Chapter 6 Unexpected Rescue

November 4th

Sarah sat in the kitchen, comparing one of Sky's feathers to her book of bird feathers. "Hmm, no, definitely not a bird feather," she mumbled as she put down the object in question and turned to a new one. Pulling out her microscope, she watched a purple substance bubble and shift shapes. Even with the strange anomaly in front of her, she thought about her past few weeks in college.

Despite the strange drawbacks of her new friend, Eddie, turning into a mutant, she had made herself at home within the girl's apartment. The drawn pictures, hung on the fridge, reminded her of how well Maroo and Eddie had hit it off. Since then, the two had spent hours one day drawing hundreds of costumes, wasting all of Ray's art supplies.

The memory of that day brought a smile to Sarah's face. "Since when did I change so much?" she quietly questioned herself before straightening out her lips and bringing her attention back to the task at hand. Carefully, she took a drop of red liquid and added it to the purple gooey substance under the microscope. She observed its reaction.

It merged for a moment before a dark black smoke arose from it. Mesmerized by the strange phenomenon, Sarah murmured, "Fascinating," before she heard someone call her name from outside.

"Mom!" she jumped up without thinking, taking off out the door as she also heard a male voice scream out her name. "Dad!"

As she tore open the apartment door, she rushed out not into the hallway but found herself in an alley instead. Bewildered by this, she blinked a few times as she thought she recognized it. But at the sound of her father's voice yelling "Run, Sarah, run!" she ignored the strange sense of déjà vu and began heading in their direction. A maniacal laughter filled the air as her father pleaded once again.

"Please stop this! Don't hurt them! Don't... I'll help, just don't—"

"Hahahaha." A shadow just out of the streetlight rose from the ground. Its eyes glowed with a burning emerald. A flash of lightning revealed what little form could be made out. A human skull, with fangs like a wolf, antlers on its head, and dressed in a black cloak. It grinned and laughed as lightning struck again. Sarah froze at the sight of the figure raising a gun with what looked to be a bear claw.

"Sarah, run! Please, run!" her mother called out. But at the sound of a thunderous bang, she awoke from her horrible nightmare. The stench of her own sweat, heavy breathing, and wildly pumping heart left her in a state of fear. She quickly twitched her eyes, taking in her surroundings.

Releasing where she was, Sarah sighed, catching her breath, finding herself at the counter once more in front of her microscope. "I must have fallen asleep," she uttered as she glanced at the clock.

"One in the morning."

...

Sky slowly came to her senses in a drowsy haze. A blinding light from above her only made her feel worse, thanks to the pounding of her skull. "Ouch," she moaned as she lowered her head into her hand, blinking a few times trying to adjust to the harsh lighting of the room.

She found herself backstage, with a bottle at her feet. "Well, that explains the headache," she groaned as she took out her phone to check on the time. One glance and her eyes nearly popped from their sockets, forcing her to her feet. She quickly learned not to make any more fast movements, thanks to the nausea she had. "I've got to get home," she mumbled, cleaning the dirt off her simple green dress. She was glad to see her fake leather jacket was still intact, hiding her uncomfortable mutant wings.

With a yawn, she exited the door with a sign that read "Reaper's" thinking only of how to get home. "I've got to get home, I've got to get... home," she muttered with a yawn in between words as she quickly went through her purse looking for loose change.

"Do the buses even run this late?" She questioned. "Perhaps I'll take the subway or—" She shifted her left wing under her jacket as she thought she could use a good stretch. "But I don't have my mask; I can't..." she argued with herself not paying attention as two figures walked up to her.

"Can we help you, miss?" asked a sneezy voice from a short fat man, along with him a tall fat man.

"Oh no, no that's alright... I just um... I must have drunk too much," Sky told them.

"Oh really? Well look, it's quite a late night to be walking in a city like this," said one of the men.

"Thank you, but I'm fine, really," she told them firmly.

"I don't think you understand, miss," the short one said with a snap of his fingers, telling his friend to pull out a knife.

"Sorry, it's nothing personal, just hand over your purse and we'll let you go. You can keep your phone to call a ride home." The tall one smiled disturbingly. The area was so dark that Sky couldn't make out much detail of either of them, but the shine of the knife was definitely visible.

"Na, no please?" She pleaded, frightened of the muggers who approached her. The short one raised his hand to grab her, but she leaped out of his reach. "Now don't worry, we'll get you home; we just need a bit of cash for our reward."

