our little spy friend."

Cornelius smiled, "we know you're there. How was my acting? You think I was convincing."

"A bit too much actually, but you said most of what you need to." Smiled Reaper. "A magician is someone known for tricks, one has to do better if they wish to trick one Mr Crush.

Mr Crush stepped out of the shadows gun raised, but dropped it with a sigh. "Actually, a drink sounds good right about now," he groaned as he took a seat.

Reaper made him a glass and leaned over the bar towards him, as he smoked.

"I hate you both." Muttered Crush, to which they chuckled. "How did you know?"

"My assistant locked that door and I had checked it was locked a few minutes after he left. You're lucky I don't sue for breaking and entering."

He chuckled at that. "You never give up, do you". Crush replied before taking a drink. "What about this guy."

"As soon as I saw the lass I knew someone else had to be here. There was no way, Mr Wolfric just let her in."

"So all this, the entire conversation?"

"That's right. Here." Cornelius handed him the photo." I can even get you the shipping number if you like. It's in my name of course as all our orders are."

Mr Crush shook his head at the photo. "Well played you two. You know I'm able to get almost anyone but you," he pointed at Mr Wolfric, "you have always kept one step ahead of me."

The Reaper chuckled. "Flattery will get you nowhere. Be sure to check my order, we do go through sleazy channels to get it after all, so it's no surprise."

"Why do you do that? Why not go through the normal systems?" Asked Mr Crush.

"Simple, if my name is on anything, you folk jump on it making the nightly news." He chuckled. "And I like to keep out of the spotlight, just as much as Charles here." cornileus, through in, still preoccupied with his wet suit.

"Who's the girl?" Crush asked, curious of what he'd say, as he eyed the reaper carefully.

"Ah trying to see what my relationship is huh?" Mr Wolfric chuckled. "She comes in singing to make a little doe trying to pay for school, I barely know her.” he squinted his eyes. Leave all that up to my bartender Ashley Signs. But you already knew that considering you've harassed every one of my employees, going to go bother MissOak now are we?" He asked, with a conniving grin.

Knowing he's been caught the FBI agent took the last gulp of his drink and followed Mr Cornileus out the door. Leaving an amused Reaper.