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See? Way nicer than that bitter reaper back at Eden.

9

YOU COMPLAIN A LOT FOR SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A LAWYER

I am back in my apartment at Eden going over my notes from my conversation with Joey. But I am also reading the history of Eden from a book that was provided to me my first day. There is no exact clarification of how Eden was established, or who did it. The history is mostly about the evolution of the departments, and the effect of the advancement of technology on Eden.

I also learn about different devices and tattoos they have for specialized projects, and about banned weapons. There is a weapon called ‘The Obliterator’, which is fitting considering that is exactly what it does—obliterate a human soul. That means no Heaven, Hell, reincarnation, or becoming a reaper. Your soul is gone forever. It was used on people who committed such awful deeds, that the only fit punishment was to cease to exist forever.

However, they banned it, as it was deemed a heinous form of punishment. At least they banned it after they used it on Hitler.

Reapers also get number tattoos depending on what department they are in. So, there should be seven numbers. Each department's tattoo gives them certain capabilities to fulfill their jobs. The numbers also coordinate with the floors they are on. It makes it very convenient when trying to remember where to go. I think I saw Aiden with the number three tattoo on his wrist.

I look at the notes I took while talking to Joey, typing them up to add to the timeline I’m creating. I need to ask Aiden if he can get me a white board, as I work better when I physically put up all the evidence. Most of Joey’s answers help me understand their job better and his relationship with Aiden. Joey seems a decent enough guy, but then again, the bar is in Hell after meeting Aiden.

When Joey and I left the hospital, I asked him to take me to my cats to make sure they were okay. Turns out, that asshole Richard had my cats. I could not allow that. We did what any reasonable person would do in my situation—we stole them.

Well, is it really stealing if they are mine?

We brought them to Ms. Jean’s house, who was not there when we arrived. But she did have some rum cake resting on the counter, which I snagged a couple of pieces from for Yirah and I to enjoy later.

I kissed my babies goodbye with the promise of seeing them again one day. However, I became concerned. I have yet to see an animal in Eden and no one has mentioned it. Do they have separate entities that take care of them? Are there cat grim reapers? These are important questions that need to be answered.

After I said goodbye to my cats, Joey, Jessica, and I left. I was happy to know my cats will be loved by my neighbor. Hopefully, she’d fatten them up and give them a good life. When we got back to Eden, we took Jessica to the Soul Directory department, where she was told to be seated until her name was called. The department has reapers who sit down with souls and explain why they are either going to Heaven, Hell or becoming a reaper.

I push those thoughts aside, take a deep breath and get back to work. I am writing down a list of other witnesses to talk to, and departments I need to visit, when there is a knock at my door. Considering I know like only three people, I can only guess who it may be. When I open it, I am surprised to see Joey. Perhaps it’s not so surprising, considering the number of times I caught him admiring my ass. He wasn’t even embarrassed by it, he just smirked and winked.

Joey doesn’t wait for my invitation to come in, he just walks into my kitchen and starts unpacking food.

“I didn’t think you ate yet, so I brought some food for you while you work. I can’t stay for long, but I just wanted to check in,” he says as he opens cabinets. Looking for the dishware, I assume.

“It’s the last cabinet closest to the fridge,” I inform him, watching as he strides over to the cabinet. He opens it and pulls out a bowl. As he is reaching up, I notice a tattoo on his hip. I don’t get a good look at it, but it looks like an infinity sign. He sets the bowl on the counter for my meal. It’s nice of him to bring me food.

“Why are you bringing me food this late?” My brows tug together.

He sighs and turns to me. “Aiden is one of my closest friends. I want to make sure you are serious about this and doing all you can to help him.”

Ah, so he wants to scope me out to see if I’m doing my job well enough.

I smile at him, despite wanting to tell him to fuck off. “Don’t worry, I am taking this very seriously. If I lose, Aiden goes to Hell for a hundred years and I go right with him. Maybe they will let us be cellmates.” He smiles back as he pours the soup.

I glance at the food. Are you joking right now? I swallow down the vomit that I swear is rising in my throat. The problem isn’t that it’s soup. The problem is that there’s mushrooms in it. I absolutely—with every fiber of my being—hate mushrooms. I am not being dramatic, either. The way it looks…the texture…even the smell makes me want to puke. Who the hell picked up a mushroom from the ground and said ‘yeah, let’s eat this’? Especially considering that some of them are poisonous. It’s amazing that humanity lasted this long.

I don’t want to be rude because he did go out of his way to bring me food, so I smile politely and lie through my teeth.

“Thank you so much for the food. I’m not hungry right now, but I will eat it later.” Is this why I’m going to Hell, because I lie too much? Technically, I’m lying to not hurt his feelings, isn’t that a good deed?

But what do I know? If you ask me, I think the whole system is rigged.

As he is pouring the soup into a bowl, he glances at me. “It’s no problem at all. I got this from my favorite restaurant.”

Once he finishes, he wipes his hand with a napkin. He can see the living room from the kitchen and lifts his chin in the direction of my paperwork spread.

“I see you’re still working. Any progress so far? Do you know what you are going to argue?”

“Not really. I still have a lot more work to do. By the way, I don’t know the standards for lawyers in the afterworld, but where I’m from, we are not allowed to talk about our client’s case.”

He nods. “I don’t know the rules here either, but I respect what you say.” He clasps his hands. “I’m going to head off. Make sure to stop by my office tomorrow and say ‘hi’. Maybe we can go on collections together again, perhaps every once in a while? It would be an honor to be accompanied by a beautiful woman.”