This had to be a dream, a nightmare. Sky had to be at home safe and sound under blankets with her cat. With a look of fear on her lips, she dashed her eyes around. To them, it looked like a scared woman, but in reality, she wanted to make sure no one could see them as her mind thought of what she could do in this situation. "A few more steps by that bush behind me," she glanced at the object in question. "And no one will see what I'll do to them if they touch me," she thought in her mind as she pictured herself tearing off their arms. She could do that with her new-found strength. Or perhaps one glance at her mutant wings, and the tables would turn instantly when they noticed she was a mutant. Either way, the fools were messing with the wrong woman, Sky thought as she continued leading them closer to her trap.

"No please," she pleaded, shaking, trying to look as weak as she could to lure them in.

With an amused chuckle, the short one gave a snap of his fingers, and the other prepared himself to lunge the knife forward by raising his arm. Only to gasp and come to a stop. Sky could make out the short one change his confident posture to one of fear as he began shrinking from her. Causing confusion in Sky's mind, she hadn't shown her true form yet; she was going to but they weren't close enough yet. So what exactly were they afraid of then?

"If you were smart, you'd let go of that knife," said a cold voice behind Sky. Another one. Someone else, about to mug her. Perhaps worse. But unlike these two scumbags, this one was a far more chilling voice. One that could bring a chill to anyone just by the voice alone. Sky could tell this was not someone you wanted to mess with. "This is the third time I've caught you trying to mug someone," it growled harshly, freezing Sky in her place.

It never occurred to her what the man behind her was actually saying.

"Ra, ra, Reaper, we were just trying to help her find her home honestly," lied the short chubby man in front of her.

"Is that so?" he said with an amused voice. You could even hear the grin on his face. Sky couldn't even participate. There was no time.

In an instant, she saw a tall black figure shoot out from behind her. It punched the fat short man square in the jaw. The fat tall man tried to swipe his knife at the figure but seemed to catch nothing but air as the figure easily evaded the blade. With a quick punch to the gut, the fat tall one was already falling down. The figure didn't stop there though. With a twist of his wrist, he easily broke the man's hand and took the knife from him. The figure who looked like it was a shadow itself rose to its full height. It was clearly taller than even the fat tall man. It stood over the two, its back turned to Sky.

The two didn't hesitate to run as fast as they could before the shadow decided to attack again. Sky could have taken them on herself; silly. She could also now run or even fly safely away, but she was entranced by her savior.

The shadow-like creature gave a chuckle as he began to walk away.

"Wait, stop, please," Sky said shyly, not knowing why.

The figure stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Ah, you're still here, huh? Figured you'd run off by now."

"I, uh..." She stuttered. She still had a little bit of instinctual fear, telling her to run. But she stood still.

"Tha, thank you. For uh."

the shadow turned completely towards her. But she couldn't make out any features. "What are you still doing here anyway? You usually leave the bar long before this hour. This place is not a good place to be in the middle of the night. The south side of town is full of thugs like those morons."

"Hmm, uh..."

"I know you sing," said the shadow, sounding bored already.

"Oh, well... I usually have a glass to help me overcome my stage fright, but uh, I must have had one too many. That or someone spiked my drink," she chuckled nervously. "Are you at the bar often? I don't normally see you," she said skeptically.

"Usually I'm in the back; I tend to hear you from time to time. You have quite the lovely voice. If I may compliment you," he said, catching her off guard.

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With a tilt of her head, she mentally backstepped. Only a moment ago he seemed so frightening yet here she was having an average conversation, after what just happened. “Am I crazy?” She could tell he was wearing a hat and a trench coat, but otherwise couldn't figure out who he was, standing in the dark, he looked only like a shadow from a horror movie.

"I, uh... thank you."

"Yes, well... the buses don't run this hour. I'll take you home myself," he said, pulling out a pair of car keys.

"Oh, oh that's quite alright actually..." She began to protest.

"Nonsense, after all, what just happened to you? What kind of man would I be if I let you walk home in a city like this? Come," he said and headed off in the other direction through the parking lot.

She cautiously followed him, thinking if the man tried anything funny, she could just use her powers. But something about him seemed very kind, if not terrifying.

She caught up to him quickly and walked beside him until they entered the light of a streetlamp. Now with was her chance to finally get a look at him and cautiously dashed her eyes, not knowing what to expect.

He wore a black top hat, matching long trench coat, black gloves, and black jeans and was dressed head to toe in black. Even his sunglasses, which she thought was a bit odd to wear in the middle of the night. The only color that was on him was a silver chain with a watch. He had a beard and mustache but his face was long, skinny, and pale - so very pale that he looked almost like a skull.

Despite this odd appearance though, he had a simple reassuring smile that seemed warm even against the cold look he sported.

She couldn't help but smile a bit; his cheerful attitude was contagious.

"I just want to get something real quick from the coffee shop around the corner and we'll be along," he told her calmly as they headed down the street.

The more she stood in his presence, the more at ease she felt, though she couldn't explain why. Perhaps it was the fact that she was just mugged and he saved her that had her so calm.

The two entered a little mom-and-pop coffee shop that was open till midnight judging by the sign on the window. However, there were still lights on and the door was still open.

He opened the door for her saying "After you." Something that surprised her even more. Such a gentleman was hard to find these days.

She walked in as the smell of coffee cookies and other sweet treats hit her nostrils.

"We're closed," called the man cleaning the counters. He was obviously Irish with red hair.

"Really even for me?" Smirked her company.

The man turned with a shocked face. With a mighty smile, he called out "Reaper! Hey Ally! Check out who it is!"

A woman from behind the counter peeked over the cash register. "Well well well! Haven't seen you in forever!" The lady chuckled. "And who is this cute thing? Did someone finally catch the Reaper's eye?"

He chuckled nervously. "Haha no no this is just a friend... um miss?" He turned to Sky.

"Oak," she replied playing with her hair. "I'm Skyler Oak or Sky." She said shyly. "He kinda saved me from being mugged tonight."

"Ah our hero strikes again then!" Cormac replied sarcastically as he finished cleaning the table.

"Yeah nothing beats newborn twins!" Cormac's wife answered with a laugh.

"Well congrats! I hope the little devils aren't causing too much trouble," Chuckled Reaper

"Hey speaking about trouble man you got to try our new berry blast shakes man they're flying off the shelves," Cormac told them.

"Perhaps another time I would just like my usual please," Reaper said

"A cup of tea and two blueberry muffins, would you like them to stay or to go?" asked Mrs. Cornelius.

"For here, if you don't mind?" he asked Sky, who shook her head.

"Anything for you, dear," replied Mrs. Cornelius.

"Uh, I'll have the same, actually," Sky said.

"One muffin, please," Cornielus asked.

"You like tea?" Sky asked as she sat down.

"Oh, believe me, Miss Oak, if I have coffee, I'm as jittery as a little schoolgirl!" he replied as he took his seat across from her.

Cornelius stood at the table, excited to see him.

"Well, any friend of the Reaper is a friend of mine," he said. "My name is Cornelius Cornelius Cornelius."

"Cornelius Cornelius?" Sky repeated in question.

"Yep, my parents had a sense of humor!" He smiled.

"Bet you can't guess my middle name?" he asked.

"That's right, Betsy!" He chuckled as he stood up.

"So has he shown you any of his card tricks yet?" Cormac asked excitedly.

Sky shook her head.

"Come on, Reaper! Show her a trick or two. You'll love this! I still can't figure out how he does it!" Cormac said.

"Ah, I would, except I don't have a pack of cards," he smiled.

"Oh, come on! You always have one or two!" Cormac said.

The Reaper chuckled. "You'd be wrong about that."

As he reached into his pockets, he said, "See? Nothing here. Nothing up my sleeve."

He grinned and snapped his fingers, twisting his hand before producing a pack of playing cards.

Sky smiled, impressed by the trick.

The Reaper shuffled the deck with one hand. "Name one," he said to Sky.

"The Queen of Hearts," she replied.

The Reaper smirked, shuffled the deck some more without looking, and then handed it to her. "Here, you shuffle it," he said.

Sky took it, curious as to what Reaper had planned, and did as she was told. After Reaper took the cards back, he laid them all out face down, except for one of them that was face up! The Queen of Hearts!

"How did you do that?" Sky asked, amazed.

"A magician never reveals his secrets," he told her, with a wave of his hand making them disappear.

Sky didn't even realize she was smiling so much until she felt her smile fade due to his expression. As he looked out the window, he simply looked very sad, and she couldn't help but wonder why.

It was short-lived, however, when Cornelius's wife brought their order, brightening right up as he took a bite of one of his muffins. He ate it all in one bite before Sky could even get another word out.

"I tell you, I don't know how he does it," Cornelius said. "The only thing better than his card tricks is his singing."

"You sing?" Sky asked, surprised.

With his mouth full, he answered, "Naa, I'm much better at playing than I am singing."

"This guy knows just about every instrument you can think of," Frankie told her with a bright smile.

"He played at our wedding, actually, such a nice night," his wife commented. "We'll come on, back to work," she ordered her husband, who followed his wife's orders with a nod before leaving the two to themselves.

"So, you're a regular here?" asked Sky.

"Me, I wish," he said with his mouth full, taking a moment to swallow before continuing. "I often send my assistant down here to fetch me something."

"So, your name's Reaper?" She asked, a bit confused.

"A nickname, actually," he said. "That's why my bar is called Reapers."

"You're the owner," Sky said, wide-eyed.

He nodded. "Tenacity owns this place too; I'm a banker and I own the building. Cornelius is technically an employee, but I consider him a business partner of mine, one of many." He smiled.

"How did you get the name Reaper?" She asked, a bit worried about the answer.

"You don't want to know," he chuckled. "It's not for a good reason; I'm known for the most kills in military history for any soldier." He said sullenly. "Still, life goes on," he took a sip of his tea.

"You're a veteran; oh well, thank you for your service," she said before taking a bite of her own muffin.

He chuckled at that. "Oh, believe me, the last thing anyone should do is thank me." He sighed as he ate the last of his other muffin. "And what about you, Miss Oak? What is it that you do?"

"Oh, I'm in Casper College actually, going through veterinarian training. In fact, the reason why I sing at your bar is to make a little extra so I can afford the books."

Casper... ah, that's quite a prestigious school." He said with a bored tone. Still sounding uninterested.

"...Quite difficult to get in. Makes sense; there are worse ways for a woman to make money in this town. Especially one with your looks... still looks aren't everything, especially in this city. You have to be smart. To get anywhere. If you're studying to be a veterinarian at one of the most esteemed schools in the country, you're well on your way at least."

This surprised her. She simply didn't know what to say about the compliment and decided to just drink her tea instead.

When she was finished, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a hundred and set it on the table...

"Oh no, no, it's on the house," Cornelius said.

"Absolutely not; I refuse," Reaper replied.

"Oh please, if it weren't for you, we wouldn't be in business. I must insist it's on the house. Besides, it was only fifteen dollars," shrugged The owner.

"Fine; consider it a tip," Reaper told him as he dusted off his clothes.

"Oh no, I can't accept a hundred," Cornelius shook his head with a wide grin.

"Take it before I change my mind," barked The Reaper before he stomped out of the door calling back to Cornelius's wife, "See ya later, Ally."

With a twitch of her lips into a smile, Sky gave a thankful nod before running after her savior.

"That was kind of you," she remarked as she caught up to him.

"That little shop has been there since I was a kid. Most places like that have all but gone away as the city's progress has bought up properties," he replied as he brought out his pocket watch.

"I hope they never close," he said under his breath, just loud enough for Sky to hear.

"Now let's get you home," he said louder.

"Yes," Sky said louder than she meant to as she nervously pulled her hair...

"Who said anything about a car?" chuckled The Reaper as he got on the back of a motorcycle.

At the sight of it, her eyes grew four times their size, causing a smirk to cross The Reaper's face. Seeing her hesitation, he gave a little shrug and gestured with a nod of his head to get on.

She gulped for a second before mustering up what courage she had to put on her own smile and join him...

As they came to a stop light, The Reaper asked for her address...

"Ah, Casper road, the corner of Starkiller?" he asked.

Casper road huh? Just up from the campus? Got it." He grinned glancing at her in his rearview mirror...

Pulling up to the apartments, he came to a stop much to Sky's disappointment...

"This is the place right?" He asked her.

"Yes... tha... thank you for..." she stuttered...

"No problem but let's not make this recurring thing; go home when your show is done," he told her as he pulled out his wallet from his jacket and held out some money to her as she got off his bike...

"Oh... that's kind of you but-"

"I'm going out of town for a few weeks; I won't be able to pay you for singing at the bar so here's an early check."

“OH,” she replied with a smile and took the cash, still surprised by the night's events. She only wished her wings weren't so cramped, so she could enjoy it better.

With a loud burst of the engine, Sky waved a thank you, and good buy as he left.

“Goodbye," She whispered. This was goodbye to the man who saved her. Goodbye to The reaper. Good buy to…. To.

She gasped as she noticed she never even asked for his real name